tiny nails, old thin leather

[SherriTRN]

I am deconstructing an old saddle of mine. First time, no help but what I get online. Are there tricks to removing the tiny nails that are in old thin leather without tearing it? Also, my saddle's skirts are sewn together. I was advised not to cut them loose and just take it apart together. Since I have never done this before, I don't know if I will be able to really clean and condition the leather unless I cut them loose. Any advise?

Edited 6 hours ago by SherriTRN

[BlackDragon]

Don Gonzalez has a couple videos on breaking down a saddle and cleaning. He gets into a lot of detail and shows you the tools he uses, some he made himself.

https://www.youtube.com/@DonGonzalesMaker/search?query=breaking down a saddle

 

[SherriTRN]

I actually watched a video of his to get started. I'll search his YouTube page for more that get into details.

[TomE]

This tack puller has worked well for me on English saddles.  https://a.co/d/hplCLS2

[SherriTRN]

Thank you

 

[bruce johnson]

Yes You can clean and condition a saddle without totally taking it apart. If that is the purpose then you are as far was you need to go in the front end.

If you are taking apart totally, then to get these rigging nails off then first remove the screws. I always have better luck lifting the nails from under the leather with a heavy tack puller. Once you get them lifted a little then you can go on top of the leather to pull them the rest of the way out. Otherwise you can chew up the leather around them trying to get that first bite. Here are the two I like and now carry for sale. If they are ring shank nails, be ready to say bad words and all bets are off. 

[SherriTRN]

The fleece needs to be replaced. I will have to take the skirts off to accomplish that, correct? That is the only reason I was going to take them off. But if I'm taking that far, figured I might as well make sure I get it really clean and conditioned while apart.

If I understand what shank nails are, no. All the nails I have pulled thus far were smooth.

Just thinking by looking at it and not having previous knowledge in saddle repairs, why can't I just get a tiny punch and punch the leather around the nail heads out and pull it up. Then fight getting the nails out. Or hammer them in as flat as possible. Re-nail in the same hole with a larger head nail, or beside these (if I couldn't get the nails out). It seems easier than trying not to rip this thin leather. Am I crazy?

[bruce johnson]

Yes you will need to take the skirts off and separate them to reline them. 

These nails help to seal up that top edge and keep stuff from getting down in between that skirt pocket and tree. The strength is in the screws. 

Lift the nails out, don't punch around them. The idea of fasteners is to have the shank fill the hole in the leather so it doesnt work around as much. If you punch the leather you will have a hard time finding nails to fill that hole without being so big you risk splitting the tree.  Start at the back nail and  get under the leather around the nail with your puller, pry it up until the nail lifts a bit. Go to the top side and remove the nail with the puller. Work your way forward a nail at a time. Since they are smooth nails you should not have much of a problem. 

[SherriTRN]

Thanks. I'll give the old college try.