Latest Work/Show Saddle (Reiner)

[Shelly]

Very nice looking saddle- I really like the seat pocket, it looks like a really comfortable ride! I wish I could get my edges to look that nice,

Chuck

Hi

Thanks - my method - On skirts, I edge the bottom with a #4 edger, the top with a #3 edger, then sand the edges with a rotary table sander - this one has large round sanding bands, and they oscillate up and down, while spinning. Once the edges are sanded, I will wet the edge with a dilluted tragacanth solution, and rub with doubled/stitched canvas rub rag - rub until you feel it heat up, and the edge starts to get glassy and shiney looking. I redo any areas that look like it's needed. If you don't want to use tragacanth, you can wet with warm water, and use a block of glycerin saddle soap, rub the edges with the soap, then the rag, and the same deal, wait for the heat, and darker, shiney look. You may be sore after an extended session of rubbing edges...! I never mind helping anyone that wants to come hang out at my shop - I usually put them to work - rubbing edges! (and sweeping the floor!)

[ccpowell]

Thank you for the tips- visiting your shop reminds me of visiting Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital after my freshman year in vet school- they said hello, then put me to work recovering race horses from anesthesia. It was pretty much "get in this padded stall with drunk horses and try to keep them down as long as possible, then help them stand up without getting killed!" I would be happy to rub edges and sweep floors, especially if I got to learn something along the way ,

Chuck

Hi

Thanks - my method - On skirts, I edge the bottom with a #4 edger, the top with a #3 edger, then sand the edges with a rotary table sander - this one has large round sanding bands, and they oscillate up and down, while spinning. Once the edges are sanded, I will wet the edge with a dilluted tragacanth solution, and rub with doubled/stitched canvas rub rag - rub until you feel it heat up, and the edge starts to get glassy and shiney looking. I redo any areas that look like it's needed. If you don't want to use tragacanth, you can wet with warm water, and use a block of glycerin saddle soap, rub the edges with the soap, then the rag, and the same deal, wait for the heat, and darker, shiney look. You may be sore after an extended session of rubbing edges...! I never mind helping anyone that wants to come hang out at my shop - I usually put them to work - rubbing edges! (and sweeping the floor!)