UKRay Report post Posted February 21, 2010 This was a simple little job that took longer than I expected because the last guy to replace the leather made a mess of the woodwork by gluing the leather to it. I had a lot of extra work filling in nail holes, re-touching paint and generally trying to find a firm fixing for the fancy headed tacks that hold it together. In some parts I had to use 1.25" nails to hold the leather in place and then try to cover them with the heads of the tacks. The horse is quite old, I have no idea when it was made but this was obviously the fourth or fifth set of harness and saddle it had received. According to the owner, the last set was on there for more than 25 years - go figure. The trim leather is 2.5mm thick veg tan stained with Fiebings saddle tan professional oil dye. The seat of the saddle is a piece of upholstery leather that had been in the bottom of a box for about ten years waiting for a job. It was nice and stretchy and covers a big chunk of felt padded with soft fibre stuffing. The stuffing was probably the most satisfying part of the task as it made the whole job look better. I should point out that the job was to replace - like for like - the existing leatherwork, making small improvements where possible. They wanted the tack nailed on for cheapness even though the last one I did had removable tack like a real horse. In case you are interested, I charged £130 (just over $200) for time and materials - about 7 hours labor. It ain't going to make me rich but its better than going to work. The guys who delivered the beast to my workroom and then came and took it away when it was finished charged the owner £50 for less than twenty minutes work... Ray Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Luke Hatley Report post Posted February 21, 2010 (edited) A job well done. thanks for letting us see some of your finished work. "remember it is not about the dollar ,it is about a job well done". remember.... Edited February 21, 2010 by Luke Hatley Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TimKleffner Report post Posted February 22, 2010 Ray Thank you for posting those pics. It's pieces like that , that keep me doing leather. There's something to be said about making items that can be passed thru generations. Great! Thanks for the pics Tim Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
yaklady Report post Posted February 22, 2010 Very nice, Ray! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Crystal Report post Posted February 22, 2010 What a wonderful piece to get to work on, Ray. You did it justice! Thanks for sharing this! Crystal Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GrampaJoel Report post Posted February 22, 2010 Very nice work! That horse should be placed in a spot for the whole world passing by to see! Very beautiful. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
leatheroo Report post Posted February 22, 2010 great project....love it Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
celticleather Report post Posted February 23, 2010 Nice one, Ray! I love working on rocking horses . . . it's a pity there are so few of them left! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dscott Report post Posted February 23, 2010 nice work Dscott Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dirtclod Report post Posted February 23, 2010 Nice job Ray ! To bad they wouldn't let you put buckles on the bridle. I'd like to have a rocking horse like that. John Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
abn Report post Posted February 23, 2010 The guys who delivered the beast to my workroom and then came and took it away when it was finished charged the owner £50 for less than twenty minutes work... Yes, but did they enjoy their part of this task as much as you did? Take pride in a job well-done -- this is really nice work! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
