New Fenders/leathers-Color Match And Clean Up

[Newfman]

I was able to shorten it closer to the fender and soak and re-twist it. I believe that will be sufficient. Is there any reason I should not just add three more holes to the tail end, as opposed to unriviting and shortening it from the buckle end? I suspect it will cause the buckle to sit too high possibly causing needless bulk...

And what size punch is it for blevins buckles? 1/4"

Thanks Andy.

[Newfman]

I can shorten the strap 2 1/4". That just eliminates the bottom of the three old rivet holes and leaves 1/2" between the new bottom rivet hole and the beginning of the tooling. Is that a little close for comfort between the tooling and the rivet? I would have to remove the stitching ofcourse, and the old stiching path would just run-out off the end of the strap. There would be about an inch and a quarter left of the old stitching path.

3 inches would put my new rivers into the tooling. Seems that that would be a bit weak, no?

I called my orthopedic surgeon about femur extensions...he hung up. I'm thinking that it's a no.

Edited March 6, 2010 by Newfman

[AndyKnight]

I can shorten the strap 2 1/4". That just eliminates the bottom of the three old rivet holes and leaves 1/2" between the new bottom rivet hole and the beginning of the tooling. Is that a little close for comfort between the tooling and the rivet? I would have to remove the stitching ofcourse, and the old stiching path would just run-out off the end of the strap. There would be about an inch and a quarter left of the old stitching path. No Worries You can do that and stitch later ff you don't have rthe awl and needles.

3 inches would put my new rivers into the tooling. Seems that that would be a bit weak, no?If 2/14 works that would be fine otherwise the rivets in the tooling would also be plenty strong

I called my orthopedic surgeon about femur extensions...he hung up. I'm thinking that it's a no.Darn

[Newfman]

And again I thank you.

I was just outside giving the saddle and all its assorted pieces a good scrubbing before I have to go to work Plenty of time right?!?!

I heard a splashing that wasn't coming from my bucket of soapy water. I looked over to see my Brabant mare (European Heavy Belgian) try to climb up into the raised 55gal. heated water trough! Well, it was heated, and it used to hold 55 gallons. So, I have the saddle hanging in the basement to dry and I have to rush to the feed store to repair a water trough before work. I guess she was in the spring cleaning mood. With her, I can't leave a ladder up to the hay loft because I'm afraid she would try to climb it! She climbs everything!

[Newfman]

Success!

I was able to shorten and re-rivet the leathers at the buckles. Having found a leather shop and store up in Lewiston, Maine ( http://www.mainelineleather.com/ ) I was able to take the hour and ten minute drive to get some supplies. They are mostly into non-saddle stuff, but their little retail store had enough to get me on track. they caryy a lot of Al Stohlmans stuff.

So, when taking the blevins buckle off, I found that not only was it riveted, and stitched, but glued as well. By the time I trimmed off what I was discarding, all but an inch of the glued and stitched leather remained. I was able to split it apart and finish the job. I also spared the last inch of stitching. It helped keep everything in line. I will restitch it when i get the supplies. The stitching thread reminded me of what we used to use on sails and assorted things around the sailboats. Somewhere I have a stitching awl with some waxed line that looks exactly like the stuff used in the stirrup leathers. It is actually a flat thread of cotton with wax impregnated in it. I hand stitched some shade cloths together for a 36' sailboat and also about 30 feet of shade cloth for an awning. Took for friggin ever! Thought I'd never feel my fingers again! I am wondering if it is the same thing for stitching leather?

Anyhow, my stirrups now fit me and the fenders are completely intact. Infact, it looks like I can lower them a notch.

Thank you for the help guys!

By the way, the owner of Maine line leather...was drooling over my saddle! I don't think he had seen a hand made, hand tooled 'real' western saddle before. He was very impressed with the leather work and stitching. He was amazed that it was all stitched by hand! It was pretty cool. :+) Not a lot of that up here in Maine.

[AndyKnight]

Glad it worked !! now try and wear it out !!

Edited March 11, 2010 by AndyKnight