Mechanical Cowgirl Report post Posted May 10, 2011 I'm starting my first saddle, it's a wade tree and I received some advice from a local-ish saddle maker on how to make my patterns for the ground seat but I'm stuck on the tools. So far I have two pieces in and I've shaped them with a round knife, hoof rasp, and a grinder with a wire wheel... I know I don't have the proper tools, so, where can I find some good skivers for working the ground seat? I have the little skiver from Tandy and we are just not getting along at all, not sure if there is a way to modify it so it doesn't gouge chunks out? The grider works pretty well, but not for the edges :-) And it sure makes a mess my whole shop is covered in leather dust and I get glared at by the cat and dog when I use it. I'd like to know what to buy and where to buy it. Thanks! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dirtclod Report post Posted May 10, 2011 I use cabinet scrapers when i get to final shapeing. Their a little slower but work great i think. http://www.grizzly.com/products/6-pc-Scraper-Set/H5568 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jsmith Report post Posted May 10, 2011 Get your self a skife or safty beveler and a couple of pakages of extra blades. They are inexpensive and do a very good job on alot of your skiving. Tandy,Weaver and most other suppliers have them. Jeff Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jwwright Report post Posted May 10, 2011 As Jeff suggested, my primary tool for ground seat work is a potato peeler style , safety skife. I do use a round knife for the initial skiving of the edges of my ground work pieces prior to gluing them in. JW Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mechanical Cowgirl Report post Posted May 15, 2011 As Jeff suggested, my primary tool for ground seat work is a potato peeler style , safety skife. I do use a round knife for the initial skiving of the edges of my ground work pieces prior to gluing them in. JW Thanks! Off to Tandy... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kevin Report post Posted May 15, 2011 I've seen a guy use a cake icing spreader that was sharpened and did a good job. I've seen several finish up with a sanding disk on a drill, but that sure makes a mess. I work with Slim Berg, he used to build the bronc saddles for Barstow Pro Rodeo, and all he uses is a Skife. Kevin Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Blake Report post Posted May 15, 2011 rasp, and a grinder with a wire wheel. And it sure makes a mess my whole shop is covered in leather dust and I get glared at by the cat and dog when I use it. I'd like to know what to buy and where to buy it. Thanks! Just a note of caution, Leather dust is a carcinogenic and can lead to a condition similar to "Black Lung" so use a mask or other reasonable protection. Blake Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mechanical Cowgirl Report post Posted May 16, 2011 Just a note of caution, Leather dust is a carcinogenic and can lead to a condition similar to "Black Lung" so use a mask or other reasonable protection. Blake Ah, good to know. I would have never guessed that. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mlapaglia Report post Posted September 2, 2013 (edited) Oops Edited September 2, 2013 by mlapaglia Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mjolnir131 Report post Posted September 2, 2013 Just a note of caution, Leather dust is a carcinogenic and can lead to a condition similar to "Black Lung" so use a mask or other reasonable protection. Blake This is a must for anytime your using something that makes dust, you don't know what it will do to you and it maybe something we don't discover for many years down the road. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
