chinks

[steve mason]

Howdy all you saddlemakers;

I have just made these chinks up, let me know what you all see good or bad, I don't mind constructive criticism. These chinks are the first time I have put spots on chinks, added up there are 244 1/4" spots on these chinks. I used a new 5/8"punch to pink the leather (thanks Elton). they are a step in chap but they have zippers so you don't have to step in if you don't want to.

I do have a question about pricing these chaps if you all don't mind. My base price is $400 (canadian funds)for chinks, my extra time on these chaps is about 3.5 hours to pink and spot them, the price of the spots is under $10, I am thinking that I will sell these for either $500 or $550, I am leaning more towards $550, I know another local chapmaker (whose chaps are in this months Western Horseman) would get more than that for these chinks if he made them. I might be a little bias here but I think these are a premium product and they should demand a premium price. I think the only way a guy can get paid well for his work is to put a price on his work that will make him some money, after all I am trying to make a living at this. Yet I don't want to be raping someone with my prices also. Let me know what you all think.

Steve

[RyanCope]

Steve,

If your base price is $400, I wouldn't charge any less than $550. I don't know what your labor rate is, let's say it is $40/ hour (That's what I charge). 3 1/2 additional hours @ $40 is $140, plus materials. Nice job. Those are clean.

Ryan Cope

[mulefool]

I agree on the $550.00. They look plenty worth it. I just had a customer order some with spots which I haven't done before either. I've been rolling around in my head what to quote so your experience is really helpful. do you have a foot operated spot setter, or did you do them by hand?

[Dually]

Really nice job Steve. I like these a lot. Someone will gladly pay for the extra effort and bling. My question is, without knowing what stitcher you use, do you have trouble stitching that close to the spots, without getting bounced back? Does that make sense? I use a Artisan flatbed which I really like but have felt limited by how close I can get to the spots.

Thanks

[Bob]

Steve, I like that scalloped edge. You always seem to come up with the coolest ideas....I'm sure those are worth 550-600 no problem...

It seems you set the spots after the sewing is done... Please do tell, is your setter a single feed foot press or does it have a hopper?

Bob

[mudman]

Those are really nice!!

[Elton Joorisity]

STELLAR job Mason!! I haven't used my pinking punch on anything but scrap since I got home. My price on them would be $550-$575 but I charge extra on top of base for the second color of fringe. I also charge for decorative stitching like you did on the tops.

You are more than welcome for the punch. It's part of my way of saying thank you for helping me out on a few things here and there along my way.

Edited June 5, 2008 by Elton Joorisity

[steve mason]

Howdy;

thanks for the compliments and the advise, it is all appreciated.

To answer a few of the questions, the chaps are sewn first then the spots are put in place, I set all the spots with a hand spot set I got from Tandy, that is why it took so long to put the spots in. I think I set more spots on these chinks than I had in my whole life before these chinks. I have not seen a foot press spot setter in person, just in catalogs (weaver) I would think that they would save a guy a lot of time, and they may do a better job also?? Any of you use one or know how well they work? where they can be purchased?

Bob; the design in not totally my original idea, I have seen chaps made with scallops and spots before which gave me the inspiration to make these, it's not my fault those guys thought of my idea before I did!!

I do not charge extra for my fringe being sewn on, I have that cost figured into my base price, if I am two toning the color on chaps I will charge extra where these chinks are all cut from the same hide, the fringe is just turned ruff out. The stitching I do on the top belt is not just decoration, it does help keep the chap leather belts a little firmer, and it only takes a couple minute do to, not sure how to put an extra charge for two minutes work, if you got any ideas let me know

Thanks Much

Steve

Edited June 6, 2008 by steve mason

[greg gomersall]

Steve I have one of the Standard Rivet Co. single shot foot presses I got from TM years ago, works good but if I were doing lots of spotting I would want one of the auto feed spotters, big bucks but dand are they fast and slick. I used Dave Hacks once and loved it. Greg

[kseidel]

Nice Chinks Steve! My base price for chinks is $525. I would estimate the extra time to be about 2-2.5 hours and my shop rate is $85 an hour. that would make my price $about $750 with extra materials (spots).

I have a Standard single spot setter like Greg mentioned, they cut your setting time in half or more. It would be nece to have the auto feed. the time may be shortened, but someone has to pay for the machine.

Don't be ashamed to charge more. More labor and better skills warrant better pay. If you were working for a shop, you would expect to be paid more for better skill level than an entry level workman.

Keith

[Lamplog]

Hi Steve,

Great looking pair of chinks, I really like how you turned the fringe around to get the different contrast. Sometimes the most simple ideas have have the greatest effect. Never seen it done before.

I have been toying with having a friend make a scalloped pinking punch like the one you used but it is not exactly priorty on his list as he shoes for a livin and has a hard time findin the time. Can those be purchased somewhere or did you make or have it made. I got a pair of chaps years ago and I always liked the effect of a scalloped edge. It just seems to set things up a little extra ordinary.

Tom

[Elton Joorisity]

Call Bob Douglas. He has them.

[Noah]

You did a Great Job on those. I'm sure learning alot from this group. Those are well worth the price I'd say. Terry

Edited July 19, 2008 by Noah