UKRay Report post Posted July 19, 2008 Please excuse an enquiry from someone who has never made a western saddle in their life, but enjoys the craftsmanship you guys exhibit. Following a lead from another post, I have just looked at a very fine looking draw down stand made by Ron's Tool Company www.ronstools.com . I am frustrated because I can't work out how it is used other than as a place to sit a saddle whilst you are working on it. Why is is called a 'draw down' stand? Does it pull the saddle down in some way? What makes it special? What makes it better than a conventional saddle rack? Can anyone show me a picture of one of these things being used? Sorry to ask what is patently a bunch of silly questions but I have been looking at these things for a while and I just can't work out why anyone would want to spend so much money on one! Could one of you fine people enlighten me please? Ray Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
barra Report post Posted July 19, 2008 http://www.leathersupply.com/indexdvd.html# Here is a link to the weaver leather version of the hydraulic draw down. Click on saddle master. Barra Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
UKRay Report post Posted July 19, 2008 http://www.leathersupply.com/indexdvd.html#Here is a link to the weaver leather version of the hydraulic draw down. Click on saddle master. Barra Great video Barra - thanks for that. I can see the need for one of these stands now but I still don't know what a draw down strap does. Is it just another way of fixing the saddle to the stand or does it (as I suspect) do something different? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kseidel Report post Posted July 19, 2008 The "draw down" is to aid in stretching a seat into a saddle. The seat starts out as a flat piece of heavy leather and must be shaped to the shape of the saddle seat. It is a difficult task and nearly impossible without a draw down strap. The hydraulic stands are great! Most saddlemakers make their own drawdown stands out of wooden planks and the seat is drawn down using ones foot on a lever attached to the strap. Keith Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
UKRay Report post Posted July 19, 2008 The "draw down" is to aid in stretching a seat into a saddle. The seat starts out as a flat piece of heavy leather and must be shaped to the shape of the saddle seat. It is a difficult task and nearly impossible without a draw down strap. The hydraulic stands are great! Most saddlemakers make their own drawdown stands out of wooden planks and the seat is drawn down using ones foot on a lever attached to the strap.Keith Many thanks Keith & Barra - it all makes a lot more sense now. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
