Saddle #3 Started

[Josh Ashman]

A year and a half after saddle #2 was finished I started #3, here are a few progress pics. I only work leather in the early mornings before my "real" job and a little on the weekends so this represents about 2 weeks worth of work. The saddle is for my wife and I'm hoping to be done by Valentines day, we'll see how that works out. Anyway, it's on a Bowden tree with 14/16 HO.

I'll post some more pics when it gets finished.

Hope everybody has a good weekend!

Josh

[EquusCustomLeathers]

Big Valentine points for you! Looks great so far

[Josh Ashman]

Thanks!

[BondoBobCustomSaddles]

Hey Josh, looks like you and I had the same mentors. Looks very much like it may have been sitting on my bench not yours!! I am sure you wife will be happy. Keep up the good work.

Bob

[Josh Ashman]

Thanks Bob! I appreciate the kind words.

[keplerts]

Wow, very nice! Looks like you are doing a great job. The wife will be very happy. I'm new to the saddle making scene and was wondering if that is a flate plate rigging? I like the hardware, where did you get that?

Also, how did you align the rigging plates? Did you use the Stohlman rigging gage. I don't have a gage so I've been dragging my feet to starting a saddle of my own. Again, it is really looking nice and I

can't wait to see how you progress. Sorry for so many questions.

Tom

[Josh Ashman]

Thanks Tom,

That is a flate plate rigging and the hardware is from Weaver, it's the Jerimiah Watt brand. I think you can also get it direct from him at his website www.ranch2arena.com . I pretty much follow the Stohlman books but I haven't built his rigging gauge. I use a combination of strings, tapes and levels along with my "good eye". The Dusty Johnson DVD shows a fairly simple jig that looks like it would be easy to make and use although I haven't made me one yet.

Best regards,

Josh

[keplerts]

Josh,

Thanks for the info. I did find the hardware at Weaver's. I have the Stohlman books and think the rigging gauge is quite the contraption. I saw the rigging gauge in Dusty's video as well. I don't have his book and was wondering if he goes into any detail of making the gauge or how to use it. Do you have his book and does he explain the gauge? I am repairing an old saddle and want to replace the rigging but I'm afraid I won't get the in equal positions when I install them. It just seems as there should be and easy method to line them up. I can't picture the "strings, tapes, and levels" method in my head.

Thanks,

Tom

[Goldshot Ron]

Josh,

Your work looks good. I like your stitching and the fork cover looks good. One suggestion on your rigging would be to bring the leather up to completely cover the front of the bars. This allows you to attach the rigging with the rosette and front jockey nails, and you won't have the low spot that you have at the upper tip of the bars at the gullet.

I, probably like you, have used the Stohlman's book extensively. I made the rigging jig, and use it when first setting my rigging plates. However, I end up using the old string and nail method for checking repairs to the rigging rings and usually during construction just to make sure that I'm keeping things even. The nail and string is just so much easier than the rigging jig, and doesn't get in the way when working.

Keep up the good work,

Ron

[Goldshot Ron]

Josh,

Hopefully this photo shows you what I'm talking about in my first post. This photo is of Al Gould showing how to install a flatplate rigging during the Wickenburg Leather show.

Ron

Edited January 30, 2013 by Goldshot Ron