In Skirt Rigging

[mjs]

First I would like to thank everyone, I usually can find the answers to my questions by just looking around a bit.

I'm building a saddle with in skirt rigging and with all the horror stories you hear about the rigging ripping out I would like to get peoples thoughts on something I'm thinking about doing.

I was planning on putting a piece of rawhide between the pieces of leather for added strength. In the picture I've laid a piece of paper to show what I'm thinking of doing. the rivets would go thru the rawhide to give added strength and the vertical lines drawn above the ring are showing where I would stitch it in to hold everything together.

So, as I said earlier, let me know if you think this will help add some strength, is this a waste of time, or is there something else I should do.

Thanks, Mike

[BondoBobCustomSaddles]

Mike, certainly adding some raw hide would make it stronger, however; I think you are now in the overkill range. Those saddles that I have seen where the rigging has pulled loose or out, have usually been due to either rivets not set correctly or just plain many years of use and neglect. Two pieces of 11 to 13 oz. leather with the ring sandwiched between will wear a good long time.

Bob

[CWR]

I'm with Bob on this. I use those rings for inskirt and flat plate riggings. The same amount of leather is used for both riggings where the rings are attached. If it is going to get jerked out of the inskirt it is just as likely to get jeked out of the flat plate. I don't think it will hurt anything to add the rawhide but I don't think it is necessary either.

CW

[oltoot]

Based on many years of experience, I would put tapered plugs between the top and bottom with full thickness next to the plate, tapering off to be very thin out at edges. Design objective: To create a gradual, smooth surface for the stirrup leathers/fenders to ride over eliminating any bumps which would wear faster. These don't attach to the plate. IMHO then the rawhide would be overkill. Those vertical stitch lines might add quite a bit of stability and longevity to the setup.