mulefool Report post Posted December 15, 2008 I got in a saddle for repair with a hole in the middle of the fender. It's dry and dirty and needs a reline, but it appears as though something corrosive dripped onto this spot. It looks oily but burnt and the leather just falls out in chips. If all the damaged leather were to chip out it doesn't look like it would continue past the area of quarter size. It has full stirrup leathers so I'm almost inclined to just clean and condition well and leave it at that. Although I get the impression the customer would like me to DO something. I could envision cutting a circle of leather out around the spot putting in a plug, redo the carving on the plug, and then lining from the back. Once this thing is cleaned and conditioned it will be pretty dark so i think the plug could blend in, however I'm not sure how well it would stay in and I also don't really think it's worth it. At least it wouldn't be if it were mine. Has anyone made a similar repair, or have any ideas on it? Thanks, Chris Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bob Report post Posted December 16, 2008 By gully, it sounds like you've an interesting project in hand. Other than alot of heat, I don't know what would do that to leather. I'd sure like to see some pictures of before/after just to see how you gone about doing something like that. I figure is you had a round hand punch to use for cutting out and cutting in a new piece, like you said. Maybe the best way to deal with it and lining the back. Sorry I don't have any good ideas to suggest. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Steve Brewer Report post Posted December 16, 2008 I think new fenders would be best Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MikePatterson Report post Posted December 16, 2008 Got into this once the customer had placed a battery on a shelf over the saddle for the winter then hooked a charger to the battery at some time the acid had dripped onto the fender and ate a hole like you are talking about. Being a very nice saddle the customer had no problem with new fenders. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MikePatterson Report post Posted December 16, 2008 (edited) After thinking about this if the saddle is not worth or the customer is not going to want to spring for new fenders, depending on how big the hole is this is what I would try. If you have a drive hole punch larger than the hole I would punch out the damage then with the same punch in a piece of leather of the same weight I would punch and save the punched piece as it should fit the hole. I would then line with a thin piece in the back glue well and with a two needle zig zag saddle stitch I would patch the hole. They are not going to care if the tooling matches if the saddle is not worth a bunch. If so tool it for them. Die it back and hand them a bill. Just my thoughts. Mike Edited December 16, 2008 by MikePatterson Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mulefool Report post Posted December 16, 2008 (edited) Well, I agree a new fender would be the best thing. It's fully carved, so it wouldn't be cheap, but that would be the repair I could stand behind and say it will be right. The customer really likes the carving on it, although it's not anything special, it's a decent made factory saddle from I'm guessing the 40's or 50's. I'm kind of leery about the plug idea because I'm not sure how reliable it would be down the road and lining the fenders (I'd have to do both so they match) wouldn't be cheap either. Maybe if I'd done that before and knew how it would work out I might feel more confident about it. I appreciate your perspectives on it. Chris Just wanted to edit to add: My top priority is to do a GOOD job, not cheap, but I do like to make sure the customer understands when a repair may be adding more cost than the saddle is worth, so they can make an informed decision. Edited December 16, 2008 by mulefool Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
