Leatherwork - Saddle Fender

[BrokenolMarine]

The second afternoon session got the tooling completed. Slow and Steady, with careful strikes to avoid misses that could cause skids with the tool, or bounces that could cause double strikes and mess up the entire line. I went around the inside of the double border with the half floral punch as the gal asked. Then I set my Maker's Mark, once on each fender. You can see the maker's mark at the bottom of the two fenders in the first pic below.

29 tooling done.jpg (373.28 KiB) Viewed 139 times

A closer look at the tooling in this pic. I haven't added any stain or color yet, but will before I burnish the edges of the components. I have been waiting for reference pictures of the saddle itself from my daughter.

30 closer look.jpg (498.38 KiB) Viewed 139 times

Before I called the afternoon's session done, I cleaned up the glue, rust, and accumulated dirt on the Blevins. The metal piece that locks into the holes on the stirrup strap. I had asked if the owner wanted to order new or re-use these, got no reply, so these will be riveted back in place. I can't get much cleaner than this due to pitting and stains... but they aren't seen when the saddle is in use, so she may not really care.

31 blevins cleaned up a bit.jpg (527.75 KiB) Viewed 139 times

We are moving right along.

[BrokenolMarine]

I'll dress up the edges, and prepare to burnish after oiling/staining, tomorrow. I will first test the various Watco oils on scraps for color comparison before staining the fenders, etc.

Edit:

Not WATCO oils. Those are my woodworking finishes. I'll pre-oil the leather to condition it with neatsfoot, then use the various stains... I have plenty on hand. I should find a good match.

[Hatchdog]

Great progress particularly with the stoppages to flatten the leather. Hope your hands hold up.

[BrokenolMarine]

Wow... finally had a few days to get out in the shop and finish the Saddle Fender Project.

We had about ten days of ice and snow and I wasn't allowed to leave the house. I am unstable enough on uneven ground without adding ice in the mix. (Pun intended.) Miss T was adamant... "You don't need to be out in the weather, if you fall and break something, you are on your own." She wouldn't have left me to fend for myself, but she would have been VERY vocal about every thing she had to do for the next six months. I stayed in the house. SHE only went out to check the fowl and make sure they had food and water. They were "Cooped Up." Gee, that's where the term comes from..

Anywho, the items I had been waiting for finally came in during the time I was stuck inside...
More Mink Oil, longer rivets and burrs, and additional Light Brown Dye. Good to go. I got out and treated the leather, dyed it with two coats of light brown dye, massaged it with Mink Oil to protect it, and then began, after a practice run at using the rivets and burrs, began the assembly. Slow and steady.

The Saddle Assemblies turned out pretty nice.

Back View:

32 Done back.jpg (593.84 KiB) Viewed 59 times

Front View:

33 done front.jpg (606.77 KiB) Viewed 59 times

You may remember Miss T had to cut the stitching so I could remove the Rivet on the Belly Band to attempt to repair that broken loop that held the D-Ring. She discovered the two layers had been glued together. I proposed a repair that would work and the daughter's friend approved it.

Cut Stitches:

34 belly band laces.jpg (637.35 KiB) Viewed 59 times

Here is a long view of the Belly Band, which had been caked with sweat, oil, dirt and grime. I washed it with a toothbrush, saddle soap, and cleaned it up. I used a chicago screw and made a new loop. I put a dab of glue IN the chicago screw to keep it from backing out.
I repaired the stitching using saddle stitching and heavy waxed thread. Unless you were looking for it, you won't find it.

35 belly band washed and repaired.jpg (664.75 KiB) Viewed 59 times

A close up view of the new loop and d-ring. In this picture the belly band has not had the Mink Oil treatment. The owner needs to clean the tack every now and then and treat the gear with some preservative, it will last longer.

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When she saw the pictures she sent a reply. "Wow!" I guess she liked the results.

I'm done.

[Mags]

Nicely done.!

[CT_Shooter]

Awesome job, Marine. Thanks for sharing it with us.

[BrokenolMarine]

Sorry it took so long. (Sigh)
The weather was a female dog who has given birth to puppies.

[The Wiz]

Such talent!

[Hatchdog]

Looking great. And yes, 10 days of patience is worth the next six months of peace. Nobody has ever said that just because an old Marine is broken his brain is too!