saddle tree new to me

[cowboy316]

howdy Pards
got a tree today from a buddy now just need to know where in the sam hell do i start LOL
Cowboy316

[WaddWatsonEllis]

Hi Cowboy316,

I would start with PMs to Will Ghormley and David Carrico ... they are great people and will help you all they can ... or possibly even do it for you ... *S*

[Biscuit Joe]

Order three sides of leather and sharpen your head knife. Then go to work. You can do it. I've seen your stuff posted here, just remember to have fun.

[DUKE DEADEYE NUKEM]

Congrats Cowboy. Do have have a style in mind? Pic?

[cowboy316]

not yet im still trying to decide on if i wanna carve it or stamp it or do a rough out to learn the construction concept of saddle building
Cowboy316

[cowboy316]

howdy pards
tree is in hand and i took pics of the numbers on it can some one tel me more bout it
Cowboy316

[cowboy316]

more tree pics

[cowboy316]

last one

[amin ledbetter]

That's neat Cowboy! Now I don't mean to sound ignorant, but..well I am ignorant! The saddle tree is the inner Wood(?) support that the leather is attached to correct? Where do you buy something like that at? Or is that something else that has to be hand made for specific applications?

[cowboy316]

you can buy trees from different tree makers i know of one and they are called Bowdens and that bout all i know maybe some one else can put some more light on this subject and yes the trees are wood based and then rawhide covered
Cowboy316

[GunClick Rick]

Well now ya just walk up to an old oak,and right where it Ys out,cut and there's the start. I'd like to see one made like that.Good get there 316~

Maybe we can get Will Ghormely to do one Heck if he can do a canoe???

[cowboywc]

Howdy
Bowden is a good company to get a tree from. Both my full size saddles I made were on their trees.
I use Bill Gomers and Dusty Johnsons videos to learn from.
WC

[Devil Anse Hatfield]

I didnt download the pics but to me it looks like a Bull doggen saddle tree . The nets a runnen slow .
I thought it only took a cow a sheep and some trees for a saddle

[CQMD]

Cowboy if you are interested in making the saddle I would pickup Stohlman Encyclopedia of Saddle Making, 3 volume set first. They are expensive but can be found used at times. They are great for learning definitions, methods, tools, and pictures. The reason I suggest them first is to get the basic knowledge and the ease to referring back to the information. Videos are great but a pain to rewind, time consuming and a pain in the butt when you need to find something or a step. They also show how to make more than one type of saddle which depending on the type varies the steps and ways that the saddle will be built. I would then go with the videos if you want more information and instruction.

The tree that you have from what I can see is a 15.5 seat with a 14inch by 3 inch height cantle. The swells are on the association type with a pleasure type horn. Good looking tree and for making a pleasure type riding saddle.

[Don Nix]

If i'm not mistaken and I usually am, the numbers on the cantle should be in this order seat length, pommel width and cantle height.
that style is a pretty  good chore to start on as a beginner. but it can be done.
To start with you need 2 sides of skirting, two sides of fleece rigging dees or plates, nails, screws  etc.
the fiirst step is to decide on how you want it rigged, 3/4 or full or center fire,  then you need to lay the ground seat.
The set of the rigging and the seat construction are the heart of the saddle and will dictate how it rides on the horse and how you ride it. With the horses comfort being paramount.
I've never used a pattern, i just cut out everything that looks like a saddle and throw the rest away. But saddle making schools were not existant when i started and saddlers who would take on an apprentice were few as they did not want the competition so trial and error were the rule and you learned by your mistakes.
SHARP knives and patience is the key.
If you run into a problem give me a shout and I'll help you if i can.

[Biscuit Joe]

CQMD
The tree that you have from what I can see is a 15.5 seat with a 14inch by 3 inch height cantle. The swells are on the association type with a pleasure type horn. Good looking tree and for making a pleasure type riding saddle.

I'm gonna go along with this prognosis...

[Dr. Bob]

The Stohlman books are available from Amazon for $79.99 each.   

[Dalton Masterson]

They were also offering leather bound books for much more..
If you wait long enough, they will go on sale again.
DM