Wild West Leather Colombia

 My latest saddle a Mexican style tree with a lot of cushion Colombian style.

 This saddle was a repair. It's as simple as they get, saddle tree a piece of leather for the seat and the bottom covered in felt. So simple I decided to make one. This is a working saddle for ranch hands that need a cheap saddle here in Colombia. When I finish one I'll post pictures. However, my tree will be black. Este fue una reparacion. Una silla tan basico , solo el fuste, un pedaso de cuero en la silla  y las argoyas. Este tipo de silla que usan los campesinos que no tienen plata para algo mejor. Voy hacer uno igual en ls proximos dias. El mio va hacer negro.

 Carving fenders. Flowers were never my strong point and leather here is not the best for carving< but I do what I can. I was always better at figure carving.  Unos guarda barros que estoy haciendo. Mi fuerte no son las flores, tengo que practicar mas.

 In the States the most popular saddle trees are wood wrapped in rawhide. Here in Colombia the wooden tree quality is way below the american trees. The rawhide is not sealed well leaving gaps of exposed wood, this results in water penetrating and causing mold. Another problem is termites which will attack the exposed wood. Here in Colombia I only use plastic trees like the U.S Ralides, they're stronger and not affected by mold, rot or termites. Top photo is the plastic  tree practically indestructible . Bottom photos wooden tree  lots of gaps where water can get in. Solo uso los fustes de plastico aca en Colombia. Fustes de madera aca estan hechos en un baja calidad. Se da`nan con el humidad y gorgojos.

 

 Video of the shop in Silvania, Colombia La Talabarteria Wild West Leather en Silvania Colombia

 Carvings I've done here in Colombia Repujes que hice aca en Colombia

 Doing leather Leather work here in Colombia proved to be quite challenging. Finding sources for leather. Finding decent stitching machines. Learning the available dyes and treatments. Finding leather wasn't a problem, good quality carving leather was. Machines I found but nothing on the same level as I had stateside., but the dyes and leather treatments are every bit as good as I had stateside. Trabajando de talabatero aca en Colombia fue un poquito dificil para mi. Encontrando cuero que me sirve, maquinas de buena calidad para coser el cuero y acustumbrandome con las tintas y processos disponible no fue facil.

 This is my third McClelland slowly getting there. I'm using doubled riata or nylon webbing for straps, it holds up better in this weather and allows me to use some color and contrast. Este es el tercer silla de este estillo que hice. Estoy usando doble riata, parece que dura mas que el cuero y viene en diferente colores.

 Nothing like I had stateside, but my first machine in Colombia. I had to modify it to stitch heavier leather. It has a digital motor, but no speed reducer since I can't get one here. I took the large wheel off a pedal machine and put it for my belt drive, now I can sew super slow and still have torque. Mi primer maquina en Colombia. Nada que ver con las maquinas que yo tenia en Estados Unidos, pero cose bien. The famous hand crank Chinese patcher. These machines are rough when you get them, but if you get one dailed in they're well worth the money. Otrra maquina China. Muy basico, sin motor, pero cose bien. The famous Pfaff 469. Not really a leather machine, but will sew medim and light leather. I use this machine for sewing belts and nylon straps. Agood machine has sealed bearings that never need oiling. La famosa Pfaff 469. Buena maquina que uso para coser cinturones y correas.

Una silla Mexicano con la cabeza cortado. A Mexican saddle tree that I removed the  head for the customer.  

 Un caballo afrente el negocio con todo su equipo nuevo. A horse newly outfitted in front of the shop

 Alfombras, Jakimas, tereque sinthetico Mesace y Tereque traditinal en cuero, Here are some of the saddle blankets we make along with bridles, and a couple of our saddles.