One of the "tools" we used in the shop for over twenty years and the results of that use. Subscribe to RSS Feed We are no longer building saddle trees, but we have two videos about how Western saddles fit horses available on our westernsaddlefit.com website.… https://www.rodnikkel.com/content/saddle-tree-blog-from-shop-and-desk/table/
A final saga of the stages of building a saddle tree. has been built… We are no longer building saddle trees, but we have two videos about how Western saddles fit horses available on our westernsaddlefit.com website.… https://www.rodnikkel.com/content/saddle-tree-blog-from-shop-and-desk/last-tree/
He's got about two weeks of transition here... COMMENTS: Posted by Brian on Aug 19th, 2016 Congratulations on your retirement and best of luck with the move! Well, Rod rawhided his last tree on July 23rd.… https://www.rodnikkel.com/content/saddle-tree-blog-from-shop-and-desk/semi-retirement/
What was different in the shop today at 11:10 am? Subscribe to RSS Feed with another tree on the wall waiting to be rawhided. There were a couple of trees waiting to be varnished as the last step in the process… https://www.rodnikkel.com/content/saddle-tree-blog-from-shop-and-desk/1110-am/
No, we are not getting into boot making. Just getting closer to finishing up the last few trees... We are no longer building saddle trees, but we have two videos about how Western saddles fit horses available on our westernsaddlefit.com website. Like we said last… https://www.rodnikkel.com/content/saddle-tree-blog-from-shop-and-desk/getting-lasts/
Still building, for another couple of months. And doing some fun things with them too... We had a question a few days ago from an old customer. He was wondering if we were still building trees as he knew we were shutting things down. The answer - yes, we are… https://www.rodnikkel.com/content/saddle-tree-blog-from-shop-and-desk/are-you-still-building-trees/
It isn't very big, but it's vital... Or the jointer/planer that makes the wood smooth enough to laminate and gives us the correct stock thickness for every tree? Or the belt sander that shapes and smooths… https://www.rodnikkel.com/content/saddle-tree-blog-from-shop-and-desk/most-important-tool-shop/
An examination of word meanings and a teaser introduction Subscribe to RSS Feed He’s a “kid” from just down the road. We’ve known him since he was twelve years old and watched him grow up into a really good guy. So… https://www.rodnikkel.com/content/saddle-tree-blog-from-shop-and-desk/kids-these-days/
Building trees takes time, with lots of down time during the process... Subscribe to RSS Feed I snapped some pictures around the shop this morning and realized that pretty much everything there was waiting for something. For example, the… https://www.rodnikkel.com/content/saddle-tree-blog-from-shop-and-desk/waiting/
the long good-bye... and then we sent out the e-mail which started: “To our customers, Yes, this another of those e-mails we would prefer we didn’t have to write, but our world is changing… https://www.rodnikkel.com/content/saddle-tree-blog-from-shop-and-desk/and-thus-begins/
It's been a while since we posted pictures around the shop. Yup, it's still there... Subscribe to RSS Feed Yup, we’re still working around the shop. Just haven’t been taking the time to post pictures lately. We are no longer building saddle trees,… https://www.rodnikkel.com/content/saddle-tree-blog-from-shop-and-desk/around-shop-today/
Family, friends and professors - wood, trees and rawhide - it's all here... Subscribe to RSS Feed We are no longer building saddle trees, but we have two videos about how Western saddles fit horses available on our westernsaddlefit.com website.… https://www.rodnikkel.com/content/saddle-tree-blog-from-shop-and-desk/visiting-visitors-and-what-weve-been-doing-between/
Some of what has been happening around the Nikkel's lately... Subscribe to RSS Feed Rod is still building trees… And rawhiding trees… And making rawhide (so much nicer outside in the summer!)… Here’s some of… https://www.rodnikkel.com/content/saddle-tree-blog-from-shop-and-desk/yup-were-still-working-away/
Some changes we have made around here. Ergonomics matter. Start earlier than we did... Subscribe to RSS Feed We are no longer building saddle trees, but we have two videos about how Western saddles fit horses available on our westernsaddlefit.com website.… https://www.rodnikkel.com/content/saddle-tree-blog-from-shop-and-desk/modifications/
Adding another small piece of equipment to make life easier... Subscribe to RSS Feed It comes with a bracket which Rod used to attach it to the wall behind the wood stove. (Tucked into the shelves like that is should be safe… https://www.rodnikkel.com/content/saddle-tree-blog-from-shop-and-desk/rods-new-toy/
Pictures around the shop in the new year. Subscribe to RSS Feed So, what is happening around the shop in 2015? Well, we have recently rawhided saddle trees drying on their marble surface. We have Rod… https://www.rodnikkel.com/content/saddle-tree-blog-from-shop-and-desk/happy-new-year/
Some days, there isn't room enough to swing a cat. Then again, the cats aren't allowed in the shop... Subscribe to RSS Feed Sometimes it gets a little full in the shop. Freshly varnished trees take room on the bench tops to dry, and when you have four ready to go and… https://www.rodnikkel.com/content/saddle-tree-blog-from-shop-and-desk/when-shop-gets-crowded/
Just pictures around the shop the way they are today... Subscribe to RSS Feed We are no longer building saddle trees, but we have two videos about how Western saddles fit horses available on our westernsaddlefit.com website.… https://www.rodnikkel.com/content/saddle-tree-blog-from-shop-and-desk/its-been-while/
Here's some of the reasons we have heard why people want to learn to build saddle trees. Subscribe to RSS Feed We are no longer building saddle trees, but we have two videos about how Western saddles fit horses available on our westernsaddlefit.com website.… https://www.rodnikkel.com/content/saddle-tree-blog-from-shop-and-desk/so-ya-wanna-build-saddle-trees-part-one/
Some changes around the shop and the place over the last few weeks - and what has been keeping us busy... Subscribe to RSS Feed We’ve been rather busy the last few weeks. Here’s some of what has changed around here… We are no longer building saddle trees, but we have… https://www.rodnikkel.com/content/saddle-tree-blog-from-shop-and-desk/old-and-new/