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Modifications

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/

Ya think it's time?

Sometimes it has to be "out with the old, in with the new"...
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/ya-think-its-time/

Rod's new toy

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/

So ya wanna build saddle trees? part four

Along with the large equipment needed, there are also a number of smaller hand tools used regularly when building 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-four/

So ya wanna build saddle trees? part three

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-three/

Cleaning the filters

One of the maintenance jobs that has to be done if we want to continue to breathe well over the years.
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/cleaning-the-filters/

Some special marking tools

Some may say that tree making is a "specialized market", but we have found the need for some specialized marking tools to make marking out cantles and forks more precise. Here's what we have come up with - so far...
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/some-special-marking-tools/

The belt sander

How Rod set up and uses a very practical piece of equipment in the shop.
Subscribe to RSS Feed This is what it looked like when it was brand spanking new in 1996.  It is made by the Progress Machine Company in Toronto (I can't find a… https://www.rodnikkel.com/content/saddle-tree-blog-from-shop-and-desk/the-belt-sander/

Five years worth...

It is time for our varnish bench to go back to its original condition - or as close as may be possible...
Subscribe to RSS Feed In 2007, when we expanded the shop to house our dust collection system, we needed more bench space.  That weekend we had most of my family out… https://www.rodnikkel.com/content/saddle-tree-blog-from-shop-and-desk/five-years-worth/

The jointer/surfacer - planer/thicknesser

Another major piece of equipment we use in the shop.
Subscribe to RSS Feed Ours is a Mini Max FS 30, which is made in Italy.  (We have two booklets which came with it.  One calls it a Surfacer/Planer and one calls it a… https://www.rodnikkel.com/content/saddle-tree-blog-from-shop-and-desk/the-jointer-surfacer-planer-thicknesser/

Of sawbucks, jigs and angles

Getting the angles right is vital to making the cross pieces of a sawbuck pack tree not just set an accurate bar angle, but also fit into the slots on the bars properly, while building a tree with enough twist to fit a horse properly as well.
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/of-sawbucks-jigs-and-angles/

The BIG BAND SAW (said in a low, deep voice...)

One of the most essential parts of our equipment is also the largest. Here's some information about it and how we use it.
Subscribe to RSS Feed This time I thought I would highlight the central feature of our shop - the BIG BAND SAW that dominates everything else.  When people ask us about… https://www.rodnikkel.com/content/saddle-tree-blog-from-shop-and-desk/the-big-band-saw-said-in-a-low-deep-voice/

Our new curiosity satisfying (we hope) acquisition

Our new FSA pressure sensor mat has the ability to tell us a whole lot about saddles, trees and how they work on horses, hopefully confirming what we believe to be true but maybe with a few surprises in store. I guess we'll have to see! But by using thi…
Subscribe to RSS Feed Well, after years (literally) of researching, wishing, thinking and saving, a fantastic chance came to get our own pressure sensor mat to be able… https://www.rodnikkel.com/content/saddle-tree-blog-from-shop-and-desk/our-new-curiosity-satisfying-we-hope-acquisition/

"It's the dust that kills tree makers."

How to control the wood dust is a big problem that saddle tree makers need to face. Here is a bit of an explanation as to why and how we are dealing with the problem.
Subscribe to RSS Feed That is what we were told when we started up the business.  And it is true.  We know of at least one tree maker who is currently having… https://www.rodnikkel.com/content/saddle-tree-blog-from-shop-and-desk/it-s-the-dust-that-kills-tree-makers/

BIG equipment, careful cuts

Just because the saw is big doesn't mean you have to use it like a big saw. Rod does a lot of careful, free hand cuts to almost start carving the bars with the bandsaw.
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/big-equipment-careful-cuts/

Tools used when rawhiding a saddle tree

Here's the tools Rod uses when he is rawhiding saddle trees.
Subscribe to RSS Feed Today was another day of rawhiding for Rod.  Here he is almost finished rawhiding this Wade tree that will be heading to southern Alberta when it… https://www.rodnikkel.com/content/saddle-tree-blog-from-shop-and-desk/tools-used-when-rawhiding-a-saddle-tree/