The creation of a saddle stand

[Spiveyman]

I saw a thread in here on the beauty of wood and thought I'd share this.

I'm not really much of a wood worker, never made anything before, however they say necessity if the mother of invention. This past spring I bought a new saddle and planned to get a $19 saddle stand at TSC, but they are a seasonal item and NO ONE had anything like that in April in central Kentucky - the horse capital of the universe!!! So.... after looking on-line and not finding what I wanted I decided to just build the thing. As I designed it, the man in me took over. The project started to grow, features were added, and it took way longer than I'd planned, but here's what I wound up with. This is the first thing I've ever made from wood. I'd never stained or coated with poly either. In retrospect it probably didn't need NINE coats of poly, but I really wanted a perfectly smooth, really shiny finish. The benefit now is that I think it's also bullet proof, but I haven't tested that theory. Towards the end (last 3 coats or so) I wet sanded it with about 14,000,000 grit paper. The sand paper was black and felt almost slick to me - not what I expected sand paper to feel like. The paper itself suggested using watter to improve the finish and keep the grains of the sand paper from getting "clogged up" - or whatever you'd call it. Well, here she is:

 

[tallyho8]

Pretty good job, but I'll bet you're itchin' to build a second one which will even come out even better since you are experienced now, so I'll send a truck over to pick up that one and get it out your way.

 

[dullpain]

Nice - Pro type work on your first wood project. Congratulations

 

[Spiveyman]

Pretty good job, but I'll bet you're itchin' to build a second one which will even come out even better since you are experienced now, so I'll send a truck over to pick up that one and get it out your way.

I'm telling you, the people here at TBN are all heart, always thinking altruistically. Thanks tallyho8. I let you know when you can pick that up. Actually, the thought of tackling another one is daunting. TSC got more of those $19 stands in, so I picked up a couple for my next saddles! I may make another one if and when I get some better tools. There are lots of ways to make it easier with the right tools.

 

[riptides]

What tallyho8 said.

Nice!

-Mike Z.

 

[Cottonhawk]

Hey Spivey, that's a beauty!
For such a beautiful saddle stand, even it's made by a first timer, I am ready to pay double ... $38.00 and plus shipping!
Btw, the beautiful little girl in the pic reminds me my granddaughter.

 

[goaliedad]

You better be careful-first you buy a new tool or two because you "need" better tools to do a job- the next thing you know you'll be forgetting the horses and build a new workshop. Stop while you still can! Woodworking is a very addictive hobby. Kind of like tractors, horses......... Very nice work!

 

[Spiveyman]

What tallyho8 said.
Nice!
-Mike Z.

Ha! tallyho8 said he was going to come pick it up, I guess you two will have to fight over it. Although with Cottonhawk there could be a bidding war! I did think about trying to sell these things early on in the project, but by the time it was done I had way too much time for what it would sell for. Maybe that will be a retirement thing when I'm 85 or 90.

You better be careful-first you buy a new tool or two because you "need" better tools to do a job- the next thing you know you'll be forgetting the horses and build a new workshop. Stop while you still can! Woodworking is a very addictive hobby. Kind of like tractors, horses.........

Yep, that list just keeps going doesn't it? You forgot TBN on that list too.

 

[silverdollar6]

I think that I could probably ride that, with a little training.

 

[Spiveyman]

I think that I could probably ride that, with a little training.

Yeah well, it's tricky. The main thing is to get back on if you fall off! You joke, but my wife still makes fun of me when she starts looking through the house for me and finds me sitting on it. I love sitting on my saddle, so I will talk on the phone up there and sometimes just sit and relax. My wife and kids think I'm a little weird anyway, so I like to keep them guessing.