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Final attempt at a DIY pleated saddle

Great craftsmanship and excellent perspective.

Curious if others who have experienced pleated mesh saddles (CruzrXC) and pleated cordura saddles (Flex) have similar thoughts.

I've never had a pleated saddle of any kind. Seems like Cruzr gets raved about for comfort despite being mesh. I don't seem to hear as much comfort certainty about the Flex, but perhaps I am mistaken.

I'd like to try one at some point. Leaning mesh, but you make me pause.
From what I’ve heard on here mesh is stretchy and eventually you end up with most of your weight on the straps instead of the mesh. My problem with mesh was a lack of rigidity. It wouldn’t hold its shape where the pleat was. It pretty much ended up being a big kite after a while. The cordura folds and unfolds more consistently for me. And it doesn’t stretch so your weight stays in the seat portion
 
From what I’ve heard on here mesh is stretchy and eventually you end up with most of your weight on the straps instead of the mesh. My problem with mesh was a lack of rigidity. It wouldn’t hold its shape where the pleat was. It pretty much ended up being a big kite after a while. The cordura folds and unfolds more consistently for me. And it doesn’t stretch so your weight stays in the seat portion

I have been told not all mesh stretches in the same way so that can make a difference


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I have been told not all mesh stretches in the same way so that can make a difference


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It only stretches in one direction. I guess you could make it stretch from side to side instead of up and down. I see on the new aero hunter saddle they use binding on the seams of the pleat. Maybe that helps it stay pleated
 
That’s the problem with having a good sewing machine. You can’t leave things alone.

Curious as to what you’re using for a sewing machine. Saddle looks great.


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Curious as to what you’re using for a sewing machine. Saddle looks great.


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I’ve got a juki ddl 8700H. I’m about to buy a juki 1541s and possibly sell my 8700 if I can find someone needing a good machine. The only reason I have such a big machine is because I use it every day. But it is so much easier to make heavy duty gear on than a home machine
 
I’ve got a juki ddl 8700H. I’m about to buy a juki 1541s and possibly sell my 8700 if I can find someone needing a good machine. The only reason I have such a big machine is because I use it every day. But it is so much easier to make heavy duty gear on than a home machine

I have a 1541. Not the s model. I absolutely love it. So much better than the tacsew t111-155 I had before it. If you haven’t tried it yet I suggest a servo with a needle positioner. The needle positioner is awesome. I never touch the hand wheel.


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It only stretches in one direction. I guess you could make it stretch from side to side instead of up and down. I see on the new aero hunter saddle they use binding on the seams of the pleat. Maybe that helps it stay pleated
Not all mesh stretches the same amount. And yes it stretches in one direction.
 
This is exactly what I want to make over the winter. Do you have any measurements you’d want to share with me ?
 
Check out the review of the Cruzr XC by The Southern Outdoorsmen on YouTube. According to them, the mesh on the Cruzr XC is incredibly stiff. Much more so than Tethrd's offerings. Actually they show a Tethrd saddle that was used for a season and the mesh was very flimsy and almost worn out.
 
Before I buy a production saddle I make a copycat to see if I like the design. I’ve attempted a couple of pleated mesh saddles and didn’t care for them. I had some cordura laying around so I figured I’d make a flex copy to see if a different material would make me like the pleat better. So I finished up a batch of knaiders and swaiders today and started on a size 1.5 flex copy. Pretty pleased with how it turned out. I didn’t have any tan t92 thread so I had to use black. Which bugs me way too much. But I was able to use tan terra 40 in the non weight bearing parts. Gonna try it out on a hunt in the morning and if it works well I will make another one with matching colored tan thread that will be my keeper because I’m OCD about that stuff. I put some d rings on the lower suspension to hook an auto block into for rappelling. I found the exact webbing that aero hunter uses for their suspension in coyote tan so I was pretty pleased with that. I love the color scheme of this saddle. But I can’t stop looking at that ugly black thread lol. I’m hanging in it from my squat rack watching TV right now and it seems to be more comfortable than my beloved kestrel. Anyway here are some pics
Man that's awesome - If you had posted it without saying you made it yourself I (and prob everyone else) would just assume it's a production saddle
 
Man that's awesome - If you had posted it without saying you made it yourself I (and prob everyone else) would just assume it's a production saddle
Thanks. It was a rushed build just to get the dimensions and fit the way I wanted. I’ve made a few more since then and they’re much cleaner. Getting close to on par with aero hunter saddles as far as finished quality. Who knows it may be a production saddle someday soon :wink:
 
Saddle looks great. Where did you get the main webbing you used.


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I get most of my webbing from country brook designs in bulk. I think they are a seller on amazon also without the wholesale pricing. They sell the 1 inch webbing I use for knaider and swaiders. It’s 5000lbs and very supple. Easy to sew. They sell it in many different widths
 
Thanks. It was a rushed build just to get the dimensions and fit the way I wanted. I’ve made a few more since then and they’re much cleaner. Getting close to on par with aero hunter saddles as far as finished quality. Who knows it may be a production saddle someday soon :wink:

What sewing machine are you using to see the saddle? I have a singer heavy duty (4452), but afraid to sew anything thick with it for fear of breaking it.


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What sewing machine are you using to see the saddle? I have a singer heavy duty (4452), but afraid to sew anything thick with it for fear of breaking it.


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I have a juki DDL 8700 and Juki 1541s
 
I have a 1541. Not the s model. I absolutely love it. So much better than the tacsew t111-155 I had before it. If you haven’t tried it yet I suggest a servo with a needle positioner. The needle positioner is awesome. I never touch the hand wheel.


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I got the needle positioner on my new 1541 and it’s awesome. Although I still reach for the hand wheel out of habit lol
 
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