• The SH Membership has gone live. Only SH Members have access to post in the classifieds. All members can view the classifieds. Starting in 2020 only SH Members will be admitted to the annual hunting contest. Current members will need to follow these steps to upgrade: 1. Click on your username 2. Click on Account upgrades 3. Choose SH Member and purchase.
  • We've been working hard the past few weeks to come up with some big changes to our vendor policies to meet the changing needs of our community. Please see the new vendor rules here: Vendor Access Area Rules

my first DIY saddle build

stini

stini

New Member
Joined
Nov 4, 2020
Messages
33
Location
Ontario
after having the phantom saddle for the past season and seeing other DIY saddles , I wanted to make my own. so I ended up buying first ever sewing machine a month ago, a 1960's kenmore 158.433. I started with making a back band so I can learn how to sew with the machine and worked out ok. then moved on to a roll pouch were I got the reference from @4090Sharps clone post.. didn't like the mesh I got and made it harder for me with sewing it in with the trim..
with a lot of research and having all the material I needed, I moved on to making my first pleated saddle. I got the reference for the build from @JCLINE84 post , @always89y post and video, my own saddle and other ones on the market .. im waiting on the hardware in the mail ( raptor buckle and g hooks ) also going to add a Amsteel bridge with continuous loops a the prusiks ..similar to the phantom and method saddles bridge . im not trying to pat myself on my back but was pretty impressed with how it turned out being my first time. you can see so of the not so straight lines. lol...I can't wait to hang from it , a few feet of the ground to see how it feels and how it holds up before using it for a hunt. I did the math right for the amount of stitches and triple stitched everything that was load bearing.
love to hear some feedback on thing I missed or things I could do better....next project is a sling saddle clone of sorts build similar to the new ones on the market.

thanks for the feedbacksaddle 1.jpgsaddle 2.jpgsaddle 3.jpgsaddle 4.jpgroll pouch.jpgback band.jpg
 
That really looks great. Your sewing is impeccable unlike mine. My excuse is I was sewing black on black and it is very hard to see.

You will love the pleated saddle. I also made my version of it and got to set in it a couple of weeks ago when the weather cleared up and warmed up some. I did my version of a triad style bridge with 6mm to 8mm Sterling and being able to adjust where it pulls on the bridge loops is a God send for comfort at different positions.

I sewed an extra piece of flat webbing on the inside of my bridge loops and put a piece of 1/4" zip tie down the middle of the hollow webbing on the loops to make them stiffer. The 6mm bites great and I can just let a little pressure off the bridge brake the prusik with my thumb and twist and adjust all with one hand.
 
You went with more of a football shape like the phantom. I’m curious to see how that feels. Mine has a football shape but not as drastic. I bet it will work well. I noticed you sewed the pleat on the edges. That’s a must but next time cut a piece of stiff one inch webbing and stick in the pleat vertically before you sew it. It really helps to keep the pleat closed. Looks awesome man. I love seeing you guys jumping into sewing. That’s how we come up with improvements.
 
I use two layers of cordura for the seat portion. With the bottom of each layer on the insides touching each other. Then fold the pleats and sew. Then cut the shape. Then do the edge binding. Then add the suspension and lineman loops. If that helps any of you guys attempting this build.
 
Looks good. I like seeing all these builds. I did a phantom clone last winter and hunted out of it all season. Worked great but everything I see a new clone I want to try that version. So I plan on doing a pleated saddle and a method or clone the new one from Jcline84. With you guys keeping up the projects and posting my to do list keeps getting longer.
 
Way to dive in fully, looks good! Way to see it through with that mesh, I probably would have thrown in the towel. It looks really tough to work with.
 
JCLINE84 said:
I use two layers of cordura for the seat portion. With the bottom of each layer on the insides touching each other. Then fold the pleats and sew. Then cut the shape. Then do the edge binding. Then add the suspension and lineman loops. If that helps any of you guys attempting this build.
Click to expand...
what thickness cordura are you using. ?? 500 D or 1000 D ?
 
4090Sharps said:
Way to dive in fully, looks good! Way to see it through with that mesh, I probably would have thrown in the towel. It looks really tough to work with.
Click to expand...
was a pain to use that's for sure. next time im buying different mesh. like the laundry bag mesh .. smaller holes and stronger form
 
stini said:
thanks.it looks good . but I need something north of the border. shipping , duty and possible brokerage fees add up and its not worth it
Click to expand...

Didn’t realize you weren’t in the US. Hope you find something.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top