HK

As some of you may already know, I'm in the process of making a composite saddle, actually a few of them.

Currently the mold is more or less finished, the last touch up will be done tomorrow.
Today I was in a leather store, to find something to cover the saddles with.
Long story short, it was nothing short of amazing to see all the different types that are available.
I got myself some nice 1.5mm leather for a fraction of the cost I expected. A piece big enough for 4 to 6 saddles, set me back like $10 in a nice quality.
Looking around, I stumbled on a small skin, like 12" by 22", something really beautiful, but also something I had no real idea what was. The Mrs. figured it had to be some sort of reptile.
I asked what it was, and if it was durable enough for a saddle. Now to the surprise. It was a Stingray skin, and I was told it is way more durable than leather.
I simply thought it would be too cool a chance to pass up, so I bought one for a saddle. Those were scary expensive though.
It seems like a great solution, both from a technical point, but also just because it looks beautiful.

It's too dark to make photos now, but I'll try to post some tomorrow.


Magura

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DIY all the way

I'm kinda disappointed, figured you go with a far more durable material. i.e.

I cannot wait to see the pictures.

That gave me an idea - a new dream job. Modeler of custom saddles, accepting orders from fit ladies only.

Stingray and shark skin are nothing short of amazing for beauty, abrasion resistance, abrading other materials, and uniqueness.

Ensure that it isn't going to touch bare skin. Ever. It'll mess you up good.

Doesn't do great against sharp objects, either. So I wouldn't use it for gloves or armor, as little pointy rocks will shred it without question. Should be nice and grippy on your shorts though.

Here are the pics as promised.

The "saddle" in the pics, is a test molding, that is going to be used to shape the leather cover and abrasion protectors.
It is just made of glass fiber.


Magura

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DIY all the way

A couple of pics of the Stingray skin.
Note the closeup. It's like nothing I've ever seen before.
The pics don't do it justice, but my camera skills are just no better.


Magura

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DIY all the way

Thanks for posting Mr. Magura. The saddle looks non-conventional, how are you going to fix the rails in place?

That hide looks great. The dimpled texture might be the next advancement in saddle technology.

I wonder if it will be slick with sweat.

The shape is heavily inspired by the Selle Italia Diva saddle. I like that one a lot, and funny enough, so does a lot of people, both men and women.
The upholstery is going to be significantly different from what is common today though. Neoprene foam inlays into the mold, so the saddle comes out of the mold ready for the leather cover to be mounted.
The inlays are being designed to fit each person, based on pressure point measurements.

There's going to be made a few of those saddles.
The ones for the composite frame project, are going to be molded onto the seat tower/boom.
The ones for the friend of mine I make them with, are going to get some sort of rail.
The rest are going to be regular railed saddles. The rails will be molded onto the saddle shell with composites.
A few might end up with carbon rails, just because they're easier to make than Ti rails.


Magura

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I doubt it, but then again stranger things has happened.

The friction of the Stingray skin, I would think is pretty constant, rain or shine.
The dimples seems to be of a material similar to ivory.


Magura

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DIY all the way

It's funny you say it's abrasive, as it feels rather smooth. Time will show though, as simply rubbing the material against pants seems ok.

I have planned to put replaceable abrasion/crash protectors on the sides of the rear of the saddles.
If I can manage to press up aluminum protectors in the right shape, without too much effort put into it, that's how it's gonna be sorted. If it turns out to be too much of a hassle, I'll mold some in Kevlar.


Magura

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DIY all the way

it seems like the stingray scales might have some directionality to them, meaning a person sitting on the hide might slide more easily one way than another.

I'll check up on that. If it is in fact so, it can be an advantage if used right,


Magura

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Maybe they removed the abrasive qualities when they tanned/processed the skin?

Every one that I pulled out of the ocean had extremely directional, abrasive skin. Rub it from eye-to-tail, and it's smooth as silk. Run your hand up the other way, and it will shred your skin.

mmm-hmmm, exactly!

Does the closeup pic above look like the ones you found in the sea?
It seems somewhat polished, and it sure isn't sharp in any way.

Magura

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DIY all the way

Not really... Though i didn't exactly get in close and examine it (60+lb of flapping muscle with a footlong spike at the end ain't my idea of a cuddly creature).

That almost looks like the rays they let you pet at aquariums, so maybe there is a wide variety of ray skins.

http://www.stingrayproducts.com/traditi ... -skin.html

Apparently, they sand it smooth during tanning, but raw stingray skin was used as samurai armor and sandpaper in medieval times. According to the link above, at least.

Ahh ok, I thought you caught stingrays to eat them. They're tasty.
Indeed I too wouldn't like to have a live one around.


Magura

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DIY all the way

That makes better sense to me.
Thanks.


Magura

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DIY all the way

Was fishing for blackfin shark that day. Caught a couple rays and a crab on the pole... Threw the rays and crab back.

Fail.

Pan fry the stingray with chili, and stir fry the crab with black pepper.........

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk 2

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SKITTLETITS!!! That is all.


mmm bacon.

http://battlelog.battlefield.com/bf4/user/Shibiwan/

We had plenty of shark. Which we decided was a better meal than the stingray. And far less work to clean and eat.

Also, it's poaching to keep a crab you caught on a pole/without a crabbing license in SC.

Also: crab is only cooked by boiling or deep frying live in the south, so far as i know.

I am thinking of doing my own seat when I do my next frame.
As a new comer to this forum, I have posted a link to my pics of my road frame in the DIY frame section.

Magura, what material did you use for the mold for the seat? Is it black because you added a dye or is it a special silicon?

Welcome zx.

The mold is black, cause it has a layer of something similar to Gelcoat, just made of epoxy.


Magura

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It looks very thick or is that just a lip around the edge?

It's just a lip.

It's like 5 mm thick.


Magura

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DIY all the way