A gal that runs a feed and tack store would like me to build a saddle rack for her to sell.

It'll be solid oak, approx. 40" tall and maybe 36" long. I'm guessing 14-16" wide. Curved top with 3/4X3/4 slats along the top and maybe 12" down each side. Incorporated between the two ends, near the bottom will be a drawer box with two drawers that would slide in/out from either side.

Neither she nor I have a clue as to what such a thing would be worth. 

Any estimates or WAGs??

 

Saw one on Etsy for $130

 Well - -  honestly, the question is sort of like one asking about boats - - - what is the market like?

 

 

First things first:   Figure out what the market will bear~!! Figure out what the market expects in terms of how  fancy or rustic the tack mounts might be. 

Talk to the shop owner.   What does  she think her customers - - the ones who will buy such a thing will pay.

That's the single best place to take this query. 

 

Some horse folks spend money like it was free and some horse folks  can't.

 

What do the horse ranches look like where you live? Expend-O-licious with miles and miles of very expensive fencing guarding  countless acres of  gorgeous paddocks and pastures?  Or - - -  not so much?   Are they ranches or just places where someone keeps a horse?

 

Some people will spend thousands and thousands on saddles tack and others will get what they can. 

 

 

 

On a very cynical and jaded side note: DAMHIKT~!!!

Be aware that there are a lot of shop owners who might ask you for something like this knowing full well that maybe one out of a couple hundred  ( or less) customers  might ever actually buy one, but they'd  happily let some  craftsman make one so as to add to the decor of their shop.

They know it won't sell, but it'll look great.

Does she want only one?  One might be a sweet place to hang that $2000 Australian leather hand made saddle.  Whereas a line of them - - well that's a commitment.  The floor space alone says she believes she can move them.

Sounds like a captive market Gene.  How many board feet of oak will you have in it and how much is oak out there?

All good points cliff. I'll sure keep them in mind in dealing with her.

 

Ron, All the oak that's here came from somewhere else. Rift sawn and QS Red oak is around $5.50 BF and plain is around $4.00. White is about a buck more. That's all 100 bf price.

I doubt that there would be more than 20 bf in the one I'm planning.

You need to come to Indiana again Gene.  WO and RO are the same price here.Plain sawn white oak is about $2.85 a BF.  Assuming you have to pay $6 a BF and you need 20 BF I would charge AT LEAST $175.  That's only $55 profit.  $200 would be a better price for you.

Gene, I wish I had a better bead on this market, but I don't so I had to go out and do some research on the net, and it appears rustic type of saddle stands can go from 100 to 200 while the more refined stands will go for 500 to 1000.

If your profit is only 55 bucks as Ron stated above, if you absolutely need to stay in that range, then honestly it wouldn't be worth my time. I could not make a saddle stand in an hour and half, which is what 55 bucks would buy in my shop time.

As I surf the net and look at the saddle stands that are going for 100 to 150 bucks, I don't see how they do it and stay afloat. Unless they are doing production runs of say 20 stands, with an air nailer near by and a quick sanding with a splash of finish.

Crazy.

But the nice stands for 500 to 1000, with a compartment below, I could see being happy with the profit on those. They are finer in craftsmanship as well from what I saw. So now you have to decide what market are you catering too.

 

The English riders are more apt to spend more money on the finer things in life, (no offense meant to the western riders out there, my daughter rides western), but the English riders are the ones spending 50 bucks an hour or more for riding lessons for their kids, and they have the foo foo horses that require a ton of care and grooming and they are not afraid to spend big bucks, and they like the fine wine and prime rib for dinner every night. This is of course a big generalization, but an accurate one.

 

The Western riders are more down to earth, they love Garth Brooks and they love roping and Gymkhana events, they like drinking their wine from dixie cups (my kind of people) and they love hot dogs and macaroni and cheese on the fly (now your talking!). They'll teach their own kids to ride, and they own horses of the heartiest of stock, relatively low maintenance, hard working animals, of course a big generalization here again.

 

The western riders like woodworkers would rather do a saddle stand them selves than part with the money to pay someone else to do it, whilst the English riders will pay handsomely to have a nice refined stand in their paddock area or home.

 

So as Cliff mentioned, market market market, you gotta know who this store owner is catering too.

 

Also remember, the stand has to be strong enough to carry the weight of a grown man, folks use those stands as seats too.

Thanks everyone. 

I've got four Morris chairs to do before I have to decide. 

John, I saw a couple sites pricing oak racks with one drawer for over a grand. Blew me away. But, just because they price them there doesn't mean they are selling at that point, either. That's why I asked for input for you all.

No English or side saddle riders around here. Just cutting, reining and rodeo. Although, I have seen some youngsters approaching a Dressage level with their skills and horse training. Cowboy boots, jeans and a beat up hat is kinda in-congruent with the Dressage image, though.

The standard utilitarian saddle stand with a drawer should do Gene, sounds like you got a lot of Dixie cups in your area, my kind of folks! But remember if the math don't work, the math don't work, you don't want to be working for 8 dollars an hour!

Really you need to come back to Alabama Gene. I have Red or White Oak at better prices than any of those listed above. I will have to blind fold you to take you to the wood stash though. Ron and Allen both know the donkey ride is not all that bad either..

 

Sounds like a neat project. I bet those would go well in your area.

2 types i've built, off the wall and free standing. basic construction is 2 half rounds with slats going from top of one on the curve to the other.   the ones off the wall are basic 2x4 with a strut from wall to support the weight (think eave support). standing is the same but with wide bottom to keep it from tipping.

Is this for one saddle or alot of them?  If it's for a billy cook you'll want to make the stand to the same curve as the saddle so you don't " break the back" of the saddle.  ( all saddles are NOT the same measurements) too small a curve is just as bad as too much.  And with the more expensive saddles they are "fitted" to the horse, not necessarily just fitted to the rider. hope this helps. if any questions message me and I can draw up one or two.

Prices is all over on E-bay. Type in what your lookin for and after it comes up pick sold item to see prices...