Al Stohlman Stitching Horse, Stands, Old George

[BevJones]

I found Amish that make the Al Stohlman stitiching horses, drawn down saddle stands, heavy duty short saddle stands for your customers to try out saddles without worry about tipping, and they even make the "Old George" and Stohlman's rigging guage. If interested, you can contact them at the following:

Harvey Borntreger

14148 Hilltop Ave.

Cashton, WI 54619

[UKRay]

Can anyone explain what is different about an Al Stohlman horse compared o a current Tandy horse? Also can someone please tell me what 'The Old George' is and what is a rigging gauge?

Bev - have you got any pictures of this guys work please?

Ray

[TrooperChuck]

Ray:

In Stohlman's Encyclopedia of Saddle Making, Volume 1, he gives complete plans for making "Old George" and the rigging guage. Plans for his "Stitching Pony" are in his book, Hand Sewing Leather.

I actually took some photos from his books, to show you what these things look like, but then I read the disclaimer that says I'll be severely spanked if I reproduce any part of the books without permission from the publisher. So...

The stitching pony is unlike Tandy's stitching pony, in that it has two legs which rest on the floor, while the rear portion of the device rests on the seat of a chair. You sit on the chair, straddling the pony, with the clamping arms in front of you, like any other stitch clamping device.

"Old George" is an adjustable saddle stand/clamp device which holds the saddle tree during construction of a saddle. It can be tilted to securely hold the tree at various heights and angles. It's kind of a low-tech version of Weaver's saddlemaker's stand.

The rigging device is made of adjustable rods and clamps. It clamps onto the front of a saddle, and is used to ensure the rigging rings are positioned identically on each side of the saddle.

I've never used any of these items, so I can't attest to their usage.

[UKRay]

I'm obliged to you sir.

I'm convinced that the older I get, the less I know...

Ray

Ray:

In Stohlman's Encyclopedia of Saddle Making, Volume 1, he gives complete plans for making "Old George" and the rigging guage. Plans for his "Stitching Pony" are in his book, Hand Sewing Leather.

I actually took some photos from his books, to show you what these things look like, but then I read the disclaimer that says I'll be severely spanked if I reproduce any part of the books without permission from the publisher. So...

The stitching pony is unlike Tandy's stitching pony, in that it has two legs which rest on the floor, while the rear portion of the device rests on the seat of a chair. You sit on the chair, straddling the pony, with the clamping arms in front of you, like any other stitch clamping device.

"Old George" is an adjustable saddle stand/clamp device which holds the saddle tree during construction of a saddle. It can be tilted to securely hold the tree at various heights and angles. It's kind of a low-tech version of Weaver's saddlemaker's stand.

The rigging device is made of adjustable rods and clamps. It clamps onto the front of a saddle, and is used to ensure the rigging rings are positioned identically on each side of the saddle.

I've never used any of these items, so I can't attest to their usage.

[BevJones]

I will post some pics tomorrow of what they made me so you can see.

bev

I'm obliged to you sir.

I'm convinced that the older I get, the less I know...

Ray

[BevJones]

as promised, stitching horse, When you use your foot to press down, the clamps are drawn tight with the leather strap. You can lock in place as the bar is notched.

Here is the saddle stand. The draw down strap is laying on the top. Again you would use the foot press and lock it in. Does a great job forming/turning fenders as well.

[BevJones]

Also included is Old George. The top bar is turned to press out and lock on the inside of the tree bars. The middle bolt loosens to allow you to swivel right to left, and the bottom nut loosens to allow tipping. I still think the old stuff works great. This is on a long pole that you can adjust height and a wide wheel base.

Edited March 3, 2009 by BevJones

[TrooperChuck]

Bev:

Those are some good looking tools! Thanks for showing them to us.

[BevJones]

almost forgot the rigging gauge. You nail the top with the hole on the center of the swell of the tree. You tack the leather/metal tabs on each side piece in between the front edge of the front rigging leathers, then the lower bar that runs horizontally is used to rest the rigging ring on and the bar on the back of that bar you adjust to the back of the rigging ring. You measure this on one side and adjust the other side to the exact same measurements and adjust and tighten screws. Then tack on the center of swell again and adjust your rigging on the other side to match and everything should be the same.

[BevJones]

I have used all these tools and they work beautifully. I actually prefer old george to weavers stand and the saddle sometimes slips as it is just strapped on. Old george actually has hold of the tree. I heard weaver is redesigning so maybe they have improved on that issue, but old george only ran me about 250 bucks and I'm on a budget. If you have a welder friend, the instructions are in Stohlman's saddle books.

[UKRay]

Thanks for taking time to do the pictures, Bev. That stitching horse looks great!

Ray

[mariando]

as promised, stitching horse, When you use your foot to press down, the clamps are drawn tight with the leather strap. You can lock in place as the bar is notched.

Here is the saddle stand. The draw down strap is laying on the top. Again you would use the foot press and lock it in. Does a great job forming/turning fenders as well.