DIY Stitching Horse

[Harry Marinakis]

I used the plan by Randy Steffan, found here:

https://leatherworker.net/forum/topic/20586-stitching-horse-plans/

I modified the plan, and made the jaw vertical instead of angled. I really don't do a lot of punching holes by hand in heavy leather, so the ergonomics of angled jaws was unnecessary. Otherwise, the dimensions are the same as in Steffan's plan. Oh, I forgot, I made the jaws 2 inches taller than what's specified in the plan.

 

I made the jaws by laminating strips, since I don't have a bandsaw large enough for this job. First I cut the Maple into four strips, each 21 inches long and 1-1/2 inches square. For each strip, I cut out of the shape of the jaws using a jigsaw. Then when I glued all the strips together I had the basic shape of the jaws. It took only a bit of work on the 4x36 belt sander for smooth out the final shape. I repeated the process for the shorter jaw.

 

If I had to do it over again, I would make a few changes:

1. The plan assumes that jaws are angled left, so the mortise in the seat is shifted right. Since I made the jaws vertical, I should have centered the mortise in the seat.

2. There is a slot in the seat through which the leather strap passes. That slot is so close to the mortise for the jaws that the wedge has to be very short. I should have moved that slot in the seat for the leather strap further away from the mortise for the jaws. Then I could have made a longer wedge, and the jaws would be more stable.

 

All the wood was cut from rough-cut slabs. The Cherry slab was 10 feet long. The Maple slabs were 6 feet long.

Cherry seat with Maple trim on the legs.

Maple jaws

Maple lever bars

3/16" plate steel

1/8" plate steel

Chair spring to pop the jaws open

Leather strap

Wood screws

Tried & True wood finish

Edited April 5, 2024 by Harry Marinakis

[DieselTech]

Looks good. Nice craftsmanship. 

[dikman]

Very nice job! Almost a work of art.

The only thing I would add is to line the jaws with leather.

[bruce johnson]

Great jaw shape! Much better than most made today. If you do line with leather as dikman suggested then flesh side o r a neutral color chrome tan is better. Has more grip with less pressure than grain side vegtan. 

[chuck123wapati]

beautiful work!!!

[GerryR]

Verry nice.  (I used stainless steel caps on the jaws on mine.  It will defleck the needle and protect the jaws if I get too close when stitching.)