Started build of my first stitching pony

[TomWilson]

Just started the build of my first stitching pony. The overall height will be about 16 inches. I'll use two cam clamps, one for closing the clamp, and one for locking the rotation to the base. I'll wrap and glue veg-tan around each half of the clamp. I'll also insert magnets for holding the needles. I created the design in SketchUp. Feedback welcome...

Has anyone made a clamping mechanism that uses magnets to hold your work?

[Wepster]

Nice woodwork. Band saw? Lots of sanding? and maybe a large forstner bit?

[TomWilson]

1 minute ago, Wepster said:

Nice woodwork. Band saw? Lots of sanding? and maybe a large forstner bit?

Thanks! I cut the blocks for the clamp on my RAS (radial arm saw), glued and clamped them, and then marked the 1.5" hole center and outer 2 3/8" hole and cut lines on all sides. I used a forstner bit in a drill press for the 1.5" hole. I then flipped it upside-down and cut the circle open with two cuts on my RAS, with clamping blocks on either side of the work to keep my fingers away from the blade. I used a bench mounted belt sander to round the corners off the top of the clamp. As always, we learn a lot when making the first of anything... Eventually I'd like to make a stitching pony bench to sit on. Are you a woodworker, too?

[toxo]

I would imagine magnets strong enough to hold your work would be hard to get apart for a start. also needs to be smooth so won't mark your work. Might be able to do something for a watch strap but think half a handbag.

[Wepster]

4 hours ago, TomWilson said:

Thanks! I cut the blocks for the clamp on my RAS (radial arm saw), glued and clamped them, and then marked the 1.5" hole center and outer 2 3/8" hole and cut lines on all sides. I used a forstner bit in a drill press for the 1.5" hole. I then flipped it upside-down and cut the circle open with two cuts on my RAS, with clamping blocks on either side of the work to keep my fingers away from the blade. I used a bench mounted belt sander to round the corners off the top of the clamp. As always, we learn a lot when making the first of anything... Eventually I'd like to make a stitching pony bench to sit on. Are you a woodworker, too?

I putter at it. Years ago I had a radial arm saw when I built decks. gave it away. the things scare me! I have large contractor grade table saw, but I wish I had invested in a decent size band saw instead. I think, track saws and a good band saw is the way to go if you have limited space, which is my situation, too much stuff. I have a bench top sears, I like the thing, but... Also have lathes. Love going to woodworking shows. Call me a wannabe woodworker, and purchaser of woodworking stuff.

[dikman]

That's an ingenious way of creating the curved jaws. A couple of years ago I bought a reasonable size bandsaw and I have to say I love it! Doesn't take up as much room as a tablesaw and in my opinion it's far more versatile.

[Northmount]

6 hours ago, TomWilson said:

Has anyone made a clamping mechanism that uses magnets to hold your work?

If you are looking for info on magnets, check out this link.  They have lots of types and supporting information.  For a stitching pony with magnetic jaws, you may need a strong magnet separator.  Lots of experiments under their blog page.  Lots of rabbit holes!

 

[chuck123wapati]

That is an interesting way indeed to make that clamp piece, what wood are you using? I would love to try steaming and bending wood maybe this summer some time i will take a crack at a new stitching pony. Mine is very similar to yours in shape and function but just made from scrap wood.

[tsunkasapa]

On 4/25/2024 at 6:07 AM, chuck123wapati said:

That is an interesting way indeed to make that clamp piece, what wood are you using? I would love to try steaming and bending wood maybe this summer some time i will take a crack at a new stitching pony. Mine is very similar to yours in shape and function but just made from scrap wood.

One of the things I learned steaming and bending parts for dog sleds is that air dried lumber is far superior to kiln dried. The way it was explained was that kiln drying also uses vacuum to help remove the moisture and collapses the cells. I don't know if that is true, but there is a very real difference in results.      

[TomWilson]

On 4/25/2024 at 4:52 AM, dikman said:

That's an ingenious way of creating the curved jaws. A couple of years ago I bought a reasonable size bandsaw and I have to say I love it! Doesn't take up as much room as a tablesaw and in my opinion it's far more versatile.

Thanks! I really enjoy designing in something like SketchUp. It frees your mind to try many options prior to building. It works well to design using the same steps you’d use if you were applying tools to the material. This idea for a clamp came from working with the curve / circle tool, which then resulted in creating blocks of wood that I’d drill through. Anyway, I’ll post a photo of the actual pony when I finish it!