Started build of my first stitching pony

[TomWilson]

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.

Thank you! I’m using bass wood for all parts. It’s lightweight, rigid but flexible, and mostly free of knots. It’s not recommended for steam bending. I was going to use fir, but the bass wood was less expensive. I too would like to try steaming wood to bend, and make a traditional saddlers clam someday. Post an image of your stitching pony?

Edited April 27, 2024 by TomWilson

[TomWilson]

9 hours ago, tsunkasapa said:

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.      

What a great skill to have! Did you make your own equipment for steaming?

[chuck123wapati]

20 hours ago, tsunkasapa said:

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.      

that's is a great tip to share thanks!!

[chuck123wapati]

11 hours ago, TomWilson said:

Thank you! I’m using bass wood for all parts. It’s lightweight, rigid but flexible, and mostly free of knots. It’s not recommended for steam bending. I was going to use fir, but the bass wood was less expensive. I too would like to try steaming wood to bend, and make a traditional saddlers clam someday. Post an image of your stitching pony?

aint she a dandy lol I've sewn a lot of stuff with it. My only problem with it is the jaws are almost to wide across the top to use them as a guide for my awl. I think making the bent wood jaws would solve that problem.

[MarshalWill]

I have one suggestion for you to consider. If the clamp part can rotate on the cross base, it will allow you to hold the work at any angle you find easiest.

[tsunkasapa]

15 hours ago, TomWilson said:

What a great skill to have! Did you make your own equipment for steaming?

Yes, but it was just a metal 5 gallon bucket w/lid and stovepipe, nothing very high tech.

[toxo]

Not that I've done it but a good way to shape wood severely is to laminate thin pieces steamed around a jig or form and glued up. I know it as the West system and they lay up yacht hulls with it. It's very strong.

[dikman]

9 hours ago, MarshalWill said:

I have one suggestion for you to consider. If the clamp part can rotate on the cross base, it will allow you to hold the work at any angle you find easiest.

Yep, that's what I did, I put my feet on the base and I can turn/twist the clamp to suit my needs. Works well.

Edited April 27, 2024 by dikman

[TomWilson]

On 4/27/2024 at 5:23 AM, chuck123wapati said:

aint she a dandy lol I've sewn a lot of stuff with it. My only problem with it is the jaws are almost to wide across the top to use them as a guide for my awl. I think making the bent wood jaws would solve that problem.

Wonderful! She’s a thing of beauty, well anointed, and the keeper of many stories stitched together over the years. I like your wooden maul, too!

[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.

A bandsaw is very versatile indeed! I bought my Dewalt radial arm saw from a neighbor for $100. I read everything I could find on refurbishing, set up, making jigs for, and the safe way to use them. A book by Mr. Sawdust was most helpful. I’d like a bandsaw, but my shop is in my one car garage, and I need to keep room for the car, too. I just managed to fit a bench top drill press into the works last week. Have you made many leather working tools in your shop?