Need help with my new (?) stitching horse

[ChaChi]

I finally found a stitching horse on ebay that was in great shape, close enough to pick up and cheap enough to actually buy but I'm confused a little on what I need to complete the strap to tighten the clamp. I've seen that most have a wooden leg attached to one side down low that connects to the tension strap and there's a locking plate on the other side to lock the leg into. Mine doesn't have that and never has, There doesn't seem to be any hardware missing or empty screw holes in the wood where such a plate may have been. I'm wondering if there was just a loop at the end of the strap for your foot to rest in to keep tension on there. Take a look and see if you can help me out.

Let me know if you need close up shots of anything else. I have it with me today at the fire house.

Thanks, Cha-Chi

[Luke Hatley]

ChaChi... look in the "sewing leather" 1st page there is some photos that will be what you need to

get your stiching horse done.

[ChaChi]

ChaChi... look in the "sewing leather" 1st page there is some photos that will be what you need to

get your stiching horse done.

Hey Luke, I appreciate the help. I went back over all those threads again but they all still seem to have this metal plate on one of the front legs to lock the tension bar onto and mine doesn't have that. It's never had it. It's been used alot as is evident by the wear on the seat and clamp. But I can't find one single hole where there's a screw or nail missing that may have held that metal locking piece piece on. I'm sure that's the way I'll end up setting it up but I just wanted to see if there was another way before I go fabricating a plate and screwing it on there.

[ClayB]

It almost looks like someone put new legs on this horse, made it more a piece of furniture than a useful tool. I think you are going to want to figure out how to put the arm and metal ratchet plate back on it for it to be very useful. I dont think holding the strap with your foot would be real effective as everytime you let off pressure a litttle, your piece of work would fall out. I have seen some newer stitching horses where people have attached something like a ratchet strap to the side of the horse to put pressure on the clamp. Maybe somebody here has one like that and can post a picture?

[D.A. Kabatoff]

I'd agree with ClayB about the legs having been replaced on your stitching horse. If the legs were replaced and the horse used solely for display, it would make sense to leave the foot lever off as it sticks out and is great for catching unsuspecting shins. Anyway, I've posted a photo of mine in case you aren't sure what parts are missing. If you need more detailed photos, let me know and I'll post them for you. If you aren't handy with wood, any carpenter should be able to add the necessary lever fairly easily.

Darc

[ChaChi]

It almost looks like someone put new legs on this horse, made it more a piece of furniture than a useful tool. I think you are going to want to figure out how to put the arm and metal ratchet plate back on it for it to be very useful. I dont think holding the strap with your foot would be real effective as everytime you let off pressure a litttle, your piece of work would fall out. I have seen some newer stitching horses where people have attached something like a ratchet strap to the side of the horse to put pressure on the clamp. Maybe somebody here has one like that and can post a picture?

You know you may be right. It does seem a little taller than others I've seen and after going back out there and looking over it again, it has different nails on all the legs than the rest of it. The legs do seem to be in a little better shape than the seat and clamp as far as knicks and scratches too. I wonder if anybody makes that plate so I wouldn't have to start grinding one out in the car port in this weather. I appreciate all the help guys

I'd agree with ClayB about the legs having been replaced on your stitching horse. If the legs were replaced and the horse used solely for display, it would make sense to leave the foot lever off as it sticks out and is great for catching unsuspecting shins. Anyway, I've posted a photo of mine in case you aren't sure what parts are missing. If you need more detailed photos, let me know and I'll post them for you. If you aren't handy with wood, any carpenter should be able to add the necessary lever fairly easily.

Darc

Thanks, I appreciate that. I'm probably better with wood than leather actually so I don't think it's going to be a problem. Just need the hardware and I can probably make that too

[gtwister09]

Here's a page out of the Farm Woodwork that should help you with sizes and information. It is a copyright free and there is even a copy of it on Google books.

Regards,

Ben

[ChaChi]

Thanks Ben, I can definately use that. I noticed that you from lewisville, TX. I just made a set of suspenders for the fire chief in Lewisville (Rick Lasky) last year.

http://pub23.bravenet.com/photocenter/albu...48569/1/111706/

[gtwister09]

It is a small world. I know who he is but I don't know him personally.

Regards,

Ben

[Bmoz]

I used the farm wood work book and fabricated my own parts. here is a picture of the results

Edited April 3, 2009 by Bmoz

[BondoBobCustomSaddles]

ChaChi, I found mine as a kit that had some pieces missing, namely the ratchett plate and the tongue. I was in a hurry to get going so rather than stopping and making a new ratchett plate, I just screwed a 6" recip saw wood blade in the proper place on the leg of mine. It worked ok and I have always planned to go back and redo it when I had time. That was 20 years ago!

Bondo bob