Draw Down Stand

[Matopo]

G'day everyone. I want to build a draw down stand, and would love to find a plan or instructions. In particular, how does one build a stand to resemble a horse's back so the saddle sits level on the stand?

Regards Adre

[Duke]

there is a set of measured drawings in the first book of the al stohlman encyclopedia.

[grumpyguy]

There is a drawing of a drawdown stand and stitchinghorse in Bruce Grant's, Making Cowboy Gear and Braiding Rawhide, book. (Not the newer braiding leather book.) The book is paper back with a brown cover and white writing. Last I knew it is still popular in leathercraft stores. The photos are somewhat out dated but there is a wealth of written information illustrated by drawings and photos. It is still relavant today, especially if you repair old saddles and tack made by other makers.

I made my drawdown stand from the drawing about fifteen years ago. There are no dimensions provided, so you have to be inventive and come up with those for yourself, but then it is not hard. Mine is 28 inches long and 36 inches high overall, which for me works out quite well. The Stolman book is much better illustrated and easier to get the idea, but the book cost more cost more. ($70.00 vs just under $10.00.) If your just starting out money sometimes has to (not that we like it) dictate what and when we can buy things. If you plan on developing this into a business or serious hobby then you should consider investing in the Stolman books. (I had to start out with Grant's book which worked out okay for me.) Check out your nearest leathercraft store and take a look, there are alot of reference books out there. (More than ever and you are liable to find what you want.) All of the books mentioned so far can be found on Amazon if a trip to a leather craft store is out of the question but it is difficult to see exactly what's inside.

If you need it I could give you a sketch and measurements I used for my stand.

[AndyKnight]

I have used Stands that I make from old beauty shop or barber shop chairs for the last 20 plus years That way they have hydraulic cylinder for going up and also 360 degrees of swivel. I believe QWeaver sells a ready made model.

I cut the top out of 3 x8 and shape it close tp a horses back and then build it up more with felt and cover it with chap leather..

[Duke]

if I get a chance to this weekend, I will try to scan the picture from the stohlman book into the puter and send it to you. message me with an email addy

[bruce johnson]

Weavers do make a hydraulic model. There are a few design issues with it though. The top is basically a flat plank covdered with neoprene, nails will eat the neoprene. The tree is secured to it with two straps that go across the seat. Would be a problem if you shape ground seats on the stand. The drawdown strap attaches to the base, and you raise the height to tension it. If you need to change height, you have to remove the strap, lengthen it, and reattach it. Also once attached, you can't pivot the top around. There is a univeral setup under the top to tilt it in two directions. Apparently it can let go at inopportune times. It runs $550 with the strap and spreader.

Ron (Ron's Tools) makes one also. The top is a contoured and covered with fleshout chap leather. It will hold a tree pretty well with no strap. The drawdown strap attaches to the post. You can raise, lower, or spin it with the strap in place. There is a tip up arm for tilting the tree or saddle up from the back. It adjusts in several positions with a pin, it won't just let go and drop. Webprice listed at $820 for the stand and $130 for the tip up arm attachment. Even if you make your own, I would look at Ron's website (www.ronstools) and check out how he does the topside.

[okiwen]

Given the time it takes to make a stand and the quality of the out come, The Ron's stand is a very good buy. The stand is of GREAT quality and is much better than the Weaver design. I know it is expensive but if you figure that you will use it for 4-8 hrs. everday, the time makes the cost much less than alot of the things that you spend your money on. Besides, Ron's a pretty good guy.

Weavers do make a hydraulic model. There are a few design issues with it though. The top is basically a flat plank covdered with neoprene, nails will eat the neoprene. The tree is secured to it with two straps that go across the seat. Would be a problem if you shape ground seats on the stand. The drawdown strap attaches to the base, and you raise the height to tension it. If you need to change height, you have to remove the strap, lengthen it, and reattach it. Also once attached, you can't pivot the top around. There is a univeral setup under the top to tilt it in two directions. Apparently it can let go at inopportune times. It runs $550 with the strap and spreader.

Ron (Ron's Tools) makes one also. The top is a contoured and covered with fleshout chap leather. It will hold a tree pretty well with no strap. The drawdown strap attaches to the post. You can raise, lower, or spin it with the strap in place. There is a tip up arm for tilting the tree or saddle up from the back. It adjusts in several positions with a pin, it won't just let go and drop. Webprice listed at $820 for the stand and $130 for the tip up arm attachment. Even if you make your own, I would look at Ron's website (www.ronstools) and check out how he does the topside.

[Matopo]

G'day everyone. Thanks for the advice. I've gotten hold of a Stohlman Encyclopedia Vol 1 and it shows how to build a drawdown stand. Will be doing one along those lines. Thanks for your input. Matopo