Old Stitching Horses

[WinterBear]

Maybe I should research how difficult it would be to bend my own then?

[ramrod]

bending your own is not totally out of the question. building a steam box wouldn't be too difficult. the biggest problem would be in getting both of them to match exactly. you'd need to build a jig somehow - out of a plank and dowels. it could be done. i wish i had a better solution.

[WinterBear]

Heh, I was thinking making a jig out of a couple of sections of heavy walled PVC or steel pipe for the curves, and oak or hemlock for the rest. I should be able to build a steam box fairly easily and should be able to steam 1/2" thick to 1" thick planks--red oak or alder, cherry if I can get a hold of it. The hard part would be the cam, I think. Oh well, it'll give me something to do when the weather's nasty this winter.

[ramrod]

the cam would be the toughest part of the whole thing. how about a threaded rod wth a handle to open the jaws? if you can bend the jaws, that would be half of the battle.

i really pick up the pace on leatherwork when the weather gets bad. i'd rather stay inside during a storm than be outside.

[lawrencek]

i was delivering on my route last friday afternoon down in the cornell area. i passd by an antiques barn (i must see a thousand of them) and wasn't particularly interested in what they were offering. but, i happened to look over as i was driving and saw what looked like 3 stitching horses. i thought "can't be" but i turned around anyway to take a closer look. sure enough, there were 3 of them sitting there. she wanted 40 bucks each for them (i believe she was selling them on consignment). i said that she probably could get much more for them, but she told me that the farmer who brought them in only wanted that much for them.

inside of the place, she had another one that had 3 legs - that was the way it was made. unusual, i know - and i should have gotten a pic of that one.

she also had several stitching ponies of unusual design. all of this stuff is quite old and has nice patina to it.

i was looking for a stitching horse for a long time and finally had my brother make me a rather nice one. now that i'm no longer in the market, i end up seeing these!

if this isn't in the correct forum, please feel free to move it.

also, i hope the pic sizing is o.k.

If you get by this place again please advise. I see this post is a couple months old but I just joined today becasue I was looking for a stitching horse. Or maybe give name or phone # and I can contact directly. Many thanks from a newbie.

Edited October 15, 2011 by lawrencek

[ramrod]

If you get by this place again please advise. I see this post is a couple months old but I just joined today becasue I was looking for a stitching horse. Or maybe give name or phone # and I can contact directly. Many thanks from a newbie.

i was close by there last week - but not close enough.

do a search for barn house antiques in lansing n.y. it's on old peruville road. there is a number listed.

[lawrencek]

i was close by there last week - but not close enough.

do a search for barn house antiques in lansing n.y. it's on old peruville road. there is a number listed.

Many thanks Ramrod. Grew up in Binghamton, relatives in Chittenango. CA sun now!

[Bard Skye]

bending your own is not totally out of the question. building a steam box wouldn't be too difficult. the biggest problem would be in getting both of them to match exactly. you'd need to build a jig somehow - out of a plank and dowels. it could be done. i wish i had a better solution.

I've thought about that, too.

I wonder how a set of laminated jaws would work out. Lay them up out of thin wood slices and epoxy. Still need to build a form, but much easier to shape than solid wood.

I just wonder about the durability.

Skye

[CustomDoug]

I pick this up a couple weeks ago for $2 !!, not a pony but still was just too cool to pass up. I figured if nothing else I'll use the awesome vintage bolt and wing nut thing on the Douglas Tools bench mounted one that I want to get.

Edited October 19, 2011 by CustomDoug

[WinterBear]

I'm considering getting some wine barrel staves from Napa Valley and cutting them to the appropriate length at this point. They're oak, sturdy, come in different width and lengths, knot free...and come pre-bent.