Finally Made My Own Stitching Pony

[Ryan Barto]

Finally got around to making my own stitching pony. The small one that I bought from Tandy a few years ago just wasn't cutting it anymore. This one is just the right height for me, so I can clamp it to the top of my work bench and stitch standing up or sit with it under my legs and have it right at chest level. No more sore back from stooping or hunching over. I bought everything in 1 trip to Lowes (the leather was 2/3oz that I had lying around). Total cost was less than $25 and took me about 2 hours with a hand saw and miter box. I chose not to seal it because I'm lazy.

[immiketoo]

That clinches it. I'm making my own tomorrow!!! Nice job and I like the stamp.

[bluesman1951]

I like this a lot . In fact even though I have a very nice sit down stitching horse ,I would buy one of these if the price was right . As a long time hand stitcher the only down side I see to this is your knob is going to catch a long string a million times. Sewing short stuff wallets and stuff will be a breeze . Send me a private message if you want to sell me one . Well done sir ,nice job . I am interested in one . Bill

[volpert]

nice work!

[Ryan Barto]

Thanks everyone for the compliments. Bluesman, I agree with you about the knob catching the string. I'm not concerned about it, since as you said, it wouldn't be much of an issue with shorter items like wallets and that is all I plan on stitching right now. I don't have any plans on selling these as the cost of shipping would skyrocket the price, but they are extremely easy to make with a miter box, saw, and electric drill.

Parts list:

1x4 Pine board - 6 foot

3" brass door hinge (item 308904 at lowes comes with the perfect length screws and is the cheapest one I could find)

Utility compression spring #224

5/16"-18 Bar Knob (found in the "hard to find" drawers in the nuts and bolts section)

5/16"-18 4" Carriage Bolt

5/16" Fender Washer

5/16"-18 hex nut

2" wood screws (I needed 6)

1" wood screws (I used 4)

Pack of .75" upholstery nails

2/3 oz leather cut to 3.5" x 9"

Find out how tall you want the arms of the clamp. I'm a relatively tall guy and made mine 18" tall. (Much taller and you may need to buy an 8' board). The Base is 16" long, the two pieces between the arms at the base are 3.5" tall each and the angled pieces that make the clamp at the top of the arms are 3" each. The spring goes over the bolt in between the arms and the hex nut gets screwed the entire way down the bolt before sliding the bolt through in order to have the right length sicking out for the handle to clamp securely. The hole for the tightening bolt is about 7" up the arms from the base.

I think with those measurements, everyone should be able to figure out how to put it together. Just remember that the arm with hinge the needs to be able to swing, so only attach it to the unit through the hinge. Everything else is glued down to the base with contact cement (what I had available) and then screwed down. The angled jaw pieces at the top of the arms are screwed to the arm with the 1" screws. Screw them in through the outside to keep the screw head from making marks on what you are clamping.

The best part about this is that you can make it exactly the height you need to keep your back from hurting.

I hope this info helps anyone who wants to make one and if any of it doesn't make sense, just let me know.

Thanks,

Ryan

[Horrrk]

Hi Ryan..

Nice work with the stitching pony and also with the quick write up for those wishing to make one..

You've ended up with a better looking pony than some for sale out there already, so I'd expect more people, as well as Bill asking about you selling them..

Hope it serves you well..

Regards

Phil

[Texas Rancher]

The string catching on the knob is an easy fix. Just cut a triangle piece of wood that mounts under and extends just past the end of the bolt. Sand and round the edges and and glue or screw it in place. If you have a router and can sink the triangle a 1/16 of an inch even better. I had the same problem on my stitching pony and it was well worth doing. That is a nice looking pony and you will really get a lot of use out of it.

[immiketoo]

OK, here's mine. I am clearly NOT a woodworker, but I believe this will be serviceable. I need a better screw handle but this will do for now. Thanks Ryan for the inspiration!

Edited October 3, 2012 by immiketoo

[Horrrk]

OK, here's mine. I am clearly NOT a woodworker, but I believe this will be serviceable. I need a better screw handle but this will do for now. Thanks Ryan for the inspiration!

Hi Mike..looks like it'll do the job, nicely..

Looking at your pics, made me wonder if one of those quick release spindle nuts from a pushbike (cycle) wouldn't do the job for locking the clamp together.. Spin it to tighten and then pull the lever over for final lockdown and vice versa to release the work..

Just food for thought..

Regards

Phil

[immiketoo]

That's not a bad idea Phil! I was considering just making a wood lever that would attach to the large nut. T-handle fashion. I'll have to give your idea some thought though.