Finally Made My Own Stitching Pony

[Ryan Barto]

Nicely done! I'm glad my post got the gears turning on some new ideas for these.

[lwm803]

I am new to the group and have been in the lurking/learning mode so this is my first post here.

I have recently developed a renewed interest in leather working and being unable to locate my old Tandy lacing pony I decided to build my own based on Tandy's latest version. Never having actually seen one, I loosely copied the online pics and specs.

I have yet to actually use it for anything and still need to cover the jaws with leather but it was the mention of a cam action clamping

nut that inspired me to post what I used. It is a cam clamp from Rockler Woodworking and Hardware.

I was tempted to hinge one side of my clamp but decided to give this design a try, as it will be easy enough to add a hinge later if I do not like it as it is.

[electrathon]

One issue I see with how these are set up is the two arms need to be spaced slightly wider at the bottom than at the top. The way they are set up when you spread them and slide the leather in, the bottom of the clamp will hold but the top of the clamp will be loose. This causes the piece you are trying to secure to be loose along the stitching area but tight two inches lower. Change the angle of the arms (or angle the jaws wider at the bottom) and you will find you can securely hold the stitch line.

I speak from experience. The first pony I made clamped so nice and straight out in the shop, then I went in and clamped a wallet in it...

Aaron

[St8LineGunsmith]

I found plans for a stitching horse that i would like to build but i have limited space in my work area so a stitching pony like this would be more practical

I think I will build this design.

any one who would like the file for the stitching horse PM me your Email address and I will send the file to you.

[lwm803]

One issue I see with how these are set up is the two arms need to be spaced slightly wider at the bottom than at the top. The way they are set up when you spread them and slide the leather in, the bottom of the clamp will hold but the top of the clamp will be loose. This causes the piece you are trying to secure to be loose along the stitching area but tight two inches lower. Change the angle of the arms (or angle the jaws wider at the bottom) and you will find you can securely hold the stitch line.

I speak from experience. The first pony I made clamped so nice and straight out in the shop, then I went in and clamped a wallet in it...

Aaron

That's a good point. I put mine together with screws only (no glue) in anticipation of future modifications. I had already decided that I need to make a thicker spacer block to compensate for the thickness of the leather padding that I will be adding for the jaws but had yet to consider the thickness of the project itself. Now I think I will make that block, not only thicker, but tapered a bit as well to add a bit of negative camber to the jaws. I still might add a hinge to one side if the "self holding" feature of this design proves to be more trouble than it is worth (requires the spreader block to open the jaws).

The one Ryan built is very likely the better design.

[Horrrk]

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.

I've just been out for the afternoon with my good lady and I've come back, to see that Iwm803 has already posted pics of the type of quick release I mentioned earlier.. lol..

In fact he's posted it on this thread too..

Nicely done! I'm glad my post got the gears turning on some new ideas for these.

It certainly has Ryan.. It's all good and I think it helps others along who suddenly realise that it's something they can do for themselves....

I am new to the group and have been in the lurking/learning mode so this is my first post here.

I have recently developed a renewed interest in leather working and being unable to locate my old Tandy lacing pony I decided to build my own based on Tandy's latest version. Never having actually seen one, I loosely copied the online pics and specs.

I have yet to actually use it for anything and still need to cover the jaws with leather but it was the mention of a cam action clamping

nut that inspired me to post what I used. It is a cam clamp from Rockler Woodworking and Hardware.

I was tempted to hinge one side of my clamp but decided to give this design a try, as it will be easy enough to add a hinge later if I do not like it as it is.

Welcome to the forum Iwm803..I see you're using a similar type of clamp on your pony, which I mentioned earlier in the thread.. You'll have to let us know how you find it, as far as ease of use and adjustability, etc..

Regards

Phil

[immiketoo]

I clamped a few different things in mine last night, and I found that they were held well as long as I tightened the bolt enough. I havent tried stitching anything yet and I am not sure I will like it. I guess we'll see on my next holster.

[Horrrk]

One issue I see with how these are set up is the two arms need to be spaced slightly wider at the bottom than at the top. The way they are set up when you spread them and slide the leather in, the bottom of the clamp will hold but the top of the clamp will be loose. This causes the piece you are trying to secure to be loose along the stitching area but tight two inches lower. Change the angle of the arms (or angle the jaws wider at the bottom) and you will find you can securely hold the stitch line.

I speak from experience. The first pony I made clamped so nice and straight out in the shop, then I went in and clamped a wallet in it...

Aaron

Good point Aaron..

The effect will vary, down to the length or rather height of the jaws..if there's only an inch or so of jaw height, then it will be minimised too..

At least you learnt from the experience..

Regards

Phil

[lwm803]

This discussion finally got me in gear to go ahead and modify the stitching pony that I built. I realized early on that I needed to widen the spacer block at the bottom of the clamp arms to make room for padded jaws. Based on suggestions in this thread I not only made the new block wider but also angled the sides to give the arms some negative camber, I also resurfaced the clamp jaws for even more camber. Of course these mods called for a longer clamp bolt and a wider spreader block, but I got'er done. I still need to pad the jaws when I run across some thin veg tan scraps.

[LeatherSmith68]

This discussion finally got me in gear to go ahead and modify the stitching pony that I built. I realized early on that I needed to widen the spacer block at the bottom of the clamp arms to make room for padded jaws. Based on suggestions in this thread I not only made the new block wider but also angled the sides to give the arms some negative camber, I also resurfaced the clamp jaws for even more camber. Of course these mods called for a longer clamp bolt and a wider spreader block, but I got'er done. I still need to pad the jaws when I run across some thin veg tan scraps.

lwn803 really like your pony. Was wonder if you could tell me what you used for the "clamp or what some use a bolt". Looks like you have a lever style handle to clamp the jaws.