Check Out This Stitching Pony I Made

[Horrrk]

LOL I keep drinks open containers and other liquids way far away from my projects Found that out the hard way.

too much sloshing around for a cup holder on a stitching clamp might spill on my foot

I might fool around with a bar that holds the jaw clamped tightwhich would be a really easy solution but really how the design is made your feet are always sitting on the base which i really dont see much benefit to a tension bar unless I put a spring between the jaws to open them when the tension is let off.

another aspect I like about the foot lever it facilitates hands free operation of opening the jaws to move the work piece which is a big plus for me another plus is having both feet on the base you can move the clamp around to where the jaws are at the desired angle and insures that the clamp is not going to move except if you want it to

Okay, we'll maybe leave the coffee holder, down to safety reasons..lol

Perhaps you could have a pin insert thru the triangulation ply, in order to lock the pedal for time away at the kettle? Just a little pressure would be adequate..

I can see your point about moving the work along with both hands free to do so..something which hadn't crossed my mind, but worth noting..lol

Its all good stuff this.. Ha!

Ooo.. I see Tom's just been in..

What about using a spring to keep the jaws calmped together, and a foot release to counter the spring pressure while you reposition the work piece?

Tom

Nice idea that one Tom.! Coming in at a different angle there.. That'd work too..I like it..

I hope Mike is reading this before he starts on his next pony..

Regards

Phil

[lwm803]

I like the idea of the floor model and agree that some way of locking the jaws mechanically (preferably foot operated) would likely be a good idea. I get the idea the the jaws are already self closing due to the weight of the foot pedal and that might eliminate any need for a spring to accomplish the same goal. The one that I built is self holding due to the natural spring in the jaw arms as there is no hinge, I have to use a spreader block to open the jaws to insert leather but still need to tighten the clamping bolt a bit to hold everything good and tight for sewing. If I ever build another I will carefully consider a floor model. One other thing I would like to do is to tilt the jaws to one side, more like a full blown stitching horse.

[St8LineGunsmith]

What about using a spring to keep the jaws clamped together, and a foot release to counter the spring pressure while you reposition the work piece?

Tom

it would take a tremendous amount of spring pressure to hold the jaws tight enough to keep the work from moving around while you are stitching and I like to keep my work from moving around while I am stitching. I

f I were to incorporate a spring I would use a spring between the jaws to apply reverse pressure to open the jaws.

the simplest solution for keeping constant heavy pressure on the jaws without using your leg weight would be to make a tension bar like a stitching horse has since

the lever on this model I built works exactly like a lever on a stitching horse does minus the tension bar.

However as I mentioned earlier there is already enough tension on the jaws without putting pressure on the project to hold it in the jaws while away.

I think the biggest improvement to this clamp would to make wider clamp jaws... YMMV

it would be much comfortable to keep your feet on the base while stitching rather than trying to straddle your legs over the base or trying to tuck them in front of the base plus using your feet gives you total control of the angle of the clamp when you are stitching and holds the clamp steady and if you need more pressure just press the lever to the desired tension so why try to reinvent something that is working exactly as it was intended to be used already?

it is basically a stitching horse minus the seat which makes it a lot easier to store in the corner than a stitching horse while not in use

Not to mention stitching horses tend to be a bit uncomfortable after some time at sitting on one.

don't ask me how I know this

.

in all I think this model works ideally for me other than I need one just a bit taller for using it when I am in my wheelchair and I want wider jaws

I can put this one in the house that way i can use it in the dining room or while sitting at the foot of my bed

[St8LineGunsmith]

Hey Guys here is a sketch of the new clamp I am making

it uses 2X6 for a wider clamp area.

[LeatherSmith68]

Just my thoughts as I am a total newbie to the leather wold. I think the first one you made looks great and would work very well. If you do decide to start make these and selling them, send me a message. I just might be interested in one or two of them. Keep up the great work.

[Horrrk]

Hey Guys here is a sketch of the new clamp I am making

it uses 2X6 for a wider clamp area.

Can't wait to see it St8..looks sturdy enough and should give you a bit more to stitch before shuffling everything along..

Regards

Phil

[St8LineGunsmith]

Ok here is the revised design of my stitching mule LOL.

and while i was piling up wood chips around my drill press and sincei really need a stamp caddy but refuse to pay 40 bucks for a block of

wood with a bunch of holes drilled into it I went ahead and drilleda bunch of holes into a block of wood i had laying around that cost

me a whopping fiddy cents.and heres what I wound up with.Ya it is crude and not as pretty as the store bought one but

works just as good.

i said I was going to put in a drawer on the next one i made but i didnt make a drawer.

Instead I made a flip top lid. All i did was drilled out the 2X6 with a forstner bit then

did the same thing on the lid. turned out to be just the right size little cubby hole

for a few stitching tools.

I did install a shelf, i think it is low enough not to snag thread seeing since where

the shelf is located would be lower than most table top models.

I made it where it would hold 2 spools of thread 1 white and 1 black spool

I also drilled a hole for a pair of needle nose piers and holes to hold needles

should be handy.

I zam not quite finished I did not have enough nylon strap so I have to round up

a piece and I am also going to install a bar to keep jaw pressure on the jaws without

having to hold constant foot pressure on the lever.however i did make this clamp

several inches taller, so now this one is just the right height. still need to get some

thin leather to cover the jaws. I am going to tandy in the morning for leatherworking

class so i will get that tomorrow.

hey it is kind of crude looking with all the knotted pine but it should serve its purpose well.

[LeatherSmith68]

Great work Str8. Both look very nice and very useful

[Horrrk]

Very nice St8.!

I had the same idea today about the block for my stamps and dragged out some of the hardwood I made a tiki statue from this summer..it'll hold a few stamps. I also found it's good for burnishing with.! lol

As far as your mule goes, you've certainly advanced the design a fair bit and I think you're on with a winner. The constant tension thing will be a boon, since you've decided you're not going with the coffee cup holder..

Love the cubby hole idea and also the shelf too..it's all personal stitching style with regards to if you're gonna get caught up on it, but overall I think its handy to have all your sundries to hand..

Personally, I'd have gone with a magnet on a helium balloon for holding my spare needles, but the shelf is good too..

Go steady rounding up the nylon strap too..when you think you've got it cornered, keep an eye open for it's mate, poised to pounce on your back and shred ya.. Always out of direct sight and always above you..be warned my friend..its a jungle out there..

Take care..

Regards

Phil