InfiniteChain Report post Posted October 22, 2014 I don't know if this post failed but I swore I already submitted it. Anyway, I'm a very green leatherworker. So green, I haven't even touched my tools yet. Mostly because I haven't had the time. I just bought them a few days ago. I have been taking time during the work day to watch tutorials, research and browse these forums. I've come to find out many (all?) hand-stitching leatherworkers use a horse of some sort. I'm curious if anyone out there hand-stitches without a horse or has some other contraption or clamps they use instead of a horse or completely without. I'd love to hear what people are using for their setup. Thanks in advance! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dwight Report post Posted October 22, 2014 A stitching pony is very easy to make, . . . and it makes a world of difference if you do have to hand stitch something. May God bless, Dwight Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Wild Bill46 Report post Posted October 22, 2014 Chain Yes, Dwight is giving you good advise, Making a homemade Pony/Horse is a relitively easy job and very benificial. And yes I do a portion of my lacing with-out my horse, but usually use it for stitching/saddle stitching. ------------ Wild Bill46 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
billybopp Report post Posted October 22, 2014 There are things on occasion that I find easier to hold between my knees when stitching (usually big stuff), but I use a stitching pony most all the time. They aren't hard to make if you have just a modicum of woodworking skill. If you don't have the skills, or perhaps live in an apartment you can find them from Tandy, Springfield Leather, or on ebay for anything from $25 to $2500. It's a good thing to have! Bill Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Grey Drakkon Report post Posted October 23, 2014 I can tell you I'm getting/making a stitching horse as soon as I can, because stitching without one is for the birds. Pinning it between my knees sort of works, but it gives me a crick in my back and the leather flexes way too much. Having a clamp of some sort would make it easier for the needles to punch through. I'm also going to hunt down a pricking iron, having an instant stitch spacer like that would be really handy. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cradom Report post Posted October 23, 2014 Until you can get one get yourself a couple of short one by sixes and a c-clamp. You're still holding it with your knees but it will hold the leather straight. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tboyce Report post Posted October 23, 2014 Here's a handy thread that will help you make a really serviceable stitching horse for about 30 dollarshttp://leatherworker.net/forum/index.php?showtopic=57903 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
johnv474 Report post Posted October 23, 2014 For small projects you can use a wooden screw clamp, which you might have in your garage or workshop. If not, using a hardbound book between your knees is better than nothing. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dwight Report post Posted October 23, 2014 This is my little pony, . . . it is 18 inches tall, . . . base is about 14 inches long. It is cut out of one 1 x 4 pine board, . . . about 51 inches long or so (actually was a piece of scrap out in the wood shop, . . . a cutoff from another job). I lined the jaws with scrap leather, . . . used a cut off 1/4 x 20 piece of all thread (probably also a longer bolt cutoff from the shop), . . . and some nuts. Bottom hinge is another piece of scrap leather. Probably took me an hour to make. It sits on my chair, . . . between my knees, . . . and goes under my workbench or desk when not in use. May God bless, Dwight Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
InfiniteChain Report post Posted October 23, 2014 This is my little pony, . . . it is 18 inches tall, . . . base is about 14 inches long. It is cut out of one 1 x 4 pine board, . . . about 51 inches long or so (actually was a piece of scrap out in the wood shop, . . . a cutoff from another job). I lined the jaws with scrap leather, . . . used a cut off 1/4 x 20 piece of all thread (probably also a longer bolt cutoff from the shop), . . . and some nuts. Bottom hinge is another piece of scrap leather. Probably took me an hour to make. It sits on my chair, . . . between my knees, . . . and goes under my workbench or desk when not in use. May God bless, Dwight Thanks for the description and pictures of your stitching pony! They will be very helpful. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
InfiniteChain Report post Posted October 23, 2014 Bottom hinge is another piece of scrap leather. Why is the bottom hinge lined with leather? How is it attached to the base? Thanks in advance! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tboyce Report post Posted October 23, 2014 My guess is that the bottom is lined with leather because he didn't have a hinge handy Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dwight Report post Posted October 23, 2014 (edited) My guess is that the bottom is lined with leather because he didn't have a hinge handy Right on my friend, . . . the leather is not a lining, . . . it is the hinge, . . . follow the picture, . . . it goes down under all three pieces there, . . . one upright is screwed to the bottom, . . . as well as the spacer, . . . the leather is just tacked onto the 1 x 4 with some little brass brads, . . . acts as a hinge. In case you haven't figured it out, . . . I am a scrounger, . . . don't always have to have "the thing", . . . I can usually figure some way of making something do, . . . in this case it was the hinge. May God bless, Dwight Edited October 23, 2014 by Dwight Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mtbpup Report post Posted October 25, 2014 I have been lurking in this thread. Thanks!. Here's a handy thread that will help you make a really serviceable stitching horse for about 30 dollars http://leatherworker.net/forum/index.php?showtopic=57903 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dwight Report post Posted October 25, 2014 That's a good one, . . . BUT, . . . cutting up furniture in my wife's house, . . . ummm, . . . probably not a good idea. But, . . . the creativity is outstanding,.................A+++++ all the way. May God bless, Dwight Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Feraud Report post Posted October 25, 2014 There are plenty of tools we can either do without, make on the cheap, or find an adequate substitute. When it comes to saddle stitching, a horse/pony/clamp is a necessity! With a bit of scrounging you can literally make one for next to nothing. Btw, I love the leather hinge! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
