terrypen Report post Posted April 8, 2015 I, along with a friend that has a huge woodworking shop, made myself a stitching pony today. I have the leather formed and drying at the moment, almost ready to start using it on a wallet that I started yesterday. Here are some pics of the stitching pony. I also cutout the pieces for a block to hold my stamping and punching tools. I will post pictures of that soon. Terry P.S. Not sure why I can't post them side-by-side... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
zuludog Report post Posted April 8, 2015 The workmanship itself is first class, but you might find that the flat surface right at the top is too wide to push your needles right into the leather. If you have a look at commercially manufactured stitching horses & ponies you'll see that the tops of the clamps are quite narrow, almost blade - like You could try cutting back the outside corners at the top of the clamps Also, you usually line the insides of the clamps with leather, to avoid making marks or impressions on your workpiece. Again, look at manufactured ones. It would look nice if it was stained, to darken the wood slightly, and bring out the grain But please, these are meant to be helpful suggestions, not serious criticism; it's much better made than mine! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
terrypen Report post Posted April 8, 2015 Thanks zulu, most of that workmanship was my friend, as he is what I would call a master woodworker and has the tools to show it! He actually didn't want me to take it home with the base because he accidentally routed too far under the upright and so we routed the whole topside of the base. I kept telling him.. it's OK I'm going to be sitting on that part anyway!!! Yes, I know about the thinner clamps, I had thought about that but will try as is before I attach my leather to see if it is workable for me. If not, yes I will sand those down before I put the leather protection on it. Yes to the leather liners. When I said that I had leather formed and drying, that is what I was referring, they were just not in the photos. Stain and/or sealer is what I have in mind after the testing phase and I will post pics in this same thread when I am done with testing and completion. BTW, it's just pine, so it's not going to be too impressive...Oh wait, the tiny base piece with the bolt through it... that is maple! LOL Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Stewartjlh Report post Posted April 14, 2015 Wish I had a woodworking friend! Very nice! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
terrypen Report post Posted April 15, 2015 Wish I had a woodworking friend! Very nice! Thanks. Well my woodworking friend probably wishes that he DID NOT have a leatherworking friend now... I used up quite a bit of his day doing the two projects.... I will still be posting pics of the other project soon... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
robbied Report post Posted April 29, 2015 That's pretty nice. I currently have use of a stitching horse. Similar shaped jaws but set on top of a saw horse with a flat piece along it for somewhere to sit. it also has a foot operated mechanism consisting of a bar on a door hinge, that pulls on some webbing material attached to the pivoting jaw. I can post pics if anyone is interested. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
billybopp Report post Posted April 29, 2015 I have no doubt that if your woodworking friend wished today that he did not have a leatherworking friend .... That will change when he gets a nice custom made leather something in the future! What did you notice about the shop, or with his tools, or with the way that he uses his tools that you could "provide" for in leather!? Bill Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
terrypen Report post Posted April 29, 2015 Thanks! I guess I need to update these pics. I sanded down the jaws a bit and then added leather. I still haven't stained and varnished it yet... Post those pics of that horse, I like seeing the items people use to make their leather life easier! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
robbied Report post Posted April 30, 2015 (edited) This is what i'm using. Not my construction or design, but works pretty well. The thing I would change is to add a foot rest on the left side, and a more comfortable seat. Edited April 30, 2015 by robbied Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
billybopp Report post Posted April 30, 2015 An old tractor seat would be just perfect on that stitching horse! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
terrypen Report post Posted April 30, 2015 An old tractor seat would be just perfect on that stitching horse! Or better yet... just build yourself a saddle custom fit for it... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
robbied Report post Posted April 30, 2015 If I knew the principles of making a saddle I would Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bkm Report post Posted May 1, 2015 I use a Hand Screw. I just clamp it to a chair or bench with a second one, but it could also be bolted to a pony/horse. The jaws are probably too broad, but it's maple and could easily be cut or shaved down to whatever you want. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
