stitching clams or ponys

[Mjolnir]

While it may be wood crafting I like to make my own tools when I can. today I am bending Oak for an English Stitching Clam. I'll add pics soon. Anyone else have advice or want to share?

[fredk]

Line the inside and outside of the jaws with good heavy weight leather, put on flesh side out

[Mjolnir]

Bent some Red Oak today. I went with 6 inch wide planks so I can to a little shaping for elegance.

[garypl]

That should make a nice stitching pony - did you steam bend the wood?

[Fire88]

Very nice, wish I had a steam box.

[Mjolnir]

I do not have a steam box, yet. I boiled the wood in a stock pot for a half hour. (found out by trial that hardwood is what to use). I ratchet strapped one side to my work bench and used a dowel and another strap to pull it down. The wood retained its shape after cooling to room temp. It bent very easily. I then boiled the other side and repeated. All done for the cost of the wood. Can't wait for Lowes to open so I can do the fun part. Saw some weathered pallet wood for accents.

[alpha2]

I can't wait to see the rest of the process! Thanks for sharing.

[cjartist]

Very nice.  I have been using the cheap Tandy pony myself.  It is very limited due to the bolt clamp setup running right through the middle.  I too cannot wait to see your progress with this.

 

[DominickTuroski]

I love that tool rack. You do some steampunk stuff?

[Mjolnir]

Thanks Turoski. I've allways been an artist. My motto would have to be, "Why buy it if it can be made, if it can be made, make it cool."

Edited November 26, 2017 by Mjolnir
glitch