Jump to content
Mattsbagger

Stitching horse.

Recommended Posts

After a year and about 30 antique shops finally found one! $85.00 need to replace the leather strap and wrap the jaws in leather but should be good to go after that. Still pretty tight just a bit of a wiggle.

IMG_20180127_181412-782x782.jpg

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

That is a great find! any idea how old it is?

 

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

No clue. It is OLD. Haven't found any markings on it. Flat head screws and saw a horse shoe nail repair. It seems to be hand made. It's rough not polished like it was made for sale. If you know what I mean.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Good find.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Your persistence paid off at last!
Nice to see a piece of working equipment being returned to work, instead of gathering dust in a corner.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Nice! 

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Great find! 

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Nice piece, I’m currently making one from pallet wood so good to see variations.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Nice find.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Ohhh, I was hoping to see a horse stitching... I was curious how one would hold the needles.. hehehe

Seriously though, that's a great find. I like things like that. Take something old and give it new life. 

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Hate to do it but I think I'm gonna have to replace the screws on the upper hinge with carriage bolts. And probably use a carriage bolt to hold the strap instead of nails to the pivot arm. It looks like they have replaced the strap a couple times. Also need to beef up the locking leg as its split. Thinkimg wet rawhide strap wrapped on it. Never used before bit understand that its strong when dried.

IMG_20180128_082151-782x782.jpg

20180128_082729-540x540.jpg

Edited by Mattsbagger

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

At the time of construction I'm sure it was purpose built. The maker probably didn't give it any more credit but to last as long as until he could build another.

But then it outlived him. Carry on at fixing it up.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Great find.

The original maker would have surely repaired it as necessary, had he outlived it.

 

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Great find, you should be able to find similar flat headed screws if needed at you local ace/true value/do it best hardware store. If not they can be found online. 

As for the split wood a little no expansion gorilla glue should do the trick or epoxy. 

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Are the screws still good but just loose?  If they're loose I would plug the holes with dowels and epoxy (actually just epoxy would work too) then redrill them and keep using the screws.  It's a really cool and not overly common find.  It's worth the extra effort to keep it as original as you can.

Most modern screws just don't look right.  I do have some mostly larger sized old screws that I've saved over the years if you need some replacements. I'd be happy to send you some if they're the size(s) you need.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

There are a couple that are loose/stripped. They are also cracked that's why I was thinking bolts. Woods a bit dry also.lol

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Feed the wood, with teak oil or boiled linseed oil.

If this were mine; I'd drill out every damaged screw hole and use wood working PVA or Scotch glue to glue in dowels, which I'd drill to take brass screws

Its an unusual design with the clam at an angle like that

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Been rebuilding old Coleman lanters for awhile, and the old pump cups are made from leather.  we just soak them in neatsfoot oil for a bit, and the old stiff leather is like new again.  When I found my stitching horse, the leather was also dried and cracked.  Didn't soak it in neatsfoot oil, but applied several liberal coats. Althogh still cracked, the leather is no longer stiff, and I am not afraid that it is going to snap when applying pressure with the foot pedal.

+1 for pounding small dowels into the stripped wood holes and using the original screws.  

Keep your stitching horse as original as you can for as long as you can. But most of all enjoy!

FWIW, a photo of mine.  The end of the strap forms a loop with a metal rod throgh the loop which then rests in grooves in the jaw.  I think this was done by a previous owner.  I believe the original design had the strap nailed to the jaw as I can see some holes where the nails would have been.

FullSizeRender.thumb.jpg.c08cf857d39422b67d75a08181315c81.jpg

Edited by RemingtonSteel
added photo

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I do have some teak oil. Will put some of that on. Colorado is a dry state. Humid is 25%.lol

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Depending on the size of the stripped screw holes, some regular wood glue and toothpicks have worked for me in the past. If the holes aren't large enough for using a dowel, just squirt some glue in the hole, dip each toothpick in glue, then shove them in the hole until you can't get anymore in. Clean up any excess glue. After the glue dries, trim the toothpicks flush to the surface. The screw will go back in with the toothpicks to bite into.I don't think I'v ever had to do that repair a second time on anything.

Edited by byggyns

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I've done the same with old wood matches.

39 minutes ago, byggyns said:

Depending on the size of the stripped screw holes, some regular wood glue and toothpicks have worked for me in the past. If the holes aren't large enough for using a dowel, just squirt some glue in the hole, dip each toothpick in glue, then shove them in the hole until you can't get anymore in. Clean up any excess glue. After the glue dries, trim the toothpicks flush to the surface. The screw will go back in with the toothpicks to bite into.I don't think I'v ever had to do that repair a second time on anything.

 

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.


×
×
  • Create New...