Using a Stitching Pony/Horse

[Boriqua]

I am not sure you have thought it completely through. The stitching pony for me is just an extra set of hands. If you are making your stitching pony as I did you can think through your needs and build accordingly. Mine has a bout a 3.5 inch gap so that I can sew things that have some girth or that need to bend. Even if I am sewing a wallet there is a sharp bend if you accommodated for the extra material for the top so the bent part goes in the gap and the part I am sewing goes in the clamp.

The European style clams have a big belly that seems very useful though I have never gotten to try one and you might want to consider them. Before I die I will get hold of one to try.

Here is a thread on those. With the narrow clamp area and large belly they seem ideal.

but your question was about molded objects. You didn't specify what they might be but below I post a pic of a simple molded bag I made. After I glued my molded piece to my flat piece I was able to set up my pony so that one leg was inside the bag and one outside and still keep the clamp up very close to the stitching area for support as I used my awl.

 

I have posted pix of my pony many times before but here it is again. I use it for virtually everything and I make a wide variety of leather goods. This has been in use at least 4 days a week for a couple fo years now

Edited February 2, 2018 by Boriqua

[Dun]

Even if the clam/pony/etc isn't holding the project, it can bring up to the correct height and hold the tiny clamp/clip/mold that is holding your project.

[Tugadude]

I echo the above.   There are also special jigs that help sew box corners.  Nigel Armitage shows one in a youtube video.  So just because a project is 3D you still only have two hands and proper stitching requires two.

[Tugadude]

BTW, my pony was made from some scrap lumber and took maybe an hour to complete.  I purchased a hinge and a bolt with wing nut and washer.  Total cost was under $5.00.  It has proved itself invaluable as a third hand.  I no longer use the bolt.  I saw a video where a guy was using a plastic clamp to hold the jaws together.  I already had a clamp and tried it.  Never going back to the bolt.  I know aesthetically it isn't cool, but in this case function trumps form.

[Boriqua]

I didnt have spare lumber but the 1x4 was under $10. I think the hinge was $3. I had the bolt and the spring was from an old 1911. I had a large knob but went to the cam and love it. I think the cam was $5. So about $20 total and its the perfect hieght for me when sitting in a chair. I put the bolt kind of low to accommodate larger items but tugadude's clamp idea would mean you could move it wherever you want.

[BillinTR]

I appreciate all the comments and learned a lot from them. I do recognize the need to be able to have both hands free. I never really questioned that need. It just seemed that the stitching pony was most suited to a specific need. I have plenty of scrap wood available to build one and possibly even the necessary hardware. And a couple of the comments above have given me an idea for modifications to the basic stitching pony.

Thanks again for the insights.

 

[Mattsbagger]

1 hour ago, BillinTR said:

I appreciate all the comments and learned a lot from them. I do recognize the need to be able to have both hands free. I never really questioned that need. It just seemed that the stitching pony was most suited to a specific need. I have plenty of scrap wood available to build one and possibly even the necessary hardware. And a couple of the comments above have given me an idea for modifications to the basic stitching pony.

Thanks again for the insights.

 

That's the big point. Modify to your needs.