stitching pony design questions

[mdawson]

On 3/6/2022 at 6:04 PM, Klara said:

Good idea! Would you mind showing us the other side of the stitching pony?  I don't see how it is held together for clamping the workpiece...

Not quite sure what you're asking for, the tension adjustment is the square knob shown in the 3rd picture, the cam lever is only used to release and retension when moving the leather, here's a view through the 'arms' so you can see the alignment. Added a view of it folded, I designed it on the fly, if I build another I'd make the base longer than the jaws to protect them.

 

[Klara]

4 hours ago, mdawson said:

Not quite sure what you're asking for, the tension adjustment is the square knob shown in the 3rd picture, ....

Thanks for the picture, I didn't recognise the square knob as tension adjustment! Nor was I sure about the cam lever, because my design doesn't have one - I use a butterfly nut for both purposes. Which is slow in use, but it was the easiest version to make. 

[Tugadude]

I've made adjustments to my homemade stitching pony over time.  The one I built was based on a very basic design, similar to the Li'l Dude shown in a post above.

I got tired of the clamping mechanism and removed it, substituting a plastic "C" Clamp.  I saw it on an Ian Atkinson video.  Works just fine.  Then I came up my own solution and that is an elastic band, not a rubber band, but an elastic band like you'd see on clothing.  I just wrap it tightly around the verticals and then when I need to hold something I just pry the arms apart and insert the item and let go.  Done.  I can always go back to the "C" clamp if needed, but for most of the stuff I do the elastic band is just fine.

[toxo]

The most practical design I've seen clamped to the bench in such a way as to allow the whole thing to swivel around so it could be used around a foot above the bench or swiveled around so it could be used a foot below the bench like if you were seated or standing. Wish I could find it. The again, I just use a clamp on vice that sits on a ball joint.

[JamesR]

I used the metal components of a Jorgenson hand screw woodworking clamp. 

[Simplejack1985]

Here's one made of scrap lumber in the garage. Next one I build will be a stand up model. 

[TomE]

This is a Weaver stitching horse with modified jaws.  The notched aluminum plates resemble a Stohlman design for sewing rounds ("The Art of Hand Sewing Leather").  I sew a lot of straps and can use the center section like regular jaws, or clamp the strap with the raised sections on the ends.  That is especially handy for sewing a fixed loop on the buckle turn of a narrow strap.  I can clamp the buckle at one end and the strap at the other, then sew the fixed loop in the gap between the ends.  Same idea for sewing rounds, although I do most of them on a machine then shape them in a rein rounder.

[Tugadude]

On 10/30/2022 at 8:43 PM, TomE said:

This is a Weaver stitching horse with modified jaws.  The notched aluminum plates resemble a Stohlman design for sewing rounds ("The Art of Hand Sewing Leather").  I sew a lot of straps and can use the center section like regular jaws, or clamp the strap with the raised sections on the ends.  That is especially handy for sewing a fixed loop on the buckle turn of a narrow strap.  I can clamp the buckle at one end and the strap at the other, then sew the fixed loop in the gap between the ends.  Same idea for sewing rounds, although I do most of them on a machine then shape them in a rein rounder.

I like that idea.   Seems to make the stitching more accessible, a more comfortable position.  Thanks for sharing that.

[TomE]

3 hours ago, Tugadude said:

I like that idea.   Seems to make the stitching more accessible, a more comfortable position.  Thanks for sharing that.

Stohlman used thin plywood plates tacked on with leather strips. Gives flexibility for holding odd-shaped projects. I keep collection of leather blocks of different thicknesses to shim the project on either end of the clamp when needed.