stitching "pony"

[Brasilikilt]

Hey all!

I didn't know these existed until very recently, until I saw a leather worker using one in a You Tube tutorial. Apparently they've been (in one form or another) a standard leather working tool for centuries

I did a little online research and thought that if you have a portable wooden vise, why limit it's use to leather working???

I figure it would probably do well to hold many small projects that are either too delicate, or simply don't need the clamping power of a larger metal vise.
Stitching ponies are usually a bit smaller than what I built. I made mine to be held underfoot so I can work while sitting in the living room spending time with family, as opposed to running out to the shop.
Here's a few photos showing the end results of a few night's work using only hand tools in efforts to avoid bothering the neighbors in the wee morning hours.






I haven't bothered to do any finish work yet, but might do some scraping to smooth out the rougher spots.
Thanks for looking

 

[MSW]

that looks pretty cool ... I've seen a bunch of different designs, ranging from small hand held ones to the big guys that have a seat attached to the whole deal so you can sit and work.

I like your design - simple and to the point.

 

[Artificer]

That should get you started nicely!

Wood vises can be a LOT stronger than what one might think. Before a friend found me a great deal on a large machinist's vise, I make a poor man's leg vise out of 6"x2" cheap lumber from Home Depot and with leather and brass jaws, I was amazed at how strong that vise was.

Gus

 

[ohio ramrod]

In Amish making communities they are called " harness makers vices ". Some are small hand held, and some are built into a bench :idunno:

 

[Shifty]

I have one a lot like that one the base is longer and i sit on it with the clamp sticking up between my leggs works great!

 

[bpd303]

I have the same type, makes any stitching job easy.

 

[Jaeger]

That's just downright inspiring! I think I'll have to make myself one.

 

[Brasilikilt]

I posted pictures of mine, hoping that some of you might see it and construct one for yourself.

Here's a pretty good video showing how
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dxp4YjY85dM

 

[LRB]

A couple of things I found useful on the one I made. I used pine 1x4's and maple jaws. The jaws need to be very smooth and have rounded edges, to prevent creasing of the leather, and need to close, close to square. It is useful to have a cover flap of leather over any protruding bolts/wing nuts, ect., or some other method to help keep the thread from hanging up on them as you sew. Just my suggestions.

 

[BrownBear]

Stitching ponies are great when the project is big enough or the seams are long enough.

No pics, but I've come up with something even more useful for small projects and odd-shaped objects with short seam runs. It's a simple 18" post on a hunk-o-plywood base for sitting on, much like your base.

To the top of the post I use a single screw to mount a "custom" form cut from plywood or whatever that the leather project can slip down and over. The screw can be tightened all the way to make it rigid, or left slightly loose so you can spin it around. I make a lot of rectangular boxes and cylindrical stuff, so I trade forms back and forth as needed. Works just like a stitching horse, but you are relying on the slip-over feature rather than the clamp.

 

[Billnpatti]

Looks to me that you have made yourself a darned nice tool that meets your specific needs. Just make sure to sand off any possible splinters because oak splinters seem to be a bit more painful than some other of the common woods. As a woodworker, I have experienced a bunch of different splinters and oak is one of my least favorites.

 

[Brasilikilt]

Hello again!

I am quite flattered by your compliments! It's also interesting to read the suggestions and shared experiences some of you have had with your own creations based on this same concept.

I am not finished with this contraption...I just got it to a point where it will function. There are modifications and tweaks I expect I'll make as I use the vise...
Rounding corners, smoothing the rough bits and padding the jaws with leather are things that will likely happen this weekend.

I would like to get a hold of a different wing nut, or simply drill and tap a piece of metal which looks "old-timey", but will serve the same function.
Any ideas?

 

[thecapgunkid]

Well, Brasilikit, you visualize and conceptualize pretty well. You also have a bit of a knack with woodwork.

Looking at the picture, you might want to think a little about this;

It looks like the block at the base is going to inhibit the jaws from closing tightly on your work. Maybe thin it out a mite?

The jaws look great, but it appears that only the top edges will touch. All your leather work will work well that way, but what if you made them so you could pull them off and flip them? I judge from the picture that the range of width of you projects will be accommodated.

Definitely pad the jaws with some scrap suede. It is the only way to prevent the jaws from defacing the leather between them.

I don't think I could have made a clamp as well as you...especially if this is your first time.

 

[50cal.cliff]

Here is a link to a stitching pony made by one of our members. Some of you know him by Labonte, Chuck Borrows, but Wild Rose Trading Co. is his as well!

I used this pic to make me one several years back. That is a self closing screen door hinge he used on the bottom, and the thru bolt and a screw on handle can be bought at a real hardware store! I made it where I can sit straddle of it and it put what I am sewing at the right height for me!

Under the pic of the stitching pony, there is a link to a tutorial on how to make one! http://www.wrtcleather.com/1-ckd/tutorials/_leatherstitch.html

 

[BillinOregon]

Cliff, thanks for the link to Chuck's pony page. He does everything first class, doesn't he?

:hatsoff:

 

[Brasilikilt]

Hello again!

Greg Geiger: Thanks for those remarks!
Apparently my photos did a decent job of hiding all the sloppy joinery and other flaws!
This project was a bit of an ordeal brought about by warped pieces of re-purposed oak, and my old shop smith which suddenly refused to cut a straight line!

I actually cut the block in the base a bit wider on top to allow the jaws to pop open on their own when the nut is loosened. I also tried using the warpage of the lumber to my advantage by bowing the sticks outwards, hoping to utilize the flex of the wood for gripping power.

The jaws are secured with glue and oak pins only touch on top to allow space below for the piece you're working on

 

[ZUG]

You inspired me -- I have a bag project coming up and this thread caught my eye. I am just finishing up my version of your "lacing pony" - thanks for pushing me on :grin: .

 

[ZUG]

OK - my "pony" is finished - maybe a bit over "kill" should have trimmed down the maple a bit. I will give it a try and trim as necessary.

 

[kh0456]

overkill? Nope... awesome.. YES!!!! :bow:

I have one I made a long time ago, but its about as plain as you can get. Functional but very plain. I really like that one!

 

[Brasilikilt]

Wow! your pony makes mine look like splintered scrap wood! I'm glad to have played a small part to inspire this.

Could you take a closer picture of the closing mechanism?