Dowell & Glue Red Gum Post ??

**Thumper Jack** · 9th February 2005, 10:58 PM

First post - apologies for any newbie errors

I have a project on the go to make a saddle rail - ie. to hold 2 Western Horse Saddles.

Materials have been provided by a couple of trees that have blown down in recent storms

Started work over the weekend and have achieved following:

Created 2m Horizontal Rail (Approximately 45cm Diameter)
Creatied 2 x 1m legs to perch rail on top of (Approximately 45cm Diameter

Project has now stalled while I consider best method to fix the Rail to the legs.

I have notched the rail at each end so that it sits square on top of each leg.

One possibility I am considering is using large dowells - at this stage I am looking for strongest join as well as rustic appeal - Any suggestions ??

Thumper

**echnidna** · 10th February 2005, 11:16 AM

Dowels are possibly the most practical thing to do though motice and tenon probably more traditional.

**Termite** · 10th February 2005, 11:51 AM

Possably a large dowel up from underneath where it can't bee seen. Any joints you make may have a problem with shrinkage if the timber is as green as your posting suggests "recent storms". Best I can suggest Mate.

ps. watch out for sap leakage if the timber is green, will play hell with the saddle lining and your neddy won't like it much either.

**Iain** · 10th February 2005, 01:15 PM

Swan into any horse store and see what they have on offer and copy it, I built a tack room behind the roller door in my workshop and just used 2x4 pine screwed to and upright with a 45 degree brace.
This work OK and it's possibly an option for bracing to the end.
Will the timber sag with the weight of two of those massive armchairs (coming from a non western rider

).

**Thumper Jack** · 10th February 2005, 07:16 PM

Originally Posted by Termite

Possably a large dowel up from underneath where it can't bee seen. Any joints you make may have a problem with shrinkage if the timber is as green as your posting suggests "recent storms". Best I can suggest Mate.

ps. watch out for sap leakage if the timber is green, will play hell with the saddle lining and your neddy won't like it much either.

Thanks for suggestion - wood is probably 12months off the tree (cut it up at the time and is fairly dry now) Didn't consider sap an issue but good point

Thanks Thumper

**Thumper Jack** · 10th February 2005, 07:24 PM

Originally Posted by Iain

Swan into any horse store and see what they have on offer and copy it, I built a tack room behind the roller door in my workshop and just used 2x4 pine screwed to and upright with a 45 degree brace.
This work OK and it's possibly an option for bracing to the end.
Will the timber sag with the weight of two of those massive armchairs (coming from a non western rider

).

Iain,

Sagging not a problem - can barely lift the rail.

I am sure your suggestion works and far more practical - but hey... how many wannabe woodworkers are practical !!

Nice looking pony on your website !! (We have one just like it called Misty)

Cheers

Thumper

**journeyman Mick** · 10th February 2005, 07:50 PM

Thumper,
as a rule of thumb, timber dries at the rate of one year for every inch of thickness (+1). So I doubt that your timber will be really dry.

Mick

**Thumper Jack** · 14th February 2005, 06:25 PM

Just an Update

Saddle rail is now complete - ended up using 16mm Dowells and some Aquadhere (Actually used too much glue in a couple of spots - next time will be right !!)

I am so proud of my creation... and now missus thumper has put in a heap of orders for benches and other things.....

Thanks all - Thumper

P.S. - Saddle rail would not look out of place on the set of Bonanza.....

P.S.S. - I have given the horse away and am now enjoying riding the saddle rail....

**Iain** · 14th February 2005, 08:29 PM

Just make sure the girth is tight, how embarrassing being thrown by a nasty piece of timber with attitude

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