Thread: Making a rocking horse

G'day Wongo,

Glad to hear you're sticking to you guns. After so much work why compromise on all the hard work all ready done. It was a fair point of Rodneyaf's about kids liking a painted horse, but for me it'd only be the way you're doing it, al natural.

Glad to hear it. Saves someone coming around to hit you around the ears with a piece (a long piece) of seasoned 4x2.
You work is much too beautiful to hide behind paint.

Originally Posted by Wongo

I bought a tin of paint, I bought a brush and I was ready.

BUT..

I couldn’t do it, I didn’t do it and I won’t do it.

I could hear everyones sigh of relief from here! I bet you feel better just making that decision!

Donna

Ok enough he's had enough we are only trying to be supportive Wongo
I'd even come help sand it back

That is a real bugger Scott.
After all that fine work the finish misbehaves.

I have had difficulty with evening out extreme colours on carved pieces. Forum advice is usually "leave it alone" but a few have offerred good advice on how they have adjusted colour.

If this link works you might find it helpful

Glazing with Danish Oil stain by MacS
http://www.woodworkforums.ubeaut.com...ad.php?t=58003
(it looks like a need some IT support)
MacS has posted some good techniques on staining that would be worth a read.

If you have had success with the Maloof mix then you probably should stick to what you know will work.

I had a lovely tin dapple grey rocking horse as a little kid. I loved it.
Kids will love any present.
We like testing our woodworking skills. Your fine horse deserves what you think best displays your skill.

You kids will love the horse you made for them.

I must say I slept better last night.

OK Wongo, stop stuffing around. Make up your mind.

It is going to be tight. I have exactly 3 weeks get it ready.

Wish me luck and thanks everyone

I could hear everyones sigh of relief from here!
me as well
LUCK ! you don't need it.
YOU CAN DO IT !

Hi Wongo,

Been following this thread and thanks for everything you've done. The pics are great and in my opinion and others here you have done a fantastic job .

I am also relieved to know that you are going to stain it but I'm not a little kid.

On a side note this thread came in handy as I've been umming and arring (sp) thinking I would like to make a rocking horse. So last weekend I went to Windsor to see the rocking horsemaker aka your words ( They are the Ozito in rocking horses.) Sadly I even bought his DVD seeing your work hand carving is chalk and cheese, thanks again for thread.

And I do wish you lots of luck with the staining

Regards,
Phil.

Before I sand the horse I will take a picture to show you what it looks like.

Phil, that bloke from Windsor (sigh) can rip one up in a couple of days. The best way to look at his rocking horse is to see it from 30m-40m away. Don't get too close though or you will hate it. Still you are paying $999 for it. What a joke. There are a lot of things you can make in 2-3 days. A good rocking horse is not one of them. [sigh...]

Seeing you are from Sydney, I have 2 of Dew’s plans, DVD, books and lot of pictures. If you need anything I am able to help. Just PM me mate.

One last thing, for goodness’ sake throw that DVD away.

Oh well, so much for my bit I'll just sulk off outside and paint the finishing touches to my dapple grey. She is a fine peice of workmanship under the hand painted finish just the same. She is going to look just great on her American Oak stand.

Rodney, don’t get me wrong. There is nothing wrong with painted rocking horses. You and I know that children love them but It was always my last recourse.

To me it is a piece of furniture in the house. My children are not going to play with them forever. One day they will be old enough to appreciate it as a piece of furniture.

One day they will be old enough to appreciate what their Dad did to make their life bright. Then they will be old enough to show their kids the horse their dad made for them. You should finish your horse the way you wish, however may I suggest you place some photos and a letter to your kids under the saddle. In 50 or 100 years when great grand dad Wongo is gone and the horse has been given to some gun woodworker to repair it might be a nice suprise. I did it and my kids don't know but every time my 13yr old sits on the horse watching TV I think about the letter he is sitting on. Just a thought!

Originally Posted by Rodneyaf

One day they will be old enough to appreciate what their Dad did to make their life bright. Then they will be old enough to show their kids the horse their dad made for them. You should finish your horse the way you wish, however may I suggest you place some photos and a letter to your kids under the saddle. In 50 or 100 years when great grand dad Wongo is gone and the horse has been given to some gun woodworker to repair it might be a nice suprise. I did it and my kids don't know but every time my 13yr old sits on the horse watching TV I think about the letter he is sitting on. Just a thought!

G'day,

What a great idea.

If there is one positive thing I can get out of this. It will be the fact that the stain does highlight the imperfection which is hard to spot.