Thread: Making a rocking horse

Putting in those family items is a very cool idea!

We need find a way to secure the horse. With the horse head and legs in the way, it is impossible to clamp the horse on a workbench. A strong horizontal bar is perfect for the job. See picture 1.

Also it is a good idea to protect the horse head by wrapping it with a blanket.

The horse is very heavy. It will be lifted and turned all the time so some of the older members might find it a challenge. In which case you might want to find a help whenever necessary.

This afternoon I worked on the design of the posts for the stand. Picture 3 is what I finished with. Now I need to find a good wood turner to turn them for me.

Anyway there are a lot of wood to be remove so be prepared. It will be physical.

It is finished.

Just kidding. It is easier to figure out what to do with this one as reference.

This is the part of the project when you do a lot of work but see very little progress. It is discouraging at times but we will get there.

Be very careful when carving the bottom of the neck. The little pointy bit that glued to the body is extremely fragile.

Awesome job Scott
=
Keep us posted.

Originally Posted by Wongo

Now I need to find a good wood turner to turn them for me.

And you think you'll find one here?

Scott
The horse sitting on the beam looks like a very stable way to support it. It looks more stable than in the carvers chops that Anthony Dew uses.
My carving course has been put back to the end of November but I will take plenty of pics for the forumites and post them in the new year when I'm back in New Zealand.

Hello,

I am a new member to this forum and in the not so distant future would like to attempt to build a rocking horse for a future grand child.
What I have seen so far has impressed my greatly to the point where I feel like starting the project sooner than later.
The photo's are just fantastic and a great help for the budding maker.
Where does one get the plans for the horse ?


Thanks
Duey

Edit : I have just re read and found where to get plans.
Is it available in Aus ?

Try here. http://www.rockinghorse.co.uk/

Scott did post the address on page 1 of this thread.
Or you can buy the book which has the plans in it on grid paper, you just need to enlarge on a photocopier till the little squares are one inch square(25mm).well in the old copy I have they are anyway

Originally Posted by Duey

Hello,

I am a new member to this forum and in the not so distant future would like to attempt to build a rocking horse for a future grand child.
What I have seen so far has impressed my greatly to the point where I feel like starting the project sooner than later.
The photo's are just fantastic and a great help for the budding maker.
Where does one get the plans for the horse ?


Thanks
Duey

Edit : I have just re read and found where to get plans.
Is it available in Aus ?

I have started working on the chest and boy it is hard. It is basically cutting end grain.

I just take my time and take small shavings. It is OK to use a mallet but there is always a risk to crush the fibers.

Good idea, putting blinders on the old boy so he won't panic.

Originally Posted by rtfarty

The horse sitting on the beam looks like a very stable way to support it. It looks more stable than in the carvers chops that Anthony Dew uses.

That’s right. It is rock solid.

It is actually very versatile. You can clamp the horse in many different ways. The pictures above show how I clamp the horse vertically.

Wongo, can you use a harsh grit and a belt sander to mould the chest area? Or a surform?

Originally Posted by Honorary Bloke

Good idea, putting blinders on the old boy so he won't panic.

I think the gag is to stop him getting horse flu