Thread: Making a rocking horse

I am ready
les

OK first thing first.

TOOLS:

I made this one 5 years ago. I didn’t have many tools then so I found a local woodworking shop and did most of the machining there.

So it is possible if you do not have a jointer, thicknesser, tablesaw or bandsaw.

Plans, book, DVD and accessories

I find Anthony Dew from the UK has the best. http://www.rockinghorse.co.uk/

You can purchase his plans and book on the web. His book covers 9 projects from a simple toddlers’s rocking horse to a large full carved rocking horse. The plans also come with pictures and instructions. So you can just buy the plans but not the book. I have both.

Accessories

There is no one, I repeat no one in the world makes better rocking horse accessories then Anthony Dew.

It costs a bit more but it’s worth it. Things like the glass eyes, the mane & tail, the saddle, the stirrup, all the metal works & leather and brass fittings are very well made and they are in the right proportion.

This Large Rocking Horse Deluxe Accessory Set costed me around $800 (includes shipping, tax and custom quarantine)

Remember, the rocking horse you build will last many generations. So it deserves the best materials you can get.

Carving tools

See attached pictures.

I find the Microplanes rasps especially useful.

Oh, you also need a carver’s mallet, spokeshaves and a drawknife.

Hey Scott, I'll be specially interested to see how much time you save on this one because

a) you know what you are doing
b) you've had heaps of experience in the meantime.

Can you keep that in mind as the commentary unfolds?

Cheers,

P

Duct collection

You must have a ....

just kidding.

Timber

Obviously you need something strong and easy to carve.

Mahogany, Kauri Pine, Cedar, etc

BUT…

Painted horse VS natural-finished horse

Natural finished horse

• It is harder to do. All the mistakes you made will show. (-)
• It is more expensive as you are likely to use a more exotic timber for a better look. (-)
• Timber availability. It requires stock as thick as 70mm and 300mm wide. Unfortunately they are hard to find. So it is really limited. I have tried a lot of places and the only one I can get is Kauri pine from Anagotte timber in Sydney. Of course you can laminate pieces together but there will be more glue lines (-)
• It is beautiful and more appealing to adults. After all it is a piece of furniture. (+)

Painted horse

• The painted dapple grey is a more traditional finish. See picture. They used to make it that way because it requires less sanding. (+)
• Children love it because it looks more like a horse(+)
• It is easier to make. A coat of paint will hide every bit of mistake you made.(+)
• It is a lot cheaper. You mix and laminate woods. You can use soft wood for the head because it is easier to carve. You can use harder wood for the legs. You can use off-cuts(+)
• Wongo doesn't like it (-)

Can I do it?

Yes, you can definitely do it. If you are a keen woodwork and if you spend the time in planning, studying and researching then you will get a good result.

And remember this: you are carving a rocking horse not a real horse.

So let's do it.

Getting the wood

I rang a number of timberyards. None had anything 70 mm thick. Then I thought maybe I should paint this one.

It is wrong.

I knew that Anagotte timber has 70 mm thick Kauri pine. However, I wasn’t so sure as my first rocking horse is also made from Kauri pine. I don’t want to have 2 identical rocking horses in the house.

I finally decided to go with Kauri pine again. But this one will be stained to a darker colour. (I hate staining timber but… )

Went to Anagotte timber on Monday and bought

250 cm X 25cm X 7.5cm ($130)
180 cm X 30cm X 5cm ($75)
200 cm X 30cm X 3.5cm ($63)

and I was ready to go.

Picture 1
Mill a piece wood to 70mm thick. Copy the head and neck to the wood. It is much easier to work on the straight edges first before cut the patterns out. (see read lines)

Use a spade bit to drill a hole for the mouth.

Picture 2
The head and neck are bevelled where they are joined. The angling of the head gives the horse the appearance of turning its head a little. This effect will be further enhanced when we join the neck to the body.

The actual angle is not critical. It is about 5mm bevel on the 70mm thick wood. If you really want to know, it is

inverse tan(5/70) = 4.1 degree off centre.

Alternatively, you can cut the bevel on the head only and just double the angle. But I find it easier to do it on both the head and neck.

Cut the head and neck on a bandsaw. It is a good idea to use a new blade for the job and I just happened to have one handy.

Insert 2 dowels and clamp the head and the neck together. Make sure you have plenty of wedges for it. The angling of the head makes it hard to clamp.

Cut 2 ear/eye pieces (13mm) and glue them to the head.

The head is now ready to be carved. I must say carving the head is probably the hardly part of the project. (at least for us non-woodcarvers) I am a bit nervous.



I am interested to know who has a desire to make one in the future. There must be a lot of proud parents and grandparents out there who would like to build a rocking horse for their children and grandchildren. I know BM is one of them. Can we have a quick show of hands please.