I bought the plans and just finished the rocking horse. Honestly I would have really struggled if you had not made this video. Really helpful tips to follow along the way. For anyone thinking of doing this project, I would recommend having a good sized bandsaw. Mine is undersized so it took a looooong time to hog through the thick blanks. Plus, cutting the tapers on the legs....my bandsaw did not have enough resaw capacity to handle this step (you'll need 6-7 inch clearance to accommodate this cut). I was left doing this taper by hand, which, as you can imagine, had a ripple effect of consequences when it came time to affix the horse to the rockers.
I have my project started, Did you use double sided tape when cutting the saddle sides and stirrup strap? I noticed they were together when you were cutting them on the bandsaw. I ran into an issue with cutting the leg taper. I discovered my 14" bandsaw only had 6" resaw capacity and the leg blanks were 7" wide. I end up using my radial arm saw, built a horizontal sawing table jig to make the cuts. I had to angle the blade 12 degrees. I made small cuts and had to raise the blade for each pass. The blade was a 10" blade so I couldn't complete the cut with the radial arm saw. i used a Japanese pull saw to complete the cut. I will be looking to upgrade my bandsaw in the future.
Yes I used double sided tape on anything thing that was matching cuts. Great way to work through the problem. There are many ways to make the cut you need, even if you bandsaw/table saw can’t do it. Great work!
I am currently about halfway done with this rocking horse and had a question for you or anyone else here who has done this project. I just attached all 4 legs and sat it down on the floor and it doesn’t quite sit flat on all 4 legs, kinda rocks back n forth just a bit if that makes sense. My question is would you recommend taking the time to sand it accordingly so it all sits flat or just try and make the adjustments when mounting it to the rocker support piece? Thanks
Nice job! I just made this too and I have a couple of questions. 1. The plans call for one screw through the supports for each foot (hoof) of the horse. I didn’t see where it indicated the length but I used 2”. I was thinking just one screw per hoof might be a little weak if my (now 1.5 yrs) granddaughter gets over rambunctious. Has it held up for your daughter? Any signs of problems there? 2. The plans only indicate gluing the stirrup unit below the saddle. Again, I’m afraid even though I used TB3, it will fail if my granddaughter will be bouncing up and down. I’m thinking to put at least one screw on each side. What do you think?
Hey Stewart! here is the answers I have to all your questions. 1. I'm not entirely sure what the length of screw you should be using, but 2" seems about right as long as you don't come out the other side of the hoof. I had the exact same thought when I was assembling it, but I followed it with just one screw and can tell you that it holds up pretty good. my daughter is pretty rambunctious on it as well, and it hasn't had any issues. 2. If you glue the stirrup to the face of the horses body, this should have plenty of holding power, and not move. Face grain to face grain is a really strong gluing joint, and would not breakeven if you were sitting on it. Believe me, I've even jumped on that thing and road it like a kid. it very sturdy. thanks for your comment.
Thank you! Good to hear! I guess the main thing other than the screw length is to have the support in full contact with the hoof when it’s screwed together. I also think you’re right about the stirrup being fine with glue. It’s a pretty large surface area and if it’s good glue (Titebond 3) it should be more than strong enough. I’m now making another one for the other grandkid. This one with the body and legs made of cherry and the rocker out of walnut. Thinking…might cut the rocker from a thick slab so I won’t have to glue two halves together.
I bought this plan at the store, but now watching it I'm worried. I'm worried that I'm not going to be able to cut out the shape because I wasn't thinking it will be almost 3 inches thick of the oak I'm going to be using. All I have us a jigsaw with a hundred different types of blades. Do you find that this project will be possible without a bandsaw?
Fabulous job! Well Done!
I bought the plans and just finished the rocking horse. Honestly I would have really struggled if you had not made this video. Really helpful tips to follow along the way. For anyone thinking of doing this project, I would recommend having a good sized bandsaw. Mine is undersized so it took a looooong time to hog through the thick blanks. Plus, cutting the tapers on the legs....my bandsaw did not have enough resaw capacity to handle this step (you'll need 6-7 inch clearance to accommodate this cut). I was left doing this taper by hand, which, as you can imagine, had a ripple effect of consequences when it came time to affix the horse to the rockers.
Brilliant work
Is that an 8 inch drill press? Need to know if I can use mine
Looks great!
Thanks!
I have my project started, Did you use double sided tape when cutting the saddle sides and stirrup strap? I noticed they were together when you were cutting them on the bandsaw. I ran into an issue with cutting the leg taper. I discovered my 14" bandsaw only had 6" resaw capacity and the leg blanks were 7" wide. I end up using my radial arm saw, built a horizontal sawing table jig to make the cuts. I had to angle the blade 12 degrees. I made small cuts and had to raise the blade for each pass. The blade was a 10" blade so I couldn't complete the cut with the radial arm saw. i used a Japanese pull saw to complete the cut. I will be looking to upgrade my bandsaw in the future.
Yes I used double sided tape on anything thing that was matching cuts. Great way to work through the problem. There are many ways to make the cut you need, even if you bandsaw/table saw can’t do it. Great work!
Súper chingón felicidades sobre todo la felicidad de la bebe y la de tu esposa no se diga
¡Gracias! Agradezco las amables palabras.
Thank you for the video.
You made a great wooden horse.
Please tell me the thickness of the plate used (body, saddle, rocker . . . )
I am currently about halfway done with this rocking horse and had a question for you or anyone else here who has done this project. I just attached all 4 legs and sat it down on the floor and it doesn’t quite sit flat on all 4 legs, kinda rocks back n forth just a bit if that makes sense. My question is would you recommend taking the time to sand it accordingly so it all sits flat or just try and make the adjustments when mounting it to the rocker support piece? Thanks
On the plans it has two holes for the rockers and both say rear but the picture only shows 1 hole? Any advice?
These plans are no longer available. How can I get them?
Nice job! I just made this too and I have a couple of questions. 1. The plans call for one screw through the supports for each foot (hoof) of the horse. I didn’t see where it indicated the length but I used 2”. I was thinking just one screw per hoof might be a little weak if my (now 1.5 yrs) granddaughter gets over rambunctious. Has it held up for your daughter? Any signs of problems there?
2. The plans only indicate gluing the stirrup unit below the saddle. Again, I’m afraid even though I used TB3, it will fail if my granddaughter will be bouncing up and down. I’m thinking to put at least one screw on each side.
What do you think?
Hey Stewart! here is the answers I have to all your questions. 1. I'm not entirely sure what the length of screw you should be using, but 2" seems about right as long as you don't come out the other side of the hoof. I had the exact same thought when I was assembling it, but I followed it with just one screw and can tell you that it holds up pretty good. my daughter is pretty rambunctious on it as well, and it hasn't had any issues. 2. If you glue the stirrup to the face of the horses body, this should have plenty of holding power, and not move. Face grain to face grain is a really strong gluing joint, and would not breakeven if you were sitting on it. Believe me, I've even jumped on that thing and road it like a kid. it very sturdy. thanks for your comment.
Thank you! Good to hear! I guess the main thing other than the screw length is to have the support in full contact with the hoof when it’s screwed together. I also think you’re right about the stirrup being fine with glue. It’s a pretty large surface area and if it’s good glue (Titebond 3) it should be more than strong enough. I’m now making another one for the other grandkid. This one with the body and legs made of cherry and the rocker out of walnut. Thinking…might cut the rocker from a thick slab so I won’t have to glue two halves together.
Great video. I'm about to start on the same project. This was very helpful the way you put the video together. 🪚
Is there a way to get this plan outside the US? The Woodcraft page limits even the PDF plan to the US.
Thats weird! i'm not sure. you would have to check with woodcraft on that.
What type of wood?
Maple, walnut, white oak, and zebra wood.
Need a drawing, can you share them
plans are a lower cost on Woodcraft
I recommend checking out these plans. I am a woodglut customer and I am very happy with the plans they offer
I bought this plan at the store, but now watching it I'm worried. I'm worried that I'm not going to be able to cut out the shape because I wasn't thinking it will be almost 3 inches thick of the oak I'm going to be using. All I have us a jigsaw with a hundred different types of blades. Do you find that this project will be possible without a bandsaw?