A Horse with no Name.

[Pedro Reyes]

I had this stick of, if I may say so, very nice 6/4 cherry. I got it even before she was born and was saving it for a special occasion, well I can't think of a better one, she will turn 3 in July and I've decided to build her a rocking horse (from plans).

I have not done much woodworking since she was born, we moved to a new home, had another kid and pretty much life has been in the way. But now and then we've had some nice days so I can work outside a bit.

First I squared the main board
http://i655.photobucket.com/albums/uu274/pars73/image_zps90885392.jpg (http://s655.photobucket.com/user/pars73/media/image_zps90885392.jpg.html)

Then some layout lines and cut the pieces... I know, I know I should give my handle some TLC, please don't hate, that handle is hideous I know, but it cuts.
http://i655.photobucket.com/albums/uu274/pars73/image_zps6f932694.jpg (http://s655.photobucket.com/user/pars73/media/image_zps6f932694.jpg.html)

The squaring those cuts, some of which are endgrain-ish, stealth tool gloat.
http://i655.photobucket.com/albums/uu274/pars73/image_zps6fab504f.jpg (http://s655.photobucket.com/user/pars73/media/image_zps6fab504f.jpg.html)

Some glue ups until you have something that resembles a horse if you were limited to straight lines anyway, if you are challenged in the art of abstraction, scroll to the next picture.
http://i655.photobucket.com/albums/uu274/pars73/image_zpsd7b77e5d.jpg (http://s655.photobucket.com/user/pars73/media/image_zpsd7b77e5d.jpg.html)
http://i655.photobucket.com/albums/uu274/pars73/image_zps04ef3aaa.jpg (http://s655.photobucket.com/user/pars73/media/image_zps04ef3aaa.jpg.html)

And here it is after the cuts, the boards that are not long grain to long grain were reinforced with 3/8" dowels.
http://i655.photobucket.com/albums/uu274/pars73/image_zps78b89536.jpg (http://s655.photobucket.com/user/pars73/media/image_zps78b89536.jpg.html)

Pedro

[Sean Hughto]

I don't know the plan from here, but since this is for a child, I have to ask, how did you deal with those long grain to end grain joins? If it's just glue, I'd worry about that.

[Pedro Reyes]

I don't know the plan from here, but since this is for a child, I have to ask, how did you deal with those long grain to end grain joins? If it's just glue, I'd worry about that.

The are reinforced with 3/8" dowels. The only one that matters is the "head-chest" to the "body" long joint, additionally there will be the legs which are splayed and screwed (or doweled) from the side which will also make the joint stronger (almost equivalent to putting a board, face to face on the side of that horse and driving screws on both sides of the joint)...hope this makes sense.

Pedro

[Brian Holcombe]

I have to agree with Sean, one of my very first projects was a small cabinet that included a lot of very long end grain to long grain connections. I cut for biscuits and glued them.

I built it it over the summer, outside, then it was placed in the house where the forced air heat runs constantly in the winter. A couple months later and a bit more experience in working with wood movement, after the top split in half, I rebuilt it correctly.

[Pedro Reyes]

I guess time will tell, I won't butcher the horse now.

It is from old plans, and the senior guy at my local woodcraft has build a couple out of oak, most likely red. And oaks have a much worse shrinkage numbers, with Cherry having a decent volumetric (where longitudal shrinkage is accounted for).

He said one of them is years if not decades old, out grown by several grandkids. I want to say the plans are from the 70's or 80's and a lot of positive reviews, some claiming horse is still strong after 15 years of use and abuse. If either of my kids is using it at 15 years of age, the joint will be the least of my worries. ;-)

Pedro

[Mike Berrevoets]

I've built 2 from the same plans I think.... At least it sure looks the same at this point. I want to say it was "heirloom plans" or something like that. The plan I have the legs straddle the joints and there are some overlay pieces for the mane that straddle the head to neck joint. Both were made from ash with cherry and walnut accents and are still going strong with no reinforcement in the joints. The one in our house is 7 years old because my daughter just turned 10.

The cherry looks nice! I wouldn't worry about the horse coming apart. Ours has been used and abused and is no worse for wear other than missing one of the leather ears.

[Christopher Charles]

With dowels, I bet it will be fine. If not, you'll always be able to send it to the glue factory.

(sorry)

C

[Brian Holcombe]

I don't mean to rain on your parade, looking forward to seeing how it turns out.

[Sean Hughto]

All sounds like you're fine. Out of curiosity, do the plans dictate the directions of the grain on each piece?

[Pedro Reyes]

All sounds like you're fine. Out of curiosity, do the plans dictate the directions of the grain on each piece?

They do, and the pictures follow it to the best of my abilities (I.e. Within 2 seconds ;-)

I think that is what the plans are, thanks for comments.

/p

[Daniel Rode]

I think I recall seeing these made just as you've laid it out with the cross grain doweled together. I'm sure it's going to come out nicely :)

The pictures of cherry and tools lit by the sun and framed by green grass make me want to go work outside.

[Pedro Reyes]

I think I recall seeing these made just as you've laid it out with the cross grain doweled together. I'm sure it's going to come out nicely :)

The pictures of cherry and tools lit by the sun and framed by green grass make me want to go work outside.

It was a nice day, we don't get many here in Austin. Soon it will be triple digits.

So after that I started on the rockers, which I decided to make out of white oak, because I had some and because it seemed like a better choice than cherry. Planing that is not like planing cherry, but it was fun, ran a 40 a little, thru the 5-1/2 finishing with the 7.
http://i655.photobucket.com/albums/uu274/pars73/image_zpsad18cd4f.jpg (http://s655.photobucket.com/user/pars73/media/image_zpsad18cd4f.jpg.html)
Then I laid the arc per the instructions and cut that...
http://i655.photobucket.com/albums/uu274/pars73/image_zps22c2528a.jpg (http://s655.photobucket.com/user/pars73/media/image_zps22c2528a.jpg.html)

For some reason I don't have pictures of me working on the legs, which started as 4/4 cherry, I only have this one of some curve refining. At least one band aid is used per day, per project. :-)
http://i655.photobucket.com/albums/uu274/pars73/image_zps06aca4e4.jpg (http://s655.photobucket.com/user/pars73/media/image_zps06aca4e4.jpg.html)

I apologize if these are too many pictures, I always enjoy pictures of builds the most.

Pedro