Stitching Pony vs Stitching Clam

[Toadflax]

Anybody had any great success with the stitching pony (e.g. http://www.leprevo.co.uk/photos/lacing_pony.htm). I got one of these as a cheap alternative to a full sewing clam but haven't had great success with it yet. And before anyone suggests that I should have made my own, yes I know I could have done.

It's a bit fiddly to use and I find that it doesn't grip the leather that tightly, and that when it does so, I do get some surface marking on the leather. I guess I may want to sand down the top grips to make them a bit rounder or perhaps line the grip area with some scrap leather.

Any suggestions /comments?

Thanks


Geoff

 

[launditch1]

They take a bit of getting used to..Ive lined the jaws on mine with leather(flesh side out)and also it has a strap and stirrup added so i can apply more pressure on the clamp.This pulls it all up tight.
*edit*i use the clam,stands about waist height from bowstock supplies..)

 

[JohnC]

I lined the jaws with leather on the one I use, and I use elastic bands to adjust the "grip" depending on the robustness of the piece I'm working on.

 

[Wayland]

I've never done a job that I think could have been better if I'd used one.

I think a lot depends on how much work you're doing. I can understand a saddler or harness maker needing one but for the amount of work most of us do they are surplus to requirements.

Hands are all you need in my opinion.

 

[Black Sheep]

Never used one

All the work I've done is held by hand and can't really see the need for one.

Richard

 

[Toadflax]

This is what I'm thinking (i.e. do I really need it). It's one of those failings with learning from books. You do the study, read the recommendations, make a list of the fewest things that you can get away with, seeing you're just starting out, and buy those.

However, I'll try glueing some scrap leather into the jaws.

The big thing I've learned from this is contrary to the book I read. The book says to mark the holes in the leather, fit it into the clam, then punch holes with the awl. This doesn't work well for me, even with a very sharp awl, as the leather bends as I punch, so the holes go askew. Now I'm punching all the holes beforehand with the leather laid on a piece of cork.

Thanks for the comments so far.


Geoff

 

[Toddy]

I have a friend who is a saddler, and she says that the pony is only really of use for straps and holding pieces to fit the buckles and rings. Apparantly it's possible to get a better grip by heavily padding the outsides of the pony so that your thighs get a greater area to push against. Even rolled up towels work I'm told.

cheers,
Toddy

 

[Toadflax]

The proper clam looks the thing, but at £60-£70 is something you only want to buy if you really need it!


Geoff

 

[g4ghb]

I made one but haven't really used it - I realised it was a little tall so cut it down and changed the way it clamps but not really had a chance to test it yet. I think it will be onto mk3 quickly though as I don't think I have enough 'throat' which I realised when I tried it breifly the other night....

Up to now I hand hold / support between my knees but this is only really possible as I awl the holes prior to stitching...... if you were to saddle stitch properly you would need something to clamp it firm as you awl each hole just prior to sewing.

 

[oetzi]

I use my homemade stitching pony (with leather on the clamps surfaces) in a vice or clamped directly to the table with one of those clamps one usews when glueing wood.
Only use it for larger projects, small items just dangle in the lap.

 

[MagiKelly]

I use one Warthog1981 made me

It makes hand stitching so much easier I would rate it as one of the top pieces of kit for hand stitching.

For Leather journals etc it saves a huge amount of time. When I have made wet formed bags there are times you can't use the clamp and I need to balance the work between my legs or the like but it is so much slower and more awkward. Since I am using two hands for stitching and have not grown an extra one yet I definitely rate a stitching clam as a good investment.

You can see mine in use more here

http://www.bushcraftuk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=23987

and here

http://www.bushcraftuk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=46681

Also I use a quick clamp for applying tension and it is very flexible in that you can move it to different positions to allow for differently shaped pieces of work.

 

[John Fenna]

I would be lost without my "pony"...it realy speeds things up!
It is a DIY job and as ugly as sin - so no photos!
Mine is freestanding and I can sew away while watching telly