| Project by Tom Pritchard | posted 06-19-2014 07:13 PM | 1115 views | 0 times favorited | 7 comments |  |
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A couple weeks ago a co-worker of mine brought in this broken horse that he picked up at a flea market for $5.00. There are many little components that need repaired, but the main thing is that the left front leg was broke off and missing. Since I was a friend and a carver I volunteered to make a leg and see what happens. My steps taken were to square up the broken section on horse with a chisel and then look for a piece of bass wood that would fit the bill. Holding the rough stock close to the position as I could I was able to trace the side shape. Using the band saw I sawed out the shape. The next complicated issue was to figure a way to clamp in place. I gave up on the idea of band clamp, I decided to glue and screw. One screw in the front and two screws in the side. After 24 hours I removed the screws and then drove dowels up in same screw holes. Next step was to start carving. By using veneer calipers I was able to mimic the size of other front leg. After a couple evenings of carving sanding, filing I got down to the final shape. When carving was complete I still had some mismatch areas that I filled in with wood putty. That worked well. After final sanding it was time to paint. Just so happened the brown paint matched almost to a tee. I painted the brown and then I used sand paper to rough it up a little. I’m very happy with the results. It should be worth more than $5.00 now??
-- Tom in Madison, Indiana
7 comments so far
Rockbuster
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499 posts in 2000 days
#1 posted 06-19-2014 08:05 PM
Really a nice mended broken leg Tom, I’ll bet your friend is real happy
-- Rockbuster,Ft. Wayne,In It is far better to remain silent, and appear the fool, than it is to open ones mouth, and remove all doubt.
JoeinGa
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#2 posted 06-19-2014 08:18 PM
When you said ”the main thing is that the left front leg was broke off and missing. ” ,,,
I looked at the first picture and thought the front RIGHT looks newly painted. Surely you must mean the RIGHT, and not the left! Then I looked at the rest of the pic’s.
Wow! What an excellent repair job! Kudos to you Tom, I’m sure your friend must be pleased!
-- Perform A Random Act Of Kindness Today ... Pay It Forward
Tom Pritchard
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#3 posted 06-19-2014 08:48 PM
Yes my friend was very pleased. My wife is drooling at the thought that she wished that belonged to her. We both like Primative items.
-- Tom in Madison, Indiana
Roger
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#4 posted 06-19-2014 09:59 PM
Very nicely done.
-- Roger from KY. Work/Play/Travel Safe. Keep your dust collector fed. Kentuk55@yahoo.com
HillbillyShooter
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#5 posted 06-20-2014 12:56 AM
Nice restoration.
-- John C. -- "Firearms are second only to the Constitution in importance; they are the peoples' liberty's teeth." George Washington
Woodbridge
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#6 posted 06-20-2014 01:27 AM
great repair and restoration. That is such a unique piece and Its good to see you got that horse back up and running.
-- Peter, Woodbridge, Ontario
GrandpaLen
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#7 posted 06-20-2014 11:29 AM
Very nicely executed Tom. What a wonderful piece of nostalgia returned to all its glory.
Best Regards. – Len
Work Safely and have Fun.
-- Mother Nature should be proud of what you've done with her tree. - Len ...just north of a stone's throw from the oHIo, river that is, in So. Indiana.
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