Rocking Horse for Christmas

Gidde-up Lil Mot-teroo. Yee-haw!

-- "Bordnerizing" perfectly good lumber for over a decade.

You did an outstanding job on this, Tom. Beautiful woodwork.

-- Tom, Surfside Beach, SC - Romans 8:28

Great work Tom.

-- Grumpy - "Always look on the bright side of life"- Monty Python

Nice work Tom , That seat looks like a lot of work itself but i can see it getting used a lot. Great job!!!

-- John in Cranbrook http://www.extremebirdhouse.com ....http://community.webshots.com/user/cranbrook2

That came out great!

-- Dorje (pronounced "door-jay"), Seattle, WA

Great project Tom. I enjoyed the progress pics as well. The finish came out great. We need some action shots.

-- -John "Do I have to keep typing a smiley? Just assume it's a joke." www.flickr.com/photos/gizmodyne

The proof is always in the pudding.
That is one fine pudding M’man!

Bob

-- A mind, like a home, is furnished by its owner

Thanks for the comments, folks! John, the seat did take more effort than most any other part on the project. As with all things, it was the first time I did many of the things on this rocker. First time for inlays, first time for the router trammel, first time for the seat bandsawing and shaping, first time on anything that rocks. There were some things I had to take into consideration that probably made this entire build about 3 times longer than it could have been. However, unlike many of my builds, I was sorry to see this one leave the shop. I really enjoyed every step of it. It gets a lot of use and I’m especially glad that it’s built so robust as there has been up to three kids on it, and there’s been some adult/toddler doubling with the weight exceeding 250lbs without a creak or groan from the horse. I creaked and groaned when I saw it happen, but the horse didn’t.

-- You can discover more about a person in an hour of play than in a year of conversation. (Plato)

great work TOM … you have a lucky young’n to get such a sweet gift.

Your horse will become a heirloom for his family, in twenty years or so !

Expertly constructed !

-- a legend in my own mind ...

Let’er buck!! Good one Tom. It came out very nice. I still have “ol’ Red” which my grandpa made for me for Christmas, 1949. Assume it will be an heirloom.

-- Thos. Angle, Owyhee Design, Oregon

Tom a fantastic Project. The young man will ride many a miles on him.

-- Karson Southern Delaware karson_morrison@bigfoot.com

Tom;

Your project and your comments about your wifes concerns sure brings a smile to my face. You did an excellent job building that horse, and I’m certain it is worthy of being a family heirloom.

I’ll bet even Thomas Angle likes the saddle! LOL And if he likes it, it’s gotta be right!

Beautiful.

Lee

-- by Lee A. Jesberger http://www.prowoodworkingtips.com http://www.ezee-feed.com

Some little cowboy is going to be very happy.

-- Maplewood, MN

Looks awesome and strong…as you commented…this is one to be past down for many generations. Excellent work.

-- Jim Hallada, Newport News, VA, soon to be Chesterfield, VA

I can see your face as the adult-toddler took a turn! yikes.

Awesome Job. I can feel your pride :)

-- "Functional WoodArt" by Debbie, Canada (http://www.execulink.com/~yohan)

Now THATS a rocking horse! Great job.

-- miles125, Alabama.."Architecture is frozen music""

Great horse. I made a rocking dragon many years ago and no mater what this kind of toy looks like they will always be a big hit with the rider (and family).

-- Ron, Twain Harte, Ca. Portable on site Sawmill Service http://westcoastlands.net/Sawmill.html http://westcoastlands.net/SawBucks2/phpBB3

Wonderful work and a great piece Tom. A true heirloom. Did you sign it on the bottom or anything. I don’t recall in your blog you saying you did. If you didn’t you should. Just on the bottom or something. I think your kids and their kids and their kids kids would really like that. Anyway, great piece and thanks for sharing the building with us.

-- Better to say nothing and be thought the fool... then to speak and erase all doubt.

Thanks for the comments everyone. Chip, I didn’t sign it. I’m not sure how I would. I might burn it on the bottom like you suggest. I was hoping to have a brand made. I called one of the custom places. I wanted to have a brand around a canadian dollar coin…they never got back to me. shrug I’ll sign it and finish the blog with it. Thanks for bringing that up.

-- You can discover more about a person in an hour of play than in a year of conversation. (Plato)

Great job on the rocking horse Mot. It really came out nice. I also like the comment that you made about your wife being concerned about little Mot moving around the room. Isn’t she a Doctor? Tell her to get the band-aids out and relax :-)).

-- Bill - "Suit yourself and let the rest be pleased." http://www.cajunpen.com/

I told her, “It’s a rocking horse…there’s been a few million people that have successfully navigated their use without the need for bubble wrap and helmets.” I got the “look.”

-- You can discover more about a person in an hour of play than in a year of conversation. (Plato)

Beautiful, Tom! I’ve been following the progress.

-- Dust collectors suck.

Mot junior must have been over the moon with this gift. Oh how our creations beat all the plastic garbage sold as toys!

-- Res severa verum gaudium - True pleasure is a serious business.

Nice woodwork.

-- Jiri

Mot, truthfully, who rides it more, you or the kid? Good job, looks like you put some hrs in. mike

-- Mike. Profisher50@yahoo.com

Wow. Almost makes me want a little one around. but i’ll wait for grand kids, beautiful work.

-- Marty Ohio

Great looking project. I have a baby that’s going to be needing something like that pretty soon.

I’ll have to bookmark this one!

Gary

-- Gary, East TX -- The longest journey begins with a single step.