Finished Shaving Horse pic

[Brad_bb]

I just finished my shaving horse.  Well actually it's functional, but I still have to sand and apply some finish.  The main plank that you sit on, is either pine or fir. It's reddish in color and was taken out of a 2X12 that came from a large pole shed that is at least 65 or more years old on our farm.  The work shelf and legs are White Oak.  I shaved the legs from a piece of 1-7/8 thick scrap oak slab that was just longer than the legs and had a significant crown/curve, probably almost an inch in 2ft.  Perfect for legs though.  I split them out with the froe and soaked the well seasoned pieces in water so they'd shave easier.  Finally I made the dumbhead, the foot rest, and one of the shelf support pins from some shagbark hickory.  Thanks to Jim Rogers for design tips and selling me my draw knife.

[Piston]

Nice looking shaving horse.  Will you use it mostly for making pegs?  Is that a straight blade drawknife or curved?  I have been looking to get one and it seems like the straight blade would be a lot easier to sharpen.  Good job on your project! Thanks for the pic ;)

[Dave Shepard]

Looks great. I've got to build a horse. Trying to shave pegs clamped to a sawhorse is getting very aggravating.

[Jim_Rogers]

Brad, look great.

Dave, do you need a set of plans?

[Dave Shepard]

I have plans for a couple different interpretations, but if I don't like them, I'll let you know. Thanks.

[Brad_bb]

I do think the work shelf on my horse is too long.  The distance from the pivot pin to the end of the work shelf is currently 12 inches (see pic).  I conferred with Collin Beggs, because I have used his shaving horse and it felt good.  His same distance from the pivot pin to the end of the work shelf is 9 inches compared to my 12.  I think I'm going to shorten my shelf a couple inches.

[jander3]

Nice work.  I hope to make one of these one days.  Everytime I have to peel something for a small project, it becomes very clear that I really could use a shaving horse.

[Jim_Rogers]

  I think I'm going to shorten my shelf a couple inches.

The draw knife is going to do that for you...... try it first, for a while... you can always cut it later.....

[Brad_bb]

I agree Jim.  I'll wait until I do some shaving so see. 

Jander3,
Yes I really wish I had a shaving horse to make my shaving horse legs and the support pins.  Easier there than in my wood bench and constantly having to loosen and tighten, or worse when you don't want the piece to come loose and it does.  Shaving horse allows for hands free clamping and un-clamping with your foot.

[laffs]

other than making pegs. what other use would you have for a shaving horse?
its a nice horse and i plan to build one.
im just thinking what else i would us it for.

[witterbound]

Very nice Brad.  Nice

[frwinks]

nice horse Brad

making tool handles is one other task the horse can be used for.... I'm sure there are many others....I just know I could've use a horse like that when making handles ;D

[Brad_bb]

A shaving horse would have been great to have for making legs and pins for my shaving horse!   

[Rooster]

I think it is really nice of Brad to offer the use of his shaving horse for those of us who need to make pins and legs for our own.   :D

Does it disassemble easily for shipping? ???

Please forward your Name, Possible dates, and your area Zip code to calculate shipping costs.

Also, make sure to make time in your schedules for his upcoming shaving horse building workshop...date to be determined.

;D  Sorry Brad,...I couldn't help myself!!!


Just Kidding Guys!

Rooster

[Rooster]

Brad,

On a serious note...could you have another optional pivot point that is closer to the end of the work board?...one at 9 in. and one at 12 in.?  Since you can adjust the height of the dumbhead, why not adjust the distance on the work board?

Where did you get the plans?

Rooster

[Brad_bb]

Yes, I was thinking that, but as Jim said, I'll try it as is first and see how it really feels.  Jim Rogers helped me with some design information.  Go ahead and PM him.
  I also found that the I'd like another hole in my dumb head shaft between the top two in order to get the best clamping angle for pegs.  There isn't enough room between the holes for another, but if I offset it to one side between, I think it will work.  I will wait to do that as well until I go to make some actual pegs.

[Jim_Rogers]

Brad, what Rooster is saying is add another hole to the ramp to move the dumb head forward closer to the user.

Rooster, I can email you a set of plans?

Jim Rogers

[Rooster]

JIm,

I would like to have a copy of those plans, if it's no trouble...Thanks!

I already picked out a 122 yr. old used threshing floor deck board (full 2" x 12") for the seat and work surface. 

I know this is off topic, but.....

The unique thing about this deck board is that it still has the original "log stamp" in the shape of a 2 in., 5 pointed star struck into the end grain of the board.

I am in the process of identifying which logging company in Wisconsin was responsible for logging the trees for the lumber, for the Spangler barn which was built in 1888, by finding the stamp registry at the state historical society.  These stamps are the modern equivalent of a copyright are a true trademark.

Years ago when Wisconsin was being logged heavily for it's central and northern soft woods, the logs would be cut and skidded to the rivers in the winter and stacked on the ice.  Many different logging companies would be decking logs on the ice to be floated to the mills down stream in the spring.  In order to get an accurate count of the amount of timber that reached the mill for each company, the logs would be stamped and recorded as they were pulled from the river.

I have found that on the barns I have worked on, most of the log stamps never made it to the final lumber or beam stage in the milling process.  The Spangler barn had a lot of original "green cut" or "felling/ bucking cuts" on the ends of the lumber.  The barn builder used these edges to minimize the waste or cut offs.  This one barn had at least 3 different log stamps from 3 different logging companies.

And that concludes today's lesson on Wisconsin Historical Logging Practices.

Tune in next week, when we talk about Paul Bunyon and his ox that suffered from hypothermia.

Rooster

[Piston]

That poor ox..... :D

That sounds like an interesting piece for a shaving horse, be sure to post pics of your progress!  Thanks for the lesson!  ;)