Shaving horse

Most people who come into the shop look at him with a quizzical look, not really knowing what he is. Half bench, half horse with a weird head? 

I have had this faithful steed for almost 30 yrs and have made so many thwarts and paddles on him I couldn't begin to count. I can not think of a better clamping device for making paddles, thwarts or anything that you need both hands free to use a spoke shave or a rasp.

 

The beauty of it, is how little pressure needs to be applied to the treadle to secure the work.

 

treadle

Head

I have leather wrapped around the bottom of the head. It helps soften the edge so that the wood being held isn't damaged to much.

 

 

The head is adjustable and held in place with a wooden dowel. It can be moved up or down in roughly 1 inch increments.

 

The basic tools I use when making paddles or thwarts are spoke shave, rasp and a small plane. About 80% of the work is done with the spoke shave. I have a few different ones but prefer the one with the convex face on it.

 

 

 

I can't imagine not having my shaving horse it is such a versatile and basic piece of equipment.