Nicholson Bench Horse
We have been busy making Windsor chairs which, as you may know, require several spindles in the back. These spindles are drawknifed and spokeshaved to shape on a shaving horse. We had four shave horses but needed another so I created this appliance for the Nicholson Bench, The Bench Horse.
The Four Horsemen on their steeds!
The Nicholson Bench Horse
A closer view
The Bench Horse Removed from the bench.
The Horse is supported by two wooden pegs going into the holes in the side of the bench. It is then held in place by a holdfast. The operator sits on a saw bench and uses the horse in the same manner as a traditional shavehorse. It works fairly well and will be easy to store and transport for demonstrations.
A shot of the shop full of partially completed Windsor chairs. These chairs are a great project.
Comments
Shakey bench
You are right Shannon, I would not want this on a light bench. The Nicholson I have is fairly heavy and doesn't move about at all.
Mike
Bench horse
Mike,
Nice creation. I used something like this when I took a class from Mike Harrell of the Colonial Chair company. Because he travels to Woodcraft stores to teach he needed something that could be broken down and was lightweight so it was constructed out of a mixture of wooden jaws and aluminum stays attached to the pedal. It worked great but the only deficiency was that lightweight bench it was attached to which shook and slide all over the place while shaving. Somehow I can't see that happening in your case. Great idea for the small shop woodworker too and I just may have to make one of these myself. Nice touch on the decorative edge too!
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