Even amid today's array of high-tech toys, wooden rocking horses remain timeless classics for children of all ages and can serve both physical and psychological benefits for them.
This medium-difficulty project yields a very durable rocking horse that will endure generations. Although advanced tools will be needed, anyone with adequate woodworking knowledge and patience can create this masterpiece.
How to Build a Wooden Rocking Horse
Beginners or experienced woodworkers alike will find building a rocking horse an easy and satisfying project, offering fun family activity you can pass down to their children. Reading plans carefully and prepping materials beforehand are keys to its success; step one is selecting which lumber to use (some plans provide lists while others contain full-size parts you must cut out and measure), with hardwood species like oak or cherry being more resilient than softwoods in terms of durability.
Next, decide how realistic or stylized you want your horse to be. Some craftspeople will carve a seat into its body; others might create a bridle from real leather straps. Furthermore, consider how to secure it to rockers: some designs utilize metal hinge brackets; while others simply screw swing arms onto top crosspieces of bases.
Once all the pieces have been assembled, it's time to put it all together. Depending on your plans, some parts might be constructed of one plank while others require multiple boards glued together - legs are often cut from a single board while head and tail structures require multiple pieces glued together. To save money on plywood sheets, try drawing around parts of your rocking horse onto a hardboard or cheap 3-ply sheet in order to create a template before cutting out their components.
When assembling, ensure that your rockers are of equal sizes on both sides and that they fit together from front to back - otherwise, your horse might not rock smoothly! To reduce splintering and reduce splintering further, router the edges of all pieces prior to assembly and dry fit them before giving everything light sand and applying a finish.
Once complete, your kids will love riding around on their new rocking horse and creating memories with you that they will treasure for life. They'll appreciate all your hard work!
Materials
This project can be completed using standard woodworking tools but requires advanced skills due to some intricate cuts that require precision. When completed, this durable rocker will hold the weight of any child for generations.
Full-size traceable patterns make this an easy project for beginners. A new slatted platform increases safety, and there's the option of either a simple horse head or an intricate carved one. For those not quite up for the full-sized challenge, there's also an alternate, smaller version called Little Rocky that uses the same pattern.
Actual size patterns feature scale plans of the safety stand as well as step-by-step instructions and color pictures for assembly of a Swinger Horse with rocking action that will delight children from approximately 1 to 3 years old, provided it's under supervision. Furthermore, an advanced variant with carved heads provides an excellent introduction to carving for novice carvers.
To save time, an alternative technique for joining the parts is cutting them in half with a jigsaw, using a 1-inch spade bit (auger bit or brad-point bit), and drilling all the way through with it before trimming away any rough edges with a sanding box or power sander and gluing together as per usual - any holes left will later be filled by wood plugs.
Polymite powder-based resin glue is recommended as the ideal glue to use for the body of the Rocking Horse; alternatively, Titebond wood glue may work. Once all assembly is complete, use 220 grit sandpaper to eliminate any rough spots before pushing and lifting back up to test the rocker to ensure no loose or wobbly areas exist. Finally, wipe all surfaces down again with 220 grit before wiping mineral oil over all surfaces for staining purposes - protecting and prolonging its beauty long enough.
Parts
Rocking horses hold a special place in childhood memories and can often be passed from generation to generation as children's toys. A well-made wooden rocking horse is an invaluable heirloom that will provide years of pleasure, but before beginning construction it must first include certain essential parts. These should either be purchased from stores or made as part of the project itself.
Wooden rocking horse plans can be found for woodworkers of all skill levels, from novice to expert woodworkers. Full-size traceable patterns make constructing one an easy process that can be completed quickly - even under the weight of small children! Many people choose to add leather straps as part of the body of their horse's bridle and stirrups; others prefer building seats directly into its body.
This more challenging project results in a larger rocker that can support even older children's weight. Though more intricate cuts may be required, experienced woodworkers should still be able to complete it using hand tools alone. Once constructed, its design makes for extreme durability while being stained or painted to complement any decor scheme.
Reputable rocking horse maker Anthony Dew reveals his expertise in this fascinating traditional craft in this DVD, making it essential viewing for anyone interested in creating their own Victorian-style rocking horse. Every step is explained, from tracing out and cutting out components for assembly, carving and finishing off head, neck, and upper body carving, fitting leather saddlery/mane & tail accessories, and mounting up on an appropriate traditional safety stand - each stage is fully illustrated.
This project requires more work but will produce an incredibly durable and beautiful rocker. A router should be used to shape all edges so as to reduce splintering and soften the finished product's look. Wagner Meters offers handheld and portable moisture meters to help keep track of woodworking projects.
Assembly
Children love rocking horses! These toys often become family heirlooms and offer an ideal outlet for children's energy while simultaneously teaching history lessons. Finding wooden rocking horse plans is easy, making this project both exciting and fulfilling!
There are various plans available, ranging from simple hobby horses to complex Victorian-style rocking horses. When selecting your design, make sure it suits the level of skill of those working on it; beginner builders are advised to start off with simpler rocking horses before progressing toward more complex models as their skills increase.
Prior to finishing a rocking horse, it's advisable to test its rocking action. This can be accomplished by placing carpet or another soft material under its base and pushing back and forth on it with your fingertip. Once tested, a woodworker can finish creating his masterpiece!
Some people like to add an element of personalization to their rocking horse by carving intricate details; this step is entirely optional. Others might prefer leaving their rocking horse bare with natural finishes. What matters most, however, is making sure it remains sturdy; one way is reinforcing the handlebar and head by placing two shaped pieces of ply on either side to prevent wood wear inducing loose handles.
To create a more durable finished product, it is advisable to laminate the pieces of wood that comprise the body, saddle, and head together using either an auger, Forstner bit, or 1 1/4-inch spade bit. When choosing to use a spade bit instead of Forstner bits it must be remembered that any holes created by it must later be filled using wood plugs.
After your rocking horse has been completed, it's advisable to give it a coat of clear varnish for protection and color preservation. This helps prevent moisture damage to the wood while helping preserve its hue. Once finished, your toy can then be handed off to its next rider! Just be mindful that children ride it responsibly - too much energy can cause it to topple over.