Rocking Horse Plans For You

Rocking Horse Plans

Rocking Horse plans are just what are needed for the most satisfying of woodworking projects. I want to show you a sample plan and take you through it as I build two rocking horses, one for my youngest grandson and one that I am going to donate to a children’s charity or hospital. Today is the 15th December and I will have them finished before Christmas so if you are thinking of building a rocking horse for Christmas you still have time. Of course rocking horses are children’s favourites all year round so you can build one at any time.

Building A Rocking Horse from Rocking Horse Plans

Here is a sample rocking horse plan, it is one of the woodworking plans in John Metz’s collection. In the collection there are over 14000 plans but more of that later, let’s build this rocking horse.

Rocking Horse Plans – Patterns

The rocking horse plan has 3 pages and has all the necessary instructions, a materials list and the patterns for the basic components. I took the patterns and had them enlarged to full size as you can see here

I cut out the paper patterns and using a spray glue, stuck them to a piece of 1/8″ (3mm) MDF (medium density fibreboard also known as custom wood). You could use thick card or even thin plywood to make the templates. You could just cut out the paper templates and draw round them but it is easier with templates and you can always use them again if you need to.

Using my band saw I cut out the individual templates, I used my bandsaw and for some parts my scroll saw but if you don’t have a bandsaw or scroll saw you could use a jig saw or fret saw.

If you are thinking of buying a bandsaw, they are not expensive, I would advise you not get a small one. I had one and found the saw bands have quite a short life.

I’m just showing you the tools I use, I have gathered them over the years but everything I do can be done with hand tools, it just takes a little longer. You shouldn’t rush woodwork, take your time and you’ll find how relaxing it can be. Here’s my belt and disc sander, drill press and scroll saw. None of them are professional tools, just everyday hobby tools.

Rocking Horse Plans – templates

So moving on here are the rocking horse templates all cut off and sanded.

Rocking Horse Plans – Rockers

I took the templates and marked out the timber I purchased to make the 2 rocking horses, I chose to use Tasmanian Oak as I will be sealing the finished rocking horses with a clear coat.

After marking out the rockers using the template (note the plan includes a half template, so draw round it then reposition and draw round it again to make the full rocker) I cut the rockers out on my band saw. As I said previously I bought hardwood which is 1 1/8″ (29mm) thick, yes it slightly different to the plan, the plan uses 1/1/4″ (32mm) but use the plans as a guide. You can see the first 2 rockers in my workmate ready to be planed. The advantage of planing and sanding them both while they are clamped together is that you know they are the same so the rocking horse will rock evenly. Make sure you sharpen your plane before you use it. Not sure how, checkout http://Youtube.com I’m sure you will find a video that shows you.