Horse Mounting Block

[George_N]

Hi George,
You are very right...Thanks for that link by the way..Not a bad looking mounting block but I intentionally did not want a closed in design as I think it just hides potentially shoddy workmanship..I wouldn't want to use exterior ply like that anyway..not on something that is going to sit outside in all weathers..I just don't think it would last....Personalising is nice for a stable yard but these aren't really for individual people / horses but more for the stable yard..

I have made a portable small version (a glorified stool) for the friend aswell as she does that dressgae stuff or as I call it - Horse Dancing!..Non slip paint is a nice touch and I am thinking about getting hold of some myself but the prices seem to vary quite a lot from about £25 a tin to £80 a tin (same size but different make)

You are also very right about price hiking...its hard to get paid the right amount of money for your time isn't it but if I could get in the region of £90 to £100 then that would be a start...Is that toally unrealistic?
Cheers
Timmo

If the guy selling on Ebay can ask (and get, I'm sure) £145 for a plywood box, I don't see why you shouldn't ask £100 (or more) for something better.

 

[davegw]

£100 seems reasonable to me, if a Plywood one makes £150 the tag "Solid Wood" should add a premium to that - not reduce the price

(looks really good btw)

 

[Timmo]

Thanks a lot for the support guys...I know the best thing to do is to get some made and then see what they go for...
Its been really beneficial having this post because you guys have really encouraged me a lot and I am thankful to you for that

 

[brianhabby]

Non slip paint is a nice touch and I am thinking about getting hold of some myself but the prices seem to vary quite a lot from about £25 a tin to £80 a tin

Throw a handful of sand in the paint, I've used it several times and it works a treat.

As for pricing, you should start with the highest price you think your item is worth. It's easy to come down in price but difficult to increase.

regards

Brian

 

[Timmo]

Thanks for that tip Brian...I'll give that a go on the next one...I think I have some builders sand left somewhere...would probably make a good combination with the grooved deck boards...
Well the "Customer" picked it up the other day and was very happy so thats good and I am going to make another one to take to a few equine shops and see if I can leave one as a demo model to get some more orders..
Have already decided that I am going to lose the 2 m&t's on each side that go into the centre leg and replace the 2 pieces of wood with a halving joint or cross lap or whatever the correct name is...Does anyone have any other suggestions around how to improve this model?
I might make a bigger one with 3 steps a bit like a podium (<sp?) aswell.....The wood doesn't cost too much and I was happy with the result so will give another one or two a go and try and work out what I could realistically sell them for and whether it is worth the time it takes...
So please..shoot away with any constructive criticism / suggestions / best practice..
Cheers
Timmo

 

[brianhabby]

Just make sure the sand is dry Timmo.

regards

Brian

 

[Timmo]

Brian,
So might it be better for me just to get a bag of that kiln dried sand then to ensure that?
Thanks
Timmo

 

[Anonymous]

Brian,
So might it be better for me just to get a bag of that kiln dried sand then to ensure that?
Thanks
Timmo

Not Brian last I checked but, yes, you want washed and dried sand.

 

[Timmo]

Thanks Steve...

 

[Timmo]

Doesn't say washed but is this the stuff:


sand

Cheers
Timmo

edited to make the url short as I saw someone say that as a mod that is what they spent most of their time doing so trying to save them a bit

 

[DaveL]

edited to make the url short as I saw someone say that as a mod that is what they spent most of their time doing so trying to save them a bit

Thank you Timmo, you have worked out how to do it, keep up the good work. 8)

 

[Timmo]

No worries Dave...Hadn't realised it was a problem until I saw your post the other day...
Cheers
Timmo 8)

 

[Anonymous]

That 'should' be OK. Try a little bit in water first and if the water stays reasonably clear then use it.

 

[Timmo]

Thanks Steve..but if not then is there some that will definitely be OK?
Cheers
Timmo

 

[devonwoody]

How do you get off the horse if the destination is a couple of miles away?

 

[Anonymous]

How do you get off the horse if the destination is a couple of miles away?

Just say 'sit' and slide down the back.

 

[Anonymous]

Thanks Steve..but if not then is there some that will definitely be OK?
Cheers
Timmo

Silver sand will do it but it isn't as cheap. Failing that, and to be a bit more 'pro' you can get antislip additives from boat shops but, that's even more expensive (about £4 to cover a couple of sq metres) :shock: Mind you, you shouldn't need all that much and a £4 bag should do several.

 

[Timmo]

Just wanted to report back and let you know that I bought myself a sack of kiln dried sand from the local B&Q (Crewe) and tried it in some water where the water stayed clear so went ahead and mixed it with some of the paint....
Worked a treat so I was dead impressed..
Many thanks for suggesting this it should make the decking less slippery...
I'll post a pic of the new block with the textured finish when I get them downloaded off the camera..
Cheers
Timmo