Material for a Rocking Horse

[Benchwayze]

I have some 2" thick jelutong that I bought for a Rocking Horse build.

Would I be 'cheating', if I used this just for the head with a less expensive alternative for the body? (I wouldn't claim the horse is anything other than it is of course.)

Is there a viable alternative to genuine 'Gesso' such as plenty of undercoated acrylic primer?

Is there any point in trying to sell these on eBay?

Some of the rubbish on there has to be seen to be disbelieved!

TIA

 

[Steve Maskery]

John, I was recently given a RH head in kit form. The blocks are bandsaw but not glued and of course, not carved. I think it is one of Anthony Dew's designs. It's up in the loft.

I've been wanting to build one for years, but never had a suitable recipient, but now that my mate has produced Wilfie, there is more incentive to get on with it. In fact, I've already told Wilfie this:

"Look at this, Wilfie. Doesn't that look fun? It's called a rocking horse. I'm going to make one out of these pieces of wood. You are too young for it just yet, but it will take me a while to make, so if I start now, then it should just about be ready by the time you have children of your own."

This wood is Canary, so I know it will cut easily. Whether it will take detail well enough, I don't know yet. I would have thought that there is no reason (if you are painting it) not to use a secondary wood for the body.

I can't understand why Gesso is so expensive. Is there any reason why a packet of Tetrion Fine Interior won't do the same job at a fraction of the price?

S

 

[Benchwayze]

Hi Steve,

I have some Gesso, but I use it for priming canvas. I would never have enough to cover a horse.

I can't see why a French chalk and size mix is so expensive. The rabbit skin size isn't cheap on its own either, besides having AR issues, to some people. Like my Grand-daughter! It would never do to tell her glue can come from 'bunnies'! I'll probably use Polyfilla or somesuch.

I think I'll just crack on with it and find some pine that is as knot free as possible. Some ash for the legs and frame. I have the 'Accesories kit' from Anthony Dew, so it should turn out ok.

Thanks Steve and get carving y'self! :lol:

 

[Woody Alan]

Hi

https://www.ukworkshop.co.uk/forums/view ... king+horse

I used acrylic white primer with a hint of blue for undercoat as per Anthony dew instructions. No gesso used. I am not sure I would use pine because of bleed through of knots etc. I used tulipwood.

Cheers Alan

 

[Benchwayze]

They are very nice horses Alan and your workmanship shows attention to detail. If I do half as well I will be satisfied.

It just seems a crying waste that I've had a set of accesories on a shelf for so long. I don't think my grand-daughter is really interested, but if I make the one horse, maybe I will find it within me to make another! Who knows?
As for the Acrylic primer, I do have plenty of that.

The knots could be a problem, but it's easy enough to chop or drill them out and infill with sound wood, which I have seen done on older jobs. After all, the gesso was used to cover minor blemishes.

I also have some Poplar that could be used and the most expensive part for me would be the oak for the frame. I just thought that what I could save on the first one, which I would hope to be a success, I could invest in goos materials for a better one, and so on. Can't envisage charging someone £2250, mind; as I saw on a site from Somerset, but I might make some beer money! (Incidentally, those 'four-figure' horses didn't look any different than yours Alan!)

So thanks both, I am obliged. Soon as I can get my own 'rockers' fixed and I am back on my pins properly, I shall make a start.

 

[jasonB]

If you buy acrylic gesso in larger quantities it works aot a lot cheaper, eg a one litre bottle is only double the price of a 250mils jar, 5lts is an even better buy.

Tetrion/polyfiller is not flexible like gesso so you may get some cracking.

Jason