Designing and Making Rocking Horses [Hardcover]

Margaret Spencer (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 2001

Rocking Horses conjure up a world of fields and dreams, and have enchanted children for generations. Their secrets are not beyond a woodworker of average ability. Making and Designing Rocking Horses shows you how to turn your workshop into a stable, and delight the younger generation with the most precious and rewarding of gifts. Topics include: plans and step-by-step instructions for eight horses ranging from traditional medium standard to the push-me pull-me rocking horse; carving and design: making plinths and unicoms; wood and tools required and finally tips from the author to give your horse a professional finish.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Spencer, who has retired after making approximately 500 rocking horses, offers an excellent guide that shows how to make eight different designs, ranging from a small plywood horse to much larger, more ornate styles that rival carousel horses in complexity (including a two-headed horse that accommodates two riders and reminds one of Dr. Doolittle). A section on making saddles and manes provides the finishing touches that add realism. The measurements are metric, and the source list offers only British information, but this is not a huge problem for such a great book. Combining woodworking, carving, and leather craft, this will appeal to most woodworkers. Recommended for all public libraries.
Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc.

About the Author

Margaret Spencer was taught how to use tools by her father and learnt how to make patterns by her mother. She set up a business making, restoring and supplying accessories for rocking horses. Margaret has made some five hundred horses over the past thirty years - now retired she leaves her own daughter to run the business.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 160 pages
• Publisher: Crowood Press (UK) (May 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1861263619
• ISBN-13: 978-1861263612
• Product Dimensions: 10 x 7.7 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #325,671 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Book, January 24, 2002

By A Customer

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Designing and Making Rocking Horses (Hardcover)

I purchased this book for my father for a gift and he absolutely loves it. He sat down immediately and started to read the book and plan out how he was going to make his first rocking horse. The book is filled with so many pictures and great illustration. If you are interested in learning how to make the rocking horses, this is the book to buy. My dad loves it and I can't wait to see his finished product!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Love horses, December 5, 2010

By 

Sophies Mom (MN) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Designing and Making Rocking Horses (Paperback)

The book will get your creative juices flowing and the details are all there. For the more experienced carver, but a great resource for all levels. Margaret Spencer's carving books are essentials for carvers.

3.0 out of 5 stars Makig and designing rocking horses, October 29, 2010

By 

Robert Schotland (Tucson, Az.) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Designing and Making Rocking Horses (Paperback)

This is a fine book if you are an advanced carver, but for a beginner, or a person who hasn't carved in years, I wouldn't recommend this book too. It has too much text and not enough illustrations or step by steps to explain the projects well. I am keeping this book til I get more advanced