| Blog series by Bob Babcock | updated 846 days ago | 12 parts | 5711 reads | 124 comments total |
Part 1: The chair becomes real...
I figured I’d best get this blog done or I’ll never do it. Some of you will remember the morris inspired chair design I did in Sketchup. Well it’s finally starting to take a real form. This is my 1st attempt to do anything that might be construed as fine furniture…we’ll see in the end if it gets close. I’ve already made a number of mistakes I’m not happy with…a couple of odd twists of wood that split….a couple of bonehead hits with m...
Part 2: Dryfit.....sand.....glue
Gotta get to bed so I’ll make this a quick one… It’s looking like a chair. From the back Closeup of the crossing tenons. Night Ops….final sanding. I need some more clamps….like 20 or so…this is every one I own. OK…bedtime…heading to my daughters on the Cape in the morning. We are wiring the lampost/mailbox I made her. I’ll get some pictures and post them tomorrow. Very easy and relatively inexpensive to make.
Part 3: Glue up---pegging tenons
OK…overall I’m pretty happy with the way things are going. There’s a few ugly spots as well though. The crossing wedged tenons actually came out pretty cool (finished picture next time) but on two of them still have gaps in the joinery. I had the sides glued up last night and got up early this morning to get them set up before we went to the Cape for the day. When we got home tonight I started pegging the tenons. I’m using 1/2” oak dowels. I’m going t...
Part 4: The back goes together......finished crossed wedged tenon
I made some progress on the back. Looking good if I do say so myself. Gluing the arched cross members to the posts. You can see one of the spots I’m not happy with in the foreground. When I cut this profile with the bandsaw it revealed some strange feathery wood that chipped out easily. I’m not too worried since it won’t be visible. From the top Inserting the pegs. The round pieces in the foreground are for the hinge. I started them with a two inch hole saw on the d...
Part 5: I couldn't resist.....dry fit seat and back
I braved the mosquitoes to get some more done tonight. I think I lost a 1/2 pint of blood. Gotta get some repellant. You have to be brave at moments like this….splitting the tenon for the wedge. I think I’ll cut them on the bandsaw the next time I try something like this. I think it would give better consistancy. The pegs go in the back The dog thinks there’s a woodchuck under the shed. OK…here it is…I couldn’t resist…had to check some mea...
Part 6: Note to self....don't forget the glue.
I’m glad I caught this and not one of my kids. i never would have heard the end of it. I was installing the pegs on the other side of the seat when I noticed the bracket for the arms was loose. I was initially concerned because it was loose but I couldn’t get it out. I messed with it a bit trying to be careful that I didn’t make it worse when it suddenly popped out. I hadn’t put any glue on at all. Oh well…at least I know the joint is tight. Doh!....where̵...
Part 7: Almost done...
Haven’t had much time in the shop the last couple of days. It’s almost done though. The only wood left to cut is the seat support and I’m still debating on which route to go…I may build 2 different ones and test for comfort. Some pictures of tonights progress. Sorry the photos are a little blurry. My camera flash didn’t survive me leaving my camera out in the rain…..:( Cutting the hinge pin. Finished hinges Final sanding before the oild goes on ...
Part 8: Watco No. 1 goes on
Well I finally got started with some finish late today. Just wiped on the 1st coat of Watco…I’m using the natural. I like what I see but I’m not sure if I want to add some contrast or not. I also STILL have some glue spots and scratches showing. I’m planning on hitting the spots again with 220 and then doing everything with 400 before the second coat. Watco No. 1 From side. We didn’t get out to get foam or upholstery fabric this weekend so the final fini...
Part 9: Frustration Sets In
OK…it’s official, I going crazy not being able to get to the chair. I’m up to my ears in a project at work, designing some improvements to two fish hatcheries, and a major water treatment project, all interesting, but it doesn’t get any sanding done or another coat of oil on the chair. Then today we had 11 new windows and a slider delivered. My son-in-law and I start tomorrow….again no chair. My Mom 85 years old just got her 1st computer, at my suggestion, a mont...
Part 10: I'm ready for my close up Mr Deville.
I’ve got a smile from ear to ear. We finally took a ride and picked out the cushions and material for the chair today. Suzanne should get started Monday or Tuesday. I may have a finished chair by next weekend. I’ve tested out some different combinations for the cushions and decided on 5” of high density foam with 2” of a softer foam on top for the seat, The back will be 5” of soft foam. Each will be wrapped in batting to soften the edge. I’m looking ...
Part 11: Invest in foam rubber futures
Wow…..is foam rubber expensive. We picked up the foam last week but have been waiting for the zippers to arrive (had to order online). The seat is 5” of high density foam wraped in 1” of low density foam and then batting. The back is just 4” of low density foam wrapped in batting. They feel pretty comfortable. The seat is a little stiff but should break in quickly with me on it. Hopefully Suzanne will get the cushions done this week. We bought two materials. Niether...
Part 12: Finished finally! - Time for a nap!
Ok…..Time to add this to the projects page. She’s finally done, no more sanding (I don’t think I have any fingerprints left), the finish actually looks good, and the cushions came out great. This was a looooonnnng project. Thanks to all my fellow LJ’s out there for your encouragement Suzanne still has a different material to make the final cushion covers with. We bought two because the material was ridiculously cheap. She made the first one out of the material...
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