Today, it’s some work on the back bow or arm of the chair as well as the seat itself. I’m starting by roughing out the profile of the two forward components of the arm. They’ll be connected by a third piece that will be stabilised during glueing with (pine!) biscuits.
All three are bridged by a strengthening crest rail:
A satisfying part of chairmaking to me(during which I turn down the workshop heating, thus improving my carbon footprint!!) is the sculpting of the seat. Most of the waste is removed with my travisher, followed by a curved scraper and then various grades of abrasive. The pine was, of course, much much easier on my ‘aged’ muscles than the traditional elm!
The end of a perfect day! More balancing of the seat on wobbly legs tomorrow (& standing back to see what it’ll look like), followed, maybe by some drilling and more glue. Lovely.
NEXT
-- Res severa verum gaudium - True pleasure is a serious business. http://www.folksy.com/shops/TreeGems
13 comments so far
Russel
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2057 posts in 833 days
posted 684 days ago
Two things keep me from building chairs I find comfortable, 1 – a stable back with the proper angle and 2 – sculpting the seat so it’s not just a flat board. Is there some “standard” for seat sculpting, or is it a personal thing? And who was the original modelled after?
-- When you give someone a chance it may well be their last.
YorkshireStewart
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781 posts in 795 days
posted 684 days ago
I’ll be setting this one at around 102 degrees between the seat and the back Russel. You’ll probably detect from the above pictures that I just sketched in, by eye, the extremity of the hollowing; didn’t bother with a marking gauge. I’ve never come across any guidelines or standard. I’m not saying who mine was modelled after; you’ll have to do some research & seek out your own! <g>
-- Res severa verum gaudium - True pleasure is a serious business. http://www.folksy.com/shops/TreeGems
GaryK
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9521 posts in 882 days
posted 684 days ago
Very nice looking. I can’t wait
-- Gary, East TX -- The longest journey begins with a single step.
RobS
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1243 posts in 1200 days
posted 683 days ago
Amazing the way all these 2 X 4’s are turning into masterpieces. Nice work, excited to see the end product.
-- Rob (A) Waxahachie,TX
mot
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4901 posts in 930 days
posted 683 days ago
Stewart…amazing!
-- You can discover more about a person in an hour of play than in a year of conversation. (Plato)
Jamie
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146 posts in 707 days
posted 683 days ago
That is awesome!
-- Jamie, Kentucky
Bob Babcock
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1808 posts in 980 days
posted 683 days ago
Very cool Stewart…inspiring. I hope I can get mine started. I love that shave.
-- Bob, Carver Massachusetts, Sawdust Maker http://www.capecodbaychallenge.org
Karson
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25792 posts in 1294 days
posted 683 days ago
Stewart. Great progress on your 2X4 project.
-- What happens in the workshop stays in the workshop. No wait that doesn't sound right. Karson Southern Delaware karson_morrison@bigfoot.com †
Jeff
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996 posts in 987 days
posted 683 days ago
Really cool. I doubt many folks expected to see a chair as a by-product of a 2×4. As usual, Stewart, you are raising the bar. Thank you.
-- Jeff, St. Paul, MN
Paul
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607 posts in 986 days
posted 683 days ago
Wow, that’s just great! I’m really looking forward to seeing your chair emerge from a single 2×4
-- Paul, Texas
rikkor
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11335 posts in 768 days
posted 683 days ago
Fascinating. Good step-by-step, Stewart.
MsDebbieP
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14156 posts in 1054 days
posted 683 days ago
woo hooo.. awesome
-- ~ Debbie, Canada (http://www.execulink.com/~yohan)
Thos. Angle
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4013 posts in 856 days
posted 683 days ago
Lookin’ good, Stewart
-- Thos. Angle