I posted the start of this project last week and promised I would show the finished or almost finished rocker. The owners have to sand and stain-wax to complete the rocker.

This is a rocker I am finishing for the widow of a former seminar rocker student of mine. He started to build this rocker and got as far as the first picture. His choice of wood was Walnut, a good choice for a first rocker, and a style similar to one I have made in the past. He had most everything ready except the Runners. His widow gave me some of the Walnut lumber he was using so I could finish the necessary parts.

I have tried to leave the design my student put into the rocker with the exception of changing the Headrest a bit and of course making the Runners, using some of the wood he had left, as well as contouring some of the parts. I added some Ivory to the top of the back legs and Tiger Maple, Argentine Mesquite to the Runners. The Mesquite is on the bottom of the Runners because Mesquite is two and half times stronger than Oak and will take abuse of tile or wood floors much better than Walnut.

After I install the Runners I will post pictures.

So the family can invest some sweet equity they will finish sanding as well as rubbing several coats of Tung Oil and wax with a burnish finish.

My daughter wanted a ‘rustic end table’ so this is what she gets.
I made the top from some old wormy Walnut and natural edged Redwood. In the top I inlay-ed some petrified wood.
The legs and rest of the table is made from natural edge Argentine Mesquite. The table is about 12×14x26.

Fun to do.

This Show Box is made of Argentine Mesquite for the base, Bastogne Walnut for the sides and ends and the top is Burled Redwood with an insert of what is said to be a ten million year old fossil fish. The box is about 14×4x3 high. Thanks to Mr. Rapp for giving me the idea.

You can see the pictures of this box on my web site at www.kappelusa.com as well as get a free copy of how to build a Maloof syle rocking chair.

This is a very inexpensive Maloof style rocker. I made it as an outside rocker using Myrtle wood. The style is the basic Maloof rocking chair. You can make one like this by using my FREE text, about 40 pages, listed on my web site at www.kappelusa.com No charge unless you want the upgraded text, lots more pages, and full size patterns.

This is my ‘flag ship’ rocker. It is made with Claro Walnut and accented with Ebony, Ivory, Burled Mesquite, Maple and my own molded glass. The front legs are my ‘ranch’ style and the rocker is positioned to a medium balance setting. Claro Walnut is one of the ‘Gun Stock’ woods used because of its exceptional beauty. It is expensive, but will worth the cost.

One close up picture is of the ‘burled Mesquite’ setting on top of Ivory. I molded the glass in my kiln using broken up salvaged glass. The plugs are Ebony and the finish is many coats of a mix of Tung oil. You can find this formula and procedure in the FREE text. You can see light through the molded glass. I do have many other designs of this molded glass. I used Maple for contrast on legs to ‘runners’ joint.

On this particular rocker I used seven, sometimes I use five, ‘Backslats’ and shaped them into, what I call, ‘full moon bowtie’. The tops and bottoms of the ‘Backslats’ are shaped in a crescent design. The center of each ‘Backslat’ is pinched in for a ‘bowtie’ look.

You can make this rocker and many others using my FREE text found on my web site at www.kappelusa.com. Just log in and have a look around at some other rockers. It you want the FREE text send me an email following the instructions on the web site.

I have been asked to feature my ‘Garden Rocker’ in one of my projects. The pictured rocker was a project for a new addition (garden room) the house of one of my clients.

This rocker is made with Argentine Mesquite in a standard balance position. I used five Backslats to show and give a more airy feeling then carved the slats with a bit of leaf contour. The back legs are canted outward a degree more than usual to add to the open appearance and style. The natural edge of the Headrest was also done with the garden theme in mind.
The seat has the contoured bottom and the front legs are my ‘ranch’ style.

I thought some of you woodworker might be interested in the transition from the back leg to arm. It can be a little distracting if one is not familiar with making rocking chairs. Note the curve at the joint area. This curve is useful to make the modification for wood thickness of the leg to arm. A sweeping curve of about a nine inch radius is pleasing, but can be adjusted depending on your design. I use Kutzall burs to waste most of the unnecessary wood then use a orbital sander, with varying grade pads, to finish.

I have found the Kutzall burs to be effective in a lot of my waste wood removal where I can’t use a band-saw or etc. Not that I am promoting the product, but giving credit where it is due.

I am still giving the FREE text material on how to build a Maloof style rocking chair. Go to my web site at www.kappelusa.com and follow instructions for same.

I have posted this rocker as an example of the updated rounded bottom seat. Note one of the pictures shows this feature rather well. The ‘classic’ style Headrest and the ‘ranch’ style front leg are features of this rocker. The Headrest is made using burled Tiger Maple which I was fortunate enough to obtain several lager burl growths a few years back.

The unique features of this rocker are for one the size is a bit larger than an average rocker. The other feature is it is made in the ‘lied back balance’ position. As you might know by reading my comment on my web site at www.kappelusa.com I emphasize balance as a paramount aspect of fine rocking chairs for a complete pleasurable rocking experience. A balanced rocker to the personality of the patron is as important as the runners are.

Six or seven years ago while my wife and I were exhibiting our rocker in a trade show we had eight rockers displayed. My wife’s custom was to have the booth visitors try each rocker to demonstrate the different ‘balance’ and sizing of each rocker. I remember a little gal came into the booth to try the rockers. She sat in a ‘Classic Ranch’ Tiger Maple laid-back extra large rocker with her feet dangling a foot off the floor. My wife, as usual, invited her to try the other rockers and her response was “I like this one” my wife said “we play musical chairs” so she did try all the rest of the rockers. After leaving the last rocker she went to the first rocker and she re-sat in it exclaiming “I like this one”..

I learned a lesson that day to never try to select a rocker for a customer, but rather allow them to experience and choose their preference in ‘balance’.

I am still giving the ‘Free Text’ on how to build the Maloof style rocker. Just visit my web site at www.kappelusa.com and click on the ‘supplies’ page.

Scrap wood, because many of you woodworkers may be interested I am showing what can be done with scrap while making a custom rocking chair.

While in Oregon buying some Myrtle lumber I spotted a pile of wood in the back yard. I asked the owner what he was going to do with that wood. He said he was going to burn it. I asked him if he would mind if I picked through the pile for pieces I may want to use. He said take what you like as a gift, it will save me from burning it.

Now I know I can make a rocker from 8/4 X 4-1/4 wide stock or wider. Most of the pieces can be four foot and less in fact only two pieces need to be four foot and all the rest are two foot.

This project was made form the lumber out of his burn pile.

Because this was his waste green lumber I decided to test the results. I made the rocker with carved groves between each joint knowing the green wood would shrink as it dried. I also made it a Petite size because I didn’t have one in stock. Notice the wonderful grain in this lumber. It did have some knots and where they were solid I left them. I did clean out a couple knots in the seat and inlayed Ivory as you can see.

In any case if you are as lucky as I, you might find some scrap usable for your rocker project, just thought you might like to know.

I am still giving the Free rocking chair instructions away. If you go to my web site at www.kappelusa.com click on the ‘facts or links’ pages to find instructions on how to obtain same.

Happy woodworking.

This five foot wall clock and the Maloof style rocker go together as part of an order I made for a customer.

The clock is a wonderful project in its self. I use the finest German movements available and give the original Gazo design my own flair.

The rocker is a duplicate of a garden rocker I made with Argentine Mesquite, one of my favorite woods, with the natural edge. The clock and rocker look like they were made for each other which they were.

If any of you woodworkers are still looking to build the Maloof style rocker you can get a free copy of the instruction text by going to my web site at www.kappelsua.com and requesting same.

I have posted several of the Maloof style rockers I have made so you can get an idea what is available in the Free Web Class material. If you have questions about any of my rocker please don’t hesitate to email me for information or if you like give me a call, it would be a pleasure to talk to you.
For those following the Free Web Class and have the Free Text I finally got my web order program working so you can order the complete seminar text with pictures and all the good stuff. I also have the full size patterns so I can send them to you by email. You can then print the patterns, and jigs, on your printer in full size and arrange the sheets using the guide marks. From there it is easy to transfer the paper patterns to your wood.

The ‘Ordering’ page is now working as is the ‘link’ page so if you are still looking for the new post to the Fee Web Class on the ‘facts’ page you can now get the text, for free, if you want. Just send me an email requesting the ‘free text’ as described on my web site at www.kappelusa.com. I also have made available the complete text manual with pictures and all the good stuff for just $10.95. Along with the complete text you can get the full size patterns for $10.95 for those who would like to shortcut the process of drawing your own as described in the Text info. They will come by email so you can print them out on your printer in full size. Use the guide marks to place the sheets together then cut out the patterns for tracing on your wood. There are dimension lines so you can double check that the size is correct or make adjustments as necessary.
Sorry to say I still have some web programming issues I even now need to learn to make my web site more presentable, but then again I am a woodworker not a programmer.

Well here I go again except this time I am offering a free full class manual in one shot. I have not been able to tell if any of you woodworker are following along with the Free Web Class, but this new offer should make it easer on us all. I am tired of fighting the internet and my ineptness with this web stuff. With the time I have spent trying to upload this stuff I could have built another rocker.

Go to my web site at www.kappelusa.com and click on the link (my order page is being worked on) button. There you will find the email address I will be using to fulfill your request for the Free Class Manual. Shortly I will be adding the patterns to this offer. I may change this email because I am also having difficulty with my web company about which email address I should use.

I just though that those following along in the Free Web Class, on www.kappelusa.com, might be interested to see my latest Hawaiian Koa wood rocking chair. One picture is of another rocker being made in my shop, but the rest of the pictures are of the Koa rocker. Note the accent of Ivory and Ebony on the top of the back legs. I use five Backslats (*) shaped to simulate leaves because this rocker is being shipped to Hawaii.

• Five Backslats or seven makes no difference except for the aesthetics you are trying to achieve. It seems an odd number is more often pleasing to the senses than an even number, not sure why, but that’s the way it is.

I know the picture color is not correct, but what can you expect from a woodworker.

Any woodworker can make these rocking chairs if you have a mind set to follow along with the instruction text and pictures given on my web site www.kappelusa.com. Don’t be timid, come along and join us for a pleasant excursion to wonder wood-land.

Fun and easy to make.
My wife and four daughters enjoy them.
These are burled Maple about ten inches across. I drilled several holes in the top after flattening the bottom and sanding the rest to a pleasing shape. Applied an oil finish and picked some of our Heavenly bamboo to give the final decoration.

Visit my web site at www.kappelusa.com to take the FREE WEB CLASS on how to make a Maloof style custom rocking chair. Just click on the ‘facts’ tab and you will be on your way to a woodworker’s dream project.

During one of my shop classes, this is me working on a couple of rockers then two friends seated in the two completed class rockers.

I have posted new information for the FREE WEB CLASS as of 29 Feb. so have a look and start having fun making your own custom rocking chair. You can view this info at www.kappelusa.com and click the required tab to view the information.

At last; a free class on how to make the Sam Maloof style rocking chair. Each week I will post the instructions for building this style rocker. In addition I will post lots of pictures and information I usually give in my shop classes. Follow along and build your own custom rocking chair. All this will be posted on my web page at www.kappelusa.com and each week I will add the new information. You get all the ‘good stuff’ I give in my personal classes.

A new Claro Walnut rocking chair with ivory and burled Mesquite accents that my class students learn to make during my $300 dollar seminar. They get all the text, patterns and jigs I use plus as many pictures as they want to take. I can show any woodworker how to make these Sam Maloof style handcrafted rocking chair using mostly just hand tools, no expensive tools needed. It is a lot of work, but you will know how to make one and I am always ready to answer questions plus you will have the full instruction text with patterns and jigs.

This five foot wall clock is made of Mesquite with Ivory accents and German works. I hand carved the finals and turned the spindles all of Mesquite, one of my favorite woods.

This is my newest rocker in my ‘Classic Ranch’ style. The classis name is for the standard Headrest or not my ‘Crown’ etc. The ‘ranch’ is one of my styles of the front leg. The Argentine Mesquite I used is one of my favorite woods. It is two and a half times stronger than oak and has beautiful grain characteristics. It is very heavy and durable although a bit hard on tools while overcoming this it is a delight to work with.

This rocker has a ‘Natural’ edge on the top of the Headrest, which the customer wanted, and this allowed me to add a similar contour to the back legs, at the top, for addition of Ebony and Ivory accents. The runners are laminated with Tiger Maple accents. I set the front legs to the maximum forward position on the runners for a different profile. The rocker is ‘balanced’ to a bit laid back position and a touch heavy construction for extra future usage.

You will note there are five Backslats with a ‘crescent moon’ design whereas I sometimes use a ‘full moon’ or add a ‘bowtie’ to the design. Many times I use ‘seven’ Backslats if the mood suites me, but always an uneven number of slats because this seems to be more pleasing to the eye. No big deal if you use five or seven Backslats unless you are making a design statement as I did on my “Aloha” rocker to simulate tropical leaves. With the “Aloha” rocker five Backslats with a wider front profile was my desire and it fit the space more pleasingly.

I hand delivered the rocker to a Doctor’s office, one hundred miles away, for the joy an old woodworker gets with every new project, to be used in their waiting room. Boy did I get a swelled head when all the Doctors, nurses, patients and visitors gave their accolades while admiring, setting, touching and feeling the wood of the rocker. Then when the owner pointed out “this is the woodworker who made this rocking chair” each, in turn, looked at me in amazement and asked questions along with giving praises. Boy is this fun!

You may see better pictures of this rocker amd more on my web site at kappelusa.com

Here are sample pictures of three rockers to illustrate a few wood varieties and how they appear in a project.

The “Aloha Classic’ is made with Hawaiian Koa wood some of which is flame curl. I use five backslats instead of my usual seven. This allows a wider slat to carve a leaf like image (because this rocker is going to Hawaii). The wider backslat is possible because this rocking chair is wider and is what I call my Reader Rocker (mas grande) size. The arms have a more organic flair to the front of the arm. The use of Ivory and Ebony as accents seemed appropriate.

The “Deutsche Classic” is made using Black Mesquite with some exceptional and very unusual Tiger striping. Mesquite is one of my favorite woods for a number of reasons. I like the workability of this very hard wood. It is two and one half times stronger than Oak. Some woods have an allergic affect on me whereas Mesquite does not. You know they eat the Mesquite bean and make palatable flour with it. I recommend you try this unique wood that comes in some 43 species. Just as everything in life Mesquite has some peculiarities. It has a short grain, which is subject to snapping easily when thin strips are involved, but this can be worked around in most cases. It is harder to carve and requires a little more thought to eliminate delicate contours. You may notice the new style arm detail is incorporate on this rocking chair. I did this because it is so comfortable. I think I will use this more often.

The “Classic Ranch Estate” is simply a standard Tiger Maple wooden rocker. It does have the seven backslats shaped in the ‘crescent’ style. I used curly Bastogne walnut, burled Mesquite and Ebony accents. The Headrest is made with a Maple burl, which invokes a lot of comments. The hat was used for some other spot.

I enjoy using figured wood of many varieties and am always on the lookout for new samples. Discarding even small pieces of wood is a problem for me. My wife has asked when I will get rid of the scrap wood and I say, “what scrap?”