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20K views 41 replies 11 participants last post by  Mean_Dean 
#1 ·
Project of no return.

1 Jan 2015

Morris Chair.

Been there, did two, amazed it worked.

Furniture Comfort Wood Cat Chair


Now being retired and needing to supplement my wood habit I turned to furniture 'hooking'. It's not a bad deal since we've no more room for pieces unless I replace what was done before.

This blog is about building two Morris Chairs for barter. Our friend is a hair dresser and over the past few years I've made several custom pieces ( large sofa table, end tables, large coffee table) from cherry and mesquite. These were good projects until she visited and fell in love with our Morris chairs. Now, she wants to jewel in the crown project of two chairs of cherry with mesquite trim.

I've a plan from woodsmith. Looks okay but…. Found a good source of cherry and have enough mesquite for trim.

All I need now is to start up the river of darkness.
 

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#2 ·
Project of no return.

1 Jan 2015

Morris Chair.

Been there, did two, amazed it worked.

Furniture Comfort Wood Cat Chair


Now being retired and needing to supplement my wood habit I turned to furniture 'hooking'. It's not a bad deal since we've no more room for pieces unless I replace what was done before.

This blog is about building two Morris Chairs for barter. Our friend is a hair dresser and over the past few years I've made several custom pieces ( large sofa table, end tables, large coffee table) from cherry and mesquite. These were good projects until she visited and fell in love with our Morris chairs. Now, she wants to jewel in the crown project of two chairs of cherry with mesquite trim.

I've a plan from woodsmith. Looks okay but…. Found a good source of cherry and have enough mesquite for trim.

All I need now is to start up the river of darkness.
Should be an interesting journey. Your Burmese cat certainly appreciates your efforts so far!
Jim
 

Attachments

#3 ·
Project of no return.

1 Jan 2015

Morris Chair.

Been there, did two, amazed it worked.

Furniture Comfort Wood Cat Chair


Now being retired and needing to supplement my wood habit I turned to furniture 'hooking'. It's not a bad deal since we've no more room for pieces unless I replace what was done before.

This blog is about building two Morris Chairs for barter. Our friend is a hair dresser and over the past few years I've made several custom pieces ( large sofa table, end tables, large coffee table) from cherry and mesquite. These were good projects until she visited and fell in love with our Morris chairs. Now, she wants to jewel in the crown project of two chairs of cherry with mesquite trim.

I've a plan from woodsmith. Looks okay but…. Found a good source of cherry and have enough mesquite for trim.

All I need now is to start up the river of darkness.
Jim. Yes it has so far. The picture is from my 1st set of chairs a few years back. I tried to base it on an original Stickley but with a twist. I made the back a wee bit shorter for visual effect in out home. On the chair is Tiger, our alpha cat. He was in the chair as soon as I brought it in the house.

Here's a picture of the 'boys' 3 years ago. Tiger and his brother Simon along with the little rescue Bear.
Dog Felidae Dog breed Carnivore Wood
In the Tucson summer they'll spend the afternoons on both chairs enjoying the cool of the living room.
 

Attachments

#4 ·
Project of no return.

1 Jan 2015

Morris Chair.

Been there, did two, amazed it worked.

Furniture Comfort Wood Cat Chair


Now being retired and needing to supplement my wood habit I turned to furniture 'hooking'. It's not a bad deal since we've no more room for pieces unless I replace what was done before.

This blog is about building two Morris Chairs for barter. Our friend is a hair dresser and over the past few years I've made several custom pieces ( large sofa table, end tables, large coffee table) from cherry and mesquite. These were good projects until she visited and fell in love with our Morris chairs. Now, she wants to jewel in the crown project of two chairs of cherry with mesquite trim.

I've a plan from woodsmith. Looks okay but…. Found a good source of cherry and have enough mesquite for trim.

All I need now is to start up the river of darkness.
You have some wonderful house guests there! We shared our house with a red and a chocolate Burmese for 17 years - we lived with them as they ruled the place!
Jim
 

Attachments

#5 ·
Project of no return.

1 Jan 2015

Morris Chair.

Been there, did two, amazed it worked.

Furniture Comfort Wood Cat Chair


Now being retired and needing to supplement my wood habit I turned to furniture 'hooking'. It's not a bad deal since we've no more room for pieces unless I replace what was done before.

This blog is about building two Morris Chairs for barter. Our friend is a hair dresser and over the past few years I've made several custom pieces ( large sofa table, end tables, large coffee table) from cherry and mesquite. These were good projects until she visited and fell in love with our Morris chairs. Now, she wants to jewel in the crown project of two chairs of cherry with mesquite trim.

I've a plan from woodsmith. Looks okay but…. Found a good source of cherry and have enough mesquite for trim.

All I need now is to start up the river of darkness.
Sounds like an interesting journey-I think I'll tag along!
 

Attachments

#6 ·
Project of no return.

1 Jan 2015

Morris Chair.

Been there, did two, amazed it worked.

Furniture Comfort Wood Cat Chair


Now being retired and needing to supplement my wood habit I turned to furniture 'hooking'. It's not a bad deal since we've no more room for pieces unless I replace what was done before.

This blog is about building two Morris Chairs for barter. Our friend is a hair dresser and over the past few years I've made several custom pieces ( large sofa table, end tables, large coffee table) from cherry and mesquite. These were good projects until she visited and fell in love with our Morris chairs. Now, she wants to jewel in the crown project of two chairs of cherry with mesquite trim.

I've a plan from woodsmith. Looks okay but…. Found a good source of cherry and have enough mesquite for trim.

All I need now is to start up the river of darkness.
I too am in the process of building a morris chair, but out of walnut. Mine is much more slow going than yours. I will be following your progress and love what you have done so far.
 

Attachments

#7 ·
Project of no return.

1 Jan 2015

Morris Chair.

Been there, did two, amazed it worked.

Furniture Comfort Wood Cat Chair


Now being retired and needing to supplement my wood habit I turned to furniture 'hooking'. It's not a bad deal since we've no more room for pieces unless I replace what was done before.

This blog is about building two Morris Chairs for barter. Our friend is a hair dresser and over the past few years I've made several custom pieces ( large sofa table, end tables, large coffee table) from cherry and mesquite. These were good projects until she visited and fell in love with our Morris chairs. Now, she wants to jewel in the crown project of two chairs of cherry with mesquite trim.

I've a plan from woodsmith. Looks okay but…. Found a good source of cherry and have enough mesquite for trim.

All I need now is to start up the river of darkness.
Walnut! Wow that'll be great. I love the odor of walnut being milled. I furnished our den and made a mantelpiece for the hearth out of walnut years back. Looking forward to hear/see your work when furnished.
 

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#8 ·
Fear and Loathing 1

2 Jan 2015

Begin…
Milled wood for legs. 8 pieces to be 2.25" square.
I now need to cut the rear legs at a 9.5 degree angle and make a tenon on the top.

Will think on this and start soon.


4 Jan 2015


Decided to use my compound mitre saw for the topknot angled tenon for the rear legs.

I cut the blank to a 9.5 degree angle and then marked out where the rest of the cut would be.
With the saw still set for a 9.5 degree setting I adjusted the depth to 3/8, with stop blocks set, and began nibbling away. Once all four were done I reversed the pieces and the angle and completed.
Next cut was a single slice 3/8 deep a 9.5 degree to the horizontal. Made cuts on both sides making adjustments as needed.

Used bandsaw in order the clip the cheeks free.

Prepared the front leg tenons in standard way.

Ruler Rectangle Wood Flooring Wood stain


The first challenge met.
 

Attachments

#9 ·
Fear and Loathing 1

2 Jan 2015

Begin…
Milled wood for legs. 8 pieces to be 2.25" square.
I now need to cut the rear legs at a 9.5 degree angle and make a tenon on the top.

Will think on this and start soon.


4 Jan 2015


Decided to use my compound mitre saw for the topknot angled tenon for the rear legs.

I cut the blank to a 9.5 degree angle and then marked out where the rest of the cut would be.
With the saw still set for a 9.5 degree setting I adjusted the depth to 3/8, with stop blocks set, and began nibbling away. Once all four were done I reversed the pieces and the angle and completed.
Next cut was a single slice 3/8 deep a 9.5 degree to the horizontal. Made cuts on both sides making adjustments as needed.

Used bandsaw in order the clip the cheeks free.

Prepared the front leg tenons in standard way.

Ruler Rectangle Wood Flooring Wood stain


The first challenge met.
A Morris chair is a great project. Stickley #369?
 

Attachments

#12 ·
Framing the Base Bliss

13 Jan 2015

Past few days I've completed the leg blanks.

Prepared the upper and lower side rails with stub tenons. Using a taper jig cut the top rails to match the desired angle.

Cut and sized the front and back rails along with the seat support cleats.

Once done with these I carefully marked each leg with the mortise positions making sure of their relative locations. Two lefts don't make a right.

Wood Machine Hardwood Workbench Engineering


Mortising was a long grueling smoking endeavor. At first I'd not planned on through tenons as I'd not be able to produce a suitable a 2 and 3/8 deep tenon due to blade depth. After pondering this I decided to make a through mortise and at the end used some mesquite for end plugs on each joint. Plenty of tenon, 1.75 in in the 2.25 leg and room for a plug. I think it'll look nice since all the other pieces I've done for this client had through tenons in places.

Wood Hardwood Flooring Gas Machine


Wood Table Floor Flooring Hardwood


Fitting the tenons was easily done since I'd used a good tenon jig all my cuts were exactly what was needed.
Dry fitted all the bits and now need to is.

Finished attaching the cleats.
Position and drill pivot hole in rear legs.
Prepare the sides for mesquite slats.
Sand and prep for assembly.

So far it's been good but the Arms concern me greatly.
 

Attachments

#13 ·
Framing the Base Bliss

13 Jan 2015

Past few days I've completed the leg blanks.

Prepared the upper and lower side rails with stub tenons. Using a taper jig cut the top rails to match the desired angle.

Cut and sized the front and back rails along with the seat support cleats.

Once done with these I carefully marked each leg with the mortise positions making sure of their relative locations. Two lefts don't make a right.

Wood Machine Hardwood Workbench Engineering


Mortising was a long grueling smoking endeavor. At first I'd not planned on through tenons as I'd not be able to produce a suitable a 2 and 3/8 deep tenon due to blade depth. After pondering this I decided to make a through mortise and at the end used some mesquite for end plugs on each joint. Plenty of tenon, 1.75 in in the 2.25 leg and room for a plug. I think it'll look nice since all the other pieces I've done for this client had through tenons in places.

Wood Hardwood Flooring Gas Machine


Wood Table Floor Flooring Hardwood


Fitting the tenons was easily done since I'd used a good tenon jig all my cuts were exactly what was needed.
Dry fitted all the bits and now need to is.

Finished attaching the cleats.
Position and drill pivot hole in rear legs.
Prepare the sides for mesquite slats.
Sand and prep for assembly.

So far it's been good but the Arms concern me greatly.
Yep, the arms are the biggest challenge on Morris chairs, but you're off to a great start. I have the same type of mortiser as you, and I cut through mortises in from both sides. With the workpiece stop everything comes out great.
Keep us posted on your progress.
 

Attachments

#16 ·
Fear and Loathing Part 2

23 Jan 2015

Update from somewhere up the dark river of no return.

Spent some time repairing the dewalt and porter cable sanders (new pads,dust bags and switches). Work like new now. No more flying discs about the shop, this only enticed the shop cat into fits of apoplexy.
Wood Hardwood Rectangle Creative arts Plank

Finished the fit for the corbels. Angled the back corbels to the slope of the leg top. Gee, it actually works.
Wood Rectangle Flooring Floor Wood stain


Rounded over the pieces for first chair and sanded them to 220. The mesquite and cherry really shine now. Fitted the keyed mesquite blanks into the side slats leaving a reveal. Adds a nice spatial look and feel.
Wood Wood stain Hardwood Rectangle Plywood

Marked and, using the floor mortiser, set a 5/16 mortise where the pins will be used to lock the tenons. Dry assembled the frame.

Finished off the day with an "Arrogant Bastard" ale and a cigar. One more base frame and then on to the arms.

The Luddite abides.
--------------------

21 Jan 2015

Well, didn't get as far as I wished as being retired my time is not mine to chose.

Slats for the chair sides

Milled a .75 board to make the four cherry center slats.
Made the mesquite slats by first cross cutting a 1 inch board into four 15 inch pieces, ripping the pieces to 5/8 and joining the edges to make the slats. Why? Needed the extra width and rather then planing it all away. Finally planned all pieces to 1/2 inch.

Wood Rectangle Flooring Floor Wood stain


Here are the slats and the 'butterfly' 1/4 inch stock from a re-sawn piece of mesquite.
Wood Gas Machine Rectangle Automotive tire


--------------------------------

Had some ideas for the chair side of an intricate craftsman design emoting a time long past.

Slope Rectangle Parallel Font Diagram


Sensing I'm purposely delaying my advance up the dark river I decided on a simplified yet craftsman concept. Inlaying two horizontal keys of mesquite into the center cherry slat and adding two other mesquite slats on either side. This will work out for my client as I've used this motif on their other living room pieces.

Table Wood Rectangle Flooring Floor


Table Wood Outdoor furniture Wood stain Outdoor table

---------------------------------

Mortised the upper and lower side rails to receive the slats. Made things easier when doing the upper side rails by using the cutoff piece to keep things level.

Prepared the corbels and completed the mortises to receive.

Wood Floor Hardwood Wood stain Flooring


----------------------------------

Had to replace the sanding pads on both of my sanders as well as a new dust bag for the dw421. I was running straight on this for awhile! Another reason for delay.

I'm not quite ready to loathe this project yet but I'm sure I've ample time to decide.

Next week…... Sanding, sanding and some more sanding.

thanks….
 

Attachments

#17 ·
Fear and Loathing Part 2

23 Jan 2015

Update from somewhere up the dark river of no return.

Spent some time repairing the dewalt and porter cable sanders (new pads,dust bags and switches). Work like new now. No more flying discs about the shop, this only enticed the shop cat into fits of apoplexy.
Wood Hardwood Rectangle Creative arts Plank

Finished the fit for the corbels. Angled the back corbels to the slope of the leg top. Gee, it actually works.
Wood Rectangle Flooring Floor Wood stain


Rounded over the pieces for first chair and sanded them to 220. The mesquite and cherry really shine now. Fitted the keyed mesquite blanks into the side slats leaving a reveal. Adds a nice spatial look and feel.
Wood Wood stain Hardwood Rectangle Plywood

Marked and, using the floor mortiser, set a 5/16 mortise where the pins will be used to lock the tenons. Dry assembled the frame.

Finished off the day with an "Arrogant Bastard" ale and a cigar. One more base frame and then on to the arms.

The Luddite abides.
--------------------

21 Jan 2015

Well, didn't get as far as I wished as being retired my time is not mine to chose.

Slats for the chair sides

Milled a .75 board to make the four cherry center slats.
Made the mesquite slats by first cross cutting a 1 inch board into four 15 inch pieces, ripping the pieces to 5/8 and joining the edges to make the slats. Why? Needed the extra width and rather then planing it all away. Finally planned all pieces to 1/2 inch.

Wood Rectangle Flooring Floor Wood stain


Here are the slats and the 'butterfly' 1/4 inch stock from a re-sawn piece of mesquite.
Wood Gas Machine Rectangle Automotive tire


--------------------------------

Had some ideas for the chair side of an intricate craftsman design emoting a time long past.

Slope Rectangle Parallel Font Diagram


Sensing I'm purposely delaying my advance up the dark river I decided on a simplified yet craftsman concept. Inlaying two horizontal keys of mesquite into the center cherry slat and adding two other mesquite slats on either side. This will work out for my client as I've used this motif on their other living room pieces.

Table Wood Rectangle Flooring Floor


Table Wood Outdoor furniture Wood stain Outdoor table

---------------------------------

Mortised the upper and lower side rails to receive the slats. Made things easier when doing the upper side rails by using the cutoff piece to keep things level.

Prepared the corbels and completed the mortises to receive.

Wood Floor Hardwood Wood stain Flooring


----------------------------------

Had to replace the sanding pads on both of my sanders as well as a new dust bag for the dw421. I was running straight on this for awhile! Another reason for delay.

I'm not quite ready to loathe this project yet but I'm sure I've ample time to decide.

Next week…... Sanding, sanding and some more sanding.

thanks….
Now you're really in gear on this project. Looking good.
 

Attachments

#21 ·
The Bent Arm Conumdrum

26 Jan 2015

Darn it! Ran into a 'conumdrum' of being unable to make the crooked morris chair arm as I did in the past. You know, cut from corner to corner and flip the cuts around. Well, I've been kinda dreading this time. My bandsaw is just not up to taking a 5" piece. Using the table saw isn't on the radar either. Hmmmm?

So as Baldrick would say to Black Adder: "Sir,I've a clevr idear. We could grow a tree with a 9.5 degree bend and when it gets to the right size we cut it off! So, simple as making rat-o-van by drivin ovr the buggers….."

No, I'm thinking of cut and splice. That is, see drawing, as I can't do the cuts I need on the bandsaw so what I plan on doing is:

Cut a piece for the arm with a matching angle and a piece for the front leg.
Join the pieces using a through spline and then pin and cap. I thought a mesquite spline would look good.

Rectangle Font Parallel Pattern Drawing


If anyone finds this note let the royal society know and that I need another case of Arrogant Bastard Ale.

----
 

Attachments

#22 ·
The Bent Arm Conumdrum

26 Jan 2015

Darn it! Ran into a 'conumdrum' of being unable to make the crooked morris chair arm as I did in the past. You know, cut from corner to corner and flip the cuts around. Well, I've been kinda dreading this time. My bandsaw is just not up to taking a 5" piece. Using the table saw isn't on the radar either. Hmmmm?

So as Baldrick would say to Black Adder: "Sir,I've a clevr idear. We could grow a tree with a 9.5 degree bend and when it gets to the right size we cut it off! So, simple as making rat-o-van by drivin ovr the buggers….."

No, I'm thinking of cut and splice. That is, see drawing, as I can't do the cuts I need on the bandsaw so what I plan on doing is:

Cut a piece for the arm with a matching angle and a piece for the front leg.
Join the pieces using a through spline and then pin and cap. I thought a mesquite spline would look good.

Rectangle Font Parallel Pattern Drawing


If anyone finds this note let the royal society know and that I need another case of Arrogant Bastard Ale.

----
Why not just use a hand saw?
 

Attachments

#28 ·
A call to arms.

4 Feb 2015

Thanks to comments and such I finally decided on my approach for making the chair arms.

I'd originally had planned on the Stickley method of laminate and cut so as to keep the arm looking bent. Well seems I hit a wall here as my band saw is not up to the job and I was certainly handsaw impaired to make such a cut.
I'd floated the idea of a cut and spline method and got some great feedback, thank lcwood.

I plan on cutting the board for the arm twice. First an angle of 4.75 degrees then flipping the long portion make the same cut as far from the end as needed. Flip the second cut and when the ends are joined you'll have the desired 9.5 degree bent as well as keeping the wood grain matched.

Rectangle Parallel Font Logo Symmetry


I proceeded to prep the arm boards by marking each and deciding what side should be the top.
Wood Machine tool Automotive design Gas Machine


Once I had these prepared I used my adjustable tenon jig to cut a slot for the spline. I was able to adjust the angle to match my angles ends of the cut pieces. Once set I ran each piece then adjusting the sled worked my way up to the desired size.
Wood Flooring Hardwood Gas Machine


Using the same tenon jig I prepared the splines from a piece of mesquite. These were 5.25 by 1.625. The fine adjustments on the tenon jig really helped in dialing in the right depth.
Wood Floor Flooring Hardwood Plank


Arms were dry fitted and then marked to approximate the through through mortises requited. The mesquite splines were allowed to stand proud on each arm for added dimension to these chairs.

This was actually more fun then I thought. I marked out the positions of each post top and then transferred these to the top of the arms. The rear leg and arm are joined at an odd angle so detailing the correct location was imperative. I made sure Simon the cat checked all measurements.
Wood Floor Flooring Hardwood Gas


Using the mortiser, I prepared each of the foreleg mortises and then joining the pieces verified the positioning for the rear leg mortise. To match the angle for the rear leg I used the cutoff from the upper arm rail to make a sloped sled similar to pintodeluxe in his blog. Worked great, the cuts matched the pitch perfectly.

Once the arms fitted the front and rear posts.
Prepared the underside dado to receive the upper side rail. This along with the front and rear mortises position the arms. Using the mortiser and drill press prepared the plug sites to cover the attachment points on the top of the arm, locking pin hold for the front posts and the depth setting points for the back frame. Trimmed to length, rounded and sanded to 220.

Table Rectangle Wood Outdoor furniture Outdoor table


Table Furniture Wood Wood stain Rectangle


Wood Rectangle Flooring Wood stain Floor


Great nephew Liam, my sanding apprentice…..........
Wood Sleeve Hardwood Recreation Automotive exterior


.........................................................
Next step…..

Disassemble, sand, oil & more oil. Re-assemble and join with back frame.

thanks for viewing.
 

Attachments

#29 ·
A call to arms.

4 Feb 2015

Thanks to comments and such I finally decided on my approach for making the chair arms.

I'd originally had planned on the Stickley method of laminate and cut so as to keep the arm looking bent. Well seems I hit a wall here as my band saw is not up to the job and I was certainly handsaw impaired to make such a cut.
I'd floated the idea of a cut and spline method and got some great feedback, thank lcwood.

I plan on cutting the board for the arm twice. First an angle of 4.75 degrees then flipping the long portion make the same cut as far from the end as needed. Flip the second cut and when the ends are joined you'll have the desired 9.5 degree bent as well as keeping the wood grain matched.



I proceeded to prep the arm boards by marking each and deciding what side should be the top.


Once I had these prepared I used my adjustable tenon jig to cut a slot for the spline. I was able to adjust the angle to match my angles ends of the cut pieces. Once set I ran each piece then adjusting the sled worked my way up to the desired size.


Using the same tenon jig I prepared the splines from a piece of mesquite. These were 5.25 by 1.625. The fine adjustments on the tenon jig really helped in dialing in the right depth.


Arms were dry fitted and then marked to approximate the through through mortises requited. The mesquite splines were allowed to stand proud on each arm for added dimension to these chairs.

This was actually more fun then I thought. I marked out the positions of each post top and then transferred these to the top of the arms. The rear leg and arm are joined at an odd angle so detailing the correct location was imperative. I made sure Simon the cat checked all measurements.


Using the mortiser, I prepared each of the foreleg mortises and then joining the pieces verified the positioning for the rear leg mortise. To match the angle for the rear leg I used the cutoff from the upper arm rail to make a sloped sled similar to pintodeluxe in his blog. Worked great, the cuts matched the pitch perfectly.

Once the arms fitted the front and rear posts.
Prepared the underside dado to receive the upper side rail. This along with the front and rear mortises position the arms. Using the mortiser and drill press prepared the plug sites to cover the attachment points on the top of the arm, locking pin hold for the front posts and the depth setting points for the back frame. Trimmed to length, rounded and sanded to 220.







Great nephew Liam, my sanding apprentice…..........


.........................................................
Next step…..

Disassemble, sand, oil & more oil. Re-assemble and join with back frame.

thanks for viewing.
That is a really cool method. I like the proud mesquite tenons, too.
Your write up an photos are excellent.
Can't wait to see it.
 

Attachments

#32 ·
Still wrestling with the wood devils.

14 Feb 2015

Much further along the project of no return.
Sanding and some oiling with gluing up the base unit and arms.
Wood Rectangle Flooring Wood stain Floor


Seems it was a bit anti-climatic when making the arms. Now, that's OK with me.
Even though they do look a little frankenstein like it was a good recovery and taught me some new skills and ideas! I did use some black dyed epoxy to fill in some small gaps but does look good.

After sanding and some oiling I've assembled the first baseframe. I'm quite pleased on how it has come together. I made the end caps for the posts and plugs for the attachment points from mesquite. Left these to be somewhat proud and not totally smooth, the client will, in time, rub these smooth. The extended spline is good place for them to start. Still need to peg the legs to the rails.

Table Wood Flooring Wood stain Floor


Brown Beige Sleeve Textile Grey


For an added feature I've inlayed a couple of pieces of turquoise on to an arms open features. I did this with the clients coffee table last year and thought she'd enjoy this unexpected touch. Hope to add more on the other base as well.
Wood Paint Art Wrinkle Painting


So, next steps are to assemble the second base and begin the back frames.
Furniture Table Wood Cabinetry Interior design
 

Attachments

#33 ·
Still wrestling with the wood devils.

14 Feb 2015

Much further along the project of no return.
Sanding and some oiling with gluing up the base unit and arms.
Wood Rectangle Flooring Wood stain Floor


Seems it was a bit anti-climatic when making the arms. Now, that's OK with me.
Even though they do look a little frankenstein like it was a good recovery and taught me some new skills and ideas! I did use some black dyed epoxy to fill in some small gaps but does look good.

After sanding and some oiling I've assembled the first baseframe. I'm quite pleased on how it has come together. I made the end caps for the posts and plugs for the attachment points from mesquite. Left these to be somewhat proud and not totally smooth, the client will, in time, rub these smooth. The extended spline is good place for them to start. Still need to peg the legs to the rails.

Table Wood Flooring Wood stain Floor


Brown Beige Sleeve Textile Grey


For an added feature I've inlayed a couple of pieces of turquoise on to an arms open features. I did this with the clients coffee table last year and thought she'd enjoy this unexpected touch. Hope to add more on the other base as well.
Wood Paint Art Wrinkle Painting


So, next steps are to assemble the second base and begin the back frames.
Furniture Table Wood Cabinetry Interior design
I'm watching you.
 

Attachments

#37 ·
OK. Don't get lazy now! You're almost there.

22 Feb. 2015

Well, the weather changed here. Went from a high of 70 to 81 this past week. I almost broke out in a sweat…..
The desert flowers are just opening. The shop cats are very interested in the few little lizards sunning by the shop door.

So enough on the weather. This past week seemed like forever. I decided to do some more inlays on the chairs. We went to the gem and mineral show. My first time after 40 years. It was interesting to say the least. I also did the chair backs.

Some chairs I've seen had non-curved backs. The ones I made years back did. So, I decided to do the same. Gluing up pieces of cherry I milled out blanks 2inch square. Using the band saw, with a new 'band', I cut, formed and sanded the the back rails. Luckily I had kept my old template for the curved back.
Wood Rectangle Hardwood Wood stain Outdoor bench

Next was to mortise the back stiles and make the hole for the back pivot.

Wood Shelving Hardwood Flooring Wood stain


----------------------------------
Once the backs were fabricated I borrowed some cushions from our earlier chairs and decided to do a test flight.
Table Furniture Wood Workbench Building


Pretty exciting idea though the cat Tiger, famed for his first Morris Chair flight, refused to be involved. I had to find the only fool I knew who would risk total back failure should the chair collapse.

Shoe Furniture Wood Shelf Stool


Testing was completed. I then went about putting mesquite caps and plugs on the arm pieces. and doing inlays.
Wood Font Hardwood Rectangle Soil

A fragment of meteorite from Campo Del Cielo meteorite field, Argentina. This is set on the top of a front post for the 'sitter' to enjoy.
Furniture Table Wood Wood stain Flooring

Nose Glasses Head Eye Human body


Next steps are to finish the through tenon caps and the remainder of the peg holes. I'd pinned all the tenons this past week as well. Time now for lots of finishing.

I'm almost starting to like this project.
 

Attachments

#38 ·
OK. Don't get lazy now! You're almost there.

22 Feb. 2015

Well, the weather changed here. Went from a high of 70 to 81 this past week. I almost broke out in a sweat…..
The desert flowers are just opening. The shop cats are very interested in the few little lizards sunning by the shop door.

So enough on the weather. This past week seemed like forever. I decided to do some more inlays on the chairs. We went to the gem and mineral show. My first time after 40 years. It was interesting to say the least. I also did the chair backs.

Some chairs I've seen had non-curved backs. The ones I made years back did. So, I decided to do the same. Gluing up pieces of cherry I milled out blanks 2inch square. Using the band saw, with a new 'band', I cut, formed and sanded the the back rails. Luckily I had kept my old template for the curved back.
Wood Rectangle Hardwood Wood stain Outdoor bench

Next was to mortise the back stiles and make the hole for the back pivot.

Wood Shelving Hardwood Flooring Wood stain


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Once the backs were fabricated I borrowed some cushions from our earlier chairs and decided to do a test flight.
Table Furniture Wood Workbench Building


Pretty exciting idea though the cat Tiger, famed for his first Morris Chair flight, refused to be involved. I had to find the only fool I knew who would risk total back failure should the chair collapse.

Shoe Furniture Wood Shelf Stool


Testing was completed. I then went about putting mesquite caps and plugs on the arm pieces. and doing inlays.
Wood Font Hardwood Rectangle Soil

A fragment of meteorite from Campo Del Cielo meteorite field, Argentina. This is set on the top of a front post for the 'sitter' to enjoy.
Furniture Table Wood Wood stain Flooring

Nose Glasses Head Eye Human body


Next steps are to finish the through tenon caps and the remainder of the peg holes. I'd pinned all the tenons this past week as well. Time now for lots of finishing.

I'm almost starting to like this project.
Boy that meteorite and turquoise really set off those arms! This chair will truly be unique!
 

Attachments

#40 ·
Journey's End, and so it goes.

3 March 2015


I've finally reached the end of this build. Soon the client will come claim her chairs and off they'll go for their cushions. Glad but sad at the end of builds, well not for all of them. The "Tea Table" was one I didn't shed any tears over. My phantom tip of thumb reminds me every time I mention that project.

So here's a wrap up of the Morris Chair build….

Wood Flooring Hardwood Workbench Gas

Early January. Legs and rails prepped.
Wood Hardwood Wood stain Plank Plywood

Table Wood Outdoor furniture Wood stain Outdoor table


Bent arm conundrum resolve with 'frankenstein' joinery.
Table Rectangle Wood Outdoor furniture Outdoor table


Table Wood Wood stain Hardwood Plank


Furniture Table Wood Wood stain Flooring


Seat backs completed. Borrowed cushions give a sense of final product.
Table Furniture Wood Workbench Building


Capped, pegged and oiled. Ready for pickup.
Wood Wood stain Hardwood Table Lumber


Wood Outdoor furniture Wood stain Natural material Hardwood


Thank you all for the words of encouragement and advise.
Wood Flooring Table Hardwood Artisan
 

Attachments

#41 ·
Journey's End, and so it goes.

3 March 2015


I've finally reached the end of this build. Soon the client will come claim her chairs and off they'll go for their cushions. Glad but sad at the end of builds, well not for all of them. The "Tea Table" was one I didn't shed any tears over. My phantom tip of thumb reminds me every time I mention that project.

So here's a wrap up of the Morris Chair build….

Wood Flooring Hardwood Workbench Gas

Early January. Legs and rails prepped.
Wood Hardwood Wood stain Plank Plywood

Table Wood Outdoor furniture Wood stain Outdoor table


Bent arm conundrum resolve with 'frankenstein' joinery.
Table Rectangle Wood Outdoor furniture Outdoor table


Table Wood Wood stain Hardwood Plank


Furniture Table Wood Wood stain Flooring


Seat backs completed. Borrowed cushions give a sense of final product.
Table Furniture Wood Workbench Building


Capped, pegged and oiled. Ready for pickup.
Wood Wood stain Hardwood Table Lumber


Wood Outdoor furniture Wood stain Natural material Hardwood


Thank you all for the words of encouragement and advise.
Wood Flooring Table Hardwood Artisan
Terry, they look good and now for the best part….Pay Day! :D
 

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