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.
13 comments so far
Russel
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1282 posts in 464 days
posted 315 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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652 posts in 426 days
posted 315 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.
GaryK
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8533 posts in 513 days
posted 315 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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1126 posts in 831 days
posted 315 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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4850 posts in 561 days
posted 315 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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131 posts in 339 days
posted 315 days ago
That is awesome!
-- Jamie, Kentucky
Bob Babcock
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1807 posts in 611 days
posted 315 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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13133 posts in 925 days
posted 315 days ago
Stewart. Great progress on your 2X4 project.
-- Karson Southern Delaware karson_morrison@bigfoot.com
Jeff
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967 posts in 619 days
posted 315 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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588 posts in 617 days
posted 315 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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8277 posts in 399 days
posted 315 days ago
Fascinating. Good step-by-step, Stewart.
-- Maplewood, MN
MsDebbieP
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12235 posts in 685 days
posted 315 days ago
woo hooo.. awesome
-- "Functional WoodArt" by Debbie, Canada (http://www.execulink.com/~yohan)
Thos. Angle
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3375 posts in 487 days
posted 314 days ago
Lookin’ good, Stewart
-- Thos. Angle, Owyhee Design, Oregon