LumberJocks Woodworking Forum banner

Project Information

Made a Stickley inspired Prairie Chair. This is my second project in my Arts & Crafts progression as I try to tackle increasingly more complex projects. I intended this to be constructed with loose tenons instead of pocket screws and glue, but I ran into some difficulties with my router jig with cutting mortises into the ends of my boards and decided to put off the fancy stuff until my next project. I'm having trouble keeping everything lined up when I drive the screws due to the different thicknesses of the posts and rails, a problem that mortis and tenon construction would not have.

Still, I was really impressed with how solid this is. I got the design from a book by popular woodworking. I love that book and my wife likes picking out projects that she wants done.

For the seat we used a pneumatic staple gun (first time with air tools :) to secure some nylon webbing in a checkerboard pattern to provide some springiness. Then my wife made a cushion from some fabric that my daughter (it's her chair) picked out. The plan is to add a back cushion and 2 side cushions when she gets some free time.

One thing that really worked well in this project is the finishing. I used Danish oil (which is damn near idiot proof) to colorize the wood, waited 4 days for it dry, then sprayed oil poly over top. The Danish oil is great because it doesn't blotch and the application is so much easier than stain.

One thing I would have done differently is the dowels that hold the slats in place. Drilling the dowel holes in the rails is easy, but a pain in the slats. Then, getting 11 dowels to line up at the same time during the glue up gets pretty complicated.

Still, had fun and learned a lot. Next project is going to be a Morris chair with tenon construction and leather cushions.

Gallery

Comments

· Registered
Joined
·
2,443 Posts
Russ, the chair looks good. What was the issue with the router mortising?
 

· Registered
Joined
·
6 Posts
Art, I tried to cut corners and not build a proper router mortising jig. I need to do something like this, but I've just been clamping boards to the side of my table. My fall back plan is to win the lottery and buy a domino XL.
 

· Registered
Joined
·
2,984 Posts
This chair turned out great! I'm sure your daughter will treasure it for years to come!
 

· Registered
Joined
·
179 Posts
I love it! - Really encourage you to try some M & T joinery, but this is a stellar piece! - Nice work!

Schroeder
 

· Registered
Joined
·
271 Posts
Great looking Chair! I am going give on a ty one of these days.

I see on one of pictures on the inside top rails that you used pocket screws. Did you plug them or leave them open?

Again very nice!

Steve
 

· Registered
Joined
·
6 Posts
Steve, I left them open. The plan is once all the cushions are put together the pocket holes will be covered up by the cushions.
 

· Registered
Joined
·
25 Posts
Very nice. In terms of making the mortise/tenon joint, are you open to using fixed tenons instead of floating? Tenons are easy enough to cut at the table saw and you don't have to worry about awkwardly plunging a mortise into end-grain. I find an edge guide on the router is all that's required to accurately cut mortises on the long edges. To each is own though.

Either way it's very nice. I like your decision to make the armrests meet the back at 90s instead of miters. It gives it a unique look.
 

· Registered
Joined
·
6 Posts
DBrown 52, I think you may have sold me on traditional M&T joints.
 

· Registered
Joined
·
25 Posts
DBrown 52, I think you may have sold me on traditional M&T joints.

- RussJohnson
The only downside is you wind up with a square tenon and a rounded mortise. I either just leave them as-is or square of the mortise with a chisel for a perfect fit if I think the joint will see strong and repeated racking.

I don't think there's a right or best way to do most things in this hobby as long as it's safe. Treat it like mattress shopping: try a bunch and go with what's comfortable!!!

Dave
 

· Registered
Joined
·
11,346 Posts
For the side and back slats, you might consider cutting channels in the upper and lower rails to fit stub tenons on the ends of the slats. Then fill between the slats with short lengths of oak.
Faster, looks good and not as picky of a job.

HOWEVER….That is a beautiful chair just as it is.
 
Top