| Project by winecountrywhimsy | posted 230 days ago | 1936 views | 4 times favorited | 13 comments |  |
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Here are the first two chairs I made from wine barrel staves. The one on the right was my first and it has been tweaked a few times. The chair on the left is a little more refined. These are extra big with lots of room, but I could build them smaller very easily. They get pretty heavy with the solid oak. They are super strong and should last for a long time.
On the back you may notice pieces of the wine barrel hoops. I used these to add a decorative feature that resembles a wine barrel. They also cover the wood screws used for fastening and add to the strength.
I found that it is easy to custom design the chair height, seat slant, and slant of the back to fit the user. My wife likes her’s more upright, I like mine more reclined. I am working on design that will allow for adjustment of the back, probably just a few pins and hinges should work.
The first few pictures are the finished chairs; the last two are shown without the outdoor polyurethane finish. When I first made them, the wine stain on the inside part of the stave was more prevalent, but as they sat in the sun before I finished them, it faded a bit. I was looking for a browner look, but if I put finish on them right away, they would be very interesting with a ruby red color complimented by the natural oak.
I have seen similar chairs with significant sanding and a nice finish priced at $750. I like the more natural look with less sanding. The polyurethane really brings out the natural colors and stains from the wine. I hate sanding away all that character.
From the responses I have received from neighbors and friends, I will probably make more of these.
Update 5/6/09: I picked up a gallon of marine grade varnish, I think it will hold up better. I just finished my third chair using a shorter barrel, I will post after the finish is done.
Your comments are welcome and appreciated.
Todd @ lumberjocks/winecountrywhimsy
-- Todd @ winecountrywhimsy Sonoma County, CA
13 comments so far
davidroberts
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241 posts in 378 days
posted 230 days ago
i think they look great. i really like the curved armrests and the front legs look curved also. very nice touch, and no steaming required! not sure about the wine country economy but i bet a few of the wineries out your way would pay a pretty penny for a pair. that they are made of recycled wine barrels and “green” are great selling points. you may could pitch the idea of making several for a winery using their individual barrels. you could probably also sell some on commission at the wineries. you have really hit on a wonderful idea and a really nice chair.
-- david roberts, houston area, "A little knowledge is a dangerous thing, but that has never been a problem for me."
mtnwild
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2013 posts in 420 days
posted 230 days ago
I think they are great also.
-- mtnwild (Jack), It's not what you see, it's how you see it.
Napaman
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3483 posts in 970 days
posted 230 days ago
these are great…
I would love to hear how you get the barrels and how much you pay…I am not interested in selling…but would like to make a couple chairs and tables…and candle holders etc…
can you send me a pm…
your neighbor…matt
-- Matt, Napa, CA...fun is beautiful...just trying to have some fun...
rosewood
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213 posts in 234 days
posted 230 days ago
Hai,
Its not only creative but innovative as well. thanks for posting.
it give me an idea.
-- http://picasaweb.google.com/deniirawan66
woodworm
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8184 posts in 483 days
posted 229 days ago
Clever use of just anything from wood.
-- masrol, kuala lumpur, MY.
RAH
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414 posts in 770 days
posted 229 days ago
Nice use of recycled wood and stained a nice merlot color.
If you are transporting these from one location to another and where pulled over by the police, would these be considered an open container and subject to arrest?
-- Ron Central, CA
Cov
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49 posts in 440 days
posted 229 days ago
Pretty cool… I’m going to have to follow your lead and make a few of these. Good job!
-- Cov, Loomis, CA, http://www.covingtonwoodworks.com
CaptainSkully
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468 posts in 451 days
posted 229 days ago
Awesome! I have two barrels in my shop, just waiting for me. Adirondacks are high on my list. I would love to read a blog about your construction techniques, design points, and how you tweaked the second chair. I saw a love seat and an end table made similarly in Napa the other day. I got my barrels for free from Livermore wine valley. Several of the staves have great medullary ray flake. I have made several votive candle holders as gifts. I have spoken with a few wineries about consignment, that way they get cool furniture for their tasting room, and they don’t have to shell out any money. Depending on the price of the barrels, it may be an option. I just gave my staves a light sanding, making sure to preserve the hoop marks, to bring out the grain pattern. My barrels had been sitting out in the sun for a long time. I like the idea of using the bung stave in the center of the back rest.
-- You can't control the wind, but you can trim your sails
flcopper169
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172 posts in 232 days
posted 229 days ago
Very Creative…. and great job…
Happy and safe woodworking….
Rob
-- Happy and safe woodworking, Flcopper169@aol.com
a1Jim
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16654 posts in 470 days
posted 228 days ago
Good use of a recycled wood.Nice project
-- Jim from Heirloom Woodshop Southern Oregon
ChrisCook
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56 posts in 571 days
posted 227 days ago
I love it! Looks great!
-- Location: Birmingham, AL - Stimulate this Mr. President!
ZinfandelLady
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1 post in 215 days
posted 215 days ago
Wow, these look great!! You would have no trouble selling those, I would place the first order for 2. I have seen these chairs ranging anywhere from $200 to $1000. The problem seems to be that even if you can get them for $200 (Presidio Winery in Solvang) you have to disassemble and ship them which would probably be another $200. I would pay that for these tho’ fantastic. I will look to see if you decide to sell them.
BigAlsWorkshop
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1 post in 77 days
posted 70 days ago
I love this idea. With christmas around the corner I have inlaws who are big into wine and pretty much anything related to wine. Where do you get your barrels? Which are the best to get? How much do they usually run? If I could get a pair of these made they would love it. Keep up the great work.