Prototype Chair

That is one smooth looking chair design. They’re gonna look awesome.

-- "The way to make a small fortune in woodworking- start with a large one"

Now THAT’s a post! Great construction shots. That golden lathe is real eye candy!

-- You can discover more about a person in an hour of play than in a year of conversation. (Plato)

I wish I could make chairs like that. Real Nice

-- Ron, Twain Harte, Ca. Portable on site Sawmill Service http://westcoastlands.net/Sawmill.html http://westcoastlands.net/SawBucks2/phpBB3 http://www.portablesawmill.info

Wow, this is what I call FINE WOODWORKING. These are fantastic. The skill, work and dedication to the craft are very apparent here. Thanks very much for posting this, especially all the construction pics. I just ordered the plans and video for a queen anne lowboy dresser from The New Yankee Workshop this morning. This will definitely be the most challenging project I’ve ever started. The posting you completed with this level of detail, will definitely help me out, especially the pics of the legs. Congratulations on a fine achievement.

Bob

-- Bob A in NJ

Can’t wait to see the whole set in cherry!

-- Dorje (pronounced "door-jay"), Seattle, WA

Super chair and I see that UPS is already there waiting to make the delivery. You must be a quick study…building that from a book. I’m jealous! Those cherry ones are going to be awesome!

-- Jesus is Lord!

yah—- WOW

-- ~ Debbie, Canada (http://www.execulink.com/~yohan)

Nice joinery, they say that chairs are one of the hardest woodworking projects to master, don’t know I ve never build anything other than Adirondack chairs. Theres alot of work there just for a prototype, looks great though. I’d love to see the finished product.

-- DocK, WV

Don: great set of construction photos The chair looks great..

i notices in one of the pictures that the apron on the front of the chair was a lot thicker. Did you mill it down after getting the dimentions. and how did you shape the curve on the chair leg after the aprons were in place. Use of a rasp, power snader or ?

Great project.

-- I've been blessed with a father who liked to tinker in wood, and a wife who lets me tinker in wood. Southern Delaware karson_morrison@bigfoot.com †

Now thats a chair I would love to try to make. It really is beautiful, how many hours do you have into it do you think? Kudos, jockmike, love the cabriole legs.

-- (You just have to please the man in the Mirror) Mike from Michigan -

Looks like you have a lot we could learn from. Would you please blog the construction of the other six. We would love to watch and learn.

-- We must guard our enthusiasm as we would our life - James Krenov

Thanks for the kind comments. The reason that I posted the project is to show that you CAN make chairs like this! I feel that anyone with the desire and PATIENCE can build a chair, this is my first. There are approximately 40 hours into it, however, that time enabled me to make all the patterns and jigs necessary for future use. As for shaping the top of the legs after glue-up, it’s all done with chisels, rasps, and small planes (pics71). The front apron is thicker in order to achieve the curve. The set of six will have to wait until next spring. My next project will be a Maloof style rocker using Bill Kappel’s free plans, just for fun.

-- Don, on California's Central Coast

wonderful chair. Lots of complicated things to build on this chair, and you sure look to be up to the task!
Good reference on the book, not many would be humble enough to say where they idea and plans came from. Doesn’t take anything away from you, or work.

-- Mark DeCou - American Contemporary Craft Artisan - www.decoustudio.com

Despite being a “L.A.Laker” fan the chairs are looking great Don. (Just kidding)

Can’t wait until we get to see the final product. Keep up the great woodworking art Don.

-- Carpe Lignum; Tornare Lignum (Seize the wood, to Turn the wood)

A nice looking chair Don. It looks like you have the gift…

-- Bill, Turlock California, http://www.brookswoodworks.com