My first chair

Looks great! You are braver than me.

-- Charlie M. "Woodworking - patience = firewood"

That’s excellent! The wood looks wonderful and I like the design.

But watch out on the bar stools: “leaning” is not a recommended design feature.
—
Jay

-- Read my amazingly insightful blog at http://jn3Woodworks.blogspot.com/

Very Nice!!

I like the contrasting wood colors!

Looks too nice to sit on!

-- Each and Every step of any project should be considered your masterpiece if you want the finished product to reflect the quality of your work. Greg Little

Very unique design well done lloks great

-- Jim from Heirloom Woodshop Southern Oregon

Nice work. I haven’t studied Maloof or chairs at all. What do you mean by “each cut at 3 degrees per Maloof’s style”?

-- Debt is nothing more than the 21st Century's form of slavery.

Very very nice design.

-- masrol, kuala lumpur, MY.

Very nice looking chair. Very difficult to construct and design.

-- Mike. mwurm13@yahoo.com

Nice looking chair.

-- CJIII Future cabinetmaker

I was going to answer you yesterday, however while I was searching the www for an illustration that would better explain, I realized that Sam Maloof died last Thursday. That made me sad, as well as distracted me.

The 3 degrees I was referring to is in construction of the seat. There are five separate pieces that make up that seat. When cutting the width of each piece the table saw blade is tilted 3 degrees in such a manner that when they are pulled together, this automatically forms a ‘U’ shape. This gives you a head start at shaping the seat. You can also then begin shaping each piece before you glue them together. I used biscuits when I glued them up. The back legs also have a 3 degree tilt into the bottom of the legs.

I hope this helps you understand. If not, send me a message and I will try to explain better or maybe even take some pictures.

Thanks to all of you for your wonderful compliments.

-- Steve, Omaha, NE

Thanks for the response. I assumed it was used to form the seat to keep from having to remove so much material, but I wasn’t sure.

-- Debt is nothing more than the 21st Century's form of slavery.

Great looking Chair! I also have been bitten by the bug to try an build a chair after seeing all the ones posted lately on jocks. Your chair really has inspired me to give it a go. I have a few questions? You say 3 degree router bits in your post. Did you just mean the table saw set to 3 degrees or is there a 3 degree bit out there. If so where did you get yours. Did you have any resources that helped you with the joints, angle of back and legs, and proportions. Any basic advise you have on trying to build your first chair. Finally what type of time frame did this project require. Sorry for all the question and thanks in advance.

Rod

Very well done there are lots of people can’t do so well after years of woodworking.You’re going to do well regards Alistair

-- excuse my typing as I have a form of parkinsons disease

Rod
I did mean 3 degree router bits set, for chairs. There is also a 5 degree set, for rockers. However these are not really needed if you don’t care to have the rear legs tilted in. However I want to try it and I like it that way. I purchased both sets as well as the 0 degree bit. To the best of my knowledge the only place to get these is from Woodline.com (http://www.woodline.com/c-353-maloof-joint-bits.aspx). For more info about the bits see this document http://www.woodline.com/instructions/Maloof%20Bit%20Information.pdf .

As for the angle of the back and proportions, I would say take a seat. I looked at chairs here and there, and measured a lot of things. I even had my wife sit so I could trace her back while sitting up straight. Other than that, I would say go with what you feel is. If you think it looks good then go with it.

Resources … Where to start? I would say the internet, I researched a lot. One thing led me to another. I purchased the Sam Maloof DVD. It is not a ‘how too’ DVD but I did pick up a lot of things from it. I also asked for a couple of books about him for Christmas, yes this past one. The one that I have finished and also found somewhat helpful was “Sam Maloof, Woodworker” by Sam Maloof. Again I will point out that this is not a ‘How too’ book. It is actually an autobiography.

I hope this all helps. If you have more questions, please do ask. I had fun creating this chair, and don’t mind helping someone else.
Most importantly, have fun with it

-- Steve, Omaha, NE