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This is an 18th century corner chair, designed with both Chippendale and Queen Anne aspects. It is the culmination of my 38 years of woodworking, as I used every bit of knowledge and skill I possess…and then some. The "and then some" mostly refers to the carving required to complete the project. I had never carved before and had to learn/practice a bit before starting on the actual legs. It took 50 hours to carve the four ball and claw (b&c) feet! With the feet under my belt, the knee shell, though daunting, wasn't nearly as difficult to carve.

My first exposure to this chair was when its creator, Mickey Callahan, brought it to a RI Woodworkers Guild meeting around 2011. Mickey had made the chair for an article presented in Fine Woodworking magazine (#215, Nov/Dec 2010). That night, I contemplated challenging myself to make the chair and I made it an item on my "woodworking bucket list". On May 1, 2017 the task began. 270 hours later, the chair is done! I took a break from the build here and there, including a full month after carving the b&c feet.

The chair is made from African mahogany and it is finished with clear shellac, tinted with Transfast dark walnut dye, followed by a spray application of satin lacquer. I made the wooden slip seat but had it upholstered professionally. I purchased the full size plans alluded to in the Fine Woodworking article. They were quite necessary for making the chair period correct. Lumber-wise, it took a honking piece of mahogany that measured 12 feet long by 10 inches wide by 4 inches thick! (picture #6) While there are other usable cutoffs, all that remains from the original plank is a piece about 16 inches long.

This was indeed a challenge and I feel good (nay, great) having met it. I'd like to give a shout out to a few folks. First, thank you to Mickey Callahan. Mickey works at my local Woodcraft store. I took his one-day ball and claw carving course at the store. I told him I was taking it with the goal of making the "Mickey chair" as I dubbed it. He made himself available to me for questions and assistance and I certainly took advantage of the offer. Secondly, I want to thank Charles Neil. For those who don't know, Charles has been a spokesman for Woodcraft products. He is also widely known as an expert on finishing. When I struggled with application of the shellac, I reached out to Charles for help. We had a telephone conversation and he offered sage advice that got me to the finish line. Third, I'd like to acknowledge the quality of content found in a series of DVDs on carving the ball and claw foot, put out by Mary May. Again, if you don't know, Mary is an accomplished carver who has appeared on Roy Underhill's show and has several videos on YouTube. I purchased the series online and referred to them often throughout the carving process. Lastly, thank you to my good friend Paul Andrus (Harleysofttaildeuce
on Lumberjocks). It's invaluable to have a woodworking buddy off whom you can bounce issues, questions, complaints, etc. Paul put up with me and provided valuable input quite often.

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Comments

· Banned
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WOW. Be proud, Lenny. Awesome craftsmanship and attention to detail. Kudos on the ball and claw feet!
 

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565 Posts
Superb. A masterpiece. Very nice job!
 

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That is OUTSTANDING….GREAT job!
 

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gorgeous chair! What a challenging project. It's clear that you were up to the challenge!
 

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19,753 Posts
Impressive work Lenny, a great build top to bottom and wonderful carving.
 

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2,185 Posts
Wow
I could never

Steve
 

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Awesome job.
 

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WOWEE! That's Way Cool. Beautifully Done Lenny!
 

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247 Posts
Hello Lenny

Very impressive piece

I love it

The "feets" are so unique and cute
A master piece!!
Thanks for sharing
 

· In Loving Memory
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8,391 Posts
Fantastic work Lenny. Thanks for the heads up so I could see the ball and claw carving. I think most of us who have been woodworking for awhile know how difficult it is to make a chair like this and you really aced this one. Kudos for going the extra yard to get expert advice so you could make sure this was up to the standard you demanded of yourself.
 

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Bravo Lenny quite a accomplishment! Carving and just working mahogany is a nice medium. Your skill set has grown to new levels not surprising for one who really enjoys woodworking. Thanks for sharing this excellent piece of period furniture. Well done!
 

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That's a beautiful corner chair-you should be very proud of it!
 

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Love it!! Great Project !
 

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Lenny, this is a piece to last generations. Legacy work! There are so many great things about this chair, if you had only done one of them it would be impressive. The feet are ridiculous.

The other great thing is those you thanked. Woodworkers are just great people to go along with great craftsmen. Charles Neil talking to you on the phone to help with your finishing? Imagine calling Joe Gibbs racing to speak with Joe Gibbs about trouble with your car? That is awesome.

Finally, I do have a critique about this project. How are you posting a Woodworking project just as your football team is about to play in the AFC Championship game? I guess when your team is playing in this game every year it gets old!!! Not fair! :)
 

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wow,ditto to all said and then some.maybe someday ill try carving.incredible job.
 

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Spectacular job, Lenny!!!
 

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Thank you for the kind comments. Mike (Rxmpo), that is a wonderful analogy you present. Woodworkers are indeed unique in our willingness to share our knowledge and help out a fellow woodworker. As for football, I posted this HOURS before the game!
 
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