Ben Franklin Chair

These are neat projects. It looks like you did a good job! I had a guy talking to me about that very plan just his afternoon. Very interesting!

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

Very cool project! I saw something very similar to this in a museum in Virginia on or last visit. I think you did a great job. We always have to take materials and tools into consideration. The learning curve is the fun part! I like your comment “So, some $120 in wood, new tools (ok, that was a plus) and finishes later . . . ”. I always think a project is a reason to get a new tool or two, sometimes even a book with a plan or technique!

-- http://foldingrule.blogspot.com

Good project and perfect job.

-- Jiri

this is awesome. I’d be proud as a peacock to have this in my home, let alone built by one of my kids! (off-spring are always “the kids”, aren’t they? Doesn’t matter what age they are?)

-- "Functional WoodArt" by Debbie, Canada (http://www.execulink.com/~yohan)

That’s pretty slick WW! I’ve never heard of this type of chair but I’m glad I decided to check out your post. I can think of a few people in my life that would appreciate one of these. Great work and welcome to LumberJocks.

-- Jeff, St. Paul, MN

Great chair. I’ve seen the design before and really want to make one. Seeing yours reminds me that I should get off my butt and do it. Nicely done.

-- When you give someone a chance it may well be their last.

This is one of those projects that I need to do also. It would be perfect for my short wife to use in the kitchen at her desk. That way, she’d have a step ladder always ready to use and I wouldn’t have to get everything out for her. Nice work. I know what you mean by making due with only the tools you have.

Great job, even moreso because of your limited availability of tools.

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

Excellent job. You’re making the best use of the tools you have. Looks like a project I might try.

-- Bruce from Central New York

This turned out great, table saw or not. Very nice.

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

WW, A good looking chair. This is a chair I am planning to build asa wedding gift for my friend his new wife is only 4’10” and he is 6’1” so I am betting there will be some things she could use this to reach. Have to look to see if I can find those plans.

Welcome to Lumber Jocks, glad to see another Virginian here. Only a few of us around.

CtL

-- Chris L. "Don't Dream it, Be it."

nice work. need to make one of these myself.

about 6 months ago we went to a crafts show in another town nearby. the featured woodworker made chairs like these out of cherry and sold them for $225 each. ... fyi

-- ..... art for lifes sake

I like the story and how you hung in there.I too make many things without the right tools.I built a Pine corner hutch 25 years ago with a Black and Decker jig saw and a borrowed router.Came out very nice,my son and wife have it now.This stool is very nice, keep up the fine work.

-- " Stubborn tenacity substitutes for natural ability" ANDY

Hey Whisky, I like it. I have a plan for one of these and want to build it this year. Did you learn anything in doing it that would be helpful? I’d appreciate the tips. I first saw one of these in 1992 in Ann Hathaway’s house (Shakespeare’s wife), Stratford upon Avon, England. I decided them to build one and reciently found a pattern on line. Chairs of this design were frequently used in the more affluent homes of the day.

-- Terry Roswell, L.A. (Lower Alabama) "Life is what happens to you when you are making other plans."

Great job. I remember seeing one of these years ago but forgot about it.

-- Gary, East TX -- The longest journey begins with a single step.

that is the best chair i have ever seen.
i’ll have to build my wife one to use at the dinning room-kitchen table. sure would be handy not to have to run to the shed when we need a ladder in the house.
keep on building!!

-- tn hillbilly

Beautiful job on a great design! I especially admire how you didn’t let the lack of the “right” tools hold you back.

-- Chuck, chuckvosburgh.com

That’s awesome! The very first scene of “National Treasure” shows one being used to get at a book on top shelf…I thought then how cool it was and wanted a better look at one- now I know…

-- Jon

Good job. I also have a book that has a Franklin chair that I plan to build soon too. While I think it would look great in Oak, I will build the first one with Pine and see how it goes.

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

Just goes to prove that you don’t need much to build a lot. Great job. I’ve always liked these chairs – very functional. No wonder Mom’s proud.

-- Steve, New Zealand, www.steveracz.com

Good project .Excellent job

-- jeanmarc manosque france