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Ben Franklin Chair

Project by WhiskeyWaters posted 675 days ago 2477 views 6 times favorited 22 comments Add to Favorites Watch

So my mother asked for this chair to be built for her for Christmas. I believe she said this thinking I would do what I normally do – build it with pine, and put it together with screws.

So, some $120 in wood, new tools (ok, that was a plus) and finishes later, and a priceless humbling learning curve (measure three times, have someone else measure twice, get it notarized, then cut), I’ve built this.

It’s not too pretty, but moms being moms, she’s showing it off like I done built a cathedral.

I got the design out of Popular Mechanics Nov. 07 issue. I had to adapt it a little (no way I’m doing curves in hardwood with my cheap jigsaw and no way in heck I’m ripping a 2×6 down to an inch strip with my Craftsman trim saw), so I worked with what I had. I used a router to create the dados & other joinery (M&T).

I bring this up as the project didn’t come out perfect. I don’t have access to a table saw nor router table (this might change though). I used a straight edge as a fence, and built a curved jig for the back legs of the chair. Any tips on the next router challenge (especially if they involve not using the big tools) I’d welcome.

Oh, and thanks for the warm welcome last project.


22 comments so far

View mot's profile

mot

4901 posts in 915 days


posted 675 days ago

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)

View David's profile

David

1982 posts in 1017 days


posted 675 days ago

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

View Jiri Parkman's profile

Jiri Parkman

602 posts in 691 days


posted 675 days ago

Good project and perfect job.

-- Jiri

View MsDebbieP's profile

MsDebbieP

14096 posts in 1039 days


posted 675 days ago

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?)

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

View Jeff's profile

Jeff

996 posts in 972 days


posted 675 days ago

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

View Russel's profile

Russel

2033 posts in 818 days


posted 675 days ago

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.

View cpt_hammer's profile

cpt_hammer

129 posts in 691 days


posted 675 days ago

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.

View CharlieM1958's profile

CharlieM1958

7466 posts in 1097 days


posted 675 days ago

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

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

View brunob's profile

brunob

1465 posts in 1048 days


posted 675 days ago

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

View TreeBones's profile

TreeBones

1558 posts in 902 days


posted 675 days ago

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

View clieb91's profile

clieb91

679 posts in 813 days


posted 674 days ago

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."

View DAN 's profile (online now)

DAN

6396 posts in 861 days


posted 674 days ago

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

-- work from your heart and your spirit will live forever

View Andy's profile

Andy

562 posts in 787 days


posted 671 days ago

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.

-- " If I can make it,so can you" Andy in Oregon

View Roz's profile

Roz

441 posts in 665 days


posted 662 days ago

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."

View GaryK's profile

GaryK

9496 posts in 867 days


posted 662 days ago

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.

View roy's profile

roy

111 posts in 672 days


posted 659 days ago

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

View Chuck Vosburgh's profile

Chuck Vosburgh

26 posts in 876 days


posted 659 days ago

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

View JonJ's profile (online now)

JonJ

105 posts in 719 days


posted 659 days ago

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

View Bill's profile

Bill

2562 posts in 1040 days


posted 659 days ago

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

View daltxguy's profile

daltxguy

542 posts in 793 days


posted 634 days ago

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

View jeanmarc's profile

jeanmarc

1750 posts in 595 days


posted 516 days ago

Good project .Excellent job

-- jeanmarc manosque france

View Occie gilliam's profile

Occie gilliam

283 posts in 175 days


posted 121 days ago

smart design

-- Occie down in Costa Rica. come down and see us some time. I'll keep the light on for you Occiegilliam@yahoo.com

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