Morris Chair Sketchup Model

Pretty nice!

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

That’s awesome. I’ve always wanted to build a morris chair just like that. A coupl eof questions though:

Why did you use a bevelled cap on the arm rather than extend the chair leg up through?

For the seat frame you show half lap joints. Will the seat be woven and if so does the weave apply a vertical load to the side pieces that would essentially be suspended by glue?
Would you make the chair back straight across like that or put a curve in it?
Is the choice to use the cranked arm versus a bow arm arm purely aesthetic?

Thanks Gary – Thanks JL! To answer your questions – At first I couldn’t cut the mortise & tenon tight enough to my liking, but now the cheater caps just add a nicer looking finish in my opinion. They completely cover the mortise and… I just like it better. . . even now everyone wants to feels the arms and rubs the buttons first thing when they sit in the chair.

The seat is covered w/ “not leather” or fabric. The gaps is covered in webbing, then upholstered. The pieces on the end holding the seat are first glued then either doweled or screwed (plenty of holding power).

I make the backs straight, but I use a an overstuffed back pad and head rest, so a curve wouldn’t help my chairs. the is an article in FWW on making this same chair where the author steam bent the back slats.

I use the cranked arm because it’s easy, and if you are careful when you match the grain, people (civillian’s) can’t figure out how its made..
Hope this helps – Schroeder

-- The Gnarly Wood Shoppe

Nice looking job. I haven’t checked out the model yet but it sure looks good as illustrated. Did you make components of every item?

-- Bob, Carver Massachusetts, Sawdust Maker http://www.capecodbaychallenge.org

Hi Schroeder;

Pretty cool drawing.

I keep saying I’m going to learn that program, but there’s only so many hours in a day.

And most of them are already accounted for!

Lee

-- by Lee A. Jesberger http://www.prowoodworkingtips.com http://www.ezee-feed.com

Schroeder,

Very nice! Great concept of seeing the design, before “butchering” the wood.

Looks like you’ve figured things out pretty well.

-- Tom, Surfside Beach, SC - Romans 8:28

Great timing Schroeder, I was planning to do some playing around with Sketchup this weekend and have been thinking about a Morris chair as well. I’ll put this model to great use, thanks!

-- Check out my blog and podcast "The Renaissance Woodworker" at www.rogersfinewoodworking.com/blog

Thanks all! Bob – I got confused up on the chair back and got lost in a “sea of components” – had some editing problems so I just rushed through it (learning curve). I’m going to email you some questions I have tho… This is such a great tool!
Shannon – I hope you can use it! I’m going to “refine” my design and also put in the ottoman this weekend (soon as I talk w/Bob;)

-- The Gnarly Wood Shoppe

Smooth Sketchup work. I always love a good exploded drawing!

-- David, South Windsor, CT "I love the smell of sawdust in the morning"

Really great sketchup work! I have to get more in tune with this program. Just when I get comfy with it, I put it down for months and have to come back and re-learn it.

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

Nice job. I really like your model.

(shamelessly stealing it)

-- Scott - Chico California http://chicowoodnut.home.comcast.net

Thanks David,Mot & Scott – Mot, This program is going to change the way I build furniture – I can’t say enough about how helpful it is (especially for “what if’s) – Chico steal away! – thats what Jocks is all about!

-- The Gnarly Wood Shoppe