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Franklin Chair

Project by Bill posted 632 days ago 3155 views 10 times favorited 16 comments Add to Favorites Watch

This is my latest project, a Franklin Chair. This chair is attributed to Ben Franklin, or so the legend goes. Anyway, This chair will convert from a chair to a step ladder.

This chair was made from Pine, and finished with clear shellac. It is approximately 40” tall by 18” wide by 20” deep. The chair height is 19”, which is the one thing I would change when making this chair again. I would lower it an inch or two to be a more comfortable chair.

Actually, as it is the chair is comfortable to sit in. The hinges are not that noticeable, at least if you are not setting for a long time.

While it might not fit with my decor, it does make a handy step ladder or extra chair as needed.

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


16 comments so far

View GaryK's profile

GaryK

9530 posts in 883 days


posted 632 days ago

Pretty cool. I am actually in the process of making one myself.

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

View Bill's profile

Bill

2561 posts in 1056 days


posted 632 days ago

Thanks Gary.

I added the little “spurs” on the bottom of the legs, to help keep them aligned when closed. It does seem to help. They were sticky at first, but have become more smooth with time.

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

View Karson's profile

Karson

25801 posts in 1296 days


posted 632 days ago

Looks great Bill. Nice job.

-- What happens in the workshop stays in the workshop. No wait that doesn't sound right. Karson Southern Delaware karson_morrison@bigfoot.com †

View MsDebbieP's profile

MsDebbieP

14159 posts in 1056 days


posted 632 days ago

I need to find the plans for one of these. They are so cool
Nice.

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

View Greg3G's profile

Greg3G

770 posts in 981 days


posted 632 days ago

I really need to build one of these for my wife…she is constantly asking me to come in and get something down for her. She is only about 5’3”. Looks good Bill. good design.

-- Greg - Charles Town, WV

View Scott Bryan's profile

Scott Bryan

20684 posts in 717 days


posted 632 days ago

Bill,

This is a nice job and a very practical piece of furniture.

-- With God's help all things are possible- even woodworking. Woodworking is not just a hobby, it is an (expletive deleted) expensive hobby.

View DAN 's profile

DAN

6442 posts in 878 days


posted 632 days ago

I like it. do you have a plan or sketchup ?

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

View MsDebbieP's profile

MsDebbieP

14159 posts in 1056 days


posted 632 days ago

they could use one of these at Lowe’s.
Rick and I had to run into the store for something and while he was searching for whatever it was, I stood by the safety – sunglasses display. Great display! Each style of glasses shown nicely for easy comparison. Each attached to a “zinger” as I call them, so you could try them on but they’d go back to their right spot. Each section of the display had its own mirror. Really well thought out. But, I couldn’t even see the hair on the top of my head, the mirror was “so high” and it wasn’t movable. So I don’t know what I looked like with my chosen pair on my face. Couldn’t see a thing. I guess they expect woodworkers to be well over 5’ high.

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

View rikkor's profile

rikkor

11335 posts in 770 days


posted 632 days ago

It looks great. I have never seen one of these before I joined LJ. I want to build one for my kitchen. Can you point me to a plan?

View grovemadman's profile

grovemadman

558 posts in 667 days


posted 632 days ago

I bet there might be one of these in my shop soon….LOL I might use barrel hinges though, the piano hinge don’t look too comfy. Thanks for the post Bill and the pics are very clear too.

-- --Chuck

View Tony's profile

Tony

811 posts in 925 days


posted 632 days ago

Excellent work – I really like it – very practicle

-- Tony - All things are possible, just some things are more difficult than others! - SKYPE: Heron2005 (http://www.poydatjatuolit.fi)

View woodup's profile

woodup

145 posts in 838 days


posted 631 days ago

I’ve been looking for ideas on this converting stepping stool but I didn’t know what it was called. Great Project.

-- Michael, Fort Worth, TX. "I wood if I could!"

View Bill's profile

Bill

2561 posts in 1056 days


posted 630 days ago

Thanks for all of the comments.

The plan I used was from “The Essential Pine Book” which is available through Amazon or the Lumberjocks store.

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

View cajunpen's profile

cajunpen

5968 posts in 961 days


posted 630 days ago

That is a neat chair/ladder. Thanks for point out the book – I’ll have to check that out.

-- Bill - "Suit yourself and let the rest be pleased." http://www.cajunpen.com/

View Bill's profile

Bill

2561 posts in 1056 days


posted 630 days ago

The book also has several more projects you might enjoy building, such as an outdoor planter bench, a sofa table, and even a blanket chest. There are 12 projects in total.

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

View tenontim's profile

tenontim

1319 posts in 639 days


posted 630 days ago

Nice variation on the chair. I was told by the guy that made this one, you have to have the ironing board on it to be a Franklin Chair. Got to keep Mrs Franklin busy.
Franklin Chair

-- Tim -- http://tmuli.com

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