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Franklin Chair

Project by Bill posted 172 days ago 771 views 4 times favorited 16 comments Add to Favorites
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Bill

2511 posts in 596 days


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franklin chair pine chair furniture

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Franklin Chair Franklin Chair Franklin Chair Click the pictures to enlarge them

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

8392 posts in 423 days


posted 172 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

2511 posts in 596 days


posted 172 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

12413 posts in 835 days


posted 172 days ago

Looks great Bill. Nice job.

-- Karson Southern Delaware karson_morrison@bigfoot.com

View MsDebbieP's profile

MsDebbieP

11437 posts in 595 days


posted 172 days ago

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

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

View Greg3G's profile

Greg3G

624 posts in 520 days


posted 172 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

8398 posts in 256 days


posted 172 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

2810 posts in 417 days


posted 172 days ago

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

-- ..... art for lifes sake

View MsDebbieP's profile

MsDebbieP

11437 posts in 595 days


posted 172 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.

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

View rikkor's profile

rikkor

7015 posts in 309 days


posted 172 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?

-- Maplewood, MN

View grovemadman's profile

grovemadman

541 posts in 206 days


posted 171 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

540 posts in 465 days


posted 171 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

105 posts in 377 days


posted 170 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

2511 posts in 596 days


posted 170 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

5352 posts in 500 days


posted 170 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

2511 posts in 596 days


posted 170 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

795 posts in 179 days


posted 170 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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