| Project by scott shangraw | posted 84 days ago | 479 views | 1 time favorited | 20 comments |  |
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Maloof inspired rocking chair-Walnut w/African Purple Heart-Had proffesional pictures taken of this rocking chair I posted a little while back thought I would share.
Following is taken from my web site:
Our hand made rocking chairs are created with each individual in mind. We custom fit a rocker to your size and shape. Not all rocking chairs fit everyone. Therefore, a taller person may need the rocker elongated, a shorter person may need it smaller and petite to fit them. Our most popular seller is a medium size rocker that fits most individuals in any household. When filling an order, we take all this into account and create a rocker that will make you “the customer” completely happy.
The Back Lumbar support is a very important part of our handmade rocking chair construction. The lower back endures some of the most stress and strain in the body. Therefore, the lower lumbar support when sitting, is very crucial. We test fit ours to be sure that it fits perfectly into that lower back area. We then hand shape each support and fit it into the headrest. We perfer to use firm spindles, versus the “Flex Back” because your back is put into a permanent lumbar supportive position. The “Flex Back” makes your back move and contract while rocking, therefore, making your back constantly compensate for that change. Therefore, this constant movement is not beneficial for the comfort and support of your back. Also, a “Flex Back” allows for to much movement at the joint area, where the spindle and seat meet, and over time will wear out and possibly break.
The curve of the headrest on this custom made rocker ties in the comfort of the lumbar support, since this is where they meet, and your head rests. So the shaping of the headrest is just as important as the seat and the lumbar support. This is where we like to add carved “dog ears” on the top, for an artistic look and feel to the rocker.
Next the armrests need to be situated just right, so they aren’t to high or to low. You should be able to gently rest your arms downward, without feeling like your shoulders are raised up into your neck or that you are straining to keep your arms stretched down to the armrest. The whole flow of the rocker from seat, to lumbar, to headrest and armrest should cradle your body in comfort. Then the rocking motion should tie in the whole effect with smooth effortless motion. Our runners are laminated, which gives them added strength and stability. Sometimes we inlay in a different type of wood for an accent. The rocking motion is very important as well. It should be effortless and smooth. When rocking you shouldn’t feel like you’re going to fall forward or backward. You should feel as one with the rocking chair.
See other works by us:
Black Limba Rocker http://lumberjocks.com/projects/1536
walnut rocker http://lumberjocks.com/projects/5795
Bubinga rocker http://lumberjocks.com/projects/4191
Cherryburl rocking chair http://lumberjocks.com/projects/2353
Cherryburl rocker http://lumberjocks.com/projects/2420
-- Scott NM,http://www.shangrilawoodworks.com
Your Online Shop - Your Support Is Greatly Appreciated - Your Woodworking Showcase - 3 Ways To Help, Financially - Your Woodworking Community
20 comments so far
Grumpy
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4131 posts in 257 days
posted 84 days ago
Excellent example of fine craftmanship Scott.
-- Grumpy - "Always look on the bright side of life"- Monty Python
Kerry
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93 posts in 196 days
posted 84 days ago
Oh, now that is cool! The purple really stands out and the joint looks very interesting. Of course the rest of the chair is very fine as well.
Cheers,
Kerry
-- Alberta, Canada
CharlieM1958
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3705 posts in 624 days
posted 84 days ago
Another beauty, Scott. The contrasting wood is really striking.
-- Charlie M. "Woodworking - patience = firewood"
Texasgaloot
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203 posts in 106 days
posted 84 days ago
Excellent design and very clever detailing! What an attractive piece!!
-- There's no tool like an old tool...
Dusty56
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690 posts in 94 days
posted 84 days ago
this is incredible !! Love the mix and the PH running thru the rockers is awesome…..what kind of finish did you use ?
-- Dusty56@comcast.net
Jimthecarver
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180 posts in 191 days
posted 84 days ago
Scott,
It is a pleasure to view your fine work. The joinery on this piece is exquisite.
Thanks for sharing.
Jim
-- A duck that brags on his own pond, soon swims alone.
dennis mitchell
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2826 posts in 720 days
posted 84 days ago
Beautiful! Do you have plans for the photos?
-- http://www.woodsongsfurniture.com
daveintexas
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80 posts in 282 days
posted 84 days ago
Very nice work, Scott.
You said you had the pictures taken a little while back- How has the purpleheart aged or darkened since the time you first built it ?
Thanks for posting.
Dave
-- MISSION FURNITURE-My mission is to build furniture
GaryK
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8274 posts in 394 days
posted 84 days ago
Still looks great!
-- Gary, East TX -- The longest journey begins with a single step.
Dan Lyke
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331 posts in 531 days
posted 84 days ago
Spectacular! My sweety isn’t fond of purpleheart, but I bet I could sneak that into the house…
-- Dan Lyke, Lagunitas California, http://www.flutterby.net/User:DanLyke
Scott Bryan
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8049 posts in 228 days
posted 84 days ago
Scott,
This is a beautiful rocker. The purple heart sets up a nice contrast to the walnut.
Thanks for the post.
-- With God's help all things are possible- even woodworking. Woodworking is not just a hobby, it is an (expletive deleted) expensive hobby.
Bradford
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552 posts in 229 days
posted 84 days ago
Man oh man that looks great. I would love to have a chair like that. It looks “Majestic”.
-- so much wood, so little time. Bradford.
Thos. Angle
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3243 posts in 368 days
posted 83 days ago
Great craftsmanship, Scott. Really like the use of Purple Heart.
-- Thos. Angle, Owyhee Design, Oregon
dirtclod
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92 posts in 266 days
posted 83 days ago
Nice jointery. From a distance they look very organic.
-- Wonderful new things are coming! - God
Cooper
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8 posts in 120 days
posted 83 days ago
All I can say is WOW!
great looking piece
-- Jason, New York
trifern
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2320 posts in 173 days
posted 83 days ago
Once again….AWESOME!
-- Depend on the rabbit's foot if you will, but remember it didn't work for the rabbit.
teenagewoodworker
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1739 posts in 174 days
posted 83 days ago
BEAUTIFUL! that is really all i can say at this point. this is such a great piece of craftsmanship!
Kipster
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813 posts in 159 days
posted 83 days ago
This is an example of “It’s as good as it gets”
Keep up the excellent work, as I’m sure you will.
When one has talent like this, One must express it!! A moral imperative.
Thank for sharing.
-- Kip Northern Illinois ( If you don't know where your goin any road will take you there) George Harrison
scott shangraw
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217 posts in 475 days
posted 82 days ago
Thanks for the kind words Kipster!!!
Daveintexas-the Purple heart still looks the same I have a table that I did a few years ago out of purple heart also still looks good.I use a poly/oil mix and have not had a big problem with darking(I also keep out of the sun)I have seen stuff with a laquer finish that seemed to darken more don’t know if the laquer does it more.
Dennis M-I had the pictures done for submitting to juried art shows and galleries
-- Scott NM,http://www.shangrilawoodworks.com
Karson
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12002 posts in 806 days
posted 82 days ago
A very great looking chair. Looks great.
-- Karson Southern Delaware karson_morrison@bigfoot.com