| Project by BigSissy | posted 127 days ago | 563 views | 2 times favorited | 16 comments | ![]() |
Here’s a pair of adirondack chairs I made out of ipe’ from a modified FWW plan. I got a very nice finish on the armrests, back slats and seat slats by sanding down to 320 then buffing-out an application of teak oil. Alas, the extreme smoothness can’t last past one rainstorm (they still look good though).
My next modification will be to make seat slats that run somewhat parallel to the back slats.
I am very curious about trying to make an indoor Morris chair using ipe’.
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16 comments so far
Napaman
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1812 posts in 566 days
posted 127 days ago
very nice…i used the FWW plan last summer with no modification…I like yours…I havent seen any with such large gaps in both the seat slats and back slats…was the IPE hard to weork with?>??
-- Matt, Napa, CA...142 days to sanity...
EdC
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420 posts in 330 days
posted 127 days ago
Those chairs should last a life time. You did a very nice job. What made you decide to use Ipe, most people shy away from using it due to it’s reputation of being hard to work with and hard on blades? I have been thinking about making my new furniture for out on the deck using Ipe. I love the look of the wood.
-- Ed Collinge- Edmonds, WA.
motthunter
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1225 posts in 288 days
posted 127 days ago
they look great…. How many blades and drill bits did you destroy on the IPE.?. that stuff is fantastic but sure does put a hurting on the tools.
-- making sawdust....
tenontim
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919 posts in 234 days
posted 127 days ago
Those are nice looking chairs. If you make any more outside furniture with the ipe, try wiping the wood down with water and sanding a couple of times before you put on the finish. It should raise the grain enough that you won’t have to much problem with it later. Go for the Morris chair. I made one out of purple heart once. It was a job that I don’t look forward to doing again though.
-- Tim -- http://tmuli.com
CharlieM1958
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4211 posts in 708 days
posted 127 days ago
Excellent job of modifying the plans to come up with a unique touch.
-- Charlie M. "Woodworking - patience = firewood"
BigSissy
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2 posts in 127 days
posted 127 days ago
My conclusions about Ipe’ based upon this project:
1) Because it is so dense, it can be sanded to an amazing finish.
2) Because it is so hard, it is also very brittle. I wanted to pattern route the curves and was unable to do so. Big pieces would snap-off right along the grain line, and climb cuts would not work either. You must be extremely careful when driving screws. Pilot holes must be at least equal to screw shanks and you can’t take a chance on overtightening or you’ll split the wood.
3) I don’t have a bandsaw, so I had to cut all my curved parts with my Bosch 1590EVSK. This jigsaw is a beast and is more than adequate to the task when settings are adjusted (slow speed, max orbital cut). I used their aggressive wood cutting blades. I did the final shaping and smoothing with my Festool RO125 (worth every cent).
4) My cheap roundover bit (Skil – was afraid to use the Freud) has shown no decrease in cutting effectiveness after four chairs.
5) Learned I had to wear a respirator when doing any type of cutting or sanding. I don’t think I’m as sensitive to the Ipe’ dust as some folks (no skin reactions), but it sure does cause me a headache.
6) Did not put any of it through the planer, and I don’t think I ever will. Dimensioned stuff seems very stable and more than adequate for lawn furniture.
7) For a tropical hardwood, Ipe’ is relatively inexpensive (although supposedly not as inexpensive as it was just a year ago)
8) Ipe’ color varies WIDELY. If you want consistent coloring, you’ll need to make an conscious effort in choosing your boards.
About the design:
1) I was initially concerned about the potential weight of the piece and the strength of the Ipe’ allowed me to use less material than the plans called for the back and seat slats.
2) As I was messing around with widths and spacing, I began to appreciate the more airy and sleek design that was evolving.
3) I want to make the next set even more airy and sleek. As a warm-weather chair, I think this might have a broad appeal.
jeanmarc
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1753 posts in 206 days
posted 127 days ago
Excellent job
-- jeanmarc manosque france
Texasgaloot
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366 posts in 190 days
posted 127 days ago
Your write-up on this project was worth the price of admission! Thanks especially for your insights into your design!
-- There's no tool like an old tool...
jockmike2
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4151 posts in 736 days
posted 127 days ago
Cool! mike
-- Mike. Profisher50@yahoo.com
brunob
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1389 posts in 659 days
posted 127 days ago
Very, very nice.
-- Bruce from Central New York
trifern
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4105 posts in 257 days
posted 127 days ago
Nice project, thank you for sharing.
-- Depend on the rabbit's foot if you will, but remember it didn't work for the rabbit.
blackcherry
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196 posts in 312 days
posted 126 days ago
Hey Mike need a chair tester…they look beautiful…nice post…Blkcherry
cajunpen
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5348 posts in 555 days
posted 126 days ago
Good looking chairs – look like nice setters.
-- Bill - "Suit yourself and let the rest be pleased." http://www.cajunpen.com/
Kipster
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1069 posts in 242 days
posted 126 days ago
Y ipe’s those are nice chairs. Thanks for sharing.
-- Kip Northern Illinois ( If you don't know where your goin any road will take you there) George Harrison
TedM
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1374 posts in 222 days
posted 125 days ago
Looks great and thanks for the insight into working with Ipe. I’ve turned a few pens with it and found it turned well but you have to be aware of the fine yellow dust.
-- I'm a wood magician... I can turn fine lumber into firewood before your very eyes! - http://www.woodworkersguide.com
jtreynoldsJTR100
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9 posts in 66 days
posted 66 days ago
Beautiful chairs! I like the airy look as well.
I think it’s a good idea to wear a respirator sanding and sawing any wood – no matter what the particle’s made of, it doesn’t do your lungs any good.
Thanks for the lessons learned working with this material “We all learn from experience – the wise person learns from someone else’s experience.”
Jake
-- Jake http:/www.adirondackchairscentral.com