| Project by sricks | posted 74 days ago | 282 views | 1 time favorited | 15 comments |  |
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It is only fitting that this is the first project I will post on LumberJocks as it is the work that I am the most proud. I started this chair just about 2 years ago at a class at the Marc Adams School of Woodworking. I made a lot of progress during that week, but I had the biggest hurdle ahead of me. I bought the Sam Maloof book and kept comparing my Chair to his. It was not until I got past the mental hurdle that my chair would never be a Maloof chair, so just go make it a Ricks Chair, that I was able to finally start the sculpturing process.
From that point on things went pretty well. In fact, I was at the second round of sanding when it happened. You know, that major setback that is almost not recoverable. I had grabbed my sander to pull it out of the way when the cord got one of the rockers and pulled the whole chair off of my bench and on to the floor. I could barely look, but when I did I saw the one arm broke off and two of the legs had split. I turned the power off to the shop and walked out. My wife and son had never seen me like that so they went to inspect the damage. They confirmed that it was as bad as I thought.
I had set many goals for the completion of the chair – My next class at MASW, Christmas, and finally the birth of my second son. My son’s due date was two weeks away when the accident happened and I had reconciled myself to buying a rocking chair for my wife. Little did I know that a couple of days later my wife contacted Sam Maloof with my story and asked for his help. He asked her to send him some pictures and he would be glad to make some notes and send them back to me. Just before the weekend, I recieved a package out of the blue from Sam. It included the pictures my wife sent with notes on how to fix the chair and a signed sculptured arm from Sam that said “Chin Up, you can do it!”
That got me going and by the end of the weekend the major damage was repaired. I got the chair done a week after my son was born and we are all enjoying it.
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15 comments so far
GaryK
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8404 posts in 431 days
posted 74 days ago
Very nice looking chair. Looks like a lot of work!
-- Gary, East TX -- The longest journey begins with a single step.
ItsMike
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20 posts in 99 days
posted 74 days ago
i LOVE THESE CHAIRS!!! Great job!!!
CharlieM1958
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3968 posts in 661 days
posted 74 days ago
Beautiful! And a great story to tell your grandchildren.
-- Charlie M. "Woodworking - patience = firewood"
Bigbuck
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716 posts in 106 days
posted 74 days ago
Very nice, you did a great job. Thanks for sharing the story.
-- Glenn, New Mexico
Woodhacker
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438 posts in 166 days
posted 74 days ago
Sricks, I’m envious…1st for such a great job on the chair, 2nd for going to the MASW. I’ve been to a few of Marc’s seminars at the KC Woodworking Shows that are normally held in February, and have read through the brochures for his school, but have never taken that plunge to actually attend. That was sure a nice gesture on your wife’s part. Thanks for sharing the story and for posting the project.
I think it was Ben Hogan that once said regarding golf, that it’s “how well you miss” is what makes a great player. The same can be true for woodworkers….it’s how welll we cover our “misses”.
You did a great job with this rocker.
-- Martin, Kansas
jockmike2
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4011 posts in 689 days
posted 74 days ago
Great story, and a beautiful chair. This is one to pass on to that newborn. mike
-- Mike. Profisher50@yahoo.com
DAN
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2845 posts in 426 days
posted 74 days ago
fun read
chair is exceptionally stylish … awesome
-- ..... art for lifes sake
scott shangraw
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214 posts in 512 days
posted 74 days ago
Nice Chair!!!!I like the story as well.Sam is such a nice guy I got the privelage of spending some time with him in his shop he is so inspirational !!!!!I know what your feelings were when the rocker fell off the bench ,I’ve had a similiar experience,It just kind of makes you sick to your stomach!!!!
-- Scott NM,http://www.shangrilawoodworks.com
trifern
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3255 posts in 210 days
posted 74 days ago
Beautiful rocking chair. I love it’s distinctive personality. Thank you for sharing.
-- Depend on the rabbit's foot if you will, but remember it didn't work for the rabbit.
griff
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420 posts in 205 days
posted 74 days ago
Beautiful rocking chair. Great build and a great story.
-- Mike, Bruce Mississippi = Jack of many trades master of none
johnjoiner
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143 posts in 336 days
posted 73 days ago
That is an excellent story.
Oh, and nice chair too! ;-)
Was the class you took instructed by Marc Adams, or a different instructor he brought in?
-- johnjoiner
DaytonB
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63 posts in 309 days
posted 73 days ago
I’m going to say the same thing over again : )
Great Story and good looking chair
Congratulations on the little one
Dayton
Paul
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589 posts in 535 days
posted 73 days ago
Looks great! Wonderful repair (can’t see it)!
Great story about Sam. Marc is a great guy, too. Looking forward to attending in MASW September.
-- Paul, Texas
Todd A. Clippinger
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2528 posts in 542 days
posted 63 days ago
The chair and the whole story are such a treasure. I think that was amazing what your wife did. I just love everything about it all.
-- Todd A. Clippinger, Montana, http://amcraftsman.com
Mike Shea
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72 posts in 437 days
posted 35 days ago
first of all welcome to lumberjocks. second of all your maloof inspired rocking chair is gorgouse. i read your story about the chair and i must say that i can relate in allot of ways. i experience a great deal of doubt during the design of each of my projects. i have even had an accident similar to yours were i dropped a piece that i had worked on for weeks. boy i know how you feel. i think its great that your wife cared for you enough to lift your head up and reach out to mr maloof himself. i bet you felt great when you finished that chair. haha congratulations on your child as well. i look foward to seeing more projects from you in the near future
-- i can do all things through christ who strengthens me