Rocking Chair - The Finale!

[Chris Knight]

I think we left it here :- http://chrisknight.info/woodwork/rocking_chair/rocking_chair_17.htm

It has now moved on to its (not inevitable) conclusion but one I am very pleased with. The project provided me with plenty of challenge but I was helped greatly by Hal Taylor's instructions - and he was always on the end of the phone if need be. You can follow the project to the end by clicking on the links.

I have now embarked on chair number two - this one for my wife. After that, if I am still in sculptural mood, I shall adapt the joinery and design for a swivel chair for myself.

For anyone who has a hankering for something a bit different, I can thoroughly recommend this project. The cost of the plans is a bit steep but considering the quality of the instructions and the personal help Hal offers, I reckon they are excellent value. I have enjoyed it immensely and learnt a lot. And id anyone goes this route, I will be glad to help.

It was a wonderful excuse for a load of new tools (and if I followed the example of some of Hal's students, I could make a living out of making more of these chairs - so the tools really were justified - weren't they?)

Thank you for staying the course!

For those who get bored reading, here is the end product:-

 

[Mdotflorida]

Stunning !!! A great job.

 

[Alf]

Chris,

Oh boy, what a stunner; I bet you're grinning like a Cheshire Cat. The oiled finish has brought out the figure of the wood to perfection; that tiger stripe is gorgeous. But honestly, you make me sick. Not only is it beautiful but it seems to have taken you no time at all. :roll: I bet your Californian Hippy can't wait for hers. :lol: Hmm, doing one each for the family eh? Adopt me...

Cheers, Alf

 

[Gary H]

Wow Chris!
That is just superb. I only wish I had the time/money/skills/experience to create a piece of furniture, nay, ART such as that!! :wink:

Now that your cranium has swelled to the appropriate dimensions I shall go and take the tutorial on your website and study!!

Worthy of 'avatar' status!!

Ta muchly

Gary

 

[Adam]

Spot on Chris. A really really nice job. I know you had concerns over the wood, but I think it's really nice.

Best of luck with the next (and the next... and the next......and the)

Adam

 

[Philly]

Chris
Fantastic work!! :shock:
You've done yourself proud-thanks for photographing your journey for us. I really appreciate it.
Keep up the good work,
Best regards,
Philly

 

[Aragorn]

WOW!
Soooo good. You must be extremely proud, and rightly so. Sarah looks very comfortable in the chair and I'm sure she will treasure it. How often can we hand over a project that will surely become an heirloom. This one certainly will.
Now, I can't find the bit on your website where I place my order... :wink:

 

[Gary H]

Yes, but would any of us be able to afford it, Aragorn!?!
Re-mortgage, maybe?? :shock:

Gary

 

[Anonymous]

Chris

Truly as impressive a piece of work as I have seen. The finished project looks great, but, as a woodworker, its the joints pictured on your website that do it for me.

Well done

Roy

 

[Pete W]

I always seem to be late to these events, so everything's already been said. But what the ****, I'll say it anyway... Tis a thing of beauty, Chris, and well-executed.

Now, I'm off to your web site to see what this tutorial is about .

 

[johnjin]

Hi Chris
What a project, Unbelievable, Fantastic. It has been a very interesting journey for me. I have learned a lot in the relatively short time that this project has been underway. Your photographical record is second to none and certainly made following your progress so much easier. A real heirloom that I am sure will be kept in the family for many generations. The reactions of the posts above say it all really.
Really well done and I look forward to more of your projects.

John

 

[llangatwgnedd]

excellent

 

[Anonymous]

absolutely fantastic piece of art ! Warmest congratulations !

I think chairs in general are among the most difficult projects for an amateur. More precisely, the fact that all junctions are at OTHER than 90 degrees... that kills me !

Is there a ... simple ( :shock: ) way to bore or dig mortices at various angles ? Some particular jig or vise ?!?? Or is it just the master's eye ?

Thanks in advance
Alberto

 

[Anonymous]

Chris, you have certainly justified those tools along with my jealousy of your superb skills. Well done.

Looking forward to seeing your next project take shape

Cheers

Tony

 

[CYC]

WOW!
Stop giggling Chris, I can hear you from here. What an achievement! No doubt you are proud and rightly so.

 

[gidon]

Chris
Just superb! Everything from the design to the choice of wood to the execution to the speed (!!!) to the finish. How long do you think it took in the end? What we put me off even starting a project like this would be the hand shaping - I'm not sure I have the eye or skill for it. How difficult did you find it? I would love to try something like this one day ...
Cheers
Gidon

 

[Neil]

What a superb piece, Chris! And the description on your website is fantastic - it has been printed off and added to my woodworking folder for inspiration

NeilCFD

 

[Adam]

it has been printed off and added to my woodworking folder for inspiration
NeilCFD

Now thats a good idea. Why didn't I think of that . Doh.

Adam

 

[Anonymous]

Chris,
It certainly is a very elegant chair and you have done a great job in recording the process of making it. I hope you won't feel I am hijacking your thread if I mention my rocker again for the sake of those people who are intimidated by the difficulties presented by the extensive hand shaping and tricky joinery that Hal Taylor's design involves. My rocker, of which photos can be seen at

http://f2.pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/dldund ... /my_photos ,

uses relatively simple mortice-and-tenon and dowel joinery, and should not present any insurmountable problems to an experienced woodworker with a well equipped workshop. Another consideration is that my plans cost just 1/10 th of the US$275 price of Hal Taylor's plans

Details can be seen at my website,

http://www.st.net.au/~dundas

If, like me, you are afflicted with a rather boney backside, you may find the upholstered slip seat more comfortable to relax on than a solid-wood seat of the classic Hal Taylor/Sam Maloof rockers.

Rockerau

 

[Chris Knight]

You folk really know how to make a guy feel good! No wonder I like this forum. Truly, thank you all very much for your kind and generous comments, it really does inspire me to greater efforts - the trouble is that my head is too wide to get through the workshop door at the moment!

Alf, I would love to adopt you but yours will still have to wait, the grandkids seem to have decided they each want one..

Gary, yes I thought it was about time I had an avatar and considered some fairly gloatish tools but then decided what the heck - flaunt it!

Adam, yes I did have concerns over the wood - and still do as I rough cut the bits for my wife's chair but once finished and seen in daylight it does turn out well. Still, next time I buy a load of walnut it is more likely to be the black variety - much more consistent!

Aragorn, when I turn these out at Hal Taylor's rate - one per week, you may then find an order form on my site but not before. Also as Gary says, could you afford it? At my present work rate the answer would be if you have to ask...

Alberto, I use jigs to get the angles. Sam Maloof did or maybe still does it by eye - but then I am not Sam Maloof.

John, the photographs did need some discipline but I have so often planned to photograph a project only to forget or to have at best a sketchy record and I made a very determined effort this time. It helped to have Hal's instructions available because I could see what was coming up and where a photo might usefully be taken.

CYC, Ok I'll be quiet - or at least I will try!

Gidon, I wished I had kept a count of the hours but I didn't so all I have is a guesstimate. My earliest picture of work in progress is 16 March so overall elapsed time is from then to a couple of days ago - about 9 weeks which doesn't seem that quick but I am fairly pleased considering how many jigs and things needed making. There was also a lot of waiting around, all the laminations needed a full 24 hours to dry as did all of the critical joints, in fact I can't really think of a joint that I did not allow this time for and because I don't have much space, other things I might have been getting on with had to stop on most of these occasions. With better planning and without increasing the number of laminating forms I have, I reckon I could get the time down to 4 weeks fairly easily but it would start to feel like work if I pushed it too fast.

Rockerau, the more the merrier!