Submitted by
REV. CHARLES D. BROADBENTHere is a very simple
and sturdy child's chair that any homecrafter can
build even if he has only a little turning
experience.
We recommend building the chair from maple, oak
or birch since any of these hard woods will take
a lot of abuse.
First, cut the leg stock to 1-5/8 inches square
and about ½ inch longer than the finished
length. While the stock is still square, make the
mortises in the rear legs to receive the back
slats, see drawing and photo #2. After mortising,
bore the 5/8 inch holes for seat and lower
stretchers. Hole distances are given in the front
and side view of drawing on next page. After all
the holes have been bored, turn the front legs to
1½ inch diameter slightly curving the tops. The
rear legs are also turned I 1½ diameter with the
top finial turned as in Fig. 1 of drawing.
After careful sanding of the chair, it should be
stained with a maple colored oil stain and
allowed to dry for at least 12 hours before
applying three wash coats of orange shellac. Sand
between coats with 4-0 garnet paper. The final
finish is a coat of rubbed-effect varnish.
The line drawing #1 illustrates flow to begin
weaving the chair seat. Because of limited space,
we are unable to discuss the entire process in
detail and, therefore, would suggest that you
read some books on the subject of chair seating
at your local library. We show only the first
step and the pattern of the weave. In this case,
the strands on one side of the seat are parallel
with those on the other side. Several coats of
shellac should be applied to the Rush fibre seat
before it is thoroughly dried.
|
Bill
of Materials
| No. of Pieces |
Name |
Size |
| 2 |
Rear Legs |
1-5/8 x 1-5/8 x
23½" |
| 2 |
Front Legs |
1-5/8 x 1-5/8 x
10" |
| 3 |
Back Slats |
¼ x 2½ x 12" |
| 2 |
Seat Stretchers
(Front & Back) |
5/8dia x 12" |
| 2 |
Seat Stretchers (Side) |
5/8dia x 10¾" |
| 2 |
Lower Stretchers
(Front & Back) |
¾ x ¾ x 12" |
| 2 |
Lower Stretchers
(Side) |
¾ x ¾ x 10¾" |
| Fibre Rush
(Depending on Pattern Weave) as required. |
Photo #2
The above photo shows the holes being
mortised in the rear legs while the stock is
still in the square. A quarter inch mortise
chisel is used in this case.
Photo #3
Holes for the chair seat and stretchers
are also bored on the drill press with a 5/8 inch
machine spur bit while stock is still in the
square.
 Drawing
#1
The above drawing shows the first step and
pattern of weave in making the chair seat from
Rush fibre.
|
