Sunday in the Shop
Sunday, I took advantage of a rare free day in the ReBuilding Exchange shop to work on a new project and photograph some old ones. My Scrap Armchair came together pretty well, but, as usual, there are a number of problems with it. One, I didn't get the ergonomics right, so the back is too vertical, and hits the spine at a less-than-ideal location. Two, the maple floorboards I used for the back and seat are flat, failing to conform to the body. Three, the frame is really bulkier than it needs to be, strength-wise. Four, I thought I could make the exposed fasteners look attractive, but I should've used dowels, or at least plugged over them.
So, in the spirit of good, iterative design process, as well as a slightly unhealthy dose of self-criticism and perfectionist neuroticism, I've embarked upon Scrap Armchair 2.0. A few weeks ago, an old barrel once used for aging feta cheese came in the shop. Already in pieces, it was blessedly odor-free, made from gorgeous hard maple, and the staves conform perfectly to the body. Yesterday, I started in on a revised frame. I made it five and half inches taller, with a more steeply-sloped back, flatter seat, and thinner frame pieces. I also used, dense, gorgeous old-growth wood instead of newer pine. After planing down the wood to a uniform thickness of 1-3/8", I cut out legs and started gluing together frames. Next time I'm in the shop, I'll reinforce the joints with dowel pegs. Though too early to fully tell, I daresay this version has a real shot at being downright sexy.
I also took some photos of two new coffee tables made from recycled oak flooring. One has turned legs made from old porch railing stiles. I don't care for those legs, much, but thought I could do something inventive with the wood. No such luck. The X-shaped frame came out better, but the top has a curve to it. Laminating the old tongue-and-groove was quite difficult, as the boards just refused to lay flat, despite employing a full arsenal of clamps and woodworking tricks. Every project teaches me something new . . .
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| As modeled by chair impresario Blake Sloane. |
So, in the spirit of good, iterative design process, as well as a slightly unhealthy dose of self-criticism and perfectionist neuroticism, I've embarked upon Scrap Armchair 2.0. A few weeks ago, an old barrel once used for aging feta cheese came in the shop. Already in pieces, it was blessedly odor-free, made from gorgeous hard maple, and the staves conform perfectly to the body. Yesterday, I started in on a revised frame. I made it five and half inches taller, with a more steeply-sloped back, flatter seat, and thinner frame pieces. I also used, dense, gorgeous old-growth wood instead of newer pine. After planing down the wood to a uniform thickness of 1-3/8", I cut out legs and started gluing together frames. Next time I'm in the shop, I'll reinforce the joints with dowel pegs. Though too early to fully tell, I daresay this version has a real shot at being downright sexy.
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| Before planing. |
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| Nothin' like a hot-pink bandsaw on a Sunday morning. |
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| Leggy, this one. |
I also took some photos of two new coffee tables made from recycled oak flooring. One has turned legs made from old porch railing stiles. I don't care for those legs, much, but thought I could do something inventive with the wood. No such luck. The X-shaped frame came out better, but the top has a curve to it. Laminating the old tongue-and-groove was quite difficult, as the boards just refused to lay flat, despite employing a full arsenal of clamps and woodworking tricks. Every project teaches me something new . . .