The Chair – Shaping the Arms and Back (Part 2)

[Derek Cohen]

Here is the latest chapter: http://www.inthewoodshop.com/Furniture/TheChairShapingArmsBackPart2.html

The woodwork is now complete. There are a lot of pictures summarising the steps taken from shaping the arms, to installing, finishing and oiling. Skip to the end if you want.

The next - and final - chapter will be on the weaving of the seat and final photos.

As always, comments, critique and suggestions welcomed.

Regards from Perth

Derek

[Brian Holcombe]

Looks awesome! This is a really spectacular result.

Are you doing the seat in cane?

[Derek Cohen]

Thanks Brian.

The seat will be done in (real) Danish paper cord.

Regards from Perth

Derek

[Brian Holcombe]

Interesting, I have always been under the impression that they could only achieve the open weave of that seat by using cane. Papercord weavings like those done by Moller and Carl Hansen are always very tight weaves.

[Derek Cohen]

Hi Brian

Correct. It will be a tight weave. Like this, but open at the corners ...

http://www.modernchairrestoration.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/CSmoller-1b.jpg

Regards from Perth

Derek

[Pat Barry]

Simply outstanding work Derek! This is an amazing piece of work and thank you so much for the thorough documentation. Your efforts have been rewarded with a fantastic chair.

[Shawn Pixley]

Derek,

Very nice! Thanks for the update. I know what you mean about workholding with curved, undulating and otherwise awkward shapes. I saw your technique and liked it. I have a couple of techniques as well. Maybe we neanders should start a sticky about workholding of awkward shapes. Collectively, we could likely have a reasonably complete syllabus for others. I think that this might help a lot of us when facing a particular challenge.

[Brian Holcombe]

Hi Brian

Correct. It will be a tight weave. Like this, but open at the corners ...

http://www.modernchairrestoration.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/CSmoller-1b.jpg

Regards from Perth

Derek


I apologize for sticking on this point, but why take this route over cane when you have already come so far in replicating the piece?

[Derek Cohen]

Hi Brian

Danish cord was one option available ...

http://www.inthewoodshop.com/Furniture/TheChair-Introduction_html_m424544d0.png

I think it has a softer look and feel to cane.

Regards from Perth

Derek

[Brian Holcombe]

That example chair is suspect to me, it has both the finger joints and cording to hide the joinery that predates the finger joints. The arm rests look thick where they terminate after of the front legs. Not to say it's impossible or never happened, but this is the first I've seen with paper cord, and I've seen quite a few of them by Johannes Hansen and PP Mobler, which makes me wonder if it is just a deviation by someone who restored it.

The wrapping on the backrest of the Johannes Hansen built chairs extends much further toward the back legs. PP Mobler bought the rights to build the design when Johannes Hansen shut in 1990, and with Danish Design, they are rigid in how exacting they must be produced.

Also, the caned seats have a strut that runs front to back under the chair;

http://shard3.1stdibs.us.com/archivesE/upload//mods/0912/U12090389031147/8903_1346855912_10.jpg

[Jeff Wittrock]

I've been following this build from the start Derek and always look forward to another installment.
Wonderful work. The Jarrah is just beautiful. I have never had the privilege of working with it, but I can only imagine it is a challenging wood to use with fared joints.

[Christopher Charles]

Derek,

Congrats on the great progress, and as always, many thanks for sharing your work in detail. Will look forward to seeing the final project and I'll bet you give them a run at the show next week!

Cheers,
Chris C.

[Jim Matthews]

Put a second handle on the Shinto rasp - Eureka!

I like the ship builder's trick of cutting between adjacent pieces for best fit.
The fact that you've managed all this by hand is impressive.

The Mobler factory has intricate, massive machinery for the process.
That, and miles of sandpaper for each station.

Kudos

[David Weaver]

Looks great, derek. Much better/prettier wood than the original.

[Chris Griggs]

Derek. That looks really nice!

[Matt Lau]

Nice work.

[Mike Holbrook]

Nice work Derek, very nice! Are "we" going to make a Windsor with green wood next? I am trying to find a good plan for a steam box, so far I don't find anything that I like.

[Derek Cohen]

Hi Mike

I have a chest of drawers for our bedroom on request from my wife. The design I have in mind is "different" and will be interesting to build. After that will be a couple of Windsors, for sure!

Regards from Perth

Derek