Sean Rippen
07-11-2016, 11:09 AM
Hello Creekers,
I believe this is my first post on this forum, although I am an avid lurker and have used this site for a few years now as my go-to research hub for my various woodworking projects.
I started woodworking roughly five years ago, during which time I inherited an incredible amount of tools from my grandfather who was an avid woodworker during his lifetime. I spent 2014 making a dresser for my son (no, it should not have taken a year to build...), and then got sidetracked in 2015 by some smaller projects - a new set of stairs in my basement, a pallet wood "Maryland Flag" for a friend, and a routed sign that my in-laws requested. I must be getting bored at home because I have found new inspiration for a project to tackle - this curvy lounge chair shown below.
340509
I assume this chair was made via bent lamination, and that is the method that I intend on utilizing unless someone on here strongly advises me otherwise. I have a few questions for those that are willing to give me guidance on this project:
1. I plan on making my forms with 3/4in by 4ft by 8 ft sheet goods. Keeping the cost down is of course a goal, so I am wondering what would be the cheapest but reusable medium to use. At Lowes/Home Depot, it looks like I can get OSB for $16/sheet, but is OSB strong enough? Plywood seems to be the medium of choice, but plywood sheets are also quite a bit more expensive. Am I a fool for shopping at a Home Depot type store in the first place? Do the pros go to lumber yards and laugh at HD lumber shoppers?
2. To achieve the chair's balance, I would assume the designer used math to determine where the curve's low point should be relative to the chair's top and bottom. I am not sure how to calculate this. Instead, I am figuring that I could embed weights on the underside of the top or bottom if need be. Is this a silly idea? Maybe I should just learn how to design things...
3. It's hard to tell, but to me, the boards do not look overly thick in this chair. I'm guessing they're an inch or so thick. I want this chair to be durable, and to not have to worry about turning it into a pile of splinters if someone sits on it too hard. Is there a way beyond trial and error to determine how thick to make this lamination? Also, I've read that more ply's is stronger, so I am planning on resawing my laminates to 1/8in or less unless advised otherwise.
4. Lastly, does anyone have any recommendation for what type of wood would look nice, not break the bank, and most importantly, be sturdy?
Thank you in advance! The wealth of expertise and knowledge on this site is amazing.
I believe this is my first post on this forum, although I am an avid lurker and have used this site for a few years now as my go-to research hub for my various woodworking projects.
I started woodworking roughly five years ago, during which time I inherited an incredible amount of tools from my grandfather who was an avid woodworker during his lifetime. I spent 2014 making a dresser for my son (no, it should not have taken a year to build...), and then got sidetracked in 2015 by some smaller projects - a new set of stairs in my basement, a pallet wood "Maryland Flag" for a friend, and a routed sign that my in-laws requested. I must be getting bored at home because I have found new inspiration for a project to tackle - this curvy lounge chair shown below.
340509
I assume this chair was made via bent lamination, and that is the method that I intend on utilizing unless someone on here strongly advises me otherwise. I have a few questions for those that are willing to give me guidance on this project:
1. I plan on making my forms with 3/4in by 4ft by 8 ft sheet goods. Keeping the cost down is of course a goal, so I am wondering what would be the cheapest but reusable medium to use. At Lowes/Home Depot, it looks like I can get OSB for $16/sheet, but is OSB strong enough? Plywood seems to be the medium of choice, but plywood sheets are also quite a bit more expensive. Am I a fool for shopping at a Home Depot type store in the first place? Do the pros go to lumber yards and laugh at HD lumber shoppers?
2. To achieve the chair's balance, I would assume the designer used math to determine where the curve's low point should be relative to the chair's top and bottom. I am not sure how to calculate this. Instead, I am figuring that I could embed weights on the underside of the top or bottom if need be. Is this a silly idea? Maybe I should just learn how to design things...
3. It's hard to tell, but to me, the boards do not look overly thick in this chair. I'm guessing they're an inch or so thick. I want this chair to be durable, and to not have to worry about turning it into a pile of splinters if someone sits on it too hard. Is there a way beyond trial and error to determine how thick to make this lamination? Also, I've read that more ply's is stronger, so I am planning on resawing my laminates to 1/8in or less unless advised otherwise.
4. Lastly, does anyone have any recommendation for what type of wood would look nice, not break the bank, and most importantly, be sturdy?
Thank you in advance! The wealth of expertise and knowledge on this site is amazing.