How to "Maloof" with power tools?

[Thomas Marr]

I'm a fan of Sam Maloof's incredible work. I like the organic and natural forms. While thinking about some future projects and how I would create them, it occurred to me that my approach may not be the most efficient. If you were to create a piece inspired by Maloof, what POWER tools would you use to round the edges and begin to bring out the “Maloof Essence”? I say power tools because my drawing knife and rasp skills leave a lot to be desired.

[Rick Levine]

I know he uses a bandsaw quite a bit. He also advises not to use it the way he does.

[Billy Chambless]

Router and finishing sander, maybe.

The bad news is that they'll still require about as much skill as the drawknife and rasp to get the effect I think you're looking for.



OTOH, I'm looking forward to replies from those more experienced than me.

[Chris Kennedy]

I have a friend who is a professional woodworker and had an opportunity to work with Maloof at some point. She does a lot of curved, shaped work with a lot of seemingly random elements to it. She uses an angle grinder to do a lot of her shaping.

You can check out her work at karenernstdesign.com to see if it looks helpful.

Cheers,

Chris

[Bill Wyko]

Look in the automotive body business. You can get a sander with a 3" 50 grit screwlock disc. That thing eats wood for breakfast and is very controllable. Matco, snap on and china freight all sell this tool. You can get the discs from your local body and paint supplier.

[Joe Meazle]

I got to meet Sam last year and see him make some parts. I think knowing how to use your eye is more important than the tool you choose. I (and I think most woodworkers) am used to only seeing, and working, one dimension at a time. Sam seems to work in all 3 all the time.

[eric auer]

I got to meet Sam last year and see him make some parts. I think knowing how to use you eye is more important than the tool you choose. I (and I think most woodworkers) am used to only seeing, and working, one demsion at a time. Sam seems to work in all 3 all the time.

The skill of a sculptor.

these could be handy:

http://www.leevalley.com/wood/page.aspx?c=2&p=43424&cat=1,130,43409

[Brian Penning]

I've made several Maloof style rockers and use the Kutzall sanding/carving disc quite a bit in the seat carving and all the other joint areas. A ROS also gets into the joint areas fairly well also.

http://www.leevalley.com/wood/page.aspx?c=2&p=33253&cat=1,130,43409,43424&ap=1

http://www.brianpenning.com/index_files/image7061.jpg

http://www.brianpenning.com/index_files/image6741.jpg

[Mark Singer]

Die grinder with a burr, air sanders, bandsaw. Rasps are essential in chair making. Spokeshaves can be replaced with rasps

[eric auer]

I've made several Maloof style rockers and use the Kutzall sanding/carving disc quite a bit in the seat carving and all the other joint areas. A ROS also gets into the joint areas fairly well also.

http://www.leevalley.com/wood/page.aspx?c=2&p=33253&cat=1,130,43409,43424&ap=1

http://www.brianpenning.com/index_files/image7061.jpg

http://www.brianpenning.com/index_files/image6741.jpg

gor·geous
Pronunciation: \ˈgȯr-jəs\
Function:adjective
Etymology:Middle English gorgeouse, from Middle French gorgias elegant, perhaps from gorgias wimple, from gorge throat
Date:15th century : splendidly or showily brilliant or magnificent

[Richard Dragin]

I have made several Maloof inspired chairs. Bandsaw, router, angle grinder with flap sanding wheel and a ROS are used for 95% of what I do. I don't own a rasp, yet.

http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j147/DraginRichard/Curly023.jpg

[William OConnell]

I have made several Maloof inspired chairs. Bandsaw, router, angle grinder with flap sanding wheel and a ROS are used for 95% of what I do. I don't own a rasp, yet.

http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j147/DraginRichard/Curly023.jpg

That is spectacular my friend. Thank you for posting it here

[Michael Donahue]

I hate to go off the topic here, but those two chairs are absolutely stunning. I just drooled a little on my keyboard! :D

[Dewey Torres]

I hate to go off the topic here, but those two chairs are absolutely stunning. I just drooled a little on my keyboard! :D

I'll go out on OT limb with you and second the motion. Great job Richard and Brian!

[Thomas Marr]

Agreed... those chairs are awesome.

[Peter Quadarella]

Amazing eye candy. :D I kept going back and forth to decide which one I liked better, and I decided I'll take them both ;).

To keep the post on topic - does anyone have a favored angle grinder or are they all pretty much the same?