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Thread: The Great Morris Chair project

  1. #31
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Stony Plain, Alberta
    Posts
    2,702
    Bill

    How about a couple of pics of your cherry morris chair.

    We may be asking for a few tips from you......

  2. #32
    Join Date
    Feb 2003
    Location
    Blackfoot Idaho
    Posts
    274
    OK, here goes my first post here in like three years!

    I LOVE the idea of this chair-building group! I have wanted to build a Morris chair forever, but never got around to it. This project would provide the motivation to get going on it!

    I live in Idaho, and decent oak is either unavailable or prohibitively expensive here, so forgive me if I substitute some really neat fir I happen to have a bunch of. It was standing dead old-growth fir trees that got some bug infestation, so it not only has strong, tight grain, but also some holes, tracks and spalting in it.

    I hope you don't mind me jumping in after such a long time away! I have been busy at the IAP (International Association of Penturners) and the FPN (Fountain Pen Network).

    BTW, this can all be made on a mini-lathe, can't it?

    Scott.

  3. #33
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Stony Plain, Alberta
    Posts
    2,702
    Scott

    Welcome aboard..... With you our numbers grow to 9 and counting.

    Build your chair out of any wood you would like. Nathan is going to use alder and I may do one in cherry.

    Did you get the plan ordered?

  4. #34
    Join Date
    Feb 2003
    Location
    Blackfoot Idaho
    Posts
    274
    Quote Originally Posted by gary Zimmel View Post
    Did you get the plan ordered?
    Hi Gary!

    I just downloaded it! Nice plans! This project will challenge me in a couple of areas. Should be fun!

    Scott.

  5. #35
    Join Date
    Feb 2008
    Location
    North Tustin, California
    Posts
    120
    Quote Originally Posted by Walt Caza View Post
    So come down off that fence, you are welcome...
    and besides, we would not want you to hurt your butt!
    thanks,
    Walt
    I'm in too. I just ordered the book thru Amazon (along with a nifty little book on pictures of WWII aircraft factories!), and will be working on this chair as time permits. I have no place I can think of at present for a Morris Chair, but I think they're beautiful.

    It will be great working with other guys on a similar project. I'm glad this is the project you all chose.


  6. #36
    Join Date
    Feb 2008
    Location
    Stanwood, WA
    Posts
    3,059

    Got the book today

    So there I was....

    Answered the door, picked up the book and flipped strait to the chair.

    My reaction:

    Happy This plan calls for much less QSWO than I had planned to buy

    Disappointed I don't like the arms. They don't look like a classic "Great Morris Chair" to me.

    I may regret this later but I plan on figuring out a way to build this chair with the classic Morris slanted arms and through tenon square caps... If I can.

    Dewey
    Dewey

    "Everything is better with Inlay or Marquetry!"


  7. #37
    Join Date
    Oct 2006
    Location
    Windsor, ON
    Posts
    657
    Blog Entries
    3

    Cool ...and then there were ten !!

    Welcome aboard to Scott and Patrick!
    Things are shaping up beautifully.
    Still plenty of time to gather plans and materials, not to mention some
    of our builders have less shop time or prefer a slooow construction.
    The rules are, there are no rules... play this any way you see fit, and change it up at your whim!
    Variety in details, wood species and finishing touches will be the spice...

    Dewey, we were up front in the details post about our design featuring arched bow arms. I am sorry if you did not catch that...
    it remains however an authentic Stickley detail. In fact, Gus used 3 different arms on these chairs over the years:
    straight arm
    bow arm
    and also slant arm, which resembles a dogleg.
    (Popular WW offers plans of a nifty approach to the dogleg)
    You are welcome to modify as you please. (pm sent to D)

    As for pacing of this first group build:
    We are aiming to start within July, after most of the group indicates their readiness.
    Gary and I will keep in touch, trying to post our steps of progress around the same time.
    Any and all group members are welcome to build ahead or lag behind.
    Our saving grace will be, that posting time can vary from actual build time,
    so that we can hold back progress posts to wait for the main group as fits. (or risk chaos?!)

    Thank you to group build members who have honoured my request to fill out their
    Creek profiles with pics and locations. I ask now that anyone who hasn't, please consider it.
    We may be chatting for a long time on this project...it would enhance things to share faces and locations.

    Gary Z. has started an album just for this project, in his profile here.
    It is a shiny new feature of SMC, and a great way to use it!
    Perhaps we can all consider posting our pics to albums?

    It is exciting that we have moved the Morris chair from our 'someday' list,
    to our starting soon list! I look forward to input from everyone...
    Let us know when you get your plans,
    Walt
    There are no shortcuts to anywhere worth going! WCC

    Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind - Dr. Seuss

    Crohn's takes guts. WCC

  8. #38
    Join Date
    Oct 2006
    Location
    Windsor, ON
    Posts
    657
    Blog Entries
    3

    Cool Check out our group builders! (with pic)

    Good day to Sawmill Creek,
    I am pleased to present this map of our 10 group builders.
    You will find that we have grown to spread out from coast to coast!

    Just a decade ago, we might have remained perfect strangers.
    Only the connecting power of the interweb could make this possible...
    Not to mention the brotherhood and warm spirit of our beloved Creek!

    I have done my best to reasonably locate everyone. Deck, I was unsure
    where to place you in Nebraska, so I stuck you in the middle... hope everyone is ok with that...

    Our crew includes:
    Gary Zimmel from Alberta, (crazy Canuck)
    Walt Caza from Ontario, (the other crazy Canuck)
    Mike SoRelle from Kentucky,
    Don 'Deck' Reagan from Nebraska,
    Glenn Clabo from Rhode Island, (East coast)
    Dewey Torres from Colorado,
    Reed Wells from Wisconsin,
    Nathan Conner from Washington State (West coast),
    Scott Greaves from Idaho,
    and last but not least to join our circus of sawdust...
    Patrick Nailon from Southern California. (West coast again)

    We look forward to postings of progress and problems from everyone.
    Our 'little chair project' is off to an auspicious start...
    only your input can elevate it to special.
    We have a good group of colourful characters, I have learned that from our private messages back-and-forth.

    Also, we look forward to pics of Morris chairs built by other Creekers,
    including:
    Dave Lehnert from Cincinnati, Ohio, (he has built our chosen design!)
    Bill Borchers from Beavercreek, Ohio,
    George Bregar from Milwaukee, Wisconsin
    and just maybe Mike Keers from Hereford, Arizona.

    This is an open call to all dab hands who would like to post their
    Morris chairs here as well, for the benefit of all the Creek.
    on we roll,
    Walt
    Attached Images Attached Images
    There are no shortcuts to anywhere worth going! WCC

    Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind - Dr. Seuss

    Crohn's takes guts. WCC

  9. #39
    Join Date
    Feb 2008
    Location
    Stanwood, WA
    Posts
    3,059

    Keeping it classy!

    Walt and Gary,
    I have to hand it to you two (and Canada).

    You guys are truly keeping this thing classy. Not to mention Canadian tools makers are not to shabby either.

    The map, and other extras you have come up with thus far have been a great touch. I almost wish I had came up with the idea. Maybe I could help co-host the next one.. I have some ideas as I am sure at least one of the other 10 do as well.

    Anyone got their lumber yet...
    Not me
    Will post when I do

    Dewey
    Dewey

    "Everything is better with Inlay or Marquetry!"


  10. #40
    Join Date
    Feb 2008
    Location
    North Tustin, California
    Posts
    120
    Quote Originally Posted by Walt Caza View Post
    This is an open call to all dab hands who would like to post their
    Morris chairs here as well, for the benefit of all the Creek.
    on we roll,
    Walt
    I just got the book. Wow. Of course I want to make everything in it, and I'm especially intrigued buy the arts & crafts makeover. We have a room in our house that's just aching for something like that.

    Well, I'll be getting the wood together asap. Don't anyone wait for me, I have a wedding present to finish, an arts & crafts bookcase to build for the hallway I'm refinishing, and will be starting on my Scharz workbench as soon as I've saved up for a planer.

    But I'll be there in spirit, and catching up as soon as I can. Already priced QS white oak at my local supplier - $5.76 a bf.

  11. #41
    Join Date
    Jun 2008
    Location
    El Paso, TX
    Posts
    23
    Well, I've got waay too many projects to do as it is (it sounds like everyone does) but this sounds like a fun thing to do - and the group motivation always helps, so count me in. I'll be pulling up the rear with the rest of the stragglers.

    I've got the book, wood on order (If Mike Morgan will ship it, local supplier is pricey) and I'll try to squeeze it in with everything else. I've posted a little intro here:

    http://www.sawmillcreek.org/showthre...223#post879223

    Cheers,
    John

  12. #42
    Join Date
    Oct 2006
    Location
    Windsor, ON
    Posts
    657
    Blog Entries
    3

    Lightbulb Starting date (+ larger, updated map)

    Good Day to the Creek,
    I am pleased to welcome John Dodson to the Creek, and our group build.
    Another lurker drawn in .....and then there were eleven!
    I have included a larger, updated map of our chair builders. (boy, are we spread out)
    Anyone tempted to jump in from the South East??

    *** Announcement: our official starting date is July 15, 2008. ***
    Your mileage may vary. Reminder...we are focused on the journey...
    so relax and feel comfortable if you are taking the scenic route!
    We do this thing for fun, sharing and lessons...

    Gary Z. reports that cushion upholstery may prove spendy, but shrewdly points out
    that we are building heirlooms. (spot on, man)
    No wonder he is building a pair...

    As we gear up to begin, it would be terrific to hear from our builders who
    are holding plans, receiving lumber or just plain napping.
    The first week of July, we are gonna discuss build options and approaches right here in this thread.

    A sneak peek at my thoughts for now...
    need to make multi-layered forms of MDF for bow arm bending by clamping plys during glue-up. (no steam)
    I might just order a flush trim pattern router bit for the job.
    I always wanted such a bit with bearings both top and bottom. (great for real wood grain)
    Sand up a tidy original, and zing off a few copies into a thick stack form?
    Perhaps a couple dowels to align the blanks for cut and also assembly? (establish and preserve registration)
    I would hope a single bending form is enough? Anyone wanna share experience with such forms? (springback?)

    Put a red star on your calender ..... soon we begin!
    take it easy,
    Walt
    Attached Images Attached Images
    There are no shortcuts to anywhere worth going! WCC

    Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind - Dr. Seuss

    Crohn's takes guts. WCC

  13. #43
    I have the book...the plans...the desire...but the time is going to be THE problem. Like I've said...I WILL get this done...but I might be last to do it. I have a set of stairs...a table for the bathroom...and if DRLOML has anything to say about it HER new gas fireplace surround is higher on the list.

    Anyway...mine will be cherry...so I'm in search of some special stuff. When it shows up I'll buy it and that will inspire me.

    One good thing about taking longer...I'll learn from everyone elses mistakes.
    Last edited by Glenn Clabo; 06-26-2008 at 8:32 AM.
    Glenn Clabo
    Michigan

  14. #44
    Join Date
    Jun 2008
    Location
    El Paso, TX
    Posts
    23
    Oh good - someone with more projects than I have -- it will be a race to last place.

    I've got the book and lumber on order. Good idea to start thinking about the bending/laminating. An mdf block seems the way to go. I've bent guitar sides - considerably thinner than 3/8" laminations for the arms... so I don't think my 6" X 36" heating pad would do much good.

    Cheers,

  15. #45
    Join Date
    Jun 2008
    Location
    El Paso, TX
    Posts
    23
    Here is a bit of motivation. Just got back from a high end furniture store called Simply Stickley (stores sells Stickley furniture as well as a line of Amish and Shaker, all high end) . Started about a year and a half ago by 2 doctors with two stores - one in El Paso and one in Albuquerque. The El Paso store is going out of business (which is no surprise). The going out of business SALE price on a Morris chair almost identical to the project chair is $2,800.

    So making these chairs will be just like minting money.

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