Shaker chairs.

[Richard Wolf]

When I get to pick what I can build, it always seems like it's a chair. I guess I like to sit down alot!
Here are some pics of some chairs I am finishing up for my kitchen table, which I built about two years ago. Sure will be great to not have to stand around and eat dinner.

Richard

[Jim Becker]

Those are GREAT, Richard!! You just can't beat the simple elegance of Shaker chairs...

[Peter Pedisich]

Richard,

Wow, nice chairs! Color of the wood and the seat look great together.

Pete

[Andrew Ault]

Boy, that is a handsome chair. Nice work!

[Corey Hallagan]

Great looking chairs Richard, Nice job. I admire you chair builders. I don't think i have the patience for doing that kind of wood working. Very nice.

Corey

[Kirk (KC) Constable]

Those look better than the ones in the catalog.

Did you steam the back posts after turning?

KC

[Vaughn McMillan]

Very nice Richard. Good classic lines and way beyond my abilities at this point. What did you use for the caning (if that's what it's called)?

- Vaughn

[Dan Forman]

Very nice chairs Richard, looks like a lot of care went into them. Have a seat!

Dan

[Jack Hogoboom]

Richard,

How, how, how? We need details!! How did you shape those cirved legs/back/ Did you turn them and then bend them?

Jack

[Richard Wolf]

Vaughn, the seats are woven with shaker tape. It's very strong and easy to work with.

Dan and Jack, The rear post are bent after turning with steam and forms. Below is a picture of my steamer and the forms can be seen next to my lathe.
The back splats are laminations, each one is 3 pieces, glued up in a form.

Thanks for looking.

Richard

[Steve Clardy]

Looking good Richard. I gotta do that one of these days. I've done bar stools and children's rockers, but no actual chairs yet.

[Norman Hitt]

Richard, about 15 years ago, the LOML and I visited a Shaker village, (somewhere East of Louisville, Ky), they had demonstrations set up making different items, and chairs were among them, but yours look Nicer than theirs did, especially the finish and the tape weaving, and I don't remember theirs having the Curved back legs, either. Where do you get your tape from?

[Richard Wolf]

Norman, I've built alot of chairs over the years and many different styles of Shaker chairs. Alot of them are straight back, and for the most part lose some of their comfort. I guess the Shakers were not overly concerned with comfort anyway. Steam bending the backs does add another process and also makes the installation of the splats more difficult, when used as a dinning chair the extra work and comfort becomes worth the effort.
I don't remember of hand where I purchased this supply of tape (online) but I do know it was the best price I had seen for it. I purchased a large roll because I was doing four chairs. When I go to the shop today I will get the address and PM you.

Richard

[Ralph Steffey]

try www,constantines.com for your caining supplyes They are nice people.

[Martin Shupe]

Norman, I've built alot of chairs over the years and many different styles of Shaker chairs. Alot of them are straight back, and for the most part lose some of their comfort. I guess the Shakers were not overly concerned with comfort anyway. Steam bending the backs does add another process and also makes the installation of the splats more difficult, when used as a dinning chair the extra work and comfort becomes worth the effort.
I don't remember of hand where I purchased this supply of tape (online) but I do know it was the best price I had seen for it. I purchased a large roll because I was doing four chairs. When I go to the shop today I will get the address and PM you.

Richard

Richard,

Really nice chair. I also would like to know a good source of Shaker tape, so if you wouldn't mind, and if the moderators will allow, please post the source in this thread. I am sure others are interested as well, now and in future searches.

Thanks for posting. The chair is really awesome.