My Morris Chairs, A work in Progress, pics

[Jim Shaver, Oakville Ont]

Hi,

Since early August I have been working on my Morris chair project. I decided to make two chairs, one of curly cherry with flame birch spindles and a second from curly quarter sawn white oak.

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I have about 5 Morris chair plans I have been working from to design and build this chair, the main design comes from Canadian woodworker Gary Walchuk.


I used a mitre lock bit (Lee Valley) to make the chair legs. It was an adventure but it worked out in the end.

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The ottoman legs were also a bit of work, the cherry legs solid 8/4 while the oak legs are a 5 piece lamination glue up.


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The Ottomans are as much work to make as the chair base, wow that is a lot of work!

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I can not tell you how much I love my Delta morticer, it has been great, did I mention how many moticies there are in this chair ….let’s say LOTS!



The chairs are still just press fit together at this point, I have a great deal of cleaning up to do before the base glue up comes. I am going with a bent arm design, a 7 degree angle seems to be just right.

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After the base glue up them the arms will be attached then I will build the back.

I had thought of going with a Greene and Greene flavour with the cherry chair, but I have since revised my plan and will build them the same.

At this point I am planning on a clear oil finish with a wipe on top coat, let the wood show it’s figure!

I am hoping to complete the chairs and have them finished by the end of September. At this point I am not sure on the type of cushions to go with, I think the finished chairs will give a lending hand in that regard.
Thanks for viewing,

Take care,
Jim

[Ken Garlock]

Ok, OK, it was corny.

That is some fine craftmanship you have brought to the forum. Beautiful work, Jim. I am glad to see you say that you will let the wood do the talking by using a clear finish. IMO, a good choice.

Do post pictures of the completed chairs.

[Bob Lasley]

Hey Jim,

Those are looking very good! The wood is gorgeous and from what I can see the craftsmanship does it justice. I'm loking forward to seeing the finished product!

Bob

[Jim Becker]

Jim, you're doing a great job on those pieces. I really look forward to future installments on this project!

[Mike Schwing]

Jim - do NOT try to put those up your nose!

Really nice work, I started to count the mortises but soon gave up. Holy canoli, imagine doing that by chopping them out with a chisel?

I applaud your thoughts of a clear finish, and fully encourage you in that direction. It'll be gorgeous.

[Glenn Clabo]

Jim,
Better hurry up...there's a chill in the air and I here the Zambonie's are getting tuned up.

Great work!

[Charles McKinley]

Hi Jim,

More great work! How do you keep your edge over the winter while the shop is closed?
Given the cold wet summer I hope winter doensn't come early.

I can't wait to see the finished product.

[Carl Eyman]

Fine work! Keep us posted

[Jim Shaver, Oakville Ont]

Thanks for your kinds words and thoughts,

take care,

Jim

[John Miliunas]

Beautiful wood, beautiful work and I can't wait to see the finished product! Hey, I'll bet that even Morris will like them!

[Lee Schierer]

Easy to see what you've been up to since vacation. Good looking work Jim. I'm going to have to get busy in my shop too now that the house remodel is pretty much complete. Can't wait to sit in the finished pieces and watch some hockey.