Bar Stool

[Dave Van de Laar]

I am trying to create a bar stool that resembles a stool my grandfather made 50 or so years ago. The stool was unfortunately thrown away years ago and I am trying to go by memory. I am not an Autocad 3D expert but what are your thoughts. I am planning to make the stool out of mahogany

Any thoughts
http://www3.sympatico.ca/shepherd.boats/chair.jpg

[Lars Thomas]

Dave, first off, welcome to the Mill. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do. One of the things that makes this place nice is you get what you ask for. Since you asked for feedback, you'll get it. Please understand that any feedback you get is intended to be constructive. There is a lot of talent here, so I'm sure you'll get some good ideas.

I think that would be a good looking stool. I can appreciate your desire to mimic a stool your grandfather made. If I were to make a similar stool, I might include the following details:
1. I would move up the bottom 'ring' or 'stretcher' about 6" so it can serve as a foot rest.
2. I would have the seat overhang the top 'ring' or 'apron' about 1-1/2"
3. Consider dishing out the seat.
4. In the drawing, the legs appear to be 4/4. I think I would go with 6/4 square legs and apply the same surface detail to each side. If you elect to do this, you could add an intersting taper detail (but only beneath the bottom 'ring'). Depending on how you do this, it could almost look as if the legs splayed out a bit.

I realize that if you incorporate the above details or any other details you dream up or are offered by other members, it would no longer be the same as your grandfather made. But I have to believe he would be pleased with your creativity and improvements on the original design. That is, of course, assuming you feel my (and others) suggestions are improvements.

Good luck Dave. We'll look forward to seeing the completed pixs. Lars

[Dave Van de Laar]

Thank you very much for the advice Lars. I will certainly take them into consideration
Even though I am trying to go by memory this stool matched the other furniture that he made
Liquor Cabinet http://www3.sympatico.ca/shepherd.bo...iquor9_jpg.htm

cabinet http://www3.sympatico.ca/shepherd.bo...est-fa_jpg.htm

This may be a stupid question as I am very new to woodworking but what do you mean by 4/4 and 6/4. You aren't referring to dimensions are you?

thanks again
Dave


4

[David Klug]

Dave, 4/4 means it is 1" thick, 6/4 would be 1 1/2"thick. It is refering to 1/4" in measurement on a ruler.

DK

[Lars Thomas]

Dave, thanks for posting the other pixs. I would refer to that style as art deco. It would be great if you could include some of the design elements from either of the two other pieces. When I get more time, I'll see if I can come up with any other suggestions.

Any chance you have some old family photos where the stools may be in the background? Lars

[Dave Van de Laar]

Hello Lars

I would appreciate any further suggestions you have. Unfortunately my family wasn't one to keep or take photos so there is very little photos of my grandparents house. I will take another look but I don't think I will have much success.

thanks again
Dave

[Howard Rosenberg]

your grandfather's output are sensational!

Was your grandfather a professional woodworker?
If he was a hobbyist (necessary-ist?), he had AMAZING taste.

As the other poster said, I'd "lift" that bottom rung off the floor to accomplish two things:
1 - let the LEGS do their work, not rely on the ring to keep the stools level / stable
2 - use that ring for a foot rest

Otherwise, the disgn is beautiful.

Thanks for sharing your grandfather's work with us.
Howard

[Dave Van de Laar]

The stool is finished and I think this is close to what my grandfather originally built. I know it isn't exactly the same but I THINK it is close. Thank you everyone for the ideas. I thought hard about lifting the bottom ring off the floor but I am positive my grandfather's stool didn't look like that and I did want to try to duplicate his work. This will be used as a plant stand so I didn't think the bottom rung as there won't be anyone sitting on it

Howard. My grandfather (who's name was Howard) was a professional woodworker. He and his father started out making truck bodies for Dodge Bros in the 1920's and then founded Shepherd Boats. In his spare time he made furniture for himself and his friends but I don't think he ever sold any of the furniture

The stool can be seen at
http://www3.sympatico.ca/shepherd.bo...tand/index.htm

If anyone is interested I also created a website on his Boat Company. It isn't anything special but it was created to gather information on the company
http://www.shepherdboats.com/

thanks for looking