Am making copies of 40’s era slat back library chairs working from a Red Oak original. The existing chair has a scooped solid oak seat that is attached with two screws through each seat rail (8 total) in addition to two screws through the rear legs into the back of the seat. I think the only reason the seat hasn’t split from seasonal movement is that the factory dowel construction has failed and the screws is all that is holding it together.
The copies I’m building use mortise and intergal tenons throughout. What would be the best way to attach the seat for movement. Was thinking attaching front the rear rails only with three screws in each rail, the center tight and the outboard one elongated. Would also screw through the rear legs into the seat back with elongated holes. Or is it better to screw through the corned blocks? Or…..?
Bruce
Replies
K9s , You didn't say but I'll bet the original was made with Quarter Sawn or Rift sawn Oak which is extremely stable and moves less than other cuts of wood. You can cut slots in the rails or apron and use the same floating block system that has been used on table tops or use corner blocks . Maybe use oblong or larger holes with a washer under the head of the screws . An Interesting note on some old scooped out solid seats they used steel 1/4" dowel pins in the thinnest part , what a surprise this can be when repairing an old one. good luck to you
Dusty--thanks for the reply. Most of the chair is rift sawn except for the seat which is mostly flat sawn. Not the best grain selection but they used a heavy toner to hide the mismatch. I'll most likely go blocks glued to the inside of the rails.--Bruce
ok- I would place corner blocks on each corner and use glue and screws through the blocks into the rails of the chair. Then make slotted holes in the center of the corner blocks and then attach the seat blank with screws through the corner blocks and pull them up pertty darn snug.
Robert
Bert--Corner blocks are already in place--was going to add glue blocks centered on the front and back rails for a non-sloted screw so the seat expands evenly from the center.--Thanks for the input.---Bruce
This forum post is now archived. Commenting has been disabled