Replies

1. 
   Eef | Feb 16, 2010 02:25pm | #1

   west,

   friend of mine is expert at what you have done there. he does all the "weaving" by hand. i have watched him a time or two. not easy work. and although yours is machine made, i'd wager it was no small task keeping things taut while pressing in the round stop in the groove.

   question: is the japan you refer to some type of asphalt that can be thinned to achieve a brown stain?

   thanks,

   eef

1. 
   Westchester | Feb 16, 2010 02:40pm | #2

   The weaving is much more time comsuming - the grove was already cut out for machine cane. The japan is Ronan Japan colors - I use the earth tones. I also have asphaltam - I didn't use it on this settee because of the drying times needed. I added a little van dyke to sienna for the base coat. Then orange shellac -

   SA

2. 
   oldusty | Feb 16, 2010 02:57pm | #3

   Hi SA ,
   Nice looking
   Hi SA ,

   Nice looking cane job indeed . That is one huge piece of cane in the center panel hard to get straight I'll bet .

   I made a tool to gently tap the spline into the goove by using a round file like a chain saw file size and made small concave about the shape of the spline crown .If you are not careful the spline dents easily , I try and push and gently tap it in instead of hammering it it .

   Also if you did not already know you can soak the spline to make those tight corners and such without breaking or needing to join them .I have formed the spline into the groove before putting the cane in , allowed it to dry some and it will pretty much retain the shape.

   thanks for sharing , dusty

1. 
   Westchester | Feb 16, 2010 03:20pm | #4

   olddusty -

   Good idea with the concave tool. Better then crushing the spline as I sometimes do. Lucky for wood filler :-)

   I still have my doubts whether to soak the spline or not. On one hand soaking allows it to bend easily - but harder to drive in because it swells. You can't win.

   For pressing the cane into the grove - I start with a regular hammer - light taps - just enough to get it started - then cut away the waste on the outside of the spline before final pressing in. I drive the spline in with a narrow wood block - soft edges to minimize denting - yea sure :-)

   Always ready to tell the customer - made it look old on purpose -

   SA

1. 
   oldusty | Feb 16, 2010 04:43pm | #5

   SA , I can help you with a few small things that you may not find in instruction booklets , let me know and I'll send a few pictures to youwith some explanation .

   I have been caning for about 35 years mostly as a side line here and there not much demand but have done hundreds of seats and backs .

   One of the most difficult imo is that back you did on the sofa or any back can be tricky and fragile in some cases.We did some that had a Medallion in the center of the back that the cane went into as well , lots of fun .

   regards , dusty

3. 
   garyowen | Feb 16, 2010 07:56pm | #6

   Hi Westchester, nice work, and a very interesting piece. So what was higher on the scale, difficulty or cussing. I don’t know if it is still done, but the Perkins Institute For The Blind out side of Boston, MA. used to teach the students to weave the cane and repair the chairs, amazing work!!. Looks like it might be worth a go some time. garyowen

1. 
   Westchester | Feb 17, 2010 07:31am | #7

   Hey Gary -

   Probably the cussing !

   Wow - writing this comment with format tools  activated - THANKS TAUNTON !

   Still not seeing the spell check ?

   I have heard about places where the blind do weaving -  I'm sure they are experts - God Love them -

   H.H. Perkins in North Haven, CT. is a great place for cane supplies.  The tech service is always willing to help out with any questions - and they will send the supplies the next day -

   SA