Dear All,
I have bought kit Windsor chairs (sorry about that). They’re very nice, American made with Oak bows, Poplar seats and Maple turnings but, I do not like the leg profiles – overly fussy with big ‘tulip’ features that, imho, look clumsy compared to the very elegant back spindles. I realize they’re necessarily bigger than the spindles for strength and aesthetics but I don’t like them as they are.
I wish to shape them down just a little to remove the fatter, more flamboyant tulip parts. I’m sure structurally this would be fine as there are far thinner diameters elsewhere on the legs, including where they penetrate the seat, and where the stretchers penetrate them, so I’m not worried about strength.
Can you please advise me, would I be better paring them down on my Shopsmith lathe, or just using a spokeshave and sandpaper? I have 14 legs and 6 arm supports I intend to operate on.
If I use the lathe, how do I prevent damaging the legs, which are already round and although I suppose will require trimming the ends once assembled, have a split in the top for a wedge, i.e., not sure how I would attach it to lathe.
Apologies in advance that this is clearly not ‘fine woodworking’.
Thank you.
Replies
If you do not have a 4 jaw chuck you could use a faceplate with a thick block screwed on face and a properly sized hole in which to fit the leg tenon.
Thank you.
If it’s just a little, I would sand them down rough with 80 grit and then clean up with finer grits. It’s also prolly better to have the sander stationary and then run the arms and legs through. Options are to clamp a belt sander upside down on the bench or turn your lathe into a big disc sander.
At this stage of your woodworking evolution, I think you should just assemble and enjoy your chair as is. Putting the leg back on a lathe and re-turning isn't a beginner operation, and I don't think you'll be more happy with the look after the spokeshave and sandpaper than just leaving it be.
Finish it, use it, and make a list of the things you'll do different when you make your first chair from scratch.
I appreciate all your replies, thank you.