Replies

1. 
   MBerger | Feb 14, 2007 06:06pm | #1

   Hi Dave,

   I was away on vacation for the past few days so I apologize for the delay.

   I don't know off hand what it would take to make an armchair version, so I'm going to give Kevin Rodel a call today and see what he suggests, then post again.

   By the way. The image you attached is very cool. Did you produce that in SketchUp?

   Matt Berger
   Fine Woodworking

   
   

   ---

   Edited 2/14/2007 10:12 am ET by MBerger

1. 
   daverichards | Feb 14, 2007 10:13pm | #2

   Thank you Matt. I'll be interested to see what Mr. Rodel says. I was also curious about the design consideration in a more general way, too.

   Thank you also for the sompliment on my drawing. I did do it in SketchUp. There's a bit of post SketchUp processing in Picasa.

   FWIW, all the joinery is drawn. It's only lacking dimensions. More than you probably wanted to know.

    

   Dave

2. 
   MBerger | Feb 14, 2007 10:42pm | #3

   Hi Dave,

   Kevin says that he does make an armchair version, however, there are no plans available for it.

   Here are some general guidelines:

   1. Make the front posts taller to join the arm with a mortise and tenon. He used General Architectural Standards (GAS) to determine the height of the arm from the seat. He couldn't remember exactly what that was off the top of his head, but 8 1/2 in. sounded right.

   2. The arm joins to the back post with an angled mortise and tenon and then is screwed from the backside of the chair and pluged with a decorative plug. He noted that this is a tricky joint to get right because of the angle

   3. The chair needs to be wider, but not proportionately. The back is about 1 in. wider and the front is about 2 in. wider. This is going to affect all of the widthwise parts.

   If you end up plugging those numbers and parts into your SketchUp model, I'd be grateful if you posted the file here so other readers could benefit from your work.

   Good luck with it,

   Matt Berger
   Fine Woodworking

    

1. 
   daverichards | Feb 14, 2007 11:00pm | #4

   Matt, thanks for that information. Modifying the SketchUp model will be simple enough. I had done an armchair version with the armrest at 8" but 8.5" sounds nicer. I wasn't happy with the armrest design I came up with and I made it too wide but reworking it is no big deal. I'll be happy to post the drawing once I have it completed.

   Did he give you any idea of what the arm rests look like?

   Thanks again.

   Dave

1. 
   MBerger | Feb 14, 2007 11:47pm | #5

   Thanks for the offer. I'd double check the height by researching the GAS online (they should be published somewhere). Kevin didn't describe the arm, and he's off to a woodworking show this week. I'll follow up when he's back in the shop next week. I can't wait to see your the sketchup model.

   - matt

1. 
   daverichards | Feb 15, 2007 06:21am | #6

   Matt, here is the arm chair along with the original side chair. I'm not entirely happy with the arm rests and I'd like to know what Kevin has actually designed for them. I used the same loose tenon joinery as he used for the side rails in the side chair. I also added the plugs and holes for screws in the back of the rear uprights although I don't suppose there's much to be gained by using them with loose tenons.

   If Kevin would share anything about the arm rests he's done, I'll be happy to modify the model.

    

   TTFN

    

   Dave

   
1. 
   MBerger | Feb 16, 2007 07:49pm | #7

   Hey Dave,<!----><!----><!---->

   Rather than replying to your other thread, I'm going to keep this one going. This is just my opinion, but I think you need to treat the arms differently than you did in the attached image. I envision it more as a flat arm rest, with the front post joining it from underneath with a tenon. I attached a quick sketch.

   The final word will come from Kevin next week.

   Cheers,Matt

   P.S. thanks for the nice comment on the table. I just spet two hours planing and scraping the top. I'll post a picture in a few hours on the blog. Post a comment if you get a chance!

   <!----> <!---->

   
2. 
   daverichards | Feb 16, 2007 08:15pm | #8

   Two hours planing and scraping and you can still type? :)

   I agree. I don't care for the arms as drawn. Yours make more sense. I like the idea of fidgeting with that pyramid shape on the top of the front leg which is why I drew the arms as I did but I do agree they are too skinny. A pyramid on the end of a square through tenon of a plug cut to shape would give one the tactile enjoyment as well.

   We'll see what Kevin shows us.

   Have a great weekend.

    

   Dave

3. 
   Btknows1 | Feb 19, 2007 11:51pm | #9

   I was wondering how many BM it takes to build one of these chairs, I come up with about 22 to 26 using 4/4 and glueing it up.

   BT

4. 
   daverichards | Feb 20, 2007 12:09am | #10

   I haven't calculated how much wood but I could make SketchUp give me a rough figure. I'll do it when I get home and report back.

    

   Dave

5. 
   Btknows1 | Feb 20, 2007 12:25am | #11

   That would be very helpful, I am a cabinet maker in Salem ohio, I have never built chairs before because they scare me (lol) But I guess there's always room for improvement.  I am using Hard Maple and the backslats are going to be cherry.

   Thank's again

   Brent