Replies

1. 
   Paul_Readman | Jul 21, 1999 06:20am | #1

   *
   Hello sir,

   Did you find any plans for the Maloof rocking chair. I am also interested. If by chance you find some, could you forward to source.

   Thanks,

   Paul

1. 
   Dale_Page | Aug 17, 1999 12:22am | #2

   *I'm pretty sure I've seen a Sam Maloof book at Barnes and Noble. Dale in NM

1. 
   Markus_Ellermeier | Jun 03, 2001 04:08pm | #3

   *Some years ago, Robert Hensarling sold plans of rocking chairs that were designed after those of Sam Maloof. They were $120.00 each. He doesn't any more, as someone told me, but still offers courses on making rocking chairs. His website is http://www.mesquite-furniture.comHope this is of use,Markus

1. 
   GlennS | Jun 16, 2001 06:42pm | #4

   *I have also serached for, but not found, these plans. I have the Sam Maloof book. It is very good reading, has lots of great pictures, but no plans. If anyone finds them, please email me direct as to where I can get them as well.

1. 
   Dustin_Rosenberg | Jul 21, 2001 03:17am | #5

   *Tim,FWW #42 has a good three page article on maloof rockers complete with sketches and a couple of measurements from which you could probably extrapolate a decent pattern. The date on the mag is sept/oct 1983Dustin

2. 
   Major_H._Patterson | Feb 05, 2002 07:52am | #6

   *Paul: I`m pretty good on the bandsaw,but,there`s no way that I would try to saw contoured chair posts on the saw unsupported the way Maloof appears to be doing.¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬PAT¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬

3. 
   Seth_Frankel_ | Feb 06, 2002 06:35pm | #7

   *I'm pretty sure that you won't find Maloof rocking chair measured shop drawings as the chairs are still in production (and sell in the tens of thousands).The Maloof chairs are lovely, but aren't there enough copies already? I know that imitation is "the most sincere form of flattery", but I'd like to see more new designs personally!Seth

4. 
   Bill_Lindau | Feb 11, 2002 05:01am | #8

   *Seth, If someone was asking for plans for a Windsor chair, would you tell them there were already enough Windsor "copies" in your opinon and that they should invent a new style? What purpose would it serve other than to lay a guilt trip and dampen their enthusiasm?Bill

5. 
   Seth_Frankel_ | Feb 11, 2002 09:34pm | #9

   *Bill,I may have not made my intent clear. My intent is to say that it's wonderful to be inspired others work, but there's so much room for creativity - endless, dare I say. Let's embrace the world of possibilities! I don't think that's "dampen[ing] their enthusiasm". I'd say quite the opposite (as if this has any real influence anyway!).I don't think your Winsdor comparision is fair (although I think I see the point you are trying to make). I think there's an important distinction to make.The Windsor chair is a "style" dating back to before the 1720s and possibly named such because of its creation in or near the city of Windsor, England. In style it's meant that it is neither of box-seat or ladder-back construction and made using specialized tools similiar to those used by wheelwrights (and I'm sure scholars could go on forever!)."Windsors" were made in nearly all colonial and English cities, with craftsmen specializing in its production, but the hugh variety of examples, both historic and contemporary, tell us that the Windsor style is varied as much over time as their are models of cars today.With this in mind, the Maloof rocker is more like a specific "model" of car, with particular details and qualities that define the shape, line, function and appearance and not like a "class" of cars, e.g. the station wagon, or the cabriolet, which is more like the "class" of Windsors. The elements that make up the Windsor are now clearly part of the Public Domain, not held or attributed to specific individuals.On more of a legal and ethical note, I don't think most people would deny the rights of an artist (or car manufacturer!) regarding their work and its reproduction. I urge caution and encourage good judgement in reproducing the original and creative work of others, but certainly don't intend to sound preachy or dogmatic.You may be tempted to argue that today's Maloof rocker is tomorrow's Windsor, which may come to be true, but who knows? That's not where it sits within the public realm today.Best,Seth

6. 
   ck | Feb 12, 2002 10:42am | #10

   *tim, hopefully you haven't gotten discouraged by opinions of others. a friend tracked down mr. maloof i believe at the school where he teaches amongst other masters, anyway sam was flattered that he wanted the plans to one of his trademark chairs and happily gave him full scale drawings and a smile. it may seem far-fetched though try, if it's still important to you. mike riley is the name of the man im talking about and he made seven s.m. rockers and sold each for 8,000. people love the style but not the waiting list. ck.

7. 
   Bill_Lindau | Feb 12, 2002 03:18pm | #11

   *Seth,Between Sam's video, book and numerous magazine articles he has given the public everything but the blueprints, and they are probably there hidden in that material if one did some detective work. I wonder why Mr. Maloof has been so forthright with his trade secrets? Other than being a generous man, he, like most artists and craftspeople, would probably like to see their style live on. I've never seen a Maloof copy. I have seen many variations on a theme. The "Maloof style" didn't just pop into existence either, it evolved. Looking at the work of the Danish chairmakers in the first half of the century, the influences on the Maloof style are obvious. The attachment is a picture of a chair by Finn Juhl made in 1944. Notice the shape of the front leg as it joins the seat. The arms are noteable as well. Did Sam "copy" these ideas. Certainly not, but he may have been inspired by them.From what I can gather, the mechanical joint between the leg and seat in the Maloof chair is totally original. Between its' strength and beauty, it will be hard to improve upon. But then again, it is just a complex ingenious variation on a tongue and groove. The "Maloof style" (the way I see it) is rooted in this joint. Once the joint is adopted, much of the style has been dictated. There are plenty of places to make variations, like the backrests, the arms (especially at the handrest), the crest shape and the shape of the front legs. Bill

8. 
   davealthouse | Apr 17, 2005 03:49am | #12

   I was looking through posted messages in the "Knots" forum and notice you have been looking and may of done some research for plans for a Maloof style rocker. I have been able to locate bits and pieces as far as dimensions, but am a dead end. I could take a class from Hal Taylor, just a bit to pricy for me. I was wondering if you could share any of your finds, if any. thanks

    

   dave althouse

9. 
   Bear | Apr 17, 2005 04:24am | #13

   Dave, Hal Taylor sells his plan and construction book for the Sam Maloof rocking chair. They are not cheap but very comprehensive. I you have a real interest in building this chair it is well worth the investment. Check his web site at Haltaylor.com.Bear

10. 
    BillLindau | Jun 28, 2005 05:52am | #16

    Dave, I just now read this post that you sent me back in April. I don't check in on a regular basis, sorry about the delay in responding. I don't know what Hal is getting for a set of plans, but even if it is several hundred it would be worth the time saved on the learning curve. I got my info from the Maloof video: Carve a Chair that I've heard is available again. Although no dimensions are given, it spells out the idea of the joint he uses. The cutters are available from Highland Hardware in Atlanta, you have to call them and ask as there is no parts number.  Some of the more relevant dimensions that I remember are as follows: 19 1/2" from backrest to front of seat; 17 1/2 from floor to top of seat in front; 12" from floor to top of seat in the rear; at least 18" between the arms, more in the front, less in the back; 27 1/2" from seat to intersection of backrests and headrest, this breaks at the nape of the neck so that the body or head doesn't feel the bottom edge of the headrest.  These are dimensions I've worked out and don't represent any approximation of Maloof's chair. I hope this helps and will gladly supply any more dimensions. These are the one's in my head, the rest are in a notebook at my shop. Bill Lindau

11. 
    davealthouse | Jun 28, 2005 03:27pm | #17

    Thanks for the info

     

    Dave Althouse

2. 
   bladerunner | Jun 26, 2005 12:33am | #14

   I especially like the Maloof rockers too, but does anyone know of any good books or magazine articles about custom making rockers? There are other people who also have beautiful designs, and I would like to learn more about the techniques and design.

   I am interested in the ergonomics, sizing, design etc. I want to use cut or bent back slats to fit the contour of a person. I have read all of the old FWW articles. I am also interested in chair seat variety; upholstered, woven, etc.

1. 
   davealthouse | Jun 27, 2005 07:01pm | #15

   Greetings, I to have found an interest in the Maloof style rockers. What I have found that those who do have plans offer those plans or a class for a price. Hal Taylor has been the best find so far. His classes are a bit pricey for me, but I recall the plans he sells run $250-$300. I have reseached the web and have been able to save pictures of joints and the like and with some practice could replicate them, but other than that I have come up come up with no real results. Maloof has a couple books available but I am not sure if they offer any measured drawing in them. If you ever come across info about this style chair I would be interested.

   Thanx

   Dave Althouse

   Marysville, Ohio