Has anyone on this forum built a rocking chair on the style of Sam Maloof? If so, did you make the back of the seat narrower than the front of the seat?
My interpretation of his article in FWW, Issue #42, is that he makes (or the one for that article, at least) them 20″ wide (front and back) by 21″ long. In checking every rocking chair I have seen lately, I find that they all are approximately 2″ – 3″ narrower at the back of the seat than at the front.
It would seem to me that a rocking chair with the same width seat, front and back, would appear rather “boxie” looking as compared to one that has a 2″ – 3″ taper. Of course, as one can surmise from my above question, I have never seen one of his rocking chairs nor a copy that someone else has built.
Also, does anyone know of any useful articles/books that gives any additional technical information than that provided in the FWW Issue #42? It is my understanding that the two books about him and his furniture that are currently available for sale, specifically on Amazon.com, are primarily about his life and rather lacking as far as any technical information on any specific piece of furniture that he has built. Is this correct?
This question is perhaps similar to that poised by “Mark” in this forum regarding “Mission Dining Chairs”.
Replies
No direct info for you but try this link..
http://americanart.si.edu/collections/exhibits/maloof/action/index.html
You will need Quicktime to view the videos.. If you do not have you can get on the page...
Have FUN!
Will,
Thanks for the website. I downloaded and installed Quicktime. It works, but slow, due to my slow phone line/ISP service. Cannot get DSL in my area, but it will work. Thanks again.
Don
I think that you might be interested in the video about Sam Maloof. You can get it here on the Taunton site. It says that it isn't an instructional video but it does go into great detail about how he makes his rocker. Also if you look at the gallery section of Knot's you will see some excellent rocking chairs in the Maloof style.
Pete,
I failed to mention in my original post that I already have the Maloof viedo sold by Taunton. Yes, I think it will be a big help.
Also, thanks for reminding me of the Gallery. I reviewed that last night, great help. Guess I'll do a drawing/plywood cutout and mock-up of pine/popular and do "trial and error" until I hopefully like what I see. Think I'll cooper the seat and taper it based upon other rockers I've examined. I have already purchased the Woodline bits, now I am wondering how well they are going to work after reading about the problems with them discussed in the Gallery. Guess I'll go give them a try on a saddle joint. Didn't know they were available from Highland Hardware until I reviewed the Gallery.
Thanks again,
Don
Don,
I don't know what part of the country you live in, but, among the classes offered at Palomar College (San Marcos, CA - Northern San Diego County) is one in which you can build a Maloof-style rocker; BTW, Sam Maloof is a mentor and benefactor of our WW program - heck of a nice guy!
-Jazzdogg-
"Don't ask yourself what the world needs. Ask yourself what makes you come alive, and go do that, because what the world needs is people who have come alive." Gil Bailie
Unfortunately I live about 3,500 miles away. Located in North Alabama. Wish I could take advantage of one of those courses on his style rocker but don't know of any in the SouthEast or up the Eastern Seaboard.
Thanks for the info though,
Don
I’ve built four of them, plus some others that are inspired by his design. I saw an original in the Renwick Gallery in D.C. years ago and that started the whole thing. The video was some help; I use biscuits for the seat reinforcements instead of the dowels he uses. The seat is quite square, and VERY comfortable, and it looks great. Be careful with the band sawing of the seat planks, I broke a couple of blades by pinching them. I think it works best in walnut, but have built one in maple and one in cherry. The cherry version is the least successful of the batch.
The later projects are more Windsor inspired. I “sculpt” the seat, crest and arms the same way but use turned legs and spindles and wedged socket joints. Walnut seat, crest, arms and legs, ash for the small spindles, it works quite nice. Cherry and ash looks good in this chair also.
You will find an angle grinder with rubber backed discs a must for doing the seat finishing.
Maloof style rocking chair
I have built hundreds of these rocker for over 45 years and have just about got it down pat.
I have been working on this ‘Free’ text and clearing my memory. I have sent thousands of copies of this ‘FREE’ text all over the world so woodworkers can build the Maloof style rockers. Just send me an email or respond to this post and I will be happy to send you a copy. No need to buy and expensive text or video this Free text is all you need.
I also have a Free video on my web site about building the Maloof stlye rocker.
[email protected].
Tks !
The short answer to your question is 'yes', the back of the seat is narrower than the front. The amount of the 'taper' is a personal design element. Typically, and I'm not sure there is a typical amount, the back is tapered at 6 degrees in from the front. If you choose this, then an 84 degree angle is formed on both sides, front to back. My suggestion is to draw several full-size seats on brown Kraft paper, or something else cheap, and let your common eye-sense tell you what to use.
I have built 8 Hal Taylor rockers, and I'm a big fan of his process and design. If you plan to do more than one rocker... and they are born pregnant by the way (friends and family will want one, once they see it), I recommend buying Hal's Rocker Manual (he also has a DVD that is richly detailed). Hal demystifies the process, and provides effective how-tos.
For my current rockers, I use a 4.5 degree taper.
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