Replies

1. 
   tommyp | Feb 08, 2006 01:58am | #1

   im thinking lamination or solid runners just my thought

2. 
   QCInspector | Feb 08, 2006 02:00pm | #2

   All of the above.

   I have a Mission/Craftsman style Rocking chair with an upholstered seat. It was given to me in pieces, in a cardboard box. The original rockers were steam bent oak. For reasons that were never revealed, the ends were cut off both front and back. The chair was always put against the wall. During parties there was always a drunk that would pull it out into the middle of the room and sit down, instantly flying backwards to the horizontal. The beer wasted on shirt and pants, amid the sound of a room full of laughter. Chair, returned to the wall to await its next victim.

   Steam bending was beyond me at the time so I made my replacements on the band saw, and they are serving well. Plus they match the solid oak that the rest of the chair is made of.

   I think laminated rockers best suite the long thin ones that Sam Maloof spawned for his chairs.

   In the end it becomes as much a consideration of style as it is of strength.

3. 
   bobbylonghare | Feb 08, 2006 06:57pm | #3

   I've made several rockers, mostly Maloof style but a couple of mission style also. Either solid or bent lamination work fine, your choice depending on the wood on hand or the look desired.
   Solid requires a wider piece of wood and resulting waste and you need to make sure there are no problems like cracks or weak spots. Glued up requires a form and cutting a LOT of thin strips to glue back together. The bent lamination is generally stronger but I've never had a solid rocker break. Just need to be more aware of the wood.

   Bobby

4. 
   WillGeorge | Feb 09, 2006 04:00am | #4

   laminated glue-up is the way to go in my humble opinion...

   I make Bows and they stay put! Well, usually!
   However I never used Oak for my bows... I usually use ash and hickory.

   I would think Oak will be stable in a laminate but as I said I never did it,,