I’m building two patio chairs that will stay outside so the seats won’t be upholstered and I don’t want to use cushions for comfort: I want to shape the seat to fit the body. Is there a generally accepted design that is the best (for example, Maloof’s rocker seat)? And whatever the design, what’s the best and easiest way to scoop out the seat?
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Replies
Actuary—
It depends. What is the overall construction: Is it plank, where the seat is made from a solid blank, with legs and arms connected to it, or is it frame, where a framework of sticks make up the upper and lower sections and the seat is a series of slats connected to the frame?
If you’re working with a solid plank, then scooping the blank is typically done with either hand tools, such as scorps, travishers and other heavily-curved spokeshaves, or grinders fitted with shaping cutters, such as chains or carbide-tipped wheels. Some woodworkers devise wooden jigs and templates to guide a router and straight bit for hogging out the overall shape, and then refine the surfaces by hand. “Easy” is in the eye of the beholder, and it will depend on the tooling and skills you have on hand.
If you’re working with frame pieces, then curving the parts before assembly is usually the best route, such as bandsawing to a curve, bent-laminating, or steam-bending.
The actual shape of the seat itself is hard to pin down. That’s because there isn’t one perfect shape. Sam Malooof’s chairs are a start, but his rockers and other chairs are successful because he’s designing them for specific uses. I suggest you study other chairs that you like, specifically patio-style chairs. Also, pick up a book or two: there are many on the subject worth reading.
Good luck!
—Andy
Thanks for your suggestions. I'm working with a plank (made of QS white oak) so one thing I'll do is check out the different types of spokeshaves. Also, there was a Methods of Work entry in FWW a few years ago involving a router with a bowl-and-tray bit and the use of a jig to guide the router (as you mentioned in your reply) and that looks like another possibility.I'll see if I can find some books on patio chair design.Thanks again.
That looks good with me. It can make your front more lovely.
patio furniture
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