Build A Bow-Arm Stickley Morris Chair
Learn the basics of building this classic Craftsman-style chair.
Aug 07, 2012
Gregory Paolini began woodworking in high school and found that he had an affinity for the Arts and Crafts style.
In this video workshop, he’ll show you step-by-step how to make a comfortable Arts and Crafts recliner. For the most part, the construction is straightforward. But the most distinctive part of the chair–its bow arms–presents two big challenges: making a curved lamination, and cutting a mortise-and-tenon joint on the curved arms and side frame.
He’ll show how laminating the arms gets you around those challenges. And he’ll also demonstrate how to get striking quartersawn grain everywhere it counts, including a simple and authentic method for making a leg with four quartersawn faces.
In this episode, Paolini talks about all of the details that go into the chair, giving a broad overview of what it takes to make it.
Produced by: David Heim; Video by: Gary Junken; Editing by: Michael Dobsevage
For more information about upholstery
A Woodworker’s Guide to Upholstery
For plans
How to Build a Bow Arm Stickley Morris Chair
For Paolini’s finish recipe
Arts and Crafts Look Without Harsh Chemicals
Videos in the Series
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Build A Bow-Arm Stickley Morris ChairAugust 7, 2012 -
Morris Chair: Bending Form for the Bow ArmAugust 7, 2012 -
Morris Chair: Bend the Bow ArmsAugust 7, 2012 -
Morris Chair: Legs with Quartersawn FacesAugust 7, 2012 -
Morris Chair: Router-Cut MortisesAugust 7, 2012 -
Morris Chair: Tenons on the Table SawAugust 7, 2012 -
Morris Chair: Through TenonsAugust 7, 2012 -
Morris Chair: Through MortisesAugust 7, 2012 -
Morris Chair: Constructing the BackAugust 7, 2012 -
Morris Chair: Finishing TouchesAugust 7, 2012 -
Morris Chair: Pivot and Support PinsAugust 7, 2012 -
Morris Chair: Glue Up and Finishing StrategiesAugust 7, 2012 -
Morris Chair: Advice on UpholsteryAugust 7, 2012
Comments
“[Deleted]”
Fine Woodworking, in one of their books I have published by Taunton Press titled, "In the Craftsman Style", pub. 2001 on page 132, there was an article by Patrick Nelson that solved this dilemma that Stickley solved with two not widely available shaper bits a hundred plus years ago, that is now solvable with one modern lock-mitre router bit in a router table.
[Addendum: In fact, I just opened an e-missive from chipsfly.com, and they have an EZ-Check digital gauge that should make setting up the lock-mitre bit (and much more) a snap. "Who knew?"]
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