Sam Maloof Style Rocking chair -

[colyn]

1st  Sam Maloof style walnut/maple/ash  rocking chair.
Finished a few weeks ago - Great project - If I can do it - anyone can.
Was hesitant to even start but finally realized I had nothing to lose and everything to gain. Most comfortable chair to sit in with flex backs that also move in the joint. Thanks Hal Taylor for the outstanding plans and video. It has opened up a new world for  me and confidence level is HUGE.

 

[colyn]

Wish i had better pictures/camera  ( iPhone in terrible lighting conditions) and being overcast doesn't help  [embarassed]

 

[kelauben]

Wow! Incredible work. I'd love to hear more details on the build process. In particular how the seat was carved out. Did you remove most of the material with a router or what?  Details would be great.

Thanks.

Karl

 

[Billedis]

Very impressive.  Beautiful work and wood selection.  Bill

 

[dltflt]

Did you design that yourself or buy the plans?

 

[colyn]

Don T - Hal Taylor ( awesome plans/books/patterns and video - can't go wrong)

 

[colyn]

Wow! Incredible work. I'd love to hear more details on the build process. In particular how the seat was carved out. Did you remove most of the material with a router or what?  Details would be great.

Thanks.

Karl

I used a 1/2 pattern  ( double stick tape and clamps helped secure it so it did not move...for the seat cutout -  ( and flipped it over to the other side after I had about a 1/4 inch depth all way round) so I would get identical sides but you could draw a full pattern and cut it out just the same. I used an arbortech turboplane  to follow the inside of the pattern and between the arbortech turbo plane and my RAS 115 using 36 and 40 grit sandpaper i was done in no-time the RAS is nice because of the dust collection and the arbortech is great in following patterns ( once you have a little depth you can remove the pattern as it will follow the outline  - nice thing is it leaves a rounded inside edge and leaves  a flat bottom where needed as well
I did drill holes in the seat at appropriate depths so I knew when I was at the final seat depth I needed because the seat depths are deeper towards the back......any other questions I would be happy answer.
here is arbitrates website
http://www.arbortechusa.com/view/woodworking/turboplane/

 

[dltflt]

Thanks for the info. By the way the chair is beautiful.

 

[colyn]

Thanks for the info. By the way the chair is beautiful.

Thanks - appreciate it

 

[ScotF]

Very beautiful work! That came out really nice. How long did it take you to finish? I am getting ready to start on a dining chair and table set - Maloof inspired. Deciding on whether to order Walnut or buy locally in smaller quantities as the entire project will take a lot of wood. No storage is the issue.

This chair will serve you well for many years and bring a smile...I know it would me.

Congrats!

 

[Brent Taylor]

You should be very proud of yourself, you have done so very fine work. B

 

[nclemmons]

Really nice work.  I like the contrasting wood detail.  Very graceful.

You used a slightly different seat design from Sam.  He would use offset glue line angles for a more pronounced seat form and then lots of sanding.  Looks like yours would be easier.

How many hours?

Thanks for sharing and congrats on a well executed piece.

Neil

 

[Iceclimber]

Now thats a beauty!

 

[Tinker]

That is one fine job.  From the start, i was thinking about how you did it.  Thought there had to be a lot of time spent on that seat.  And then i find out you cheated  [poke]

I love the contrast between Walnut and Ash.  I do many of my small projects using that comb.  Nothing a s fine as your chair tho. 

You mentioned the back flexes.  I was wondering about that and i see the holes those back pieces fit into at the bottom are slightly over sized.  I have not looked at and studied Sam Maloof's work.  Is that part your own idea, or from the plans you have?
Tinker

 

[ajones]

A project i must try maybe next year.. great work thanks for posting

 

[colyn]

Very beautiful work! That came out really nice. How long did it take you to finish? I am getting ready to start on a dining chair and table set - Maloof inspired. Deciding on whether to order Walnut or buy locally in smaller quantities as the entire project will take a lot of wood. No storage is the issue.

This chair will serve you well for many years and bring a smile...I know it would me.

Congrats!

It did not take long at all to finish - sanded to 2000 Grit, coat of danish oil put on with brush then wiped off 30 min later followed by one more coat and wiped off 15 min later.....done

 

[colyn]

Really nice work.  I like the contrasting wood detail.  Very graceful.

You used a slightly different seat design from Sam.  He would use offset glue line angles for a more pronounced seat form and then lots of sanding.  Looks like yours would be easier.

How many hours?

Thanks for sharing and congrats on a well executed piece.

Neil

I would guess around 90 hours - never kept track and only worked on it for 8 hours  for three days  - rest was a 3-4 hour day

 

[colyn]

That is one fine job.  From the start, i was thinking about how you did it.  Thought there had to be a lot of time spent on that seat.  And then i find out you cheated  [poke]

I love the contrast between Walnut and Ash.  I do many of my small projects using that comb.  Nothing a s fine as your chair tho. 

You mentioned the back flexes.  I was wondering about that and i see the holes those back pieces fit into at the bottom are slightly over sized.  I have not looked at and studied Sam Maloof's work.  Is that part your own idea, or from the plans you have?
Tinker

...from Hal Taylors Plans - back flexes and also moves slightly in elongated SEAT holes ( not the top) - the bottom of the back slats are dipped in parrafin  so although it moves it doesn't move full length of elongated holes - make sense ?

 

[colyn]

That is one fine job.  From the start, i was thinking about how you did it.  Thought there had to be a lot of time spent on that seat.  And then i find out you cheated  [poke]

I love the contrast between Walnut and Ash.  I do many of my small projects using that comb.  Nothing a s fine as your chair tho. 

You mentioned the back flexes.  I was wondering about that and i see the holes those back pieces fit into at the bottom are slightly over sized.  I have not looked at and studied Sam Maloof's work.  Is that part your own idea, or from the plans you have?
Tinker

NOT Cheating Smart thinking
Hal Taylor uses a CNC machine  - I used my brain

 

[Tinker]

That is one fine job.  From the start, i was thinking about how you did it.  Thought there had to be a lot of time spent on that seat.  And then i find out you cheated  [poke]

I love the contrast between Walnut and Ash.  I do many of my small projects using that comb.  Nothing a s fine as your chair tho. 

You mentioned the back flexes.  I was wondering about that and i see the holes those back pieces fit into at the bottom are slightly over sized.  I have not looked at and studied Sam Maloof's work.  Is that part your own idea, or from the plans you have?
Tinker

...from Hal Taylors Plans - back flexes and also moves slightly in elongated SEAT holes ( not the top) - the bottom of the back slats are dipped in parrafin  so although it moves it doesn't move full length of elongated holes - make sense ?

Are the holes tapered from top to bottom? Or does the flex depend on spring from top anchoring to free bottom attachments?

That is one fine job.  From the start, i was thinking about how you did it.  Thought there had to be a lot of time spent on that seat.  And then i find out you cheated  [poke]

NOT Cheating Smart thinking
Hal Taylor uses a CNC machine  - I used my brain

I've been told upon occasion that i have rocks in my head.
I never knew anybody with carbide for brains  [poke]

Tinker