The Brief
Grouping 1
2x Small children’s chairs with armrests
– Seat height approx 300mm
– Bark removed on all parts
1x Table to accommodate these two small children’s chairs
Grouping 2
1x Regular height children’s chair with armrest
2x Regular height children’s chairs without armrests (if these 2 chairs don’t have armrests then they could also easily be used by adults which would be good)
– Seat height approx 400mm
– Bark kept on all parts
1x Table to accommodate these three children’s chairs and one extra person
(The chairs also need to form a cube from the seat down to contrast with the freeform backs)
I’ll keep this brief.
Before starting the main work I very quickly made two mock-up chairs of the required dimensions.
After a little discussion it was decided that the armrests detract from the ‘cube’ effect required of the seats. So, the overall form of the chairs agreed, I set off for the woods to get my materials.
After an hour I was making progress.
I was distracted by the things to be seen in a winter woodland.
A squirrels table.
Nuts for breakfast.
A few hours later and I have what I need.
Some measuring and cutting, then an evening in front of the fire preparing some of the pieces.
Starting early and working late I made good progress.
Some adjusting of the spindles.
A little change of pace to select, cut and prepare the Ash boards needed for the table tops
Now some surface preparation.
The result of some work with the spokeshave.
Some more work with the spokeshave preparing for the seats.
When all the chairs had seats fitted, some tidying.
More spokeshave work adding a bevel.
All done.
Leaving the chairs to rest before final finishing I turned to the tables again, making a quick mock-up to check dimensions and leg splay.
Some complicated calculations and sucking breath through teeth.
Then to work measuring and cutting
Some more work with the spokeshave.
After some careful tenon cutting and mortice drilling I had two undercarriages.
When they were dry and the wood had settled, I placed the tops on to see how they worked.
Some more detailed planning.
Then a nerve-wracking time cutting pegs, and boring mortices for them to fit in.
Boring the corresponding mortices on the table tops.
After some very careful measuring and cutting of pegs to ensure a completely level fit i ended up with these.
The tables and chairs will be used in the Puffin Rock Habitats exhibition.
My heartfelt thanks to Steven for enabling me to be part of this fabulous project – it was great to meet and chat. I wish you and everyone involved every success and hope all expectations are exceeded.
You can see Stevens incredible work at his website: www.roji.ie