Wednesday, April 23, 2014

Diamond Willow Roorkee - Part III: Complete


Completed chair
The chair is done.  I told Dad it would be a two-day project we could do during my vacation at home.  It turned out to take a total of six days.

Well, some things are more important.  We put in two good days of work on the chair, and the next few days we snuck in time when when we could.  This morning, Dad pounded the rivets on the back, and we were done by 9:30 or so.

In the meantime, I got to go fishing with Dad and my brother, Chuck, went golfing, and we had a great Easter celebration with all of the family that was around.

Good times.


Another view
Most of what we have been working on the last couple days was leather work.  I showed Dad what to do, and he did good.  I think he thinks he didn't do much, but any help with these rivets is always welcome.  Plus, he did a great job touching up all of the edges with special leather edge paint.

I used two screws here, instead of three.  It was a decision mandated by the materials.
Dad also did all of the diamond willow work.  He is familiar with this particular medium, and used his usual finish for all of the wood.  Hopefully I will get him to write a bit about his thoughts on this build.


Dad in his chair.
I have to say, building one piece with a partner is much different than doing a build in the usual way.  I admit I have taken for granted many of the woodworking techniques and work methods that I use that aren't possible everywhere.  For example, Dad has no woodworking vice, or any traditional woodworking workholding.  We worked mostly on a welding table he has, while the wood we worked was held by the second person.


Just as comfortable as mine.
Working these sticks was a challenge, too.  Not having flat reference faces, or straight lumber presents challenges in layout, but also an element of freedom.  I think drilling and reaming the holes actually went faster this time than on my last Roorkee.  The results were amazing; every joint is dead-nuts perfect.  The chair sits great, and just works.
Partners in crime.
The material turns out to be fantastic.  We'll have to wait to see how it holds up, but I suspect that in many ways diamond willow could be a fantastic chair material.  It is light in weight, but strong.  I think the wood fibers must be interlocked or something, because it is tough.  I wouldn't recommend using pine or any other softwood, but this one seems to hold together so far.  A lot of people have sat in this chair today, and while they are told it is not a "plopping-in" chair, there were several big people (like me, my dad, and my brother) that the chair seemed not to stress holding. Time will tell.

The chair turned out to exceed all my expectations both aesthetically and structurally.  Not only beautiful, but strong.  Dad sure seems proud of the chair, and I hope he enjoys it for many years.

Most of all, I treasure the opportunity I had to spend time with my Dad working wood making something beautiful together.

15 comments:

  1. fabulous! absolutely fabulous. The pictures, the story, the hard work by both. Thanks Brian!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks for the comment, sister!

      Delete
    2. Brian how cool is that! I didn't expect such a perfect specimum. Outstanding. It was fun to read your story. So glad you had this time with Pops 'KAREN

      Delete
    3. Thanks, Karen. Timing happened to be perfect for this build. I can't remember any other visit home where Dad and I would have had time together to build something like this. The time was definitely special.

      Delete
  2. Looks like a great outdoor chair. Amazing how strange it is to work in someone else's shop or cook in a new kitchen the familiar becomes foreign. Great experience that I'm sure you'll be glad you documented. I like the low perspective chosen on the partners in crime photo.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Jeremy! The chair does look great outside. I'm not so sure the leather would survive a rainstorm, though.

      Delete
  3. Great looking chair. Making a project like that together with your father is a special thing to do.
    Brgds
    Jonas

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Jonas, I agree. An extra-special neat part is that it turned out so nice. I'm glad it looks so nice rather than just being something that a parent would love.

      Delete
  4. I'm wee bit envious of you getting to do something with your dad. It seems the time together went well and you got a chair that will have memories of that time.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I definitely am lucky. The chair build was a fantastic time. I would encourage anyone to do a project with a parent or a child, no matter the age. This one went so well, I think, due to the uniqueness of the project and the fact that we both brought our respective hobbies together. Thanks, Ralph!

      Delete
  5. Hi Brian, I noticed many similarities with your Munich-made Roorkee but with the brown leather and diamond willow it is definitely VERY unique. As a few others already commented, I think that the Roorkee-Chair project was a great way to spend some good time with each other. Considering the visits with folks are few and far between I am sure that your Mom and Dad really appreciated your Easter visit. John

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, John. I know my folks appreciated it. My Mom had a blast watching us out of the back window.

      Delete
  6. I just love it : the chair AND getting to build with Dad as well as fitting in fishing and golfing! I'm sad I didn't get to see you! We"ll need to skype more.KAREN

    ReplyDelete
  7. We did enjoy Brian's visit so much. Building the chair was a special time for Dad and Son. But, there was other time when he got to go fishing with his brother and Dad and playing pinochle and cribbage with Mom and Dad and sister, Linda. Golfing with Dad. Time with cousin Tony, and cousins and Aunt Mary Ellen and Uncle Jean. Fun family time at Easter - nice dinner and fun and games afterwards outside in the beautiful sunny day, and inside playing push. We had lots of good meals. And lots of visiting. So nice. Thanks for the visit, Brian. You made us very happy!

    ReplyDelete