Wednesday, April 20, 2016

2nd Annual June Chair Build

Last year's June Chair Build was a world-wide, resounding success. I finished my chair sometime in August, and the other two guys who built June chairs barely beat me to it.

With such an overwhelming outpouring of artistic effort, I think it is time to start thinking about the 2nd Annual June Chair Build!

For motivation, I have collected some photos of my chairs for you.
This is Stoolerable. Not all my chairs have names, but this one does. It might look funny, but it is perfect as a shop stool in my tiny shop.
The idea is simple, really. Use this as an excuse to build a chair.

Any chair.
This is the first Roorkee chair I did. Pear and black leather.
My suggestion is to quit waiting until you have the perfect piece of wood, all the right tools, a six month sabbatical, or whatever excuse has been preventing you from building a chair and just do it.
This amazing chair I helped my dad build. The material of choice for his hobby is diamond willow.
I feared building a chairs for the longest time. I always thought I didn't know enough about woodworking for the crazy angles, green wood, or who knows what. It turns out there is probably some kind of chair out there you can build with the tools and skills you already have.
Coffee 'n Cream. Hair-on cowhide and wenge, which was intended for an abandoned project.
If you have always wanted to build a chair, my suggestion is don't wait. Just go ahead and start with whatever you happen to have. You'll figure it out as you go along. There are some great resources online, as well as some fantastic books which you'll surely come across.
The Viking Throne. Elm and ash. I made this at the Danish Chair Building Extravaganza at Jonas' (Mulesaw) two years ago.
If you are a little unsure of yourself, cooperate with someone nearby. Even if they aren't an expert, you'll have fun and learn something.
Modern Welsh Side Chair. Elm and fumed oak. This was the chair I built last June. Except it wasn't finished until August. Ahem.
Don't worry too much if your spouse isn't crazy about what it is you plan to build. If she doesn't like it, you can always give it away as a gift. Someone will get an amazing present, and you'll learn a lot about chairs that you can use on your next chair!
SatanSantaPope Chair. Leather and ash with a charred finish. This chair was made without a lathe.
I love to see chairs by experienced chair builders, but I would REALLY love to see someone's first chair.

Who's with me?

Just let me know in the comments, by InstaGram, or by email that you would like to participate, and send an occasional photo or two. I would love to see them, and I'll most likely post them here.

24 comments:

  1. Ill give you a tentative "i'm in" Always want to try that, but will have to see how things turned out...
    I think ill try something like your stoolerable, love the look and look comfortable

    Bob

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    1. Hey Bob!

      Way to go. You have a few weeks to think about it.

      Stoolerable was a lot of fun to build, and I use it all the time. It is so narrow front to back because my shop is so small. This works perfect for me.

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  2. I am in! I need a chair, I have put it off long enough, and this is my impetus! I assume the build will start in June, or is it slated to end in June, start when you can? Let us know!

    David Taylor
    Learn Relentlessly

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    1. Hey David!

      Congratulations on the first step: admitting you need to build a chair!

      My plan is to start and finish in June, no matter how long it takes.

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  3. Wait, June is over? I thought I still could make it...

    Seriously, this year I am 110% in.

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    1. Hey Jeremy!

      I expect you to finish 110% of it in June.

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  4. It may be a three legged stool but count me in. Gives me a reason to find my work bench.

    June? 2016? Right?

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    1. Hi Chris,

      Well, I'll leave the interpretation of "June Chair Build" up to you.

      I look forward to seeing your three-legged stool.

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  5. I think I am in! hopefully June will last 90 days ;-)

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    1. Hi Aymeric!

      Perfect. Last year June was at least 90 days, so you should be good this year, too!

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  6. Brian,

    I'm in, with the caveat that I may need the obligatory 3 month extension. After 14 months I'm still rehabbing my daughters house and HOPE to have her in it sometime in June.

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    1. Hi Ray!

      I'm glad you will do it again! Your chair last year was fantastic. I'll keep an eye on your blog.


      Cheers!

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  7. I like your Welsh side chair a lot. I've been thinking about building one (maybe a set, eventually) and, aesthetically, I like the idea of having an odd number of spindles but I've read that odd numbered spindles can be uncomfortable to sit in. Do you notice that with yours?

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    1. Hi Gavin!

      Thanks for the compliment. I really like that chair, too.

      I wouldn't worry about what they say in the books. Most English Windsors, for example, have a splat right in the back. As far as my chair goes, the back is relatively low, so my back rests on the crest as opposed to the spindles.

      I say build it how you want, and if it doesn't work just right, do it different next time!

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    2. Oh, I almost forgot to say: The splay on the legs of that chair are a very bold 25 degrees. It looks cool, but if I had a whole set of them, they would all get tangled up at the dining table and might frustrate some of your guests trying to get in and out of them.

      But it does indeed look cool.

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    3. Brian, that's really helpful! Thanks for the reply. Re: the splay- I'll probably shoot for something a little less dramatic but hopefully still lively. I'm iterating drawings right now. If I ever finish (probably not in June!) I'll send you a photo.

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    4. Please do! I'd love to see it.

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  8. Gavin I make Windsor Chairs, and use an odd number of spindles and they are very comfortable. I believe the saddling of the seat, or lack there of, and the angle at which the seat is set plays a much larger roll in how a chair sits. Just my 2 cents worth.

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    1. Ray, I have a tendency to read and read and read and then agonize about what I've read. I have to remind myself to, as Brian said above, build it how I want, and then I can see for myself. I appreciate your sharing your experience.
      Now, to build the darn thing!

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  9. Gavin you can always do a scaled down mock up using wood and wire coat hanger. When you get something that pleases you, make note of angles and like the Nike commercial says; Just Do It. Good luck and I too am looking forward to seeing what you come up with.

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  10. I'm in, but I don't own a calendar. so June is about 4 months off, right?

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    1. Haha! Good one, Greg. You can use whichever calendar that works best for you.

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