Ok folks we got it all broken down, for our first story on this go to this link to see it before we got into it.

An 18th Century Settee Makeover

The upholstery removed and springs and ties exposed. This is really cool getting into this, I love just seeing how things are put together.

The springs are fastened to the bottom of the settee boards with fabric

The deck is cleared of all springs and we are now ready to start removing the boards and rails.

Square nails, cool!!! I'll keep these for other projects for the same customer.

When I get into this old furniture, I just get a real kick out of what I find. I love the old striped fabric, this could have been from an old pillow case, or what have you. I know it's only a piece of fabric, but to think that it quite possibly could be over 200 hundred years old, is just really cool.

Notice how the craftsman nailed the boards up to the bottom of the rails. Think about it, these boards were surface mounted to the bottom of the rails, people have sat directly over these boards exerting their full weight downward from the top of the settee through the springs, and not a single board was even threatening to come loose. They nailed at an angle, no doubt to keep the boards from being pushed downward off the rails.

This board is almost 20" wide and nailed off with three two inch nails to the bottom of the rails.

Long square cut nails hold these boards securely in place, no dadoes in, no joinery but for the nails that held this entire settee together for over two hundred years.

The boards are removed and we have only the rails and vertical uprights left.

They nailed off the boards with the narrow of the rectangular in line with the rail, the width of the nail is facing out. This was done to prevent the boards from splitting. They made these nails rectangular in shape for a reason, they are strategically placed.

Again, the end nailing is done angling inward toward the board to prevent splitting the ends of the board. Then the third nail is driven in straight. This board is one of the 1x6 side rails. The ends were nailed off into the vertical arm supports at the mortised areas.

Note the nice flush butt joint. Next picture, you'll see why.

The craftsman sawed the board at an angle because, keep in mind, this is an upholstered piece, the most important factor here is a flush surface, the joint was nailed up to the vertical upright arm supports, so a tight butt joint was not necessary.

This is way cool, I ended up with a stack of old cut nails.

Thanks for looking folks, this is a fun project, I have more progress since these photos, I'll get them up here tomorrow! Feel free to pummel me with questions!

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John Morris
The Patriot Woodworker
Proud Supporter of Wounded Warrior Project and Homes For Our Troops

Interesting work.A nice job by both them and you.

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Harry Brink
Bulldog Woodworking
Montana

Is any of that wood salvageable? Enough for a box for the client? Cut nail for a lid handle?

Cool demo job, John. Lots of work.

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Gene
'The true soldier fights not because he hates what is in front of him, but because he loves what is behind him.' G. K. Chesterton

Thanks Harry, definitely a step through time!

Harry Brink said:

Interesting work.A nice job by both them and you.

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Harry Brink
Bulldog Woodworking
Montana

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John Morris
The Patriot Woodworker
Proud Supporter of Wounded Warrior Project and Homes For Our Troops

You bet Gene, it's all salvageable! Those rails are a true 4/4.

You are thinking the same as I, I am going to make something for the customer out of the remnants, he has been kind to us with all the work he has provided, he'll get a nice rustic shelf or keepsake box as a "Thank you for your business" gesture.

Gene Howe said:

Is any of that wood salvageable? Enough for a box for the client? Cut nail for a lid handle?

Cool demo job, John. Lots of work.

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Gene
'The true soldier fights not because he hates what is in front of him, but because he loves what is behind him.' G. K. Chesterton

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John Morris
The Patriot Woodworker
Proud Supporter of Wounded Warrior Project and Homes For Our Troops

How ya doin' on the bench? 

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Gene
'The true soldier fights not because he hates what is in front of him, but because he loves what is behind him.' G. K. Chesterton

Hey Gene, had to fix one of the legs, it was missing a big chunk of wood, I'll post photos tonight if I can of the fix process. This weekend the rails and bottom are getting installed, I am shooting for a delivery date of next weekend or the weekend after. I am going to incorporate those side boxes idea you came up Gene to square it off on the inside, it will look super.

Gene Howe said:

How ya doin' on the bench? 

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Gene
'The true soldier fights not because he hates what is in front of him, but because he loves what is behind him.' G. K. Chesterton

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John Morris
The Patriot Woodworker
Proud Supporter of Wounded Warrior Project and Homes For Our Troops

Looking forward to seeing more pics. You doing the upholstery, too? I can see a red damask pattern in velour and large gold piping, with matching roll bolsters with gold tassels on the ends. Can you say "Bordello"?

Seriously, I'd really like to see the final, in place photos. I'll bet the owners will be ecstatic.

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Gene
'The true soldier fights not because he hates what is in front of him, but because he loves what is behind him.' G. K. Chesterton

No upholstery Gene! Although that does sound wonderful and elegant! The owner wanted a complete makeover, from what he says it was not upholstered originally but had a cushion set in it through his research.

Gene Howe said:

Looking forward to seeing more pics. You doing the upholstery, too? I can see a red damask pattern in velour and large gold piping, with matching roll bolsters with gold tassels on the ends. Can you say "Bordello"?

Seriously, I'd really like to see the final, in place photos. I'll bet the owners will be ecstatic.

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Gene
'The true soldier fights not because he hates what is in front of him, but because he loves what is behind him.' G. K. Chesterton

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John Morris
The Patriot Woodworker
Proud Supporter of Wounded Warrior Project and Homes For Our Troops