In the latest issue of Popular Woodworking (#205-Aug. 2013) is an excellent article by Mario Rodriguez regarding a novel approach to scooping a chair seat using the table saw.

Mr. Rodriguez inspired by a 20 year old book titled "Making the Classic Windsor Chair", by Robert Marquis.  

This method is similar to how we cut coves on the TS but, a jig/sled is utilized instead of an angled fence. It's very ingenious, as both sides and the back scoop are cut with the same jig without removing the seat blank from the jig.

If you make chairs....do we know anyone who does?.... this is an excellent read and well worth the cost of the magazine. Even if you don't make chairs, reading about this unique jig might trigger some ideas applicable to other projects. 

You can see a video blog of Mr. Rodriguez using the jig at popularwoodworking.com/aug13

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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

This is a really neat way to cut the seats. I can see if you were making a lot of chairs, this would save a ton of time.

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Lew Kauffman-

Wood Turners Forum Host

Time Traveler and Purveyor of the Universe's Finest Custom Rolling Pins!

It's a wonderful concept Gene, I am very interested, thanks for the heads up. I may not use it on any of the rockers I like to make, because half the fun is working it by hand, but other types of chairs, say a dining set where time is a factor, it's a great idea I feel.

There needs to be a little tweaking to get it to work with your own design, but the concept is very cool indeed.

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John Morris

The Patriot Woodworker

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video of it

What I don't like is the fact that the seat is made with a flat bottom which the guy actually describes as a good thing.  the flat bottom renders the carving a nullity  - - a mere decoration instead of having a function.

 I  prefer a more concave geometry to the seat.

Maybe a 3-d pantograph would be nicer if one really does not like the lancelot type grinder tools.

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Hey~!! It's a hobby~!! It's not supposed to make sense.