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  1. New Lebanon Transitional Rocker Chair Parts
  2. Back Slats Bent and in Form
  3. Back Slats in Form
  4. Back Slat Steam Bending
  5. Chair Posts Bent
  6. Steam Box Joints
  7. Steam Box
  8. The Steam Box
  9. Rear Posts in Steamer

Chair Posts Bent

John Morris

By John Morris

Cherry is a pretty brittle lumber in relation to other common North American species. But even at that, this kiln dried lumber from my local supplier bent just fine without a crack.

I was surprised how pliable they were when I pulled them out of the box. The posts are 1 3/8" in diameter, the general rule is to steam lumber 1 hour per inch, I rounded and erred on the side of caution and steamed these posts for 1.5 hours. I could have bent them around a large doughnut they were so pliable. 

I made the blocks as an after thought on the fly as the posts were steaming, I did a dry run before this operation with just a rag and the straps and it worked ok, but I had second thoughts while the wood was steaming, so I made these blocks up for the strap to go around and I am glad I did. They worked fantastic.

 

These posts will stay in the form for two weeks give or take a day or two.

From the album:

Shaker Furniture

· 60 images

Photo Information

  • Taken with Motorola XT1080
  • Focal Length 4.5 mm
  • Exposure Time 2498/100000
  • Aperture f/2.4
  • ISO Speed 640
View all photo EXIF information

Recommended Comments

Gene Howe Grand Master

Gene Howe

Members

Ingenious.

I'm guessing the hole alignment was critical. Any special procedure to insure alignment? Or just a good eye?

  • Quote
    • John Morris Grand Master

    John Morris

    Administrator

    Thanks Gene, much of chair building is by eye. But if you see the holes, they are aligned on the pencil mark I drew while the post was on the lathe.

  • Quote
    • lew Grand Master

    lew

    Administrator

    Great series! Looks like that steamer worked perfectly!!

     

    Like Gene, I wondered about the holes. Could they have been drilled after the bending process??

  • Quote
    • John Morris Grand Master

    John Morris

    Administrator

    27 minutes ago, lew said:

    Great series! Looks like that steamer worked perfectly!!

     

    Like Gene, I wondered about the holes. Could they have been drilled after the bending process??

    I feel it's best to drill them while the post is straight Lew, easier to line up, and easier to handle at the drill press.

  • Quote
    • John Morris Grand Master

    John Morris

    Administrator

    Plus, I have to lay out the holes with my story stick, while the posts is straight, see at 

     

  • Quote
    • dsbender Newbie

    dsbender

    Members

    nicely done, I love shaker

    cheers,

     

    dsb

  • Quote

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