Wooden catsperch chair - the trail run.

[Fozzie 2,089]

Hi all,

After reading a few posts, and looking on line at different observing chairs over the last year or so, I decided that it is something I'd like to have a go at making myself.

Ultimately the plan is for a hardwood chair, probably sapele or iroko again, next year, but after work gave me cash for a monthly prize I thought I'd trail the build in redwood pine first.. to check stability, adjustability and generally any pit falls during the "working" 

The general design is a typical catsperch, but I've added a few tweaks, and changed a bit based on discoveries as I've built..

Wood list is as follows, all 2400mm long x 20.5mm thick. All redwood pse available of the shelf..

1No 144mm wide, 1No 119mm wide, 3No 94mm wide, 2No 69mm wide and 1No 28mm diameter dowel.

Rough plans are as follows, apologies the paper got damp in the garage, but you get the general idea..

First issue was, the back board was to be 1200mm x 144 x 20.5.. now although I check it (not very well by all accounts!) there was no way I was getting a straight bit out of this bit of wood, it was badly warped (so I made a bird box from it instead for the youngster to paint over his holiday!)

I ended up using the 119mm for the back board, 1200mm long, with a 619mm piece for the foot and, as the chair back is narrower than intended i added a shoulder brace, 419mm long.  The backing supports are cut 1375mm long x 94mm x 20.5, these have 38mm diameter holes cut in, 20mm from one side , with areas left for the seat support and fixing the foot/shoulder brace.

After this I cut out the saw tooth seat support halfway through the holes and shaped the end and support areas..  while doing this I had both bits of wood fixed together with clamps so this helped with alignment of the nooks and bits.

I then proceeded to fit the 6mm x 30mm dowels 10No to each side

 From there I cut out the foot and shoulder brace..

From here I needed to align the two supports with the seat back, bit of measuring and using a 6.5mm bit instead of 6mm to give some tolerance I hand drilled the dowel holes to the back of the back board.. there is 20mm (of the 30mm dowel) in to the supports and 10mm in to the back board, I marked the 10mm depth (this was actually 12mm) with tape on the drill bit, otherwise id have drilled through no doubt..

And it all fits together, which totally surprised me! 

The final chair front looks like this, and is 1438mm high...

I'll update the thread when I complete the back leg, later in the week..

Finishing wise, I've had a few ideas, other than simple stain and varnish, but I'll save that for later, and I'm open to suggestions.

Any feed back greatly appreciated, or advise..

Ta

Fozzie

Edited November 4, 2019 by Fozzie

[Fozzie 2,089]

So I was just browsing online different finishes for pine furniture (outdoor), and came across this!!  A legitimate reason to get the blow torch out!

"Shou Sugi Ban" or "yakisugi-ita" I believe it's pronounced!!..

essentially scorched wood, the process involves burning the wood, cleaning the scorched wood with a wire brush that removes the softer part, leaving the harder grain, and finishing with something...

Essentially, make it, burn it, clean it and finish it!  This has got to be worth a try... hasn't it?!

 

[Fozzie 2,089]

A few samples....

Just brushed off with some wire wool...

Hhhhmmmmmmm

[Fozzie 2,089]

Had another play with the burnt finish, ordered a couple of flap wheels to even out the pressure on the stripping back, and stained with a medium oak varnish...  I kind of like it, but I'm not sure I can do it to the entire chair.. that's a big leap!

Hopefully get the support leg constructed this weekend..

Ta 

Fozzie

[Fozzie 2,089]

Sorted the 28mm hinge and support leg.. bit more tomorrow hopefully and we are almost done with the main part.. just seat and foot rest to go .

Looks quite robust..

Ta

Fozzie 

[Fozzie 2,089]

That's the support leg fully assembled now..

I've added a rear foot for a bit of weight spread and extra stability..

That's fixed with 4no 6mm dowels and 2 no screws..  the rest of the leg is glued together, for the moment.. debating whether to screw also.. thoughts would be welcomed..

Ta

Fozzie

[Fozzie 2,089]

So I had a further go at the finish... I was having a practice run making a "bath tray" for the wife.. totally jeffed it up which more the norm for my DIY skills,

but at least I got to test the burnt finish on a bigger sample..

From pine to this, is a big difference.. 

Finished with a light oak varnish..

Ta

Fozzie 

[wookie1965 2,319]

Great build I wish I was as good with woodwork, we just dont get on give me a piece of wood draw a line and say cut down that get a donkeys hind leg. give me copper piping or electrics no problem wood is my downfall.

Many a wooden project I have seen which would be good for Astro but I just cannot do it.  Circular saw not a chance I would have half a hand maybe a thumb left.