36 Hour Classes
INSTRUCTOR: Carol Hardy, Fellow
COURSE: Furniture Construction
PROJECT: Arm Chair 1740-1760, Eastern Massachusetts
(THIS CLASS IS FULL)
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
In the 17th Century, armchairs were often constructed solely of turned parts. However, by the early 18th Century chair makers along the east coast of Massachusetts began to employ new joinery techniques in their trade. These framed chairs first began to appear in Boston in the late 1720’s. While the rush seat, blockand- baluster turned legs, and stretchers are typical of the earlier chairs, the rest of this chair is built in the newer 18th Century framed construction. Exportation of these chairs throughout New England greatly influenced colonial American chair making.
Construction techniques and authentic joinery will be emphasized in the class. Students will use traditional framing construction of mortise-and-tenon joints on the stretchers, rear stiles, arms, back splat, and crest rail. The legs and front stretcher will be turned on a duplicator lathe. The “paintbrush” feet will be carved from the solid-turned leg, as the original, and will not be pieced out. Students will also be carving the volutes on the crest rail and molded rear stiles. The handwoven rush seat will complete the chair construction.
Finishing techniques will be discussed and applied if time permits. Detailed instructions and measured drawings will be provided.
TIME: 36 hours. Completion is unlikely. However, students will have the necessary information and materials to finish on their own.
POWER TOOLS: table saw, scroll saw, lathe, moto tool, drill press, shaper
SKILL LEVEL: This class is suitable for all levels from beginner to advanced. Students will use a variety of hand tools and power tools. Accurate measuring is essential as the use of calipers will be necessary.
MATERIALS FEE: $80