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Kaerlighedsbamsen
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The Bonfire Chair
Designed and built these chairs in 2015 to use at our bonfire place. We like to make pancakes there and look at stars etc. so the chairs should acommodate this. Fun and interesting build with a lot ot "firsts" for me: Laminations, double rounded curves, seat from cord, outdoor use etc. Quite happy about the result and now feel that i should make some for indoor use as well, perhaps in soap treated oak..?
I documented design considerations and build in this blog.
Would love to hear what you think!
Update 2023: Have used these chairs extensively during the years. A lot of bonfires, a lot of guests, a lot of good times happened there. Some people questioned the rope seat and can attest that they are comfortable, thogh with a small tendency to "waffle-butt" if used without a pillow..
Overall the have held up great but last summer one of them came apart. Turned out that I, at the time, were not aware that beech (that the dowels were made from) is not rot resistant. Bummer.
If i were to make new ones I would change the back rest angle a bit backwards as one sit a little too upright. And make the transitions from horizontal, curved pieces to vertical, straight parts much smoother, especially the corner at the front where ones knees rest. Would look sharper and feel nicer and more fluent to the hand.
I documented design considerations and build in this blog.
Would love to hear what you think!
Update 2023: Have used these chairs extensively during the years. A lot of bonfires, a lot of guests, a lot of good times happened there. Some people questioned the rope seat and can attest that they are comfortable, thogh with a small tendency to "waffle-butt" if used without a pillow..
Overall the have held up great but last summer one of them came apart. Turned out that I, at the time, were not aware that beech (that the dowels were made from) is not rot resistant. Bummer.
If i were to make new ones I would change the back rest angle a bit backwards as one sit a little too upright. And make the transitions from horizontal, curved pieces to vertical, straight parts much smoother, especially the corner at the front where ones knees rest. Would look sharper and feel nicer and more fluent to the hand.
"The good chair is a task one is never completely done with" Hans Wegner
14 Comments
cool design, looks like it would be comfortable.
working with my hands is a joy,it gives me a sense of fulfillment,somthing so many seek and so few find.-SAM MALOOF.
Nice design that looks both good and comfortable,.
-- Soli Deo gloria! ( To God alone be the Glory)
Interesting design and build. Looks pretty nice.
Did you ever have to tighten the rope, i.e. did it stretch with time and use?
Did you ever have to tighten the rope, i.e. did it stretch with time and use?
Ron
Thank you for the kind comments!
Did you ever have to tighten the rope, i.e. did it stretch with time and use?
Yes, I left one end long with a not on it to be able to adjust the cord as it stretched, can be seen in pictures 1 and 2. Over the years I have thightened it several times and also changed the cord alltogether due to it not being perfectly UV resistand (despite being made to hold flags)
"The good chair is a task one is never completely done with" Hans Wegner
These look very "airy" which is great for outdoors and keeping comfortable. The increased slope on the back seems like a worthwhile adjustment to try.
When I sit in a chair with a more vertical back, I tend to slide forward a bit it the seat is too "slick". Do you find that an issue with the front-to-back lacing in the seat? Crosswise would give a bit more grip or even a full cross lacing of the seats. Given your comments about the rotting dowels, I'd pay attention to the feet where they contact the ground. A dip in some thin epoxy would seal up the end grain and help out there.
Looking good! Chairs are one of those items that make me hesitate building with all the curves and need for ergonomics. Takes skills to get it all right.
When I sit in a chair with a more vertical back, I tend to slide forward a bit it the seat is too "slick". Do you find that an issue with the front-to-back lacing in the seat? Crosswise would give a bit more grip or even a full cross lacing of the seats. Given your comments about the rotting dowels, I'd pay attention to the feet where they contact the ground. A dip in some thin epoxy would seal up the end grain and help out there.
Looking good! Chairs are one of those items that make me hesitate building with all the curves and need for ergonomics. Takes skills to get it all right.
Another one of the LJ classics. It's still an eye-catching design.
Another one of the LJ classics. It's still an eye-catching design.
Thanks Ross! Are trying to sort through my projects and decide what to showcase here. This one is a personal favorite of mine
When I sit in a chair with a more vertical back, I tend to slide forward a bit it the seat is too "slick". Do you find that an issue with the front-to-back lacing in the seat? Crosswise would give a bit more grip or even a full cross lacing of the seats. Given your comments about the rotting dowels, I'd pay attention to the feet where they contact the ground. A dip in some thin epoxy would seal up the end grain and help out there.
Looking good! Chairs are one of those items that make me hesitate building with all the curves and need for ergonomics. Takes skills to get it all right.
Thanks SpiliterGroup! This kind of rope is a multi-strand one and is not slippery at all. Had a lot of considerations regarding a cross weave but could newer get it to look right and made too manu vertical lines so abandone them.
All wood except the dowels are Siberian larch and the feet does not have any dowels where they contacet the grond. In my experience epoxy does not do a lot of good sealing moisture out but rather tend to keep it in. A sound construction to begin with is definitely the way to go.
This was my first attempt at building with curves and hast to say that it looks way more complicated that it needs to be. Have a go at it, you will be proud!
All wood except the dowels are Siberian larch and the feet does not have any dowels where they contacet the grond. In my experience epoxy does not do a lot of good sealing moisture out but rather tend to keep it in. A sound construction to begin with is definitely the way to go.
This was my first attempt at building with curves and hast to say that it looks way more complicated that it needs to be. Have a go at it, you will be proud!
"The good chair is a task one is never completely done with" Hans Wegner
Very good looking chair.
.................. John D....................
Those look great. Nice design.
Ryan/// ~sigh~ I blew up another bowl. Moke told me "I made the inside bigger than the outside".
Great looking chairs. It is interesting to hear about what you have learned after using them for a few years.
Great looking chairs. It is interesting to hear about what you have learned after using them for a few years.
Glad you found it usefull. It is not often that we get to see how other peoples projects stand up over long-term use.
"The good chair is a task one is never completely done with" Hans Wegner
Cool and well designed chairs, the rope set and back will prevent any build up of water, and give you a dry seat. Good to know that they have held up over the years. Well done.
Main Street to the Mountains
really cool !
Petey
Cool and well designed chairs, the rope set and back will prevent any build up of water, and give you a dry seat. Good to know that they have held up over the years. Well done.
Thanks Eric! That was exactly my hope, and it worked. I take them inside for the winter but they stay outside the rest of the year.
really cool !
Thank you Petey, much apreciated
"The good chair is a task one is never completely done with" Hans Wegner
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