This is my version of a Frank Loyd Wright Taliesen barrel chair. I was inspired to make one after seeing one posted by James Mcintyre. Trying to figure out the exact dimensions was difficult because no plans are available anywhere i could find. Steve Rasmussen was very helpful in sending me some drawings he was able to create. That gave me a close proximity to what i needed. I had no intention of doing an exact copy so i worked with what i had. The chair is made from 8/4 & 3/4 cherry. Sizes are, seat h=17", seat w=20", seat d=19", arm rest h=28" and back rest is 7" above arm rail. Finish is 4 coats of Maloof formula. Plugs are ebony. basically this chair is a blend of FLW design and Sam Maloof woodworking style. Here are some build pic's.
This is one drawing i was able to find that gave some dimensions.
This is what i started with, creating a template to make the two arches that the chair basically grows from.
The segments are cut at approximately 15 degrees. I used the glue block idea i got from a recent project that Bryan Benham uses. Works very well and the blocks pop right off attached with ca glue. One thing though next time ill put blocks top and bottom as it pulled only on the top creating a little gap on the bottom.
Top and bottom arches made from 8/4 cherry. Cut out on the band saw.
Seat made from 8/4 cherry using a Maloof pattern used on the rocker. Carved out first with a 4" grinder using a holey galahad disc. These work very well and are easy to control. Next i switch to a 4" flap disc on the grinder to smooth it out more. After that final sanding was done with a 5" ROS and for the tight radius on the seat edges i use a bowl sanding disc. Testing out the fit on the seat in the chair frame. Parts are assembled using dominos and 3" #10 wood screws.
Brackets where the legs attach to the seat.
Glue up of the back rest, 4 rings made from 8/4 cherry. Each ring is slightly beveled then was shaped one again with the galahad and flap sander.
Back rest attached and shaped and sanded.
Arms shaped and attached.
Final assembly and glue up. The back spokes are attached with 3/8" dowels. This was a fun glue up. I used titebond extended glue for this.
Final shaping and sanding.
Ive been criticised in the past for not showing enough of my process for projects so i hope this satisfies (LBD) people ! any questions please ask. I do not have any drawings other that what ive shown. I didn't even do one of my simple crude drawings. Everything evolved off the two arches. And i even went so far as to use capitols !!!!!
working with my hands is a joy,it gives me a sense of fulfillment,somthing so many seek and so few find.-SAM MALOOF.
A real beauty P! Not many straight lines so I wouldn't try that even with a long wood staff. I noticed in my searches for the recent table that Josef Hoffmann made some similar pieces.
Great job shaping (I'd prefer more a$$ relief, but that's just me) Finish looks wow, that cherry will age nicely!
brit-not really sure as i stopped and started many times, but id guess around 50 ? fog- thank you. moke- yep i thought of a blog but i was afraid of screwing it half way through 🤣 splint- it was a lot easier than i had anticipated .
working with my hands is a joy,it gives me a sense of fulfillment,somthing so many seek and so few find.-SAM MALOOF.
Great Design work looks to have made the build process. Construction method is top notch. Excellent on all accounts. Like the write up. You did great on the chair and the write up.
WOW! Pottz. That is one hell of a fine piece of craftsmanship. Really really superb. You should be very proud of your work. Fan-freaking-tastic!!!!!!!!!!
Great job Pottz! You created a lot of sawdust with all that carving and sanding. But of course, as you know, there’s never enough photos for the esteemed Mr. Duck.
thanks papa your too kind ! FD- yes it did create some dust, but thats what it's all about, right ! yeah we'll see if this pleases him, im under 100 pic's so who knows 🤣
working with my hands is a joy,it gives me a sense of fulfillment,somthing so many seek and so few find.-SAM MALOOF.
WOT... you expect me to sit on my rrrs and read all that stuff?... it'd go bum numb!
All jokes aside, Great job and dare I say, bloody GREAT wite up... now wasn't that better for you than telling us Aussies that your thermometer showed 75F° at 7:52pm last night? I even noticed you found that/those keys! Next you'll be queuing up at church next Sunday and have a 8 x 10 glossy picture of the Pope on the workshop wall.
The outcome was worthy of a concerted write up... why follows that adage BS about "old dogs".
As with bowls, I may never make one (chair), but I have filed this handy hint/procedure in my memory banks, safe from the affects of alcohol, for future other projects... I may have eventually stumbled across some sort of solution under similar circumstances, but this will give me time for another cask-o-vino between glue ups.... and you said you can't/don't teach.
Now off your rrs and make at least 3 more for the dinning table, or do you eat alone or make W' stand?
If your first cut is too short... Take the second cut from the longer end... LBD
2.png)
