Here I go again...

Rhode Island Style

Jim Crammond in Monroe, Mi.

>John,

Looks like you have lots of fun ahead of you.

Would you care to elaborate on Rhode Island style of chairs? I've just started to think about making Windsor chairs, so am now in the long research mode of making them, any books on Windsor chairmaking or Windsor styles that you would recommend?

Jim

Re: Rhode Island Style

John in Kerrville

>You might want to check out this site: http://www.windsorchairresources.com

I picked up a chair router from their swap meet or whatever they call it. Just another resource in case you do not have it.

john

Books...

Scott in Douglassville, PA

>I think there are a few must-haves that will give you a good foundation on styles and construction:

• The Book of American Windsor Furniture, by John Kassay. Very detailed book, has measured drawings of selected chairs (though not always the chairs you'd like to see the drawings of).



• Charles Santore's double volume The Windsor Style in America. Another great survey book, with a lot of emphasis on style and strengths and weaknesses of the specific chairs and how they typify regional styles.



• The Chairmaker's Workshop, by Drew Langsner. A very detailed description of every aspect of chairmaking, including Shaker, Welsh stick, and Windsor. Langsner uses a very well though-out, if somewhat contemporary, method for building. There's a ton of information in this book.

There are other books (Dunbar's, if you can afford the $100+ for a used paperback; Nancy Goyne Evans' comprehensive American Windsor Chairs; Jim Rendi's Traditional Windsor Chair Making gives a step-by-step overview of building a comb back), but these are definitely good ones to look at over and over.

short, inadequate answer...

john jesseph

>I am at work and can't elaborate like I want to, but here is a pic from www.marksoukup.com showing some of the many leg styles. Lots of features of chairs help pin them down to a particular region or time, but the turnings are probably the most distinctive identifier. The continuous arm chair was developed in New York, but there are some nice variations from nearby regions...

Not much to add here

john jesseph

>Scott has it about covered. Nutting wrote a Windsor book, but I think most of those pictures and more were in Furniture Treasury I and II. There is a book from the early 60's by Thos. Ormsbee I have not seen yet, but it is readily available (as is a reprint of the Nutting book).

Brief opinionated commentary: I like the Santore book and Langsner's book quite a lot.

Lots of talented chairmakers up your way who would be willing to show a skilled woodworker like you a few pointers, Jim.

Bit of a start...

john jesseph

>White oak isn't fun to split. Sure makes nice chair parts.

Thought I'd post a pic of the tools I am using for spindle shaving. I have been working on a simple but accurate method for making nice spindles, seems to be going okay...

Re: that second tool from the top...

Darrell in Oakville

>John,

Is that one of those chair devils? Can you give us some more info about it?

Darrell

Wood Hoarder, Blade Sharpener, and Occasional Tool User

Care to elaborate?

Scott in Douglassville, PA

>Hi, John -

I'm fixin' to start in on spindles for two comb backs - you want to elaborate on your spindle method? Anything to smooth the process would be great... ;^)

Scott

Welsh Stick Chairs by John Brown

Bob Hackett

>A very good book and great place to start.

MB

Re: Care to elaborate?

john jesseph

>I'll try and post a couple of pics and a description Monday night, after I split out some more oak. Works for me, YMMV...

Yessiree

john jesseph

>I just got done shaping a smaller one. I'll post pics Monday night...

Re: that second tool from the top... *LINK*

Greg B�tit, Crown Point NY

>Hi Darrell,

John's chairmaker's devil was made by William Ralston. I own one too, and am very happy with it. Follow the link below to his web site. I found it interesting that although he makes a chairmaker's tool, he doesn't make chairs himself. If you're interesed in getting one, he doesn't have on-line ordering. You'll have to write or call him.

Greg -No connection, I just like the tool I bought from him.


Ralston Furniture Reproductions

Thanks

Jim Crammond in Monroe, Mi

>Guys,

Thanks for the responses. I looked at Amazon.com yesterday and found a couple of books I will order and today went to the library and checked out volume one of Charles Santore's books. It looks like it will be an interesting and informative read.

I probably won't get around to starting on a Windsor chair for quite awhile, too many other projects to finish, but I enjoy learning more about them and reading about others exploits making them. I'm looking forward to your simple and porductive approach to making spindles, John.

Jim