Burgess Falls

Fall break is coming to an end and soon everyone will be back in school and getting back to normal (whatever that is). Today was the day to spend away from the shop so my wife, Kim, decided we should take a hike up to Burgess Falls. I had not been there in 20 years and I new Logan would love everything about it. We packed a picnic lunch and drove up to Cookeville and followed the signs to Burgess Falls State Park. It is only 8 miles off I-40 and well worth the drive. I took the tripod along and tried my hand at waterfall photography.

 I wish I could build my shop next to this fall. It is a thing of beauty and the sounds are incredible.

 Logan shows the scale of this thing. There are 3 main waterfalls down this trail and this is the big one at the end.

 Logan collected a rock to add to our collection from around the country. We had a blast today and my stress level has washed away with the falls. We may have to come back when the leaves change in a few weeks. I guess it is good that the government didn't shut down state parks.

Comb Back Rocker Class Opportunity

Here is a rare opportunity to build your very own comb back rocking chair. I have a few spaces open for a class January 13th-18th, 2014. I usually don't teach this chair due to the level of difficulty but I have had lots of interest and can't say no. We will start with logs and complete every step to complete this classic rocker. I had a student who completed this chair in 5 days but we will complete it in 6 days. It will be lots of work but I promise we will have fun. I can only take 4 students so don't put it off if you want to make this chair. The best part is I am only charging $1000 for the class which includes materials and lunch everyday. I will supply the turnings due to time restraints but we will cover turning basics. I have 3 spaces left so contact me by email or phone soon. 

Logan's First chair

My son came to me one day and wanted to learn to build a chair...............

 I apologize for all the photos but I am a proud father. Logan took this chair to school as a school project in history. They were studying the period 1700-1800. He asked his teacher if he could make a chair for his project and the teacher simply said, "If you can".........well, he did.

8 Shiny New Windsor Chairs

I just returned from another fun filled week of chair making bliss assisting Peter Galbert. I know, you only see 7 chairs because one guy skipped out before we shot the photo. We were in Indianapolis at Marc Adams School of Woodworking with six days and 8 great students. These guys hardly even asked questions. 

 I brought a sack back chair to Marcs to perform a painting demo for the students. The chair was going to a customer up in Michigan. I hate crating chairs so I called my friend Carl who lives in Long Beach, Indiana to drop off the finished chair. My customer picked up the chair from Carl which saved him shipping fees.

 I had to show Carl's fantastic stone work. He has completed all this by hand. Even the 700 pound steps he moved using PVC pipes. You may remember Carl at both of my barn raisings. It's so nice to have friends that are this talented. Thanks again Carl (and Mary for dinner).

More Shed Raising Pictures from Fell Merwin Photography

Fell Merwin's pictures.

Prep Work

This week I am preparing for a road trip to help Peter Galbert once again teach at Marc Adams School of Woodworking in Indianapolis. I have been taking apart sugar maple logs and turning them into blanks for legs and stretchers.

 As you can clearly see behind my lathe how high the shavings grow and this isn't even half of what I need to round up.

 The clear green maple rounds up fast and I air dry them before turning the final chair parts. I don't have much time since I go to Marcs the first week of September. These legs will egg shape a little but should still make fine chairs. I need to turn enough for 15 chairs.

Here is a quick video of the simple process of rounding blanks. When I am finished I just shovel the shavings out the window into the back of my truck.

Negative Space

The shed raising was an amazing success. Two hours of hard lifting and hammering in pegs and there she stands, hopefully for many decades or centuries. 

 I've always heard it said that when viewing windsor chairs you were really looking at negative space or just a silhouette. This really applies to a timber frame too. As much as I like looking at the frame I know that soon it will be covered and this view will only be a memory.
 This frame went together with very little fuss and pretty square. I had a good crew of friends to help.

 Forty-seven pegs.

 View from the house.

 Thanks to all who pitched in to make this happen. I'll post some photos of assembly when I get them from my photographer who documented the whole thing.

Now would be a good time to rest.