Morris Chair

[durango dude]

So I've decided that want to build a Morris Chair.

Any suggestions?
- plans
- material (I can afford pine and walnut)

Here's one that caught my eye:
http://www.woodcraft.com/product/208...n-afd-118.aspx

Anything to watch out for with my BT?

[Bill in Buena Park]

Here are a few variations to consider:

http://www.woodsmithshop.com/downloa...rris-chair.pdf

http://www.finewoodworking.com/item/...m-morris-chair

http://www.woodmagazine.com/woodwork.../morris-chair/

[JSUPreston]

Here's another:
http://www.newyankee.com/index.php?i...071&id=7916574

[Cochese]

Here's another:
http://www.newyankee.com/index.php?i...071&id=7916574

The video is great on that one. It's floating around the internet if your search skills are good.

[Lonnie in Orlando]

durango dude -

Here is a two-hour answer to a two-minute question. Bear with me.

Seems every furniture maker has and idea of how a Morris Chair should look and feel.
> Slant arms or flat
> Slant bottom or flat
> Curved back slats or straight
> Pegs or rod or mechanical recliner; or no recliiner
> A gazillion sizes and designs for side slats
> QS fumed oak, or other woods
> and on and on and on

Some of the details are good for your body shape; some not so good. You don't know what is good for you until you sit in a lot of them.
Here are some suggestions for collectors:
> CLICK - Guide to the Morris Chair

If you are going to spend the time and money building a quality Morris Chair, then I recommend that you go to Morris Chair Mecca - - The Grove Park Inn in Asheville, NC.
> CLICK - Grove Park Inn

The Inn has over 40 original Morris Chairs by early 20th century furniture makers in a row over looking the Blue Ridge Mountains. And you can sit in them, move them around to see details, photograph them, and measure them up! You will immediately learn the details that you want to include or exclude in your Morris Chair. I hope that the chairs are still there. The Inn is under new ownership. The Morris Chairs were removed and replaced with a line of Christmas trees for the holidays. Just hope that they have not be sold.

Don't just look at the Morris Chairs. Stay for a few days at the Grove Park Inn. Make sure to reserve a room in the original part of the Inn, preferably on the Palm Court. The Inn has the largest collection of original museum quality Arts & Crafts furniture that is accessable by the public. Who knows how many guests have no idea that they are sitting in a $5,000 chair and sitting their drink on a table of equal value. We have stayed at least five times at the GPI and treasure it every time. I finally finished drawing and photographing a Limbert #358 bookcase when we were there Christmas week. The annual Grove Park Inn Arts & Crafts Conference is held there every February. This year it's Feb 22-24. The largest A&C conference in the country. It's a must-attend event for A&C enthusiasts.
> CLICK - GPI A&C Conference

Now - my answer to your question ...

Bruce Johnson - a woodworker that you may have seen and the founder of the annual Arts & Crafts Conference, plus the historian of the GPI - wrote "Grove Park Inn Arts & Crafts Furniture".
> CLICK - GPI A&C Furniture

He included shop drawings in the book of his favorite Morris Chair, the Slant Arm Morris Chair by the Quaint Art Furniture Company (1909-1915). I have sat in the chair and I agree with his evaluation of its comfort and style. Got a lot of projects ahead of me, but this will be the Morris Chair that I will build "when I get around to it."

Thanks for wading through my dissertation. I hope that it will help you choose a plan that is right for your needs.

- Lonnie

[Cubsfan]

I made the Wood Magazine one (just got finished with it about a month ago). It was a great project, and a bit of a challenge for me. I ended up loving the design more than any of the others (I didn't like the cutout in the middle slat, so I didn't do that part).

[Cochese]

I had no idea there was an A&C conference at GPI, that's really cool. Wish I had more advance notice, perhaps next year.

Then I can appreciate my three favorite hobbies at once - woodworking, photography and fashion.

[greenacres2]

That's great to know about the Grove Park Inn. My in-laws live in Maggie Valley, NC and one of my sisters in Thomasville, NC. Something else to pass the time on our next road trip!! LOML loves Ashville, but i've never gone with her--opting for the comfort of my FIL's deck at 5,000 feet and enjoying doing pretty much nothing!!

earl

[durango dude]

well ---- the local lumber yard has white oak (not quarter sawn) at $3.50/bf --- plus I'll be getting a tax refund in a month --- so I'm getting a little more serious about this project.

Any more suggestions/thoughts?

On my "to do" list:
- new saw blade for my BT ---- (need a good blade for resawing)
- new band saw blade
- router bits - need to get a couple of round-overs
- clamps - the Morris chair's curved back requires clamps and a template.

(sheesh - now I know why the pros charge so much!)