The heavenly "click" sound.....

[durango dude]

No, no ---- not the slide on a Colt 1911 ---- nor the bolt on a 1903.

I'm talking about the click I heard when I assembled my mortise and tenon construction Morris chair! I'm told that chairs are one of the bigger challenges to woodworking. I can see why!

I've been cutting mortises and sawing tenons in my red oak stock for a couple of months -- just a couple each weekend ----- and finally - took a shot at dry assembly.

I breathed a deep breath and started to nudge everything together ---- and "click" ---- wow ---- hot dang - it all fit! No shimming --- no fine-tuning --- it all simply fit together!!! (I did over-cut one tenon, which was easily fixed by gluing a very thin strip to the tenon cheek --- yeah, I know it's there - but nobody will ever see it).

To my elation, the chair sits flat on my garage floor! No wobbling --- no need to fine-tune --- all four legs sit flat!

Pics coming - but I'm in an incredibly good spirit!

[cabinetman]

I agree, there is a feeling of elation even after many "clicks",

.

[Carpenter96]

I know exactly how you feel. Last year i finished 12 maple dining room chairs,each one having 22 mortise and tennon joints. Even though I built a prototype out of scraps i was very nervous assembling the first one. They went together great and are as solid as a rock. Congrats. Regards Bob

[twistsol]

I hope to someday know how you feel. Due to my lack of skills, however, the feeling has eluded me.

[durango dude]

Due to my lack of skills, however, the feeling has eluded me.

Twistol - I almost flunked shop class in high school (teacher gave me a C- --- mostly because he didn't want me to re-take the class). There was a 30 year time lapse between then, and my first cut on my BT. That's right - I didn't saw any wood until I was 45.

I don't really measure --- I match --- using a vernier caliper.

I also follow the Charles Neil motto religiously ---- "sneak up on it....."

You don't need high end skills (I don't have those) - and you don't need fancy equipment (I don't have that, either). I do think a good combination square is a worthwhile investment. Beyond that, match before you cut, and sneak up on it.

Since adopting these approaches - I enjoy woodworking a lot more.

(click) ------ (fist pump) --- YES........

[greenacres2]

Sounds like a great day!!
earl

[phrog]

Congrats, Dude. Waiting for the pics.

[durango dude]

phrog - see "Morris Chair update"