24 Hour Classes
INSTRUCTOR: Pam & Pete Boorum, Artisans
COURSE: Furniture Construction
PROJECT: Five Ladder Back Chairs (This class is FULL)
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
The ladder back chair is one of the simplest and most enduring furniture forms. Sometimes known as a slat-back chair, it could be found in early New England in humble settings or in Pennsylvania, with examples featuring complex turnings and five or even six slats. Later, the Shakers found beauty through utility in this form, and supported their communities by making and selling ladder back chairs to “the world.”
This class will focus on making five chairs. From a common set of front and back posts, students will be able to choose their own style from a selection of slats, arms, and rockers. For general planning purposes, the assumption is that students will make two side chairs, two arm chairs and one rocking chair; but they are free to make their own assortment.
The back and front posts will be turned on the duplicator lathe. Mortises will be made using the drill press. There will be discussion about the planning and use of special fixtures to locate the mortises. Slats will be cut with the scroll saw, steam bent around a form, and refined by hand. After assembly, a rope seat will be woven and a finish applied.
TIME:
24 hours. Completion is likely.
POWER TOOLS:
table saw, scroll saw, lathe, drill press
SKILL LEVEL:
Beginner and intermediate
MATERIALS FEE:
$35 to be collected at school