A Chair is born ...
Step 1: Choosing the Wood
You choice of wood widely determines how the final product will look. Some commonly used woods are: walnut, cherry and maple.
Step 2: Peeling the Bark
Bark is peeled from the hickory log to weave the chair seat.
Bark is peeled from the hickory log to weave the chair seat.
Step 3: Splitting Parts
Chair parts must be split from the log using a sledge hammer, wedges, a glut and froe..
Chair parts must be split from the log using a sledge hammer, wedges, a glut and froe..
Step 4: Shape Chair Parts
Using a shaving horse, the chair parts are shaped using draw knives and spoke shaves.
Using a shaving horse, the chair parts are shaped using draw knives and spoke shaves.
Step 5: Steaming and Bending
Step 6: Bent Lamination
Bent lamination is used to bend the rockers into shape.
Bent lamination is used to bend the rockers into shape.
Step 7: Weaving Hickory Bark Chair Seats
The seat cushion is filled with fine wood shavings and used between the upper and lower weave..
Warp being wrapped on chair frame.
Weft is being woven in a Herringbone pattern.
Clamps are applied to the side of the seat during the initial drying process.