The Craftsman-Style Rocking Chair Series

ByPaul Sellers

p1560473 The recent rocking chair series is going really well. I always expected it too because people have asked for it for so long. The time lapses show that I make the whole without resorting to machine work off camera, but, more than that, it enables me to show the diverse ways I work to make life all the more interesting. For instance in some cases I reach for a saw to remove the bulk of waste and then I use stop cuts to progress curves. With the first three in the series inspiring people to make theirs, I am better able to evaluate how people really feel about things. Also, we plan to release some added video footage to answer questions people have along the way so if you are working through the series with us let us know your questions too. Remember that your question may lead to answering others with the same question . p1560467

When I look back at the pieces we have shown through the past few years I am amazed at the scope and breadth of what we have taught thus far. Tool cupboards and dining chairs, tool chests and toolboxes, clocks, pencil boxes. The of course there are the tools and techniques I learned as a boy that have now been passed long to realms to many to mention too. This is my way of ensuring the future for what I have learned.

So there it is, an Arts and Crafts rocking chair design available to thousands. But of course it’s more than that. The tool techniques and the methods of work go with the project. It’s anew era for training and we are living in it. Imagine.

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4 Comments

  1. The time lapse is great addition, but I think I’d get more out of it if it were slowed down just a bit. Thanks! Once I finish a table for my foyer I think I’ll try to tackle this project.

  2. I think it’s great Paul. I am a few years away from making a rocking chair like this one, but what you said about a new era is really true:

    I recently made a very large table out of white oak and was able to talk about characteristics of wood and joinery that you talk about with others. They kept asking, “where did you learn all of this?” My reply is always that I’ve been watching your masterclasses and doing my best to learn without the in-person training of a class. What’s remarkable is how much of your techniques apply to all kinds of designs, because the table I made was very different from your series… and that of course is what is so powerful about these videos, that they apply to so many other projects!

    Thank you!

    1. Paul has given us a great gift. I am not an expert handtool woodworker yet, but I already have folks that want to learn to use hand tools from me. But I think the best part has the been ability to go to the shop and “just make a table”. I had this happen a few weeks ago. My girlfriend always steals the den table for sewing projects when watch movies, after the last time I grumped about her taking she told me to go make one. I had one of those slow blink, light bulb moments, and replied “you know, I should”. 2 weekends later I have nice little table for my self.

      Everyone that has seen table thinks its very nice, and impressed I made with just handtools. The best part is when I tell them I made it out of some scrap pine I had left from a shelving project.

  3. Really appreaciate the format of this series. The time lapse allows us to follow through the repeat tasks, but stay connected to the process. looking forward to seeing the rest of it unfold.

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