Thread: WIP - Maloof inspired rocker

Originally Posted by Sawdust Maker

finished yet?

Almost..... Only another 130 hours and I'll be done.

People who made a maloof rocker reckon it took them around 100 - 150 hours to make. The majority of the work is in the sculpting and finessing the detail.

Today I spent about 4 hours in the workshop which totals 20 hours all up.

I'll post an update soon of where I'm up to.

Originally Posted by NCArcher

Congratulation Andy. Also watching with interest.
I always wanted to build a rocker.
Nice looking bench you have the pieces resting on

Thanks mate I appreciate it.

Your bench has been awesome... I don't think I could ever live without holdfasts now that I've used them.

Originally Posted by AlexS

Congratulations Andy, you and your wife are about to enter the greatest part of your life.
Your care with grain selection is well & truly justified for this heirloom piece. Looking forward to your progress.
A couple of pattern makers' rasps (Liogier or similar) will be a big help when you start shaping the legs.

Thanks Alex for the message. We're very excited!

As for grain selection it's probably been the hardest part so far. There has been lots of wastage but I'm not compromising on this build.

I think Nick will have a few pens in my offcut pile...

Originally Posted by groeneaj

Thanks Alex for the message. We're very excited!

As for grain selection it's probably been the hardest part so far. There has been lots of wastage but I'm not compromising on this build.

I think Nick will have a few pens in my offcut pile...

I got about 4 hours in the workshop today. First up was selecting the wood for the front legs. I was looking for a straight grain piece and found this. I roughly marked it out with my template and made sure I was happy.

I won't do any work on the front legs until my router bit set arrives. The joinery I do on the seat will dictate the size of my legs so I'll have to wait.

IMG_2716.jpg

In the meantime I started working on the back slats (back supports). There is two templates that I'll have to use to get the final shape (then there's a ton of shaping with rasps etc).

The first template is the side profile so I dressed the walnut down to 1 1/2" (I'm using imperial plans) and marked out the template on the boards.

IMG_2718.jpg

Then used the bandsaw to cut the slats. I only need 7 but made an extra one in case I stuff one up.

IMG_2788.JPG

And the end result of the first part. 8 rough cut slats. From here I need to use the spindle sander (on loan from Tony) and sand them. Then I'll use the second template to create the front profile. Then it's a lot of sculpting with the rasps and sander to get them to final shape. Lots of work! But really fun.

IMG_2786.jpg

Originally Posted by Sawdust Maker

looks like you have hooked a turner for the spindles.

congratulations to you and your wife

Looking good Andy...Best you get a wriggle on or you'll still be going when it's needed...not too long now dad...Cheers, Peter

First , congratulations on the impending arrival, Andy, an exciting time for all. Thoroughly agree with your choice of project. It brings back nice memories. We had a rocking chair for our first born, which my wife used when feeding our next 6 children. It lasted all those years, moving around 3 States. She spent many hours in that chair, and I will always remember just how relaxed and content she and the child were during that time.

Will be following your progress with interest, Andy

Thanks for all the comments I really appreciate it.

Dengy- nice to hear from you. I hope the family is well. I think one of the motivating factors is definitely being able to come home and sit on the chair and just relax....

Crowie- I'm under the pump! I have about 3 months to finish it.

Congratulations on your upcoming arrival.

As a new dad myself I can assure you that it's equal parts amazing and exhausting.
This looks like a really good project, I hope you manage to get it finished before the big day. Will be watching with interest.

Congrats on the coming new born.

Also pulling up a chair to watch the progress.

Also watching with great interest. First saw an article on the Maloof joint and variations in the Australian Wood Review which I bought for IanW's saw article. Still to try my hand though.
Also adding my congrats on the impending birth.

Christos, you wanted a picture of our family rocker that my wife used to nurse our children. Too late, sorry. Our youngest is now 30 yrs old, and that chair was so worn out and sent to the scrap heap years ago

Fine work mate, well done. Isn't walnut stunning!!??