Thread: Wicker chair, more a repair?

Today was a bit slow for the wicker chair. The apprentice went to her 'real' job, I ran 7km starting to build up to the City to Surf the weekend after next, I had a dry lunch with 2 very special friends ...... and it rained all afternoon. It seems to me that rattan gets the plant version of penile disfunction (PD) in this extreme humidity and is very easy to weave so, in just an hour, I was able to finish the first half of step 4....

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......but, as shown in the closeup of the front, rattan woven yesterday is bit floppy now that PD has set in?

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Im not worried about it though because every new step seems to straighten and tighten the previous steps. Steps 5 and 6 are the diagonals which I think will do a particularly good job of turning barrels, rhomboids, diamonds and parallelograms into SQUARES.

fletty

That weave looks nice and straight to me. I had to spend a bit of effort trying to straighten my NS and EW before starting diagonals. The diagonals really do tighten up the whole kit. I actually think steps 1 to4 are supposed to be a bit on the slack side to even out the tensions when you start the diagonal weaving.


I think I didn't make the best choice of holes on my front rails when starting some diagonals. For whatever reason I think at least two of my seats would have been better if the diagonal started 1 hole to the right. My seats are somewhat more irregular in shape and had to jog around the front arm rest uprights. Perhaps refer back to your pics of the original caning to ensure the diagonals start and end in similar holes.

Cheers, Franklin

Originally Posted by Fuzzie

That weave looks nice and straight to me. I had to spend a bit of effort trying to straighten my NS and EW before starting diagonals. The diagonals really do tighten up the whole kit. I actually think steps 1 to4 are supposed to be a bit on the slack side to even out the tensions when you start the diagonal weaving.


I think I didn't make the best choice of holes on my front rails when starting some diagonals. For whatever reason I think at least two of my seats would have been better if the diagonal started 1 hole to the right. My seats are somewhat more irregular in shape and had to jog around the front arm rest uprights. Perhaps refer back to your pics of the original caning to ensure the diagonals start and end in similar holes.

Cheers, Franklin

Thanks for the caution. I think I might pick up its twin so I can also compare the touchy feelie attributes like tension?

fletty

Wow, such talented work - and a talented group of commentators. I have never been game to try the hand-caning, or even really thought it possible so this is very impressive as well as very informative. Thank you very much! Now just to find a chair to practice on ...
David

Originally Posted by fletty

mind you, I gave her a few hours off this afternoon to cook ANZAC biscuits for tomorrow's mini-gtg!

fletty

Its been 5 days and not one thanks, not one comment and no photos. The secret society has struck .

Originally Posted by wheelinround

Its been 5 days and not one thanks, not one comment and no photos. The secret society has struck .

Actually, I don't remember any pics being taken so, by forum rules, that means it never happened?

strange

Step 4 finished.....

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.... and I'm getting better at the 'no-knot' method of finishing strands! Unfortunately there are 2 strands that were put in upside down but luckily one was by the 'master' and the other by the apprentice. I'm hoping that the final shellacking will hide both?

fletty

Nice progress but I wonder, re the upside down strands by the 'master' and the apprentice, that your statement meant to say "a fine shellacking to the hide of both"

Originally Posted by Lappa

Nice progress but I wonder, re the upside down strands by the 'master' and the apprentice, that your statement meant to say "a fine shellacking to the hide of both"

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We got a few unexpected hours on the chair today and, at the close of play....

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...... half way through Step 5!
It's getting trickier though as there are 'contradictions' between the 45^o grid and the location and number of the holes. However, by choosing the most appropriate hole to maintain the highly visible parallels seems to be working. The real test will be the next, and final, weaving step.

fletty

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Looking good Alan....I'm sure it's testing your patience but the end result will be well and truly worthwhile....Peter

Amazing work. Loving the progress pictures. I'm not sure I'd have the patience. SHMBO reckons all she'd hear is if I gave it a go.

Found a few hours for the chair this afternoon and, by the time I came inside, I'd finished half of Step 6......

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.... and you can see how I'm starting to have trouble with the outside edges?
Ive decided that this thread is much more a confirmation of the 7 step YouTube above rather than a tutorial in its own right.
Step 7 is a finishing trim around the outside edge and I'm am hoping that this will cover a lot of 'sins'.

fletty