Thread: Shaping chair seats

Some ways I have seen it done:

1 if you have a good eye.... use a disk sander (I have done this one my self and is a safer procedure) Draw the outline and depth on the seat and sand it out.

2.some use a saw... need to be careful no missing fingers please!

ie set a radial arm or scms to just cut the surface and push the blank under it sideways to start the hollow. then lower it a bit and do it again (and again) until you get the right depth. then finish off with a sander. I guess you could set up a frame and do the same thing on a table saw too. Maybe even a circular saw?

Cheers,

Chipman

Traditionally an adze, scorp, inshave and round-bottomed plane were used to hollow seats and, other than the plane, they were a right pain in the proverbial too.

Technology has advanced considerably and the best tools I've used for the purpose are an Arbortech (chainsaw disc) mounted on an angry grinder followed by, as Chipman said, various grades of sanding discs (again, mounted on the angry grinder).

If you can find an old round-bottomed (squirrel-tail) plane, it would make a good job of it after using the Arbortech. Actually, I think Kuntz may make a round-bottomed plane (not the compass plane). I know I've seen new ones somewhere recently.

I've done all the above, but also used a good carving gouge on one as well. As it was a chunk of old Euc. it was an exercise in patience!

Good luck.

I've used a round-bottomed spokeshave. Sort of hold one handle still and move the other one in an arc.

use a router mate
definitely the fastest, u can actually make a jig that will support the router when doing it, read it on fine woodworking magazine but forgot how it looked

will get back on you when i find it

cheers

I drew depth contours on the seat and then used a router with a 1/2" spiral upcut bit to rout away most of the waste. I then used a chisel to remove most of the remaining waste, followed by a random-orbit sander. The angle-grinder method is probably quicker, but more hazardous.

Rocker

Sam Malouf uses a bandsaw -fascinating to watch - but scary

This thread is one way i have done it http://www.woodworkforums.ubeaut.com...3&postcount=73

As Woodwould said Arbortech and sanding disks works for me

Originally Posted by jchappo

Sam Malouf uses a bandsaw -fascinating to watch - but scary

Can you explain the procedure please?

Many thanks to those that replied to the thread, there are clearly many ways to tackle this job.

For speed, power carving seems like the way to go. As Woodwould pointed out, the use of handtools is tedious but I would imagine that there would be less chance of error. The hand tools that caught my attention were the cheap Carbatec Spoon plane http://www.carbatec.com.au/carving-t...ec-spoon-plane and the expensive
Veritas pullshave, http://www.carbatec.com.au/carving-t...itas-pullshave.

As far as power carving is concerned, I note the Abortech options http://www.carbatec.com.au/carving-t...ng-tools-tools and the Sabur tooth rotary tool options http://www.cws.au.com/cgi/index.cgi/..._id=1107144909 . If I go down the power carving path, is the resultant finish rough and does it require plenty of sanding.

As the task of carving a stool seat is all new to me, is there much of a learning curve to power carving?

Regards,
Zelk

Even the Abortech discs are capable of remarkably fine work, but ultimately you'll need to follow up with a plastic backing pad and consecutively finer sanding discs with final sanding being done by hand and with the grain.

I like the look of those Saburr Tooth discs. I wonder what grit the fine one is equivalent to.

Unless you are skilled and used to working with Abortech discs, they are a waste of time on chair seats, especially when cutting into soft Kauri
Just use a ROS and 40#

Originally Posted by Lignum

Unless you are skilled and used to working with Abortech discs, they are a waste of time on chair seats, especially when cutting into soft Kauri
Just use a ROS and 40#

Lignum,
I actually have the Festool ROS 125 but didn't think of using it since timber to a depth of 20mm will be removed. I was hoping to use it for the final sand.

Would you consider a Rotex or a Rotary Sander RAS 115.04 http://www.festool.com.au/mediandowe...69&AKTIVPROD=1 ,
the dust collection is appealing.
Zelk