Thread: The Holy Grail? A zigzag rocker - WIP

I was wondering how you were going to do it! Well done.

I admire the workmanship (as always), but somehow the angularity of the Z-chair put together with the curve of the rocker (and the shapliness of the back slats), just doesn't look quite right to me. I just can't come at the heel blocks squaring off the front of the rocker but leaving the back as a normal curve.

Perhaps if the arm were curved, the arm/leg joint were also curved or radiused, and the leg/rocker joint were more like the Maloof fairing, it would have more aesthetic unity (if you know what I mean).

But that is just me and the most important thing is that it is comfortable.

Fantastic, Rocker. Very innovative.

Can't wait to see the finished product.

Tex

I think you've gone stark raving bonkers!

No, in theory I love it to bits. The only negative for me is also the bottom "Z"bit. I'd love to see it just turn into the rocker without the straight.

No, I don't know how to make it work... that's your job Rocker!

I can't wait to see it finished.

cheers,
P

WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I had a bit of a play with this idea when we raised it in the other thread. I was thinking of a more calligraphic 'Z', with more curves and a flowing structure.

Why have you gone with keyed splines here instead of the dominoes?

Originally Posted by zenwood

I had a bit of a play with this idea when we raised it in the other thread. I was thinking of a more calligraphic 'Z', with more curves and a flowing structure.

Why have you gone with keyed splines here instead of the dominoes?

That's more the sort of thing I had in mind.

Jmk,

I take your point that aesthetically it lacks unity, but maybe people could learn to live with it. I could make up some bs about the creative tension between the angularity and curves - but I won't.

Peter,

I racked my brain for a way of joining the legs directly to the rockers, but couldn't think of a way of doing it that would be structurally sound. I suppose that perhaps a bridle joint like that on Lignum's conoid chair might work. But I lack the ticker to attempt it. Probably that would require a very hard and strong wood for the rockers.

Rocker

Originally Posted by zenwood

I had a bit of a play with this idea when we raised it in the other thread. I was thinking of a more calligraphic 'Z', with more curves and a flowing structure.

Why have you gone with keyed splines here instead of the dominoes?

Zenwood,

Your concept drawings look very good, but I think they would be very hard to execute. Perhaps you should have a go. Cutting mitres or bridle joints on curved workpieces would require some sophisticated jig building.

I thought I would use spline keys rather than locking tenons to produce a contrasting feature. Also the larger angle of the lower mitre makes the use of locking tenons less effective. There would not be much glue area on the tenon on the opposite side of the joint from which the tenon was inserted; and the locking pins would need to be very close together. The spline keys allow the pins to be much further apart.

Rocker

David, I like the creativity. You’ve done well.

Rock the chair looks excelent, well done. And the bridle joint would be perfect. fter seeing all the furniture you make that joint would be easy for you to do.

And Zen, that second sketch is a cracker. That would look stunning as a rocking chair. Have a go and make it. Make it a WIP for all us to enjoy

Originally Posted by Rocker

I racked my brain for a way of joining the legs directly to the rockers, but couldn't think of a way of doing it that would be structurally sound. I suppose that perhaps a bridle joint like that on Lignum's conoid chair might work. But I lack the ticker to attempt it. Probably that would require a very hard and strong wood for the rockers.

I think if one was to attempt it, it would mean a brace, or perhaps a welded steel T shaped insert. I can't get it out of my head at the moment, it looks terrific to me in ever other respect, and proportionally you've hit the sweet spot again!

Cheers,

P

What colour are you going to paint it?

Having never made a chair before, I think starting with this one could put me in a world of hurt.

The positioning of the chair over the curve of the rocker would be crucial to achieving balance. A scale model trial would definitely be in order. I think a full scale model in plywood would also be useful before attempting the real thing. Then there's the question of joinery. I'm pretty sure keyed mitres would be strong enough, but as Rocker pointed out, they'd be very awkward to cut.

Happy if someone else wants to have a go...hint, hint!

Rocker, perhaps if you shortened the bottom sections of the Zed, to maybe half the distance from the front of the rockers, and curved their tops in such a way that it smooths the change from linear to curved? Maybe mirroring the curve of the rocker?

And, to add a bit of visual balance, add a similarly shaped fillet to the back half as well?

Just a thought... I hope you understand what I mean.