Thread: W.I.P Morris Chair

Nice work, D.M. I look forward to more WIP pic's.

Originally Posted by Dust Mite

Heres a question for those that have made or own a Morris Chair.... is it comfy?

Although I've never made one, I have sat in quite a few. Yes, they are comfortable. However, once in them they tend to be difficult to get out of. You sit a long way down with your knees elevated more than in most chairs. So you need to lift yourself out of the chair by placing your hands on the arms and push as you stand.

My other observation is that they tend to be more comfortable with a footstool; and finally, they are also quite bulky taking up quite a bit of room. In a small space they can be somewhat over-powering.

Just a couple of Pics I missed off the list above.

Pic 1 is the two side panels finished, one of which is stained

Pic 2 is the Australian Woodsmith Mag I am using for ther plans

Looking good dust mite. I'm doing one myself at the moment out of blue gum. Opted for two wide spindles on each side, hopefully posting pics next week when I get the sides assembled.
Have you looked at the upholstery yet? I've been trying to source some materials, but it looks like I'll have to track down a pro upholsterer as none of the local fabric stores seem to have much for chairs except vinyl.
Looking foward to more of your pics.

Yes I have a tame upholsterer who has the high density foam I need and the local drapery/upholstry shop has some nice soft coverings that may well suit.

Well done Dust Mite. Have long wanted to make this chair but decided to start with the ottomon first. Hope to have it completed by Christmas. Have just cut the 16 spindles. I am using a morticing machine and won't use the filler strips. Am making mine out of Northern Silky Oak and am trying to maximise the beautiful grain. If it works out okay then will move onto the chair.

Looking good Dust Mite.
Talk to your upholsterer about using 2 layers of foam of different densities - low on top, denser underneath.

By far the most difficult section to the Morris Chair has got to be the arms.

The plan IN AWS mag calls for a piece to be glued then shape cut on the bandsaw. I currently only have a benchtop bandsaw that I use for very light work and shaping templates.

Rather than have a straight arm on the chair I opted to keep the bent arm ans after slotting the armrests cut then at 4.75 degrees and cut slots for a biscuit spline.

The hardest part to this was ensuring a perfectly flush joint when matching the two pieces. After some trial and error I got things lined up and glued. The arms are now complete apart from drilling the backrest support holes. Thats for tomorow as its time for some R & R now.

All in all I am reasonbly satisfied with the results. The two arms have been sanded to 120 grit and will be hand sanded to 240 before staining.

Pic 1 shows the setout for the through mortices

Pic 2 is a completed arm waiting to be sanded

Pic 3 spline joint detail

Pic 4 arms sited for trial fit after sanding

pic 5 final fit and sand.

Good work DM! Those bent arms got the better of me - I've opted for straight arms. cunning use of the splines on the arm bend - 'ave a greenie..
Spent my day fixing a minor stuff up and visiting an upholsterer - that cushion foam is damn expensive! :eek:

Looking good so far, looking forward to more pictures.

Peter

Well over the past couple of weeks I have put together the back frame of the morris chair, assembled the bottom frame ready for the elastic webbing to be fitted.
The 125mm thick high density foam squabs have been purchased and today we selected the material for the covers.
The plan is to see in the new year sitting in my new chair having a beer and watching a movie.
Costs of this project so far are
$40.00 for the foam sqaubs
$80.00 for the cover material and wadding.
$15.00 for the webbing
$20.00 for the stain and oil
$15.00 sundries (screws, glue, ... etc )

Grand Total to date $170.00. I dont see the cost changing from here.
Not too bad when you look at the cost of buying one.

http://www.strictlywoodfurniture.com/3fulgrainlea4.html
Note that the price is in US dollars and would be at least twice that in NZ dollars. Thats $6000 NZ dollars for a genuine Stickley Morris Chair.

Of coarse if thats a little too upmarket one could get one of these
http://www.llbean.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/CategoryDisplay?page=morris-chair-with-cushion&categoryId=42646&storeId=1&catalogId=1&langId=-1&parentCategory=4265&cat4=8831&shop_method=pp&feat=4265-tn
But its a pretty plain chair for $1000 NZ
Will keep you all updated on progress

Piccies to come

170 bucks she's a bargin Dusty!

Whats the wood Oregon?