Making Rocker's Rocker

**DPB** · 28th May 2005, 03:06 PM

I decided that I've been on this project long enough. So this past week I put in four 4 hour days. So despite what I've said in my previous post, here's the project almost completed. The only thing to do now is make the seat. I'll do that next week.

Since the last post, I've added the glue blocks, glued up the entire rocker, finished the fairing and sanding, applied a sanding sealer, stained it Pink Mahogany, and applied one coat of Minwax Poly. I will add at lease three more coats with a light sanding in between each and finish with some Ubeaut Traditional Wax.

When I've done this, I will give a complete critique of the project.

**Gumby** · 28th May 2005, 03:09 PM

Don, that is fan-bloody-tastic. Well done. now get back to the shop - there's still daylight left today.

**Jack E** · 28th May 2005, 04:04 PM

DPB,

Great job, it looks fantastic!
BTW, how do you keep your lawn in such good shape?

**DPB** · 28th May 2005, 04:17 PM

Originally Posted by Jack E

DPB,

Great job, it looks fantastic!
BTW, how do you keep your lawn in such good shape?

Actually, it's an old carpet layer's secret - I'd have to kill you if I told you!

**Soren** · 28th May 2005, 05:00 PM

Originally Posted by DPB

Actually, it's an old carpet layer's secret - I'd have to kill you if I told you!

ROFLMAO

Looks really great Don, can not wait to see it in the flesh, so to speak

**Al B** · 28th May 2005, 05:19 PM

Very nice job on the Rocker. Well done!

**Rocker** · 28th May 2005, 06:19 PM

Don,

Great to see that you have almost finished. I was a bit concerned when you said you might go overseas before finishing it. I expect that, if she finds it comfortable, Mrs Canuck will want the chair, so you may have to make another now for yourself

If you have any suggestions for how the plans or instructions could be improved or clarified, I will be happy to hear them.

Rocker

**Sturdee** · 28th May 2005, 08:28 PM

Excellent Don, good to see that you are nearly finished, now for the daily rocking in front of the fire.

BTW Wasn't there a prize for the first one to complete Rockers Rocker?

Peter.

**ryanarcher** · 29th May 2005, 02:06 PM

Originally Posted by Sturdee

BTW Wasn't there a prize for the first one to complete Rockers Rocker?

Peter.

I think it was a bfd t-shirt

, but that was before the t-shirt bonanza

maybe it should be something more now?

Great Job Don! very strong work! And kudos especially to D. Dundas (rocker) who made the plans of his beautiful rocker available to all at a reasonable price

**DPB** · 2nd June 2005, 06:45 PM

I commenced this project mid March - three and 1/2 months ago. I've produced a lovely looking piece of furniture. The finished result exceeds my expectation, for there were times that I felt I was well over my head. And if the truth is known, I suppose the finished product proves that I was.

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Everything about the rocker project was what I expected and more. It challenged me continuously and as a result I picked up a number of new skills, including using hand plans, spoke shaves, making mortises on Rockers Mortising Jig, fairing with an Arbortech Power Mini Grinder, etc.

I also learned from my errors. Though not obvious to anyone but Rocker (he spotted this after my last post), the Rocker is very uncomfortable. The problem is that it sits too far forward on the arc of the Rockers. The reason for this is that the rear legs are about 10mm too long. This causes the rocker to sit more upright (or forward) than it should, leaving only the front third of the arc for the forward motion. I don't think that this error can be rectified. Rocker's suggestion is that I should make another one. I may, but not for a while. Although there is no question that the lessons learned from the first one would mean that I could do this more quickly than I did this one, I need a break from work that is just outside my skill level. (Too much pressure!

)

The second error that I made is that I used a foam cushion that is too hard. I may rip the current cover off the seat tray and install a foam with less density. This one is easy enough to rectify.

So the combination of these two significant errors has given me a rocker that will probably never be used. :mad:

I have to admit that all of the difficulties I experienced were of my own making. Rocker's drawings and plans contain all the information required to make a nice looking and comfortable rocking chair. Further, Rocker was alway available for advice and help. I seldom had more than a few hours to wait for answers to my email whenever I was stumped. Thanks, Rocker!

**Sturdee** · 2nd June 2005, 07:15 PM

Originally Posted by DPB

The problem is that it sits too far forward on the arc of the Rockers. The reason for this is that the rear legs are about 10mm too long. This causes the rocker to sit more upright (or forward) than it should, leaving only the front third of the arc for the forward motion. I don't think that this error can be rectified.

Looks good Don, on the arc is it possible to remove some more from the bottom of the rocker to compensate for the extra length of the rear legs and thus alter the arc of the rocker.

Peter.

**Rocker** · 2nd June 2005, 07:51 PM

Don,

I think it might be feasible to cut all four legs just above the rocker blocks and then re-attach the rockers after shortening the the back legs by 15 or 20 mm, so as to give a comfortable reclination angle. You would obviously have to re-rout the dowel holes in the legs and rockers, but I think it could be done. I think it would be worth doing, rather than living with a project with which you are not satisfied. I am very sorry that I didn't include sufficient warnings in my instructions to prevent the scaling error that caused your problem and would be very happy to refund your money if you find that you cannot rectify your problem. I don't like to think that the project has not worked out as it should have done.

Rocker

**DPB** · 2nd June 2005, 08:27 PM

Originally Posted by Rocker

Don,

I think it might be feasible to cut all four legs just above the rocker blocks and then re-attach the rockers after shortening the the back legs by 15 or 20 mm, so as to give a comfortable reclination angle. You would obviously have to re-rout the dowel holes in the legs and rockers, but I think it could be done. I think it would be worth doing, rather than living with a project with which you are not satisfied. I am very sorry that I didn't include sufficient warnings in my instructions to prevent the scaling error that caused your problem and would be very happy to refund your money if you find that you cannot rectify your problem. I don't like to think that the project has not worked out as it should have done.

Rocker

Rocker, I had thought about the solution that you suggest. However, I am not sure that this will work because the profile of the legs is now much smaller than it was when I used your doweling jig to rout the holes. I doubt that there would be much room left for the screws to attach the jig to the legs or the rocker blocks. What do you think?

Rocker, thanks for the offer, but the money was well spent. I cannot fault you for my errors. I still have the plans and can, as you have suggested, make another rocker. Thanks again!

**Soren** · 2nd June 2005, 08:30 PM

Originally Posted by DPB

...............
So the combination of these two significant errors has given me a rocker that will probably never be used. :mad:

..........

Don

I still think it looks magnificent, and if you REALLY want me to, I'll babysit it whilst you are over seas

**Gumby** · 2nd June 2005, 08:32 PM

Having read all this, I've decided my first rocker will be in MDF

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