Thread: Bodging

Green.

i made a chair at a course once using windsor stool method - look at posts in a previous thread I started called "not all stools smell bad" I made it out of ribinda psuedo acacia (I think from memory) the stool still serves its purpose so it must be ok timber.

What's with the BODGING, gentlemen?

I was here first, and reserve the right to be associated with a less than perfect job, delivered tout suite, at a Ozito price!

Coin another term or it's lawyers, guns and money!

Bodgy, What the hell are you jibbering about? :confused:

treated pine

Bodgy,

Bodgering (By bodgers) is the ancient craft (or at least a sub part thereof) of the manual methond of turning a windsor chair using tranditional methods such as a pole lathe and a bodgers clamping chair etc...

I assume your moniker comes from the term associated with crapulent workmanship....

I've just started my first green chair attempt with cypress.

So far, so good. I'm not sure how it's going to season, but we'll see. The ends are sealed with PVA which is helping.

I know it's not an Aussie timber, but it is readily available here.

I'm keen to try what we Aussies call 'Ash'. My folks have lots of peppermint ash on their farm. I think I'll give it a whirl when I get a chance.

But first, I have to get a drawknife. So far I've been working with spokeshaves. This is fine for smaller work, but pretty slow for removing lots of stock.

There are some recent and useful posts under 'Homemade tools and jigs etc.' for those interested in green woodworking (esp. 'Drawknives' and 'Shaving Horse'). Keep an eye out for Andy Mac. He seems to be pretty sharp on this whole green woodworking thing. Cheers, Andy, if you read this.

Cheers,
Green Woodchips

Hi there Green 'chips!
As far as I know Bodging was a term used for country chair makers in England, who would work on-site in the forest or copse. Working seasonally with froe and beetle, drawknife, pole lathe and shaving horse, they would churn out things like stools and chairs. I guess the term bodgey or bodgy comes from the difference between this style of work and the shop-based cabinet work of towns and cities. Think Jimmy Possum chair!
As for suitable Australian timbers, I reckon try anything! Horizontal in Tassie is apparently very good, but I've yet to touch the stuff. I know Gay Hawkes has used it in her work. I have had very little luck with Eucalypts, it doesn't respond well to drawknives, but that's not to say it can't be used. Whatever I use, I always strip the bark first, and easier when its green. This removes an ideal environment for borers etc to live...maybe different in the US, as they seem keen for stick furniture with bark left on.
Working green has problems, mainly with the timber shrinking and joints loosening. One way out of it is to stick a really dry tenon (read "branch" ) into an unseasoned mortice, the reason is the dry timber absorbs moisture from the surrounding joint and swells. Apparently force dry the end over a fire!! I haven't tried it yet.
Anyway, for those that haven't had a go, it really is fun; the various shapes and curves of sticks may be a challenge to those used to working with square stock and 90 degree joints, but much play is possible!
Check out some of Dan Mack's excellent books.
Cheers,

Originally Posted by Bodgy

Coin another term or it's lawyers, guns and money!

Good one Bodgy,
Like your Wavelength....it's Warren Zevon

Originally Posted by Green Woodchips

I've just started my first green chair attempt with cypress.

I know it's not an Aussie timber, but it is readily available here.

I'm keen to try what we Aussies call 'Ash'. My folks have lots of peppermint ash on their farm. I think I'll give it a whirl when I get a chance.

Cheers,
Green Woodchips

I was thinking of aussie timbers not exotics.
If exotics were the go I'd be thinking poplar, oak and elm etc.

Cypress Macrocarpra has minimal shrinkage but its a softwood and softwoods aren't suitable for chairs. There are no antique softwood chairs, that says something. It might be ok for non loadbearing members such as backs and slats etc but I wouldn't use it for legs and braces etc

Peppermint is probably not suitable as it has very high shrinkage and is prone to a lot of movement and splits while seasoning.

From observing trees in the bush,
I'm inclined to think blackwood and possibly some other wattles will be the most suitable timbers.

I don't think messmate is suitable but manna gum and swamp gum (ovata) might be ok by using windfallen trees that have part dried so timber can be used from select parts of the log.

I suppose a study of Bootles Wood might be the go to find lower shrinkage natives and try them.

Bob -

Appreciate your thoughts. I will persevere with the cypress nonetheless, if only to learn something of the rudiments of green work.

Thanks for the thoughts on peppermint. You have probably saved me a few wasted hours. I'll look for something different.

I'm still intrigued by the other [exotic] suggestions Andy Mac put fwd on another BB regarding the use of cotoneaster and privet.

Has anyone out there written books on green woodworking in Aus?

Cheers,
GW

Originally Posted by goodwoody

Bodgy, What the hell are you jibbering about? :confused:

I aplogise if you found it annoying, it was meant to be humourous. Either way undeserving of rudeness, I would have thought.

I think everyone took it as humourous

Just mentioned on the previous thread I have seen green made chairs put together with cassuarina. I've also seen dense thickets of straight cassuarina saplings in river beds just crying out for a bit of judicious thinning.