Wood selection to make a Rocking Chair

Hi, please excuse my inexperience.
I want to start a new project, a rocking chair.
What would be the best wood selection for this project,
and where would I most likely purchase it in Brisbane.
I have not done anything like this before, I have the plans,
but not sure what and where to buy the materials.
I also need info on staining / varnishing / lacquer ect, I would like to have a sort of deep reddish brown colour.
I know this is a big project for an inexperienced person, but if I take my time and listen to the advice of others, I think I can do it.

Thanks

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by wheels123

Hi, please excuse my inexperience.
I want to start a new project, a rocking chair.
What would be the best wood selection for this project,
and where would I most likely purchase it in Brisbane.
I have not done anything like this before, I have the plans,
but not sure what and where to buy the materials.
I also need info on staining / varnishing / lacquer ect, I would like to have a sort of deep reddish brown colour.
I know this is a big project for an inexperienced person, but if I take my time and listen to the advice of others, I think I can do it.

Thanks

---

Do a forum search for rocking chairs, there are many here to read. I have used qld maple and silky oak and red gum.:D:D

SB

Good onya for having a go! We all have to start somewhere and although a rocking chair is an ambitious first project... well... so is a boat or a house extension or whatever got most of us started... :innocent:

Redgum makes for beautiful chairs... if a bit quirky. Quirky? Well... the damned stuff is very prone to movement and takes years to settle down. I've made a few chairs from it so far and every one takes on a different shape almost on a week by week basis.

Don't get me wrong... I love 'em. But if you want something that looks professional - as compared to rustic - then I advise against it.

Since you say you'd like to stain it (sounds like Rosewood or Mahogany may be the colour range you're after?) I'd suggest that instead of paying top dollar for "named" timbers, it'd more cost effective for you to go down to your local timber & hardware suppliers (Bunnings? Mitre 10?) and browse through their racks of KDHW. (Kiln Dried Hardwood)

This is usually a mix of Vic Ash, Tas Oak and other similarly grained/coloured eucalypts and there is usually some absolutely beautiful stuff in there.

It's fairly straight-forward to work (being for building, of course!) although it can be a tad splintery at times.

The bonus is that it's one of the cheapest timbers around - unless you're in the know - so if you screw up any particular piece beyond recovery, well... it's just a case of nipping down to Bunnies to spend a few more pennies. ;) Trust me, this is much easier, simpler & quicker than buying a prettier timber in bulk, then trying to place an order for more 'matching' timbers if you need it... :doh:

Once you've finished the chair to your satisfaction, if the woodworking bug has truly smitten you, then you can mark it down as The Prototype and start another, family heirloom class one using more exotic materials and the experience you've gained. :2tsup:

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Skew ChiDAMN!!

Good onya for having a go! We all have to start somewhere and although a rocking chair is an ambitious first project... well... so is a boat or a house extension or whatever got most of us started... :innocent:

Redgum makes for beautiful chairs... if a bit quirky. Quirky? Well... the damned stuff is very prone to movement and takes years to settle down. I've made a few chairs from it so far and every one takes on a different shape almost on a week by week basis.

Don't get me wrong... I love 'em. But if you want something that looks professional - as compared to rustic - then I advise against it.

Since you say you'd like to stain it (sounds like Rosewood or Mahogany may be the colour range you're after?) I'd suggest that instead of paying top dollar for "named" timbers, it'd more cost effective for you to go down to your local timber & hardware suppliers (Bunnings? Mitre 10?) and browse through their racks of KDHW. (Kiln Dried Hardwood)

This is usually a mix of Vic Ash, Tas Oak and other similarly grained/coloured eucalypts and there is usually some absolutely beautiful stuff in there.

It's fairly straight-forward to work (being for building, of course!) although it can be a tad splintery at times.

The bonus is that it's one of the cheapest timbers around - unless you're in the know - so if you screw up any particular piece beyond recovery, well... it's just a case of nipping down to Bunnies to spend a few more pennies. ;) Trust me, this is much easier, simpler & quicker than buying a prettier timber in bulk, then trying to place an order for more 'matching' timbers if you need it... :doh:

Once you've finished the chair to your satisfaction, if the woodworking bug has truly smitten you, then you can mark it down as The Prototype and start another, family heirloom class one using more exotic materials and the experience you've gained. :2tsup:

---

Thanks very much for the information, and your advice.

Skew's advice is sound. I would only add that you'll likely find quite a range of wood in any given stack, if my experience is any guide. "Vic. Ash", can be a mix of at least 3 species, which adds a little to the variation, but not much. Choose the lighter pieces, as the less-dense wood will be easier to work with hand tools. It's quite good stuff, really, and with some care, you can get a very good finish on it. I've had good results staining it, too, which is more than I can say for many woods!

You haven't given us any clues about the construction of said rocker, but I presume that if you are a complete newbie, you are not contemplating a chair with turned parts. Or are you? I ask because that will make a difference to material choice - you will need to select straight-grained stuff with the grain running nicely along the long axis of the parts to be turned. If it's a chair with all shaped & curvy parts, dad straight grain is not so important because you will be able to lay your patterns or templates to follow the grain in the most appropriate manner. Curly-grained stuff looks more interesting.

Good luck, take your time and there is no reason you can't end up with an heirloom first time... :U

Cheers,