I never could afford those fancy tools; my boss would not pay. So, we(I) used good-ole RED DEVIL paint scrapers, sharpened on the grinder. Its amazing what can be done with one of those paint scrapers, when thats all you have, and faced with replacing a Queen Anne chair back under time pressure. I now prefer them, and have a dozen of them with different shapes, each with its own custom handle!
Hi Curtis, just got the Democratic Chair plans printed out and have gathered some tools. I did purchase a heel shave. Initially I was planning on sawing the handles off to get the clearance needed for the seat - but I’m wondering if it’s also possible to heat the handles in order to bend them up at all? I’m not sure with the cast body if that is metallurgically advised, as I’m unsure if the steel used for these cast tool bodies is malleable enough. Thank you for all that you do Curtis!
Definity u are the guy of the chairs. Really thanks for your knowledge. It will be so helpfull yo me -A young carpenter that want want to work traditional carpentry
I just bought one of those heel shaves and tuned it up. Do you wish you did anything different when you chopped off the handles? Left them a little longer? Made wooden handles that swept up like a travisher? The tool is super sweet now that it's tuned and sharp but don't want to cut the handles as short as you did and then regret it later. Thanks for any suggestions you can give me. Seems like it's comfortable in your hands regardless.
Thanks for adding new videos. Have you had the chance to a Clifton convex spokeshave in your seat carving. Im assembling my tools for chairmaking, being so expensive any info on it would be cool.thanks again.
Anna, no, I don't have any experience with that spokeshave. If you watch some of my sharpening videos, you might pick up some information on keeping cost low.
Well I have hand heun log homes, timberframed and made a bench ok bowls. It is time to make a chair. I will cut my timber in the months that sound like timber,after the full moon and perferably two to four days before the dark moon. This will pull the sap down as low as can be. The north face of the mountain will provide a tighter grain allowng less pulpy wood meaning les sap. Less sap, less pulp,less schriking less cracking. This of corce is all comman knowlage. Folks call me Woodhippie, I live it some imatate. Much love:)
I can hear your tool singing! What a joy to use the appropriate tool for a job that's tuned just right!
Thanks, I don't know how many I just kept getting a little better with each chair but I've carved a few thousand seats by now
The sound of the tool you use at 5:34 is amazing, i can ear the fibers of the wood being cut, woowww
I can almost feel the tool on the wood
only someone who's worked with handtools understands the song that sings in your heart as a well tuned plane schnickts through a piece of wood!
Very helpful. I especially like how you don’t cut off the back of the chair so you can clamp on it while you’re carving the seat.
This video series is amazing. Thank you!!!
It is amazing to watch a true master craftsman at work!
Enjoyed watching this .
Seems almost ironic that so much skilled work goes into something for people to have a nice comfortable sit down.
I never could afford those fancy tools; my boss would not pay. So, we(I) used good-ole RED DEVIL paint scrapers, sharpened on the grinder. Its amazing what can be done with one of those paint scrapers, when thats all you have, and faced with replacing a Queen Anne chair back under time pressure. I now prefer them, and have a dozen of them with different shapes, each with its own custom handle!
well done.and this is coming from a guy that has every wood working tool known to man including a large cnc router. Nice vid my friend
Hi Curtis, just got the Democratic Chair plans printed out and have gathered some tools. I did purchase a heel shave. Initially I was planning on sawing the handles off to get the clearance needed for the seat - but I’m wondering if it’s also possible to heat the handles in order to bend them up at all? I’m not sure with the cast body if that is metallurgically advised, as I’m unsure if the steel used for these cast tool bodies is malleable enough. Thank you for all that you do Curtis!
Definity u are the guy of the chairs. Really thanks for your knowledge. It will be so helpfull yo me
-A young carpenter that want want to work traditional carpentry
I just bought one of those heel shaves and tuned it up. Do you wish you did anything different when you chopped off the handles? Left them a little longer? Made wooden handles that swept up like a travisher? The tool is super sweet now that it's tuned and sharp but don't want to cut the handles as short as you did and then regret it later. Thanks for any suggestions you can give me. Seems like it's comfortable in your hands regardless.
Gary and I just shot videos on how I sharpen all the tools. We will start putting them up as we get them edited.
Master class thank you Sir!
One of your chairs in walnut must be stunning.
Thanks for adding new videos. Have you had the chance to a Clifton convex spokeshave in your seat carving. Im assembling my tools for chairmaking, being so expensive any info on it would be cool.thanks again.
Anna, no, I don't have any experience with that spokeshave. If you watch some of my sharpening videos, you might pick up some information on keeping cost low.
Curtis, this is unbelievable. How many chairs did you have to make before you got the feel for it? You make this look so incredibly easy.
Кертіс, привіт з України! З якої деревини в робите стільці?
Well I have hand heun log homes, timberframed and made a bench ok bowls. It is time to make a chair. I will cut my timber in the months that sound like timber,after the full moon and perferably two to four days before the dark moon. This will pull the sap down as low as can be. The north face of the mountain will provide a tighter grain allowng less pulpy wood meaning les sap. Less sap, less pulp,less schriking less cracking. This of corce is all comman knowlage. Folks call me Woodhippie, I live it some imatate. Much love:)
ok