Description
Chairmaking may represent the ultimate woodworking challenge and experience. With so many compound angles and curved parts, the prospect of actually making a chair can be intimidating and confusing, but it doesn’t have to be that way. In this Online Course, Tom simplifies the process, breaking it down into understandable stages.
Our focus will be on making a contemporary version of a traditionally joined mortise and tenon side chair, with a few more complex curves for good measure. With this Contemporary Dining chair, unlike the more straight-lined Craftsman Dining Chair, the back legs, front legs and splat (back rest) are all curved for a bit more dynamic appearance, comfort and style.
With Tom virtually alongside, you can choose to make this chair in “breakfast” chair height (36″), or with a slightly taller chair back in the same style (“40). This will likely be the most rewarding project you will have undertaken and conquered.
Dimensions: 19” wide across front, 16” wide across back, 16” seat depth
• Breakfast chair option: 36” height
• Taller back chair option: 40” height
Topics include
- Design considerations, for comfort and style
- Drawing techniques
- Making good patterns you can use
- Mortise and tenon joinery
- Simplifying compound joinery
- Clever table saw jigs
- Sawing curves on the bandsaw
- Hand tool skills to add detail and value
- Upholstery options
- Finishing approaches







