My Windsor chairs attempt

[allen levine]

Im sorry to ask a stupid question ken, but if the log was outdoors all this time, when you split it down to these pieces, and is green as you say, wont the movement of the wood cause you problems?
Do the smaller pieces develop warps or cups once they are moved inside?

[Stephen Bellinger]

Ken looks like your having fun.

[larry merlau]

thanks for the next leg ken.. of this journey

[Don Baer]

[ken werner]

Allen, my friend, the only stupid question is the one not asked. There is a lot of theory about the interplay of wet and dry wood in Windsor chairs. Once I shape the spindles, they will go into a drying kiln. It isn't hi tech. It's a chipboard box, insulated, and with a 100W bulb in it. It gets up to about 130 degrees. The spindles sit in there for a week, and the ends, which are skinny, dry out. Some will bow, and I may be able to heat and reshape them, some are no good, and may become short spindles, or firewood. The seat is pine, and has been air drying for several months. Anyway, the dry spindle ends go into wood that is wetter than they are, and they absorb moisture and swell, locking them in place. That's the theory, as I understand it. I may be wrong. The spindles are glued in with hide glue, and in the continuous arm, are split and wedged. More on that much later.

[Don Orr]

Outstanding Ken. I know it can be tough to get a project moving, but once you do it takes on a life of its own. The shaving looks like a lot of fun. You are off to a great start.

That Ben is some kid isn't he ! Not so much a kid anymore though.

[Vaughn McMillan]

Looking good so far, Ken.

And sorry, I couldn't resist.

Ken and his froe:

[Cynthia White]

Wow, what a great thread. I'm glad I caught up with it!

[Bob Gibson]

This is really interesting.

Funny Vaughn

[ken werner]

Vaughn, looks better than my thinning hair. Way too funny.