The final phase of design

A prototype comes together quickly. Two 2x4's, a few mortise and tenons and some shaping brings all of the considerations together. Someone asked to buy it yesterday but I said it was still needed. It's always like that. When you can't sell it someone wants it.

It's a strong chair because of twin railing lower down. If a chair is going to fail it most fails at the knee if the lower rails are eliminated. Whereas I agree it will affect the appearance of the design, and it's often done without thinking, the important element of making a good chair is that it doesn't fail under the amazing stresses this furniture type alone is subjected to. 

In a few weeks this chair will be made from European oak with leather upholstery. We'll be making it to break down the intimidation woodworkers feel in tackling chair making and also to compliment the trestle table we made a few weeks ago.

Few woodworking projects give me more pleasure than making chairs. Silly, really, but it's a small project to make with a big return. I'll let you know when this project comes up.