Project by firefighterontheside | posted 09-28-2016 02:08 AM | 2792 views | 5 times favorited | 39 comments | ![]() |
![]() |
My friend Monte said, let’s build rocking chairs. I said, OK. I wanted mine to have contrasting woods. I always like walnut and maple together. I had just enough 8/4 walnut cut on my friends Andy’s mill. I found a local supplier with some 8/4 silver maple that was pretty cheap. I watched hours of videos by various builders, including the man himself. I was helped by all the videos and one book. This was the longest project I’ve ever undertaken. There was a long break in there called summer, but once the kids went back to school I got back to work. I laminated the slats with a walnut in front and back. The rockers are white oak on bottom, 3 maple in middle and walnut on top. The finish is a mix of BLO and oil poly rubbed on. Then some wax to finish up. There are many flaws that I did not sand out. I sanded and sanded and sanded. Still didn’t get off all the grinder and bandsaw marks. I’m very happy with the chair. Thanks for looking.
-- Bill M. "People change, walnut doesn't" by Gene.
39 comments so far
lightcs1776
home | projects | blog
4280 posts in 3150 days
#1 posted 09-28-2016 02:14 AM
Beautiful rocking chair, my friend. I like the contrast between woods. Elegant design as well.
-- Chris ** If there must be trouble, let it be in my day, that my child may have peace. — Tom Paine **
Monte Pittman
home | projects | blog
30679 posts in 3834 days
#2 posted 09-28-2016 02:28 AM
I still think yours is better than mine. Great job my friend.
-- Nature created it, I just assemble it.
Jerry
home | projects | blog
3591 posts in 3144 days
#3 posted 09-28-2016 02:34 AM
Absolutely gorgeous, you have really inspired me and you have really something to be proud of here, a family heirloom to be sure. Congratulations on a stunning build.
-- There are good ships and there are wood ships, the ships that sail the sea, but the best ships are friendships and may they always be. http://www.geraldlhunsucker.com/
Andy Ponder
home | projects | blog
243 posts in 3204 days
#4 posted 09-28-2016 02:35 AM
Very very nice. I really like the contrasting woods too.
-- AP--I thought growing old would take longer.
Don Broussard
home | projects | blog
4114 posts in 3748 days
#5 posted 09-28-2016 02:55 AM
Beautiful job, Bill! Those curved back slats just line up so well. Very handsome build.
Did you document the build via pictures or video? I’d be interested in seeing those if you have ‘em.
-- People say I hammer like lightning. It's not that I'm fast -- it's that I never hit the same place twice!
firefighterontheside
home | projects | blog
21617 posts in 3353 days
#6 posted 09-28-2016 03:04 AM
Thanks all. Don, here’s what I have.

-- Bill M. "People change, walnut doesn't" by Gene.
eddie
home | projects | blog
8565 posts in 4110 days
#7 posted 09-28-2016 03:23 AM
awesome build ,love it
-- Jesus Is Alright with me
bushmaster
home | projects | blog
4181 posts in 3779 days
#8 posted 09-28-2016 04:08 AM
very nice chair, one of the hardest things to build in my estimation, first class
-- Brian - Hazelton, British Columbia
BurlyBob
home | projects | blog
10799 posts in 3762 days
#9 posted 09-28-2016 04:27 AM
Bill, your finished project is simply beautiful! I love everything about it. Wish I had the talent to build one even close to it.
jack1
home | projects | blog
2172 posts in 5523 days
#10 posted 09-28-2016 04:37 AM
Wow is the best I can do. This is very impressive. Rockers are tough to do.
-- jack -- ...measure once, curse twice!
Festus56
home | projects | blog
4284 posts in 2724 days
#11 posted 09-28-2016 04:55 AM
Nice job Bill. Really like the different laminated woods, look good together. Well done sir !!
-- Mark -- Really we're not crazy, just "Limited Editions" -- http://www.jmh-limited-editions.com/home.html --
TopamaxSurvivor
home | projects | blog
24948 posts in 5172 days
#12 posted 09-28-2016 07:32 AM
Awesome work Bill!
-- Bob in WW ~ "some old things are lovely, warm still with life ... of the forgotten men who made them." - D.H. Lawrence
Jim Rowe
home | projects | blog
1137 posts in 3809 days
#13 posted 09-28-2016 07:53 AM
Great job! Well done.
Jim
-- It always looks better when it's finished!
JL7
home | projects | blog
8793 posts in 4461 days
#14 posted 09-28-2016 10:36 AM
Beautiful work Bill! The contrast really makes it pop.
-- Jeff .... Minnesota, USA
firefighterontheside
home | projects | blog
21617 posts in 3353 days
#15 posted 09-28-2016 12:20 PM
Thanks Eddie, Brian, Bob, Jack, Mark, Bob, Jim and Jeff.
-- Bill M. "People change, walnut doesn't" by Gene.
View all comments »
showing 1 through 15 of 39 comments
Have your say...