Popular Woodworking – October 2019

30 ■ POPULAR WOODWORKING

Straightest Path to a Great Chair

Cut List

No. Item Dimensions (inches)

T W L

2 A Front Legs 15 ⁄ 8 15 ⁄ 8 25

2 B Rear Legs * 11 ⁄ 2 31 ⁄ 2 311 ⁄ 2

1 C Front Stretcher^7 ⁄ 8 3 201 ⁄ 4

1 D Rear Stretcher * 113 ⁄ 16 3 141 ⁄ 2

2 F Side Stretchers *^7 ⁄ 8 3 17

1 G Back Rail * 23 ⁄ 4 63 ⁄ 4 141 ⁄ 2

2 H Arms * 11 ⁄ 4 8 21

4 I Back Slats * 11 ⁄ 4 19 ⁄ 16 141 ⁄ 4

*Cut to shape

Occasional Chair

help lay out the corresponding mortises in

the crest rail and rear seat rail.

Next cut out the curves on the bandsaw,

following the same process for cutting and

smoothing I used on the curved rails. As I

go, I round the edges by laying the pieces

on edge on the router table and using a^3 /^16 "^

roundover bit.

You’re now ready for your fi rst glue-up,

joining the curved rails to the curved slats. This

is the time to do any last shaping of these parts,

so I put a curve in the top of the crest rail now,

saving the cut-off to be used as a clamping

caul. I also bevel the back of that top edge

171 / 2 "

A

B

C

D

F

G

H

I

201 / 8 " 231 / 2 "

2121 / 32 "

TOP VIEW

SIDE VIEW FRONT VIEW

311 / 2 "

2617 / 64 "

165 / 8 "