Login | Create an Account Site Upgrade Notice
Subscribe to Fine Woodworking Magazine
Back to List

Boggs side chair

October 3rd, 2008 in The Gallery     
AsaC Asa Christiana, editor, Fine Woodworking magazine
thumbs up 10 users recommend
This is Brian Boggs famous side chair design. I took a class at his shop and made it there.

This is Brian Boggs' famous side chair design. I took a class at his shop and made it there.
Add CommentAdd Comment
PrintPrint

This turned out to be an extremely difficult chair to build, requiring some serious jigs for the steambent parts. The legs bend in two directions, and the back slats are bent progressively to fit the countours of your back. The legs are shaped by routing and shaving, and the joinery is a very precise version of wet-dry, with compound angles all over the place. The hickory-bark seat was the easiest part. You weave it while it is wet and then it tightens as it dries. All of the class attendees intended to build more of these when we got home, but I don't think any of us have!


Design or Plan used: Not specified
posted in: The Gallery, period interpretation, chair, modern, turning, cherry, tenons, steam bending
Add CommentAdd Comment PrintPrint

Comments (3)

mtrcycldude writes: I went to Boston in 2007 to be in Brian's 10 day class and I have not built another chair. But... I am working on it. Would love to take the course again now that I know how hard it is. Wish I could see Brian's shop too. When I got to the airport and tried to check my precious chair as luggage they said noway. I left it at the ticket counter and called my Craigslist landlord to get her to pick it up and then ship it to me later. When she got to Logan my chair was gone. I guess the most memorable part of Brian's class was watching him work on his shaving horse. The guy is a true craftsman. I am a machinist so I understand skill but have never seen anyone in any line of work with skill like Brian has. Love his chairs. Posted: 10:13 pm on January 22nd
osagecanusee writes: Very nice! I have made a ladderback chair (no bending) from green wood in Drew Langsner' class. For your chair, what source did you use for the hickory bark strips for weaving?
Thanks. Posted: 10:18 am on November 5th
ak writes: Wow! Very nice work! I suspect that it is a most comfortable chair. Posted: 11:36 pm on October 9th
You must be logged in to post comments. Click here to login.