Craftsman Dining Chair Project
QUICK LINKS: Epic Store • Online Courses and Plans
PROJECT DESCRIPTION
One sit in this Craftsman Dining Chair and you’ll want a set around your table. It features a curved crest rail, reclined backrest, and traditional mortise and tenon joinery with pegs. Made out of sturdy and strong white oak, this chair is for comfort and designed to last for hundreds of years. A warm shellac completes the finish, along with a leather upholstered seat. Bonus: The Course and Plans now provide instructions and specifications for both the Side Chair and Arm Chair models.
The overall design is based on one in the collection at the Metropolitan Museum of art. Tom recently modified and improved the version he initially made 30 years ago to where it’s a near perfect beauty. This is a great course to explore a fine design and craftsmanship while having a memorable experience together in the shop. Tom has made them in Cherry, Maple, Tiger maple, and Walnut. You have several material options. We wish you could sit it in just to see how it feels. Then add to that the satisfaction of realizing you made it! You can’t go wrong.
Side Chair Dimensions: 39-1/2” H x 20″ W x 16″ D
Arm Chair Dimensions: 39-1/2” H x 23-1/2” W x 22″ D
BUNDLE ONLINE COURSE AND PLANS!
Available for this project are 36×48 full-size Plans depicting actual size elements so you can create your own accurate templates, and a complete Course featuring (10) 1-1/2 to 2 hour Sessions you can access at your convenience. Specifically, there (7) Sessions for Side Chair build and (3) for the Arm Chair.
You’ll be surprised at what you can make with Tom walking you step-by-step through the build. People say it’s like having Tom right alongside them in the shop. Rewind again and again to grasp the concepts, fast forward at will. Not only will you come away with a treasured master piece, but you will also come away with a story in the making.
Course Topics include:
- Design considerations, for comfort and style
- Using the full-size drawings effectively
- Making good patterns you can use
- Using jigs for shaping curved parts
- Creating mortise and tenon joinery
- Compound joinery simplified
- Clever table saw jigs
- Hand tool skills to add detail and value
- Traditional finishing technique for white oak
- Upholstery options
- Adapting the Side Chair design to accommodate Arms
- Shaping the arms and fashioning the details
**SPECIAL NOTES FOR PRIOR PURCHASERS: Already own the Plans, or only want Plans for the Arm Chair elements? Place the Full-size Plans in your Cart and complete your purchase. Once on the Cart page, enter the Coupon Code “ARMS ONLY” and pay just $24 for these custom size Plans, shipping included.
BONUS RESOURCES
This is an original design by Tom, custom-made for a TV show called Classic Woodworking. It is featured on Season 1, Episode 9 of the show Woodworking which can be seen on PBS TV, Create TV, Amazon Prime, and YouTube TV.
Additionally, Tom wrote an article for Fine Woodworking Magazine outlining the construction process which you can find in the May/June 2020 issue, No. 282, and another one on he finishing method printed in the Nov/Dec 2019 issue, No. 278.
Questions? Click green square for more
ONLINE COURSE FAQs
Is it worth watching even if I don’t build along with Tom?
Absolutely, in fact we recommend you do! Whether or not you plan to build the piece, there’s a lot to learn about woodworking, and furniture making, including tips, techniques, and tricks shared from Tom’s over 30 years of experience — peppered in along with a bit of light humor as well. After all, this is supposed to be fun right!?
How long do I have access to the Sessions?
If you purchase the Course you have UNLIMITED access to the sessions — you can watch them anytime, as often as you like.
What do I need to access the Sessions?
All you need is a device with internet connectivity, such as a desktop or laptop computer, tablet or smartphone, etc. In addition, it is necessary to use the Chrome browser to consistently navigate the more sophisticated scripts on present on membership sites.
I’m not very tech savvy… is it easy?
You will be given easy to follow instructions on how to access every session. We are here to help you figure it out so worry not.
Are the sessions downloadable, or available on any other storage media?
For many reasons we have chosen to make them available via an online platform only.
FULL-SIZE PLANS FAQs
What kind of information do the Plans provide?
These are printed copies of Tom’s original design, hand-drawn plans, just like he makes for himself before building most projects. They note all the specifications, dimensions and helpful points of view for completing the piece.
Is there information provided about the materials I’ll need and how much?
Yes, in fact each set of plans comes with a cut list, and recommendations for finishing as well.
How big are the plans?
They are printed onto 36×48 sheets and will arrive at your door in a tube which assists with safe delivery and also provides a sturdy receptacle for future storage.
We choose to deliver in a tube versus folding the Plans so you do not have to deal with creases that impact your view of the contents on the page.
Does Tom create these using CAD?
No, he hand draws every component of the elements included on the Plans. He has worked with SketchUp in the past and though he knows it to be a great tool, prefers depicting curved elements in particular by hand.
Can I get the plans in digital format?
Good question, however we do not provide our Plans in digital format. It’s one small way we attempt to maintain the integrity of the intellectual property withing the project build experience.
Rather, we prefer to offer the physical product so the parts you will be making to fulfill the project are represented in actual size.
Why did your Plans go up in price in 2023?
The USPS added a surcharge to the shipping charge for items longer that 22″ which applies directly to the tubes in which we send the Plans. We conisdered the option of folding them, but find that it ruins the experience with them as they arrive creased and wrinkled in ways that the tube can generally diminish.
SUPPORT DURING THE BUILD
What if I have questions during the Course?
No problem, this is why we have The Neighborwood community which gives you access to Tom and many fellow woodworkers via a private forum.
You can post your questions in the Private Forum and get input directly from Tom and other Neighbors as needed. In fact, you can even ask question about any project you’re working on, and post pictures of your completed work for everyone to celebrate with you!
I’m not very tech savvy, is the Forum tricky?
Not at all, and we’re happy to help you learn how to use it. We’re all learning as we go, and once you get the hang of it… you’ll love it!
How can I learn more about The Neighborwood?
If you’re curious for how it all got started, and how it works, click here.
If you’re looking more for logistics and how to purchase, click here.
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