Build an Elegant Dining Chair
Video Workshop Series
Build an Elegant Dining Chair
with Matthew Teague
In this video workshop, Teague will show you how to build one of his favorite furniture projects, an elegant, solid-wood chair. He's built a number of chairs based on this design, and will share the tips and tricks he's learned along the way.
Chairmaking intimidates many woodworkers because of the angled joinery that's typical of most chair designs, but it's not as hard as you might think. To simplify this chair's construction, Teague used slip tenons (also called loose or floating tenons) to connect the parts. It also helps to use full-size templates to lay out the joinery.
A set of woodworking plans is available to guide you in your build, but Teague also shows how to adjust the chair proportions to be comfortable in a range of sizes.
Matt Teague
Nashville, Tenn.
I'm a furniture maker and writer based in Nashville, Tenn. After spending six years as an editor at Fine Woodworking magazine, I ventured off on my own to build furniture for a living and write about the craft.
In 2007 I built a new workshop and office behind my house, which I chronicled in a blog called The Smart Shop. It is a big step up from the one-car garage shop I wrote about in my first book, Projects for Your Shop.
Produced by: Gina Eide; Video by: Gary Junken; Editing by: Michael Dobsevage
Watch the preview episode for free or become a member for access to all 11 episodes.
Membership Required
Become an Online Member today
to get compete access
to this video series
Join now & enjoy a FREE trial
Videos in the Series
Introduction to Chairmaking
Take a closer look at the techniques involved in building this ash dining chair.
1. Templates and Patterns
Watch how to create a full-size drawing and templates that are integral in building this chair.
2. Shape the Rear Legs
Find great tips for choosing lumber, milling it to size, and get started cutting and shaping the rear chair legs.
3. Preparing the Remaining Parts
Picking the right boards makes a big difference in the chair's appearance and strength.
4. Introduction to Mortising
Lay out and cut the mortises for this chair with a simple setup for your router.
5. The Loose Tenons
Cut the loose tenons with an assembly-line setup, and start dry-fitting and fine-tuning the joinery.
6. Shape the Legs and Rails
Taper the legs and add an elegant curve to the front seat rail.
7. Start the Chair Back
Shape and cut the joinery for the crest rail and back splat.
8. Finish the Chair Back
Shape the crest rail and back splat with a bandsaw, power sander, and spokeshave.
9. Assembly and Glue Up
See how the chair is assembled in sections.
10. Upholstery and Finishing
Complete the chair with a slip seat and an easy-to-apply finish.Post your work in The Gallery
Built this dining chair? Or completed a similar project? Post your photos in our online Readers Gallery. Upload a photo and tag it with the phrase "chair".
|
|
Free member project plan download.
Purchase the project plan.
Become a Better Woodworker
More Members Only Videos
FineWoodworking.com and StartWoodworking.com are part of
the Taunton Home and Garden Network
|
|
|
|
Taunton Home | Books & Videos | Contact Us | Product recall information
Privacy Policy | Copyright Notice | Taunton Guarantee | User Agreement | About Us | Work for Us | Contact Us | Advertise | Press Room | Customer Service | Subscriber Alert
© 2013 The Taunton Press, Inc., Part of Taunton’s Men’s Network. All rights reserved.
