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Click here for more information on The Chairmaker’s Toolbox and how you can get involved.

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Question 1:
From Rex:
Over the next two years, I will be visiting New England museums to look at period furniture pieces. I’d like to prepare a tool bag with tools and a checklist to help me efficiently observe, obtain, and document select furniture features, characteristics, and dimensions to prepare a reproduction drawing for my use.

George Walker brilliantly discussed his process and tools taken to obtain permission, observe, measure, document, and prepare reproduction drawings for an Ohio tall case clock in “Copying Museum Pieces” (FWW Issue 186, September/October 2006).

Technology, such as the common use of cell phones having cameras and flashlights, as well as circumstances and museum practices change with time.

Will the panel discuss the tools taken, best practices, and procedures for inspecting, measuring, and documenting a furniture piece while at a museum?

	Copying Museum Pieces Bring the right tools, enter with respect, and go home with accurate plans.
	Measuring a period piece Many museums, collectors, and antiques dealers are welcoming to furniture makers looking to learn from or even replicate a piece of furniture, but make sure you use your time, and tools wisely

 

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Question 2:

From Peter:
I took a chair class almost exactly a year ago.  We made a modern Windsor chair.  I’m in the process of building more, using the techniques I learned during that class.  I made the bending rig and followed the templates exactly.  my armbows are coming out well, but I notice one thing…  the chair I made a year ago seems to have relaxed its bend.  The arms of the chair are about an inch wider than the fresh bends I’ve made (and the same when I lay the template over the original chair.  They’re made from the same template.  The chair is still beautiful, and NOTHING looks wrong or out of place.  it’s just a wider bow now.  Is this common?  Is it common for the armbow/crest rail of a Windsor chair that is steam-bent to relax over time?  If so, is there any way to guess how much?   The wood of the original chair is kiln-dried ash.  I’ve made new bows from both kiln-dried ash and green-riven white oak.

	7 Secrets of Steam-Bending Bend furniture parts perfectly without fail.
	How to bend wood to your will Use steam to create strong, curved parts with continuous grain.

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Every two weeks, a team of Fine Woodworking staffers answers questions from readers on Shop Talk Live, Fine Woodworking‘s biweekly podcast. Send your woodworking questions to [email protected] for consideration in the regular broadcast! Our continued existence relies upon listener support. So if you enjoy the show, be sure to leave us a five-star rating and maybe even a nice comment on our iTunes page.