Hi all,
I’m new to this list and not sure if this question is in the right place. I have an old rocking chair (brought over on boat by great
great grandmother) that was left out in rain, etc for decades until
I got it. The seat was caned and the surrounding wooden part of the
seat consists of 2 parts: a straight front piece and a single piece
of wood that forms the sides/back that was bend in a “U”. That piece
is c. 3″ wide by 1″ thick and is bend the wide way(didn’t even know
that was possible!). Both pieces are cracked/rotted and need to be
replaced. I’m sure I could tool the front piece but have no idea how
to recreate that curved piece and have never bent a piece of wood in
my life (except unintentionally).
So….does anyone know of a woodworker/woodworking service that could
replicate this piece for me? I’m sure that there are other ways of
doing it (i.e. cut out piece from larger piece(s) of stock with a
jigsaw, etc.) but that beautiful bent piece is such a nice feature,
I’d hate to destroy it.
Any help GREATLY appreciated,
Glenn
Replies
Hi Glenn,
Sounds as though you may have a Thonet bentwood rocker - the frame is beech.
If you google up "Thonet" and "rocking chair" you may get an idea of value, even though it's a heirloom, it may be worth looking to someone else to restore.
There's companies locally that will steam bend timber here, but where are you situated? Bending a 3 x 1 with the wide surface staying flat is difficult, to say the least, and would take several attempts if one had a chance of being successful, or did I misread you and does the 1" section sit flat on a surface and the 3" section have the bend in it?
Cheers,
eddie
Hi Eddie,Thx for your response. No, you're right: when you look at the seat
from the top the 3" board makes a complete "U". I didn't even think
that was possible.I'm situated in Phoenix, Arizona.best,
glenn
This forum post is now archived. Commenting has been disabled