Since making my first Roorkee chair, which was based on the 19th-century original, I’ve been lucky enough to study some additional antique examples. This has led me to alter the chair’s design in about 20 different ways, from the turnings to the rivets.
While I don’t have room to discuss the evolutionary process and my reasoning (gotta save something for the book), I have promised several readers that I would post the leather patterns that I now use to build these chairs.
Below is a drawing I made of the three major leather components. (If you cannot figure out the armrests or belts, may I recommend golf as a hobby?) As to the sketch, I took enough drafting at Chaffin Junior High from Mr. Hogue to know that it’s not a proper mechanical drawing.
- Click on the drawing to enlarge it to full size. Then print that.
Truth is, most early furniture was made using an sketch that was one step above NapkinCAD 1.0 (right Suzanne? I haven’t forgotten the research for a future book on Gillows). So if you can’t make the leather bits from this sketch, might I suggest vertical Jarts as a hobby?
The leather is 8 oz. latigo we buy from a wholesale supplier in Pennsylvania. The straps are regular 7/8 oz. veg tan leather. Solid brass 3/4” buckles from Tandy. All the rivets are No. 9 1/2” two-part solid copper rivets. The 13mm ball studs for the armrests are from McMaster-Carr.
If you are making patterns for your leather, I recommend thin tempered hardboard, which doesn’t take up much space and holds up better against your knife.
OK, gotta go. “Campaign Furniture” ain’t going to write itself.
— Christopher Schwarz
That is a neat chair Chris. I can’t wait for the book. Have a great turkey day.
Who peed in your cornflakes today? Do love the chair!
Bob,
No one peed in my cornflakes! (I’ve had this taste in my mouth before…).
After eight years of blogging, I am simply anticipating the usual comments and questions.
Sorry if it came out snarky.
Hey take it easy on golfers. Some of us are woodworkers too.
I knew that would happen.
Whenever you see the word “golf,” imagine the word “Tiddlywinks.”
Sorry golfers, I love whacking a ball between Paul Bunyan’s legs as much as the next guy.
OK, I know that will offend the Tiddlywinkers.
When you see “golf,” imagine the word “butt flute musician.”
We butt flute musicians get no respect..
Nor should you. Tooters.
Looks nice Chris, I like how the style has evolved. Can’t wait for the Campaign Furniture book.
A bit off topic here. I always wonder if you actually do any work in your shop. It’s always so neat and tidy in your pics. Mine, on the other hand, looks like a mulch truck exploded and toddlers were let loose. And that’s just the day after I clean it.
How do you do it???
1. I’m German. I cannot help myself.
2. My shop is so small, that if I let it get messy, it would become unworkable in short order.
3. My tool chest keeps all the tools organized. I use the tool. I put it back.
I do not necessarily hold these characteristics in high regard or think they are necessary to good workmanship. in fact, at Popular Woodworking, the level of mess (low, high) was a major source of friction. If everyone is a slob, it’s easier.
As someone who has built more boxes than most, I’m surprised that you haven’t built any writing slopes as part of the campaign furniture book. With all these stools built, there must be plenty of places to sit at your place!
I’m certainly going to discuss writing slopes and show examples, though I am not building one for the book.
I own two of them. One I built, and one campaign one that my grandparents brought back. I don’t use them, though I have tried. I just don’t do enough writing “by hand” any more. So their utility is – for me – minimal.
They are very cool and were very common. And there are other fantastic plans out there for them.