ShopWoodworking.com has begun taking pre-publication orders for the new video “Make a Campaign Chair,” which will be released about Jan. 28.
If you want to order the DVD, click on this link. If you want to order the download, click here.
The video is a three-hour exploration of constructing a Roorkee chair from scratch. We begin with the rough blanks and follow the process all the way through finishing and making the leather seat, arms and backrest.
Even if you have never turned a single stick of wood or cut a piece of leather, you’ll have plenty of guidance when building this chair. The Roorkee chair is one of those rare projects that is great for the first-time turner, the first-time chairmaker and the first-time leatherworker.
Plus, the resulting chair is remarkably portable and comfortable. I’ve built about 25 of them now, and they sell so quickly that I don’t own one myself.
— Christopher Schwarz
I’ve been following the Roorkee/Roorkhee chair through the magazine, book, and blog posts with the intention of building a pair. Somewhere in all that, you discussed canvas as an alternative to leather. Is there any mention of that in the video?
Crickets. Turns out the answer is No, no mention in the video. Some of us would like to build a couple of these (a) without dropping $125-250 per side of leather per chair and/or (b) for outdoor use where they might get rained on. Oh well.
Because of the volume of comments we receive, we miss a few.
I think paying $150 to $200 for a side of good leather is a total bargain for what you get.
I have written about other leather sources that offer less-expensive hides. Check out Brettuns Village for one example. I have purchased sides of leather there, including waterproof leather, for $75 to $80 a side.
If you sew, you can use canvas, another option I have written about several times. If you don’t sew, you will find leather to be a bargain. A set of good canvas seats can cost $300.
For exterior material, look to nautical supply houses. I have found you get what you pay for there. And again, leather is a bargain in comparison.
Thanks for the reply; didn’t mean to sound snippy. I would have emailed my question, but … well, you know. The video is good, very helpful. There’s definitely a pair in my future – indoor or outdoor TBD.
Watched it on shopclass a couple of nights ago at:
http://shopclass.popularwoodworking.com/p-1065-build-a-campaign-chair-with-christopher-schwarz.aspx
Thinking of making one with cherry/ black leather. I know you mentioned in your book it would look smart in walnut or cherry, but will the stretchers be safe at 1.25″ (straight grain of course)?
Almost certainly.
Excellent. Thank you.
I really enjoyed the video. Due to my wife’s design sense, I’ll be using different hardware. She not only likes steel balls, but steel nuts and knobs. Don’t tell her I told you this…
I’m surprised you’re still fraternizing with PW. I would have expected this in Huey’s 360.
My former employer has been nothing but generous with me. They have allowed me to write for them on topics of my choosing. They have hired me to work on multiple DVDs and participate in Woodworking in America. They have paid me promptly (a rarity in the freelance business).
So I have no reason but to support the people who have supported me. Loyalty counts in my book.
I’m wondering if the original Roorkee’s were turned? I’m looking at the legs on this and thinking something approximate could be accomplished without a lathe . . . Beautiful chair, Chris. Any chance of a Campaign video in the future?
That should read Campaign Chest video
Steve,
Perhaps someday. Complex projects such as a campaign chest would take weeks to film. So it would be very expensive for all involved. I’ll mention it to F+W, however.