Because I have written books on workbenches and chairs, I am regularly asked what sort of workbench is best for making chairs.
Here’s my answer: the same bench you use to make cabinets, boxes and snake toys.
Unless you are a professional chairmaker who makes chairs and only chairs in a tiny space, there is no need to make a dedicated bench for chairs. I build my chairs on whatever workbench is handy, and I’ve never felt constrained by them. Nor have I ever wished for a bench dedicated to my chairmaking.
This is not a knock against people with chairmaking benches. My chairmaking hero, John Bown, made dedicated workbenches for chairs. As has Peter Galbert, Drew Langsner, Christopher Williams and a long list of people who are much better chairmakers than I am. AITA?
Instead, this blog post is an effort to remove one of the artificial barriers we all erect in our minds when it comes to tackling new kinds of projects.
“I can’t build a chair until I own a steambox, shaving horse, drawknife, froe, chiarmaker’s workbench….”
Use what you have on hand, and you’ll find a way to make it work. Then, after you’ve built 20 chairs and decide it’s your life’s work, you can think about what specific equipment you will need for your journey.
A few of you who have followed my work might say: “Ah yes, but what about your Roman workbench? Isn’t that dedicated to chairmaking?”
No, it’s not. That workbench gets used for everything, including as an occasional buffet table when we buy lunch for students.
OK, last question from an imaginary voice: “But if you did build a bench for chairmaking, what would it look like?”
I’ve given that a lot of thought. Here’s the answer. (You can download the plans for free.)
— Christopher Schwarz
you mean the common sense approach to life in general. love the articles.
Curtis Buchanan has a nice chairmaking-oriented bench with plans online. I want to make one since my woodworking is trending in that direction. https://www.curtisbuchananchairmaker.com/store/p23/Workbench_Plans_%28digital_download%29.html
I do, however, like the look of that staked workbench. My apartment is filling up with Chris Schwarz inspired staked furniture. Why not a workbench?
“AITA” haha, had to look that up! I don’t think you are.
Ha! I see what you did there at the end. What workbench is most suitable for taking a nap on when you are tired from chairmaking? I gotta go I have a chair seat attached to a rusty 1970’s era black and decker workmate with 150 punds of rock attached to the bottom of it ready to be saddled.
Hi Chris,
You don’t know me but I have purchased several items from you over the years. I knew you had lived in Arkansas but didn’t know where until you mentioned Hackett in the video of your family services for your mom. My dad’s family lived on what became part of Fort Chaffee (just off Rt. 96 by the strip pit) since the 1820’s when they moved there from the Knoxville area. Our McConnell family always considered Greenwood their home turf and one of my uncles was the principal of the Greenwood high school and middle school in the 60’s and 70’s.
I used to spend summers in Greenwood and always played baseball on the town team. Pretty sure we played Hackett at some point. Two years ago I drove out to visit relatives and then drove to Houston to see my mother-in-law and brother-in-law. Stopped in Hackett for gas on the way. It is still a small town, probably about the same as when you moved out.
If you ever knew any McConnells in Greenwood, they were my kin. I hope they treated you well.
I am sure your mom enjoyed her send off. Well done!
Cheers,
Bob
Robert M. McConnell
105 Mountain Road
Redding, CT 06896
Does Lost Art Press have any plans for an English translation of ‘L’art du tourneur mécanicien’ by M. Hulot? Or is this the kind of thing that would be years away if at all?
We do not, I’m afraid.
Very similar to sail maker’s bench.
Moveable but stable when sat on.