Category Archives: Machines

The posts below feature tools or machines that we have built or modified to increase precision and safety and reduce time and stress.

Cutting Round Tenons on Chair Legs

Posted on April 23, 2013 by Gary Weeks

The tenons on the front legs of our wood seat dining chairs come through the seat and are wedged — making the attractive and obviously strong “through-wedged mortise-and-tenon joint.” The front legs of our chairs intersect the seat at an … Continue reading →

Posted in Barstools, Dining Chairs, Machines, Rocking Chairs | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

Compressed Air Utility

Posted on February 25, 2013 by Gary Weeks

The air compressor was down for maintenance for a day this week.  Aaron dug out the electric, 5-inch random orbit sander to sculpt and sand a rocker.  When done, he said, “I had forgotten how much easier our air sanders … Continue reading →

Posted in Machines, Shop Improvements | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Modifying the Crosscut Saw

Posted on March 3, 2012 by Gary Weeks

We have a Powermatic Model 66 tablesaw for ripping, and a Delta Unisaw for crosscutting.  Both take 10” blades.  There are times when we wish the crosscut could be ½” deeper.  In the photos, I am modifying the Unisaw to … Continue reading →

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Sharpening the Turning Tools

Posted on December 16, 2011 by Gary Weeks

By hand and eye at the lathe, we turn our rocking chair front legs, footstool legs, Berry barstool legs, Paschall table legs, Johnson Pedestal table base, and spindles for all dining chairs and barstools.  We use no duplicating machinery.  I … Continue reading →

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Sculpting Rocking Chair Backlegs and Arms at the Edge Sander

Posted on August 8, 2011 by Gary Weeks

We built our edge sander.  The sanding belt is driven by a wooden pulley (5” diameter x 8” high) on the right end of the machine in the picture below.  At the end of the machine opposite the drive pulley, … Continue reading →

Posted in Machines, Rocking Chairs | Tagged , , | 3 Comments

Producing tenons on dining chair front legs

Posted on April 9, 2011 by Gary Weeks

The front legs on our dining chairs pass through the seats and are wedged.  To produce round tenons on these legs, we first cut square ones on the table saw to remove most of the wood. We have modified a … Continue reading →

Posted in Dining Chairs, Machines | Tagged , | 1 Comment

Joining, Leveling, and Completing the Top

Posted on March 31, 2011 by Gary Weeks

Our lumber is delivered rough (not straight, flat, or smooth).  Before we can joint or rip, we need a straight edge.   We have built a machine for producing a straight edge on a board.  In the photos below, you can … Continue reading →

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