The Funeral Chair Is Getting There
After months of working on it in fits and starts, the Funeral Chairs are finally coming along.
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| All lined up and ready for assembly. |
This passed weekend I managed to sand all of the parts to 220. Then I realized I had forgotten to round over the tops of the legs. So I took out the belt sander again, rounded the tops and then re-sanded the tops to 220.
I made a pencil mark near the tops, being sure to stay behind it with the 120 & 180 grit. Then with the 220 I sanded through the marks, making sure to sand them off. This way, in ensured that I didt go further with my course grit, leaving a rough spot.
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After rounding the top of the legs with a belt sander
I had to re-sand them to 220 grit. |
With the exception of the seats and back, all of the parts (legs and stretchers) are square and narrow. To sand them I used my RO 90 in random orbit mode. I was more concerned with a smooth finish thn a flat surface, so I used a soft platten on the sander. While on the 120 grit, I added a simple round over to break the edge. Then after going over it all with 180, I added an interface pad for the 220. This ensured that every surface was sanded, even the round-overs.
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| The interface pad is a must have accessory. |
I also spent some time thinking about assembly and finishing. In The Unplugged Woodshop, Tom describes how he pre-finished his parts before assembly. While I see the value of that given the nooks and crannies of the assembled chair, Im not eager to mark and tape off all of my joinery prior to finishing. What I decided on was that I would assembly one side. Then Ill tape off the joinery of the other side using the assembled side as a clear guide of exactly what needs to be finished. Finally, Ill finish the chair as three pieces: the assembled side, the seat and the remaining side. Once finished, I should be able to easily assemble the remaining side.
Though experience may prove this strategy a failure, Im hoping it provides the best compromise of pre-finishing and assembly. With any luck Ill be sitting on the chairs in another week or two (I damn well better be before the Long Island Woodworkers Showcase).
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The Funeral Chair Is Getting There
