Shop Stool Arches
After cutting out patterns for the arches in the stool rails. I began to cut the arches themselves. It did not take long (the first arch) to recognize that the shape did not look right. Standing back and staring for several minutes, (which is standard operating procedure when we don’t know what to do) I realized that I needed a shallower arch.
The shallower arch provides a feeling of strength and grace, ok it’s only a stool! I enjoyed cutting the arches using my usual method of saw, chisel and spokeshave.
My chisel skills continue to improve and thus my confidence grows. The upper arches are tighter than the lower and my flat bottom spokeshave struggled with the curve. The curved spokeshave being more difficult to use then the flat prompted me to just ease the curve with my chisel which worked well.
I will shape the legs this weekend and prepare the blank for the seat.
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The stool is looking really good. Its amazing how you can change the overall feel of a piece by simply adjusting an arc. A deep arc will lighten and result in a delicate feel. A shallow arc will ground a design and give a feeling of strength. The trick is finding the arc that looks good to your eye and coveys the feeling that you wish to establish. Your choice looks good. A nice strong and grounded stool invites someone to sit down and relax.
Greg
Thanks Greg, I love shaping the legs it’s amazing what a few minutes can do to change the entire look and feel of a piece.
i like the curve, have you though about a tractor seat carve from wood.
Hopefully I will begin carving out the seat this week. I’m a little intimidated by it but should be a lot of fun.
This looks great, I’m intimidated by the angled joinery tough.