Stacy's Chairs
03/08/09
I would like to order two chairs from you. We live in the metro area, do you include that
in your delivery? Do I pay you when you come or before you start making them? My
understanding is that the price would be 300 dollars. Lastly, we have a house with a
deep red stained porch and deep red color. I'll attach a picture in a second email to
show you. What color chair do you think would go well with that? Thanks!
Stacy
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Thank you!
No prepay is necessary. And yes the area you live in is included in the delivery area.
You can watch your chairs being made. I'll send you the link on Monday.
As to color. I'll be posting color stains on Wed of this week. My first thought would
be just a natural poly finish.
My current lead time is about two weeks. In that time I'll bring out an unfinished chair
to you along with a selection of color stains.
Only upon your approval at that time will the chair be stained and finished. At final
delivery payment must be made in full.
I am also thinking about adding paypal as an option. Let me know what would work best
for you.
Do send a pic of the deck.
pat
ps. Yes the cost is $150 per chair and you are not obligated to pay until final delivery.
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Stacy this is the stain I use.
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03/10/09
Stacy the wood for your chairs is in the drying room.
Even though the wood is dry, I give it a few days to reduce moisture content.
This drying is done in an enclosed area with a dehumidifier for two to three days.
Any defects in the wood will also show up allowing me to end troubles before they begin.
Snow won't last long...think spring!
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Ok drying is done. Why do it? I'll let the photos explain.
These are checks. Moist wood is shipped with a high moisture content.
Checks will only show up later as the wood is drying.
By heating the wood and drying I expose the check and get rid of them.
Better to find them now then latter.
The leg base is now done.
This joint is critical. Under those four plugs are 3" coated screws.
All joints at this point are glued using an outdoor construction grade adhesive.
Front legs next.
Now really what I should do is pre-make the legs. But I don't. It's the reason why your chair takes so long to make.
That's part of the art of woodworking. Each chair has it's own personality.
Some are buggers some are easy. Your chairs are easy at this point. And no you don't get a discount for that.
pat
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03/15/09
Well had to do a little rework.
One of the chairs was not quite square. About 1/8 inch off.
Due to a blade change on the radial arm saw one of the angle cuts on the legs were off.
Arm rests.
The template (in front) is used to rough cut the arms on the bandsaw.
That template is about ten years old now and has never failed me.
Rough cut arms.
Now it's onto the router table to soften up the edges.
I use two different bits in a DeWalt 625 router. The first pass takes off just a 32 inch.
The second pass competes the round over.
And yes that is an old freezer I'm using as a sanding table.
Once the shop is clean again I'll post a pic of it.
Next up...arm braces and back seat support and we should be adding the center slat.
From here thing will go pretty fast.
pat
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03/21/09
Well things have been going along this week with your chairs.
Legs and arms are now ready to put together.
Dry fit went well, everything is square and level.
Side view with two of the three leg bolts installed.
Arms tacked in place. Those braces in the back are used to keep the arms level and will be removed.
And we're ready to put in the slats.
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03/21/09 update
Well the first chair is almost finished.
Another bolt in the front legs and seat slats.
Just love working with cedar.
This image is with the plugs installed. A little bit more sanding.
Behind each of those plugs is a two inch screw.
Each vertical slat is also reinforced with an outdoor adhesive.
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Update 03/28/09
Some of the pictures I've been meaning to post on your chairs.
The first back slat is critical.
I've never really counted all the screws and plugs I use but I like the results.
Please to excuse dirty litter pans.
But the result is that the screws are protected.
Well I really need to clean those litter pans now.
And your chairs are now finished.
Buying something without seeing it is just not my way.
You'll be able to sit in your chairs and have no commitment to buying at this point.
If you choose not to accept them it's ok.
It's just the way I do business.
I'll be bring out the chairs for you to try along with a sample stains.
I think I may have found a stain you might like. It's a Sikken product just introduced.
Hope you're having a good vacation.
Back to those litter pans for me. Whoever would think such a small kitty could produce so much.
pat
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After a long talk with my rep at Sikkens I've decided to open up the color options beyond Cetol 1.
In a translucent stain Cetol 1
In a semi-transparent stain Cetol SRD
In a solid stain Rubbol DEK
Take a look at the staining guide.
Pick out a couple of colors and I'll bring along the sample chips.
pat
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Your chairs sitting in the sun.
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04/18/09
Waiting for the stain to dry.
The edges in particular.
So today to help the process along I removed the excess stain from them and touched up a few spots.
The entire chair has to be dry before the sanding and the second coat goes on.
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So yes, we are watching the stain/paint dry today.
This stain is thicker than any other that I've used. I really wasn't prepared for the very long drying time.
After a final sanding and steel wooling the second coat will be applied, much thinner this time btw.
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Your chairs spent the whole day today in the sun.
They are ready to go but I want them dry just a little bit more.
A few more touch ups between the slats were done today.
The second coat was added two days ago inside and this morning the edges were still just a little bit wet.
I talked a bit more today were a variety of paint peoples that I run into during the day. All say oil stain is the only way to go on outdoor wood.
It takes a long time to dry but produces the best and longest lasting finish.
Oil does have it's drawbacks in that it must be kept dry while it curing. A sudden rain will ruin the finish and cut the live in half.
I'm pretty sure the chairs will be dry by Friday afternoon. Let them sit on the deck for a few days before use.
You have to baby them along for the first week. No rough edges, including studs in jeans. Do not let them get rained on. A little water is ok but keep them out of direct rain.
For minor touch ups you'll also be getting a quart of the stain used. That's enough to re coat both chairs. I'll also keep a quart. If you ever need a replacement arm or leg it will be done in the original color.
As long as you stick with an oil based stain you can later re-stain them. But always, an oil based product.
Never use a poly product on top of the stain to seal them.
Winter storage amounts to turning the chairs upside down keeping the seat and arms dry.
I'm so tempted to paint a large Hawaiian flower on the back of the chairs...ok I won't. Wife says no. A climbing rose vine would look good too!
pat
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4/25/09
I forgot something very important....Thank you!