After introductions and a tour of the shop, the plans packet is handed out, along with a list of the tools and supplies I use to make a rocking chair. Everything used in the assembly of this chair is readily available, and all sources are given for each item.

The rocking chair seat boards are laid out and marked, then band sawn into rough shape. The front and back leg joints are cut and routed. At the end of the day the seat blank is epoxied together, and left to cure overnight.
The front legs are notched, routed, band sawn, and fit into the seat blank, then shaped.

The back leg joints are notched at an angle using a special router jig to form an outward splay.

The clamps are removed from the seat blank, and it is sculpted into shape using a combination of carbide grinding wheels, die grinders, and various sanders. The outer edge is cut to shape and routed with a round-over.

The back legs are sculpted into shape using a band saw, router, grinding wheel and sanding equipment.
The front and rear legs are dry-clamped into place, and the arms are now fit and shaped using the band saw and carbide grinding wheel. A blind-doweling technique is used to attach the arms to the front and back legs. No screws are used in this chair.

The whole assembly is now epoxied in place, using a special alignment jig to check the outward splay of the back legs. The front legs and arms are also epoxied and clamped on the chair.

The clamps are removed from the chair assembly, and all of the joints are shaped and faired-in with various electric and air tools. The holes are drilled in the seat for the back slats.

The headcrest is fitted to the chair by cutting end angles on the table saw, then the blank is band sawed into rough shape, and the back slat holes drilled.

Back slats are now band sawn into shape, marked, and sculpted into final shape. The ends are fit into the seat and the headcrest.

The rockers are band sawn to shape, and attached to the bottom of the front and rear legs. A special doweling procedure is used in this process.

The back slats, headcrest, and rockers are now all epoxied onto the rocking chair assembly, and clamped for an overnight cure.

Clamps are removed, and the rockers are shaped into the front and back legs. The headcrest is brought into final shape using the carbide grinding wheel, along with assorted die grinders and finish sanders.

The rocking chair is now at a point where it can be "test driven" by Robert and the class.

For the rest of the morning, finishing methods and techniques are shown and discussed. The chair is sprayed with a lacquer to demonstrate the technique, plus show the color of the finished wood.

The class usually concludes by noon after a class photo session.