Ladderback Chairs
with Peter Follansbee
Participants Are:
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Fully vaccinated; masks optional
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Comfortable working closely together
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Good humored and patient with us and each other
A six-day course
Learn to make this iconic post-and-rung chair over the course of a week in a small-group setting.
Every step of the process will be tackled hands-on—splitting the tree and riving the stock with a froe; shaping parts with drawknife and spokeshave; laying out and cutting joinery; boring mortises with a brace and bit.
The strength of these timeless chairs springs from their combination of wet and dry components interlocked by mortise-and-tenon joinery. Kiln-dried rungs fit tightly into mortises in the posts, which still contain some moisture. The joint both shrinks and swells together, never to come undone. Peter will cover these critical dynamics in detail.
Peter has made these chairs from green wood since 1978, learning the craft from John (Jennie) Alexander and Drew Langsner.
Registrants will receive a list of some basic required tools, as well as a few optional ones that may turn up handy. CRAFT will provide other specialized tools for students’ use. Participants will receive prior guidance as to seating material options, as time may allow some students to weave a seat on the final class session. In any case, Peter will demonstrate.
Registration is $TK, and includes:
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Six days hands-on guidance in small-class setting
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All materials, except seating
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Delicious lunches every day
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Your agreement to abide by Plymouth CRAFT's simple health protocol, outlined above.
