Furniture Making

You are not logged in. [ Login ] Why log in
(NOTE: Login is not required to post)

Upholstered curved chair backs

9/26/16       
Mark B Member

We are looking at making some arm and side chairs that have an upholstered seat and back, wood arms and legs. The curved back of the chair is upholstered front and back.

This is something new for us and I had originally thought of laying up veneer and vacuum bagging the backs over the form but then wondered if other would go about this with two layers of bending ply?

Im having trouble locating what I would consider to be cost effective construction grade veneer to lay up.

Sorry for the simple question but any input is appreciated.

9/27/16       #2: Upholstered curved chair backs ...
Glen

Chairs are tricky to make well. We have the same chairmaker for the last 32 years and he cuts all the parts from solid wood. If I understand you are looking to make a traditional dining chair with a curve on the back. We use the bandsaw and pin router to make the curves and use webbing to create the back surface for foam and fabric.

9/27/16       #3: Upholstered curved chair backs ...
Mark B Member

Glen,
Thanks for the info. The bandsawn solids is what we would normally do. These are not dining chairs but what type of chair they are isnt really relevant. These are not the backs or even the type of chair but we are shooting for something in this direction:
http://www.livinghomefurniture.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/upholstery-tear-down
-curved-plywood-back.jpg

As I mentioned, in the chairs we are planning the entire back is upholstered.

9/27/16       #4: Upholstered curved chair backs ...
Glen

Link goes to LH but no image. If it is a formed plywood back we do a jig and glue up 1/8" then veneer over it all or add a solid top if it is a rounded top. The more radical Italian curved chairs I won't do

9/27/16       #5: Upholstered curved chair backs ...
Mark B Member

We will try this.


View larger image

9/27/16       #6: Upholstered curved chair backs ...
Glen

We would build a jig and glue up 3/8" bending ply then veneer it all.

9/27/16       #7: Upholstered curved chair backs ...
Glen

Actually i would not veneer it as it is fully upholstered.

9/27/16       #8: Upholstered curved chair backs ...
Mark B Member

Thanks Glen,
We took the long way around to it but that was my original question. Lay it up with veneers or two layers of 3/8BP... lots of good information though.

9/29/16       #9: Upholstered curved chair backs ...
Keith Newton

Well, if you just use two layers of bending ply, you only have two thin veneers running horizontally where you really need to connect for strength.
I would add a thick face veneer to both sides of one layer.
As for the actual bagging, I would make a form where I bent the whole sheet at full size, then cut the parts from the big cylinderical shaped part.

Rather than having to make a substantial plug to form around inside of the bag, I like to use a big envelope that contains the laminates after the epoxy is rolled on, then bend the whole bag around the form which is outside the bag, and can be made very easily out of cheap ply or sheet goods. Then it only has to be strong enough to support against the springbuck of the sum of parts, which is not much, and only needs hand pressure to hold against the form, while another person clamps some 2x4s long enough to hang off the ends. Once the vacuum is pulled, they aren't even needed, since the pressure on both sides of the bag is so great it will hold the shape even without the form, so long as you don't loose the vacuum.

Bending ply comes in 4x8 and 8x4, with the face veneer running opposite on each option. Shops that edge glue door skins can supply you with single ply faces whatever size you require.

That is what I would do, but I don't' do big volumes.

5/9/17       #10: Upholstered curved chair backs ...
MarkSindone  Member

Website: http://supercheapselfstorage.com.au/facilities/syd...

Thanks Keith for the comprehensive input. I did have a thought about the thin ply of veneers. They could be too weak for durability and you would really want that in an arm chair. I guess the key is to use thicker ply layers or fix a few pieces together if there is a need to.


Post a Response
  • Notify me of responses to this thread
  • Subscribe to email updates on this Forum
  • To receive email notification of additions to this forum thread,
    enter your name and email address, and then click the
    "Keep Me Posted" button below.

    Please Note: If you have posted a message or response,
    do not submit this request ... you are already signed up
    to receive notification!

    Your Name:
    E-Mail Address:
    Enter the correct numbers into the field below:
     

    Date of your Birth:



    Return to top of page

    Buy & Sell Exchanges | Forums | Galleries | Site Map

    FORUM GUIDELINES: Please review the guidelines below before posting at WOODWEB's Interactive Message Boards (return to top)

  • WOODWEB is a professional industrial woodworking site. Hobbyist and homeowner woodworking questions are inappropriate.
  • Messages should be kept reasonably short and on topic, relating to the focus of the forum. Responses should relate to the original question.
  • A valid email return address must be included with each message.
  • Advertising is inappropriate. The only exceptions are the Classified Ads Exchange, Machinery Exchange, Lumber Exchange, and Job Opportunities and Services Exchange. When posting listings in these areas, review the posting instructions carefully.
  • Subject lines may be edited for length and clarity.
  • "Cross posting" is not permitted. Choose the best forum for your question, and post your question at one forum only.
  • Messages requesting private responses will be removed - Forums are designed to provide information and assistance for all of our visitors. Private response requests are appropriate at WOODWEB's Exchanges and Job Opportunities and Services.
  • Messages that accuse businesses or individuals of alleged negative actions or behavior are inappropriate since WOODWEB is unable to verify or substantiate the claims.
  • Posts with the intent of soliciting answers to surveys are not appropriate. Contact WOODWEB for more information on initiating a survey.
  • Excessive forum participation by an individual upsets the balance of a healthy forum atmosphere. Individuals who excessively post responses containing marginal content will be considered repeat forum abusers.
  • Responses that initiate or support inappropriate and off-topic discussion of general politics detract from the professional woodworking focus of WOODWEB, and will be removed.
  • Participants are encouraged to use their real name when posting. Intentionally using another persons name is prohibited, and posts of this nature will be removed at WOODWEB's discretion.
  • Comments, questions, or criticisms regarding Forum policies should be directed to WOODWEB's Systems Administrator
    (return to top).

    Carefully review your message before clicking on the "Send Message" button - you will not be able to revise the message once it has been sent.

    You will be notified of responses to the message(s) you posted via email. Be sure to enter your email address correctly.

    WOODWEB's forums are a highly regarded resource for professional woodworkers. Messages and responses that are crafted in a professional and civil manner strengthen this resource. Messages that do not reflect a professional tone reduce the value of our forums.

    Messages are inappropriate when their content: is deemed libelous in nature or is based on rumor, fails to meet basic standards of decorum, contains blatant advertising or inappropriate emphasis on self promotion (return to top).

    Libel:   Posts which defame an individual or organization, or employ a tone which can be viewed as malicious in nature. Words, pictures, or cartoons which expose a person or organization to public hatred, shame, disgrace, or ridicule, or induce an ill opinion of a person or organization, are libelous.

    Improper Decorum:   Posts which are profane, inciting, disrespectful or uncivil in tone, or maliciously worded. This also includes the venting of unsubstantiated opinions. Such messages do little to illuminate a given topic, and often have the opposite effect. Constructive criticism is acceptable (return to top).

    Advertising:   The purpose of WOODWEB Forums is to provide answers, not an advertising venue. Companies participating in a Forum discussion should provide specific answers to posted questions. WOODWEB suggests that businesses include an appropriately crafted signature in order to identify their company. A well meaning post that seems to be on-topic but contains a product reference may do your business more harm than good in the Forum environment. Forum users may perceive your references to specific products as unsolicited advertising (spam) and consciously avoid your web site or services. A well-crafted signature is an appropriate way to advertise your services that will not offend potential customers. Signatures should be limited to 4-6 lines, and may contain information that identifies the type of business you're in, your URL and email address (return to top).

    Repeated Forum Abuse: Forum participants who repeatedly fail to follow WOODWEB's Forum Guidelines may encounter difficulty when attempting to post messages.

    There are often situations when the original message asks for opinions: "What is the best widget for my type of shop?". To a certain extent, the person posting the message is responsible for including specific questions within the message. An open ended question (like the one above) invites responses that may read as sales pitches. WOODWEB suggests that companies responding to such a question provide detailed and substantive replies rather than responses that read as a one-sided product promotion. It has been WOODWEB's experience that substantive responses are held in higher regard by our readers (return to top).

    The staff of WOODWEB assume no responsibility for the accuracy, content, or outcome of any posting transmitted at WOODWEB's Message Boards. Participants should undertake the use of machinery, materials and methods discussed at WOODWEB's Message Boards after considerate evaluation, and at their own risk. WOODWEB reserves the right to delete any messages it deems inappropriate. (return to top)


  • Forum Posting Help
    Your Name The name you enter in this field will be the name that appears with your post or response (return to form).
    Your Website Personal or business website links must point to the author's website. Inappropriate links will be removed without notice, and at WOODWEB's sole discretion. WOODWEB reserves the right to delete any messages with links it deems inappropriate. (return to form)
    E-Mail Address Your e-mail address will not be publicly viewable. Forum participants will be able to contact you using a contact link (included with your post) that is substituted for your actual address. You must include a valid email address in this field. (return to form)
    Subject Subject may be edited for length and clarity. Subject lines should provide an indication of the content of your post. (return to form)
    Thread Related Link and Image Guidelines Thread Related Links posted at WOODWEB's Forums and Exchanges should point to locations that provide supporting information for the topic being discussed in the current message thread. The purpose of WOODWEB Forums is to provide answers, not to serve as an advertising venue. A Thread Related Link that directs visitors to an area with inappropriate content will be removed. WOODWEB reserves the right to delete any messages with links or images it deems inappropriate. (return to form)
    Thread Related File Uploads Thread Related Files posted at WOODWEB's Forums and Exchanges should provide supporting information for the topic being discussed in the current message thread. Video Files: acceptable video formats are: .MOV .AVI .WMV .MPEG .MPG .MP4 (Image Upload Tips)   If you encounter any difficulty when uploading video files, E-mail WOODWEB for assistance. The purpose of WOODWEB Forums is to provide answers, not to serve as an advertising venue. A Thread Related File that contains inappropriate content will be removed, and uploaded files that are not directly related to the message thread will be removed. WOODWEB reserves the right to delete any messages with links, files, or images it deems inappropriate. (return to form)