Monday, March 22, 2010

Problem-Solving







I've decided on a configuration for the back rest of the Heavy Chair. My original thought was to keep it simple and shape it out of one piece of wood. Simplicity occasionally has its complications.
The wood grain that runs top to bottom on my chair would create a weak spot at the point where the seat back leaves the seat support, and it will eventually fail and begin to crack. By using a sliding dove tail joint and turning the grain of the seat back perpendicular to the seat support the weak point is eliminated. It could then expand and contract without compromising the joint.
I'll use a wooden dowel to keep one end to the joint static and let the opposing side travel freely. No glue will be used in the joint except to secure the wooden dowel.

I'm still considering the species of wood for the seat back assembly. I'd like to use something other than walnut as it find its way into most of my projects. You'll know as soon as I decide.
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Kenon Perry is an artist first and a carpenter second. He believes if a piece isn't thoughtfully designed, lines to limbs, then no one will notice whether its assembled with a tongue-and-groove joint or a dove tail, whether the wood is wenge or ipé. Perry was born in east Texas with a God-given ability to build things, spending the bulk of his Waco boyhood drawing, fabricating, or thinking about drawing or fabricating. He then honed these raw talents at the prestigious University of North Texas art school, studying sculpture, graphic design, and history. Perry has since moved to Brooklyn NY. I love what I do and sometimes it even loves me back. Icon custom furniture crafts heirloom-quality furniture and cabinets for clients who recognize fine materials and superb construction practices. Our company was founded and is run by an artist and that is evident in our work, both the creative process and the end result. If you can't build it, we will. If you can't dream it, we can do that, too.