How We Build a Rocking Chair — Layout

Every part of a Weeks Rocker® has specific technical specifications.  The wood must fulfill requirements for texture and grain direction and for the dimension and nature of any irregularities.  In addition, to achieve a pleasing composition of figure, color, and character in the part and chair, the orientation of the growth rings, the variations in natural color, and the articulation of any irregularities must be carefully considered.

We study the wood and mark out each part with patterns according to the technical and aesthetic considerations  (#1).  We can see the top and bottom surface of the wood defined by the pattern, but what is inside to be revealed by sawing and sculpting must be visualized — illuminated by experience and intuition.

Having marked out a batch of wood, we cut it up  (#2 and #3).  Rough cutting we call it, because everything is cut oversized to facilitate the subsequent production of accurate planes and dimensions.

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