Popular Woodworking 2005-02 № 146, страница 38

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Here you can see examples of Boggs's work in the gallery.

Great Woodshops

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and two routers to make. The joint allows for a more open design and forms a much more organic intersection.

This joint, which Boggs already is incorporating in his chair designs, is just one example of the continuing evolution of his ladderback chairs. "I made some ugly chairs," Boggs says laughing, talking about his early years. Antique or "country" chairs have a certain awkwardness that's charming, he says. His early pieces had some of that charm (and some did not, he says again laughing) but he continued to tinker with the design. For years he tried to design a more contemporary style ladderback chair but finally realized that as long as he continues to weave his seats from hickory bark, they're only going to be able to look so contemporary.

"Hickory bark always has a country vibe," he says. "It really limits what you can do." But Boggs appreciates the bark's strength (it's stronger than leather) and the fact that it makes his chairs distinctly regional. However, if a customer wants an entire chair built from hickory, he must be prepared to pay 50 percent more. Hickory wood is difficult to steam, and is littered with defects and color variations, making chair construction difficult.

Although Boggs enjoys inventing, right now he says he's a woodworker who's not woodworking much. The balance is off. But it's been necessary - he says he can't build the chairs he wants to build until he has the right tools and equipment. And for the most part, those tools and equipment don't exist. But the time he's spent doing research and development

Boggs invented this sturdy joint, which he calls a universal joint.

has paid off - his chairs are better than ever.

As far as future growth is concerned, Boggs doesn't want to become as big as Thomas A. Moser has become. He likes being extremely close to his work. He acknowledges the fact that growth (currently he runs a three-man shop) has allowed him the time to invent - the time for his research and development. Eventually he wants to try running a five-man (or woman) shop, and see where it goes. But his motto is this: If it's not fun, it's done.

As much as Boggs enjoys his job, he's constantly wary of burn-out. He's adamant about working a 40-hour week and rarely works on weekends. He's careful that his employees stick to a 40-hour work week, too. He uses the example of woodturner Bob Stocksdale. "Stocksdale never worked more than an eight-hour day and that's why he was always so fired up about spinning a bowl," Boggs says.

The Almost-perfect Chair

Sitting in one of Boggs's six-slat ladderback arm rockers, you have to wonder how another invention - whether it be a jig, a tool or a j oint - could possibly improve the chair. As you gently rock back and forth, Boggs shows you how the wood's growth rings wind around the chair just like they did in the tree. This, he says, orients the chair's parts so they receive the least amount of stress.

He explains how each of the six back slats have a different curve for perfect lumbar support. He asks you to hold your hands up, as if you were reading a book. As you perform this act your elbows slide into the angled part of the armrests and you realize this cut was

intentional. The heavy cut taken underneath the end of each armrest was intentional, too. This, Boggs says, gives your fingertips something to play with.

Over the past 22 years Boggs has reworked the beauty of the Appalachian-style chair into one that fits the human form more comfortably. And although from the time he sold his very first chair he's never been without a chair order, Boggs still sees room for improvement. Sometimes, the constant redesign and problem solving can be overwhelming and even downright scary, he says. But Boggs equates the work to a favorite carnival ride - it can be the scariest ride you've ever been on but as soon as you get off you pay your money and get right back on again.

Boggs can't resist jumping back on, perhaps because he knows this: As he continually reinvents his company - whether it be adding more employees, inventing a new way to cut a new joint or putting a new tool on the market - he continually improves his work and, ultimately, himself. And that's really all a scientist can ask for, or ever need. PW

SOURCES

Brian Boggs's new DVD, "Hickory Bark from Tree to Chair" is available through his web site at brianboggschairs.com or through Lie-Nielsen (800-327-2520 or lie-nielsen.com). Boggs offers chair-building workshops across the country throughout the year. For information on times and locations visit his web site. E-mail questions to brian@brianboggschairs.com.

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Popular Woodworking February 2005