Woodworker's Journal 1994-18-5, страница 41

Mortise Work: Fig. 1 shows the locations of the rail mortises in the four posts. These mortises must be located on the same plane on each post. Use the technique described in the Pro Tip to mark these hale centerpoints. After marking the top and bottom shoulders of the mortises. lay out the mortise sides. Locate these mortises in from the outside edges of the posts.

Use your drill press to rough out the mortises. Then, square up the mortise walls with a sharp chisel. If you have a mortising attachment for your drill press, use it.

Remaining Parts: Drv-assemhle the posts and rails to check the lit of the mor-tise-and-tenon joints. Test-fit the comer sweeps at this time, too. If everything fits properly, cut the cleats (J) to fit between the posts and the spacers (K) to evenly space the three mattress support slats (L). Next, glue and screw the cleats and fillers to the bottom end rails. To do this, first counterbore the screw holes, then later plug the holes with matching plugs to hide the screws. Now, cut and fit the three mattress support boards.

Bandsaw the rockers (M) from y< "-thick stock. To lay out the radius on the rockers, cut a 30"-long piece of string. Tie a pencil at one end of it and a nail at the other end, spacing them 26 %" apart. Drive the nail into a wall as shown in Fig. 2, positioning the nail so that the pen

cil just touches the floor. Next, place the rocker board flat against the wall, aligning the centcrline of the board with the string. Then, holding the board in place, swing the pencil back and forth in an arc to mark the rocker's profile. Now, mark the second rocker board.

Saw both rockers to shape, then sand them smooth. Lay out and cut the %"-deep reveal in the top edge of each rocker. Then, notch the bottom ends of the four posts as shown in Fig. 3 to half-lap over the rockers. Now, you're ready to start assembling.

Born in Boston and educated at Exeter and Harvard, Wallace Nutting was first a minister, but left the ministry in 1904 to pursue his true loves, photography and furniture. Recogniied today as one oi the 20th century's great eclectic personalities, Nutting first made a name for himself selling tinted photographs. Later, his appreciation of a then-neglected style—Early American—led to his opening a factory and making and selling reproductions of classic furniture pieces from the period. Nutting also authored several books, among them the famous Furniture Treasury, a three-volume tome considered by many to be the bible of the Early American style Through his friendship with Berea's president William J Hutchins, Nutting developed an interest in the college's Woodcraft Program He provided blueprints (or many of the elegant designs that Berea's skilled craftsmen still make In 1941. after Nutting's death, his wife bequeathed the furniture collection lo Berea, where it continues to be housed today.

Berea's renowned Woodcraft Program features a learn-while-you-earn arrangement. Students work side-by-side with master craftsmen under the ageless apprenticeship system to acquire the necessary skills. The work the students produce can be purchased through the Woodcraft Catalog and at stores and galleries. To learn more about Berea College, the Woodcraft Program, or the Wallace Nutting Collection, call Berea College al (606) 986-9341.

Woodworker's Journal

Septembcr/Oaober 1994 4J