AMATEUR WOODWORKING.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume VI, Issue 30, 26 July 1890, Page 18

AMATEUR WOODWORKING.

There are many pretty and useful things that can be made with a tew tools by boys who have a taste for mechanical work. To construct them is an excellent training of patience, ingenuity and taste. For example, both a profitable and a pleasant use of tools is found in the making of natural wood picture-frames. A new and easy style for their construction is to be found in the illustrations given, many of which are to be seen in the annual picture exhibitions. For the smaller frames, inch boards are used of various widths, four inches wide being very attractive. To secure the ends when properly fitted, screw thin pieces of hard wood over the joint, on the back side, as shown below, making the joints as tight as possible. The ends are best fitted in a mitrebox, as in that way they are sawed off exactly at right angles. The four pieces of which the frame is composed can be put together in a variety of ways —some of which are suggested in the cuts. If a beading of bronze or gold be used inside, the joints of the moulding will have to be cut with a bevel, using the diagonal slits in the mitre-box. A fine saw, perfectly straight, will give very good joints, which may be secured with slender brads. If the rich cherry stains usually employed is desired for

the cherry frame, or the ‘ antique ’ finish for the oak, the necessary stains can easily be obtained at a hardware or drug store. Some varieties of wood look very rich when oiled.

The frames may be made perfectly flat or with bevels of various widths, as the taste and ingenuity of the worker may suggest. I have made a frame of whitewood—kauri would do as well—with bevelled joints. Upon it, as shown in the illustration, a branch of aead’twigs, was secured with brads, having first been made flat on its under side. The whole was then covered smoothly with silver - bronze, which comes in a preparation that anyone can easily apply. Those who are quite expert in handling tools may not find the making of an easy-chair too difficult for their powers. In the one figured herewith, no part of the woodwork is seen, the chair being entirely covered with upholstery’—a condition of things which makes accurate fitting of joints and the use of expensive woods unnecessary.

The chair should be strongly framed with mortise and tenon joints, as shown in the illustration. For the frame, use two by two and one-half inch stuff, the two upright pieces in the back being cut from two inch plank. Every tenon should be wedged when fitted to its mortise, as this will give great firmness. The seat is made by interweaving tightly three broad bands of upholsterers’ webbing, from front to rear, and from side to side. On these bands six springs should be fastened by sewing them to the webbing with stout twine. Over the springs stout cloth is stretched, on the cloth is placed the proper thickness of curled hair. The back should have the same stout cloth drawn tightly from side to side, and, over it, a layer’ of the curled hair. It will be well to cover the whole chair with some cheap cloth before putting on the more expensive outer covering, which may Ire of any material desired. The appearance of the chair, complete, is shown in the illustration.

Webb Donnell.