how did you build your seat frames?

sluggo · Post by **sluggo** » Sun Apr 12, 2009 10:08 pm

How did you build your seat frames? I'm leaning towards butting the frame pieces and joining them with dowels and epoxy. My concern is that all the dowel holes will have to be drilled very carefully, I bet it doesn't take much error to twist the frame. I'd like to hear how you did yours, and if you have any tips.
thanks

sedges · Post by **sedges** » Sun Apr 12, 2009 11:46 pm

I have used lap joints with a 1/4 inch deep lap. The spread/side pieces really don't bear weight, so 1/4 inch laps works fine. I have never had a seat break, even with my 300 lb friend. I built a jig to use a router, but could just as well be done with table saw or radial arm saw with dado set up. The first ones I did(still in use 25 years later) were cut with a big old hand mitre saw that had a depth stop on it and the waste cleared with a good chisel. I had very little machinery back then.

frugal · Post by **frugal** » Mon Apr 13, 2009 6:56 am

We used Mortice and tenon joints. The front and back are made from laminated strips that we steam bent down for comfort.

David James · Post by **David James** » Mon Apr 13, 2009 2:57 pm

Hi Sluggo,

I also went with a mortise and tenon joint. I used my table saw to cut the tenon and used a drill press for the mortise. I thought of using a plate joiner (bisquits) but wanted to try my hand at the m & t joint. I would recommend it. You will need a sharp chisel and a drill press (or a steady hand with a hand drill). I have since used the m & t joint in other projects, so I'm glad I took the time to learn how to do it.

Dave

sluggo · Post by **sluggo** » Mon Apr 13, 2009 5:32 pm

Yes, I would love to try the M&T joint. I think given the cost of hardwood and my free time that perhaps the lap joint will bring me the highest chance of success.

I'll have updates on my blog and in the Freedom 15' project thread. I just bought some cherry today for the seats and the inwales!

BradRob · Post by **BradRob** » Tue Apr 14, 2009 6:38 pm

I glued and clamped my trapazoid seats and then drilled through the seat rail and styles and inserted dowels with epoxy. The dowel ends accent the cherry seat rails and it looks quite nice.. I have recently purchased a long awaited bisquit router that i will be using on some other seats for my next build.

sluggo · Post by **sluggo** » Wed Apr 15, 2009 8:25 am

BradRob wrote:I glued and clamped my trapazoid seats and then drilled through the seat rail and styles and inserted dowels with epoxy. The dowel ends accent the cherry seat rails and it looks quite nice.. I have recently purchased a long awaited bisquit router that i will be using on some other seats for my next build.

Did you use a drill press or hand drill?

thx

Juneaudave · Post by **Juneaudave** » Thu Apr 16, 2009 8:35 pm

For dowel joints, these self centering jigs take out all the error. Here's a link to one from Woodcraft that's very good, but you can find chealper I think...Self-Centering Jig

BradRob · Post by **BradRob** » Mon Apr 20, 2009 7:46 pm

Sluggo,
I have a clamp on drill guide that i use with my cordless drill. It worked great with 3/8 dowel rod. You could drill through some scrap stock and clamp that on to your seat frame to keep the drill bit straight up and down. My guide centers itself on 3/4 stock nicely and it has 4 different hole diamaters.

edmontonian · Post by **edmontonian** » Wed Jun 03, 2009 5:28 am

Hey Sluggo,

I built a set of seats as a newb last year using MT joints and I would do so again. Never made an MT joint prior to this canoe build.

edmontonian