Video Instruction
The entire Rocker Video Series is on my YouTube Channel, Charles Brock the Rocknchairman for
you to learn to build this project. It is very comprehensive. Between the patterns and the video
instruction you should be able to build this project. It will take time, patience and figuring many
things out to suit your interpretation of my instruction. You must adapt this instruction to your
shop’s resources and your knowledge.
Book – The book is based on the original rocker video published in 2009. You can find it on my
website under Companion Books. Do not use any measurements from the book unless they are
in alignment with the videos. The Appendix measurements for the 8 degree jig may be helpful. https://charlesbrockchairmaker.com/project-companion-books/
Getting Started:
Tools – You will see the tools I use on the video but they are not the only choices. On my
website at https://charlesbrockchairmaker.com/rocker-tool-list-revised-february-2022/ you
will find a tool list.
Wood Choices – Hardwoods are required for this project. Domestic Walnut, Maple, Cherry are
best because they can take the carving and stress. This project is not about the wood, it about
the chair’s lines.
Seat Choice – You should make the "Big Smile Seat." That video along with the original seat
video are both on the channel. Either will use these seat board measurements:
Using the Full-Size Paper Patterns
Make a set of permanent patterns from the paper. Do not try to use the paper patterns
on your stock. Glue (Glue Stick is Good) them to whatever material you want to use
realizing some need to be flexible and some rigid. Leave a little margin around the black
line. Using a bandsaw cut on or slightly to the black line, then sand away the blackline
leaving the size of the pattern part.
Using your permanent pattern set, trace the patterns on the candidate boards. Look for
clarity (knots, bark inclusions, voids), flow of the grain and color, when deciding
suitability for chair parts.
Prepare Your Stock
Below are appropriate dimensions: (All edges and surfaces jointed and ends square
unless otherwise noted!) Approximately 50 Board Feet of Stock Necessary
2 Adder Blocks @ 7/8 x 3 x 5″
5 Seat Boards @ 1 3/4 x 4 1/4 x 21″
2 Arms @ 1 7/8 to 10/4 Thick x 5 1/4 x 20″
1 Headrest @ 1 7/8 to 10/4 thick x 7 x 23″
2 Back Legs @ 1 3/4 x 5 3/4 x 48″ Edges not jointed and ends not perfectly square
2 Front Legs @ 1 7/8" Thick x 2 13/16 x 19 1/2″ Leave one edge unjointed.
Spindle Board Stock 1 1/2" thick x wide enough to yield 7 – 30 long spindles drawn
nested on their sides using the pattern for layout. Make sure the boards are face jointed
and planed to thickness.
Transition Blocks Cut 20 @1/8"laminations from 1 1/2 x 6 x 6″ board
Rocker Sled Laminations Cut 18 @1/8 x 6 x 50″
Please! Never teach others from my videos or patterns. You will be in
violation of copyright laws and subject to penalty.
Charles Brock