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November 14, 2007
This meeting at the Church, our guest is Mr. James Rendi
James Rendi
The Philadelphia Windsor Chair Shop
P.O. Box 67, Earlsville, Pa 19519
610-689-4717
http://www.windsorchairresources.com/rendi.html
Original Windsor Chairs were always painted to invite the eye to flow with the curves and follow the lines. to see the loveliness of the chair as a whole piece. Staining causes ones attention to focus on individual parts of the chair such as wood grain or curved sections. Also because each chair is made of different kinds of wood, which give superior strength, staining is impractical and not as attractive.
Milk paints are applied with linseed oil applied last, as was customary two centuries ago. You may choose a single milk paint or a museum finish, which employees two or more colors hand rubbed, though at areas of natural wear to give a beautiful antique appearance. Custom finishes are our specialty, and we can send samples if you request them.
I wholeheartedly believe that the 200 year old techniques and tools are still the beast and I am committed to maintaining their use and will explain why.
In making the chairs, I begin with the log carefully choosing each with the straightest grain possible. I then split or nive the log along its natural grain to get the billets in the sizes needed to make the spinals, backs, arms and legs. riving is accomplished with the use of a very primitive but efficient tool called a froe.
There are many features of Windsor design that will contribute the the furniture's superior durability and gracefulness. We hope you understand more about the special qualities of Windsor chairs now.
If you would like to more about the only piece of furniture that is considered original American, you are welcome to come and visit our shop to experience how a treasured part of our heritage was crafted at America's beginning.
Jim Rendi's popular workshops include a unique introduction to crafting a truly hand made Windsor chair, woodturning for chair makers, sharpening tools, and making a shaving horse.
You may learn on a private instruction bases, or you may join or assemble a group workshop.
During you course you will develop skills such as Steam bending wood, proper use of a froe, scorp, adz, drawknife, etc, and drilling compound angles (set by eye) using spoon bits
Not only will you use original style tools, you will be working in the 1792 carriage barn at the Rendi's home in the historical Oley Valley. Students are often taken on field trips to see local museums, to seek antique tools and visit other craftsman.
All levels of experience are welcomed. Whether you are inexperienced, a weekend woodworker, or a professional furniture maker, Jim will guide you to the successful completion of your own Windsor Chair or other project to take home with your course certificate.
Room and Board at the
Rendi's Farm House Per
day $65.00
Windsor Chair Workshop
5days $ 600.00
Shaving horse, Windsor stool or Turning workshop 1-2
$ 100.00
Sharpening Workshop
1-2 $ 100.00
