Video
A Woodworker’s Guide to Upholstery: Making the Deck
In this episode, you will discover two ways to create a deck, which is the foundation of a chair cushion.
Feb 07, 2018
Upholstery might seem intimidating at first, but making a comfortable seat cushion is well within the skillset of any woodworker. In this video series, upholsterer Michael Mascelli takes you through the process of upholstering the drop-in seat cushion frame for an Arts & Crafts rocking chair built by Mike Pekovich.
You’ll learn how to:
- Assemble a simple yet effective set of basic tools for upholstery
- Create a sprung foundation with zigger springs
- Build up a base of various foam and Dacron layers to get the right shape and comfort
- Top it off with a folded and tacked show cover of leather or vinyl, and a simple neat dust cover on the bottom.
In this episode, Michael shows two ways to create a deck, which is the foundation of a chair cushion.
Video by Jeff Roos and Ben Strano
Edited by Jeff Roos
Produced by Ben Strano
Videos in the Series
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A Woodworker’s Guide to Upholstery: Tools and Materials
February 7, 2018
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A Woodworker’s Guide to Upholstery: Making the Deck
February 7, 2018
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A Woodworker’s Guide to Upholstery: Building Up Foam Layers
February 22, 2018
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A Woodworker’s Guide to Upholstery: Show and Dust Covers
March 8, 2018
Previous:
A Woodworker’s Guide to Upholstery: Tools and Materials
Next:
A Woodworker’s Guide to Upholstery: Building Up Foam Layers
Comments
The second set of knots was not tied, became unwrapped, and yet he drove the nails home without fixing it. (clearly visible at 25:26). Is it not important to tie the springs?
From Boy Scouts, the knot used is a clove hitch.
The cross-tie strings were not waxed. I'm curious why.
I am also surprised that any furniture reupolsterer would suggest No-Sag springs or even having the spring bending equipment. They put additional strain on the frame by pushing it apart as opposed to a coil springs that pull it together when someone sits in the chair.
The springs on this chair will bottom out and be uncomfortable to sit in. (Ask me how I know.) Bought a chair from the 1940's on Kij... and had the No-Sag springs replaced with coil springs with the re-upholstering. The upholsterer said he wasn't sure he had enough height, but he did it. Maybe he tied them down a little more. I'm not at home to measure, but the seat cushion is only about 5 1/2 inches from the webbing.
Regardless, the designer should work with the upholsterer and be told that his design will be uncomfortable and the seat frame needs to be set another inch lower in the chair frame, to accomodate coil springs.
A beautiful piece flops and will not be someones favourite chair, all because of this one design flaw.
Sorry to be so negative.
Great idea for a video series! It's exciting to get a "curveball" every once in a while. Looking forward to the rest.
Great video, have been planning to try my hand at upholstering for a while but could never get it right. Will definitely do it now. Thank you.waiting for the next one
Very interesting. Looking forward to the rest of the series.
I have seen these elements before, it is nice to understand how they work together. BTW, you can anneal the spring ends with a propane torch, but do not set all those combustables on fire! And where do we get the leather and materials? Local fabric store does not have top quality goods.
Tandy Leather (online and physical stores) is probably the most accessible and often has upholstery leathers on sale. They are typically odd lots in a variety of colors. I just bought two whole hides in a sale but the choice was limited as those that know, come in early and get the pick of the litter. For top-choice leather, Horween Leather in Chicago (http://www.thetanneryrow.com/)
This is A Kanowsky Spring system. Carl Kanowsky made a fortune on them. This upholsterer, does not really know HOW to use this system. Talk to anyone else as to how to use these. There are special tools used to stretch the spring as well as mount them on the furniture. I worked at the Kanowsky Furniture Factory in Sacramento for five years, So I know what I'm talking about. I actually have a letter of recognition from Carl Kanowsky, detailing my training and the way I set up lines in the factory to make the furniture! Use the Jute. It works better that what this guy is telling you to do!!
All true.
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