Gluing filler blocks to the bow for added width

 

A Tracy hand-rest is carved from a block of wood laminated from three pieces of wood; the bow itself, an added piece for width, and a final piece gluded to the underside of the rest to add thickness for carving the knuckles. This photo gives an over view of the bow and blocks glued on to increase the width of the bow.

 

Start first of all by locating the position of the round mortise holes in the arm bow that fit onto the arm-posts of the chair. Locating these mortises is a complete article in and of itself. I will just say that I know that for this chair pattern, the location of the mortises falls between 22 inches and 22-1/2 inches, measured from the center of the back of the bow. The variance is determined by the vagaries of the bow. All bows start to move after they are removed from the bending jig. The curve of the bow frequently oooches, or shifts, left or right. I always make my bow stock over length, which allows me to adjust the bow as it sits loosly in position, to find the best looking curve. When I am satisfied with the sweep of curve, I re-mark the center point on the bow blank, and lay out the arm-post mortises while allowing for the overhang of the bow past the back edge of the seat.

STB