Rocking Canoe

[Craig Johnson]

I have been working on a rocking canoe (instead of a rocking horse) for my grandson. Someday I'll write an article on the complications I ran into but today I got the construction and finishing done and am ready to canvas and fill. While that is curing I can work on the outwales and outside stems and also make the set of rockers. Still a long way to go but today felt like a milestone..

 

[Norm Hein]

That is really something Craig. I'm going to have to steal that idea! I thought I was the coolest grandpa for making a rocking moose but you win hands down.
I look forward to the article.

 

[Brad Fisher]

Make sure you can put wheels on it. That thing looks like it will last until he's driving at least.

 

[fred capenos]

Nice Crag. I think it needs a serial number though. Orders will be coming in.

 

[Andre Cloutier]

that Sir, is kool.

 

[Rollin Thurlow]

Short and wide canoes are the most difficult boats to work with. Extreme bends and compound curves!
It looks like a great job!

 

[crosscuts]

Beautiful job! Make the seat removable and you will have a nice cradle till he is old enough to drive.

R.C.

 

[Craig Johnson]

Short and wide canoes are the most difficult boats to work with. Extreme bends and compound curves!
It looks like a great job!

Boy you said it, and I multiplied those problems to the extreme. Bent the outwales and outside stems, canvassed and filled today so six more weeks till more progresses photos.

 

[Craig Johnson]

Picked up this antique toy tool chest (being a carpenter myself and with a new grandson) but the real clincher was the picture in the lower right hand corner.

 

[fred capenos]

That’s cool!

 

[Craig Johnson]

Made some progress on the rocking canoe. Finished the outside stems and the outwales. I am in the process of building the carriage and rockers. Walnut carriage and maple rockers, I almost hate to paint them, but they will be blue. I still have a couple finish coats of paint on the canoe and the lettering to do, plus the stem bands. It seems close but still lots of details. Self isolation has been very productive .

 

[Gary]

Wow Craig, that is very well done, amazing craftsmanship and extremely creative. I just hope none of my grand kids see it our I'll be taking a stab at making them.

 

[MGC]

Made some progress on the rocking canoe. Finished the outside stems and the outwales. I am in the process of building the carriage and rockers. Walnut carriage and maple rockers, I almost hate to paint them, but they will be blue.

It seems like a shame to hide such nice woodworking and wood under paint. Have you considered that paint on the rockers would probably rub off on wooden floors?

 

[Craig Johnson]

It seems like a shame to hide such nice woodworking and wood under paint. Have you considered that paint on the rockers would probably rub off on wooden floors?

I will not paint the bottoms of the rockers.

 

[millie_sass]

Of course the rockers should be blue since they represent the lake/stream/river rushing by -- and water is blue, isn't it?. The shape of the rockers is so very imaginative and looks just like waves already without the paint, sooo ... maybe it could be a muddy river and that you could keep that lovely wood grain visible on the rockers. Oh what a lovely heirloom.

 

[Craig Johnson]

All done. I am glad to say that it I finished it yesterday. It is a bittersweet moment in that I am thrilled with the results but disappointed that I don't know when I will get to see him use it. He is in lockdown in San Fransisco with his parents and we are self isolating in Ohio. The last photo is my inspiration and his mom although he is now 17 months old.

 

[Rob Stevens]

Coincidentally, I have been studying contemporary Greek, as a challenge. Καιρός (kairos)= weather. Also, "time". Love it.

 

[Norm Hein]

WOW Craig! Perfect example of functional art. Hang in there, hopefully it will be over soon.
Norm

 

[Michael Grace]

That little fella is really excited to go canoeing! Love the rocker; I'm sure he will too... sometime soon.

 

[crosscuts]

This suspended cradle was built of locally milled black walnut fastened with copper ring nails. The transom posts came from a flawed rosewood rifle stock blank. Hanging from the ceiling the motion is a long slow arc easy to keep going with an occasional light push. It should have been built a little deeper because when the baby learned to get up on his knees one lunge would have taken him over the side. R.C.