Building a Morris Chair with spindle sides is one thing - staining it is another. This project is from a plan I purchased at a local wood working store. The side rails are at about an eight degree angle - which meant all the spindles needed to be cut and tenonned at the mating angle. Major jig setup here to make them easy to repeatably cut.

Most fun on this was steaming the back rests. I built a large steam-box out of construction plywood. For steam I used a NEW metal gas can feeding the box via a flexible radiator hose. For heat I used a propane turkey cooker (thank-you WalMart). This setup created more than enough heat to get the oak pliable again.

After cooking each 1/2 inch thick piece for about 45 minutes I quickly removed them from the box and clamped to a jig. This is an amazing process - but you have maybe 20 seconds or so once the board hits the air before it is less pliable. Work fast. Wear leather gloves. Be very careful of the steam!