L. Paul Thomas fashions Windsor chairs the old-fashioned way

Niagara Frontier Publications, September 28, 2007

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After 40 years working with large, loud machines and landscapes, Thomas was interested in something new – something a bit quieter. He went to New Hampshire where he discovered “The Windsor Institute,” a school where participants learn about the history and creation of Windsor chairs.

“I fell in love with Windsor chairs and the making of them using all the old hand tools – from splitting the logs to forming the seats, spindles,” he says.

“I don’t have to turn on any power tools – it’s all handwork,” he notes.

Back at home in Lewiston, Thomas has set up shop in his garage. Using an array of tools – your average, run-of-the-mill drawknives, hand planes, spoke shaves, gutter adz, scorp and travisher – he makes three types of chair: Nantucket fan-back (easy chair), braced bow-back (New York City) side and sack back.