Free instructions see code # posted at bottom of page

Dates posted for seminars (see below)

Please use the applicable Code # when referring to your inquiry so I know it is not junk mail.

New program "You Build (Seminar Rocker)"  If you prefer to make your own rocker (You-Build) I will give the personal  (one on one) attention necessary while we construct your rocker (about one week). I supply the wood of your choice (so long as it is not a toxic wood), all information, tools, patterns, jigs, shop space, adhesives and snacks.  This includes the accent materials such as Ivory, Ebony, Bastogne, African Blackwood, Burled Mesquite etc. When you take your rocker home it will still need to be finish sanded and detailed using my supplied finish and instructions. For Mesquite wood the cost is $3,500 for the seminar help, wood etc.  If you choose an exotic species of wood  the cost will have to be higher .   This is the best way to receive personal instructions, manual, jigs, etc and obtain a rocker. You can keep the rocker or sell this rocker at a profit to pay for the class. You end up with the ability to make custom rockers for free.  For the "You-Build seminar rocker" please contact me about any week of the year.  Code # 21 for "You-Build seminar rocker"  info.  Email me or give me a call if you have questions. bill@kappelusa.com                     OR call 435-283-3193         

Now !!    Seminars & lessons 

Seminars & lessons:  email me for information. Bill@kappelusa.com Code # 20 for seminar info.

Seminar covering the following and more.

I will demonstrate each critical step in making a custom rocking chair including the unique joints.   You will learn it all; even the shop secrets.

You will receive a complete instruction manual or credit if you have already purchased one.

You will be able to copy the simple shop built jigs I use.

Take all the pictures you want for your personal use.

You can cut hard copies of other rocker and chair part patterns I use and or make paper patterns.

It is not necessary that you be an accomplished woodworker because I will show you how to build a custom rocker using a few economical tools. Even a table saw in not necessary and the rest of the tools need not be the expensive verity.

One of my most handy tools was a free gift I received at one of the woodworking shows.

The jigs I use are rough, scrap lumber, shop built things taking only a few minutes to make.

If you follow the instructions I give you will be able to make a custom rocker with accurate joints, ideal balance and custom sized. When you leave my shop you will have been exposed to all the techniques necessary to build a custom rocking chair.

One of the best parts of building a rocker in Utah is the dry climate of about 5 percent. You can take the rocker anywhere and be confident your work will stay sound and durable.  If you build a solid wooden rocker in any humid climate such as on the East Cost and bring it out west it will dry to our local moisture content and likely crack and the joints will loosen. Solid wood moves with moisture content and that is the reality of the matter. Even if the lumber is kiln dried to the 6 to 8 percent ideal, in high humid areas most shops will re-acclimate the lumber in a few days to a much higher moisture content. We have all heard of the horror stories of families moving from Florida to some western state such as Arizona or Nevada and have their solid wood furniture fall apart.    

My shop is in Ephraim (about 5 thousand population), Utah, and only about two hours South of the Salt Lake City  international airport. We are about fifty-five hundred feet above sea level in a beautiful mountain valley.

Recreation: There are several golf courses within minutes of my shop. Racket or handball, basketball etc. facilities at Snow College just blocks from my shop. Bowling at Sno Cap Lanes two blocks away. Fishing galore in more than twenty lakes and streams within minutes of my shop. ATV (rentals available) trails all over the place with miles and miles of mountain adventure available.

Summer Recreation Sanpete County:   Hunting; Fishing; Camping; Golfing; Festivals; Rock Climbing, Track Elk herds on horseback, Visit State and Federal Parks, Museums, Art and Antique Shows,  (visit www.sanpete.com for more information)

May 2007: Scouting Expo, Rhubarb Festival, Soap Box Derby; Spring City Heritage Days; Ephraim Scandinavian Days; Memorial Day; Big Daddy Roth Days;

June 2007: Fly-in for "plane nuts"; Old Home Days; Mormon Miracle Pageant; Heritage Days; Hub City Day with muzzleloader shoots, 'mutton bustin';  rodeo; Golf Tournament etc,

July 2007: Mountain Man Rendezvous; Lace Days; Blackhawk Rendezvous; Children's Theatre; Pioneer Days; Ox burro Rodeo; Softball tournament; ATV rodeo;

August 2007: Mountain ATV  Run; GBEEC Star Party with Snow College Physics Dept.;  Backcountry first aid workshop; Sanpete County Fair; Arts Plain Air Competition (art work will be for sale). Classic Bike Race with 46, 75, and 102 mile races on courses that wind through the local countryside with little traffic.

September 2007: Arts Festival and Artist' Studio Tour; Sanpete County Cruise-In and Poker Run;

October 2007: Apple days start with Ugly Witch Contest and parade;

December 2007: Old fashion Christmas Village,

Four day seminars cost $1,100  A two hundred dollar deposit will reserve a spot for any open seminar. The balance of the seminar fee is required on the first day of the seminar. If for some reason you cannot make your date the deposit can be applied to another date or a manual.  

Four day seminar dates for 2007:   August 28,29,30,31 (closed);   Sept. 25,26,27,28(closed)                  Oct. 16,17,18,19 (closed)       Nov. 13,14,15,16 (closed) ALL dates for 2007 are SOLD OUT.   You can call or email me about any posted dates, it may be someone will have change dates or canceled.  

Four day seminar dates for 2008:  March 25,26,27,28

Snacks and drinks will be provided each day of the seminar, but meals and sleeping accommodations are your responsibility.  

If we have six or more students for one seminar then the rocker built that week will be give away free to one of the students, by raffle. Each of the other students will receive some tool, by raffle, on the last day.

Hotel accommodations are within a few minutes of my shop.

Hotels in the area:

• Willow Creek Inn, 450 S Main St, Ephraim, UT  (435) 283-4566

• Iron Horse Motel, 670 N Main St, Ephraim, UT  (435) 283-4223

• Temple View Lodge, 260 E 400 N, Manti, UT  (435) 835-6663

• Manti Motel, 445 N Main St, Manti, UT  (435) 835-8533

• Manti County Village Motel, 134 N, Main St, Manti, UT  (435) 835-9300

Semi Rocker:   If you would like Me to semi complete a rocker the cost is $3,300 for Mesquite plus packaging & freight.  Or add the cost of some exotic wood species you choose.  You receive an assembled rocker plus the Backslats and Headrest parts plus the instruction manual.  l will rough cut and assembled the rocker except for the Headrest and Backslats.  You finish the rocker by shaping in the arm, leg and Headrest joints, then finish sanding. The Headrest and slats will have to be mounted after you finish sanding them. My instructions will give complete details about how to mount the Backslats and Headrest. The Backslat holes are drilled in the seat and Headrest. The Backslats will be sized with the tenon for both ends cut. The Headrest will be pre-fitted to the legs and Backslats, but will need to be sanded and glued in place. This is a good way to get a new rocker and still have the pride of your own work.  call (435-283-3193) or email   bill@kappelusa.com  Code # 23 for semi rocker info.

Kit parts:  I will rough cut all the part for a custom rocker from Mesquite.  The full instruction manual to finish the rocker will be included. $850 + packaging &  freight. Until stock lasts I have some Claro and Bastogne walnut, from the same stock Sam Maloof was shipped recently, which I will be selling for $2,500 for the cut kit parts. Code # 22 for kit info.

Instruction manual:  with lots of pictures, paper patterns, shop jig info, over 40 pages of detailed instructions.  $275.   If you buy a manual and latter take a seminar the cost of the manual will be applied to the seminar.  use  Code #25

Free instructions and questions.     Use Code# 888  email me this code # and I will send the info by return email. I will also answer question if you send me an email or telephone me.

A few pictures of rockers made by people using my instructions.

Seat made by Alan (nice job)            Becoming a rocker by Craig   "Finished Myrtle rocker"    Beautiful!!  Craig

Wayne made this rocker using a mixture of several styles. Nice job Wayne.

Good work Frank. Three rockers for family or friends.