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Price Reduction for 2011! I created most of my material years ago and have over the course of time, recovered all of my development costs. I am at the point now where I need only recoup my "reproduction costs" which are significantly lower. Therefore I am able to provide all the information you need to make a beautiful rocking chair for very little expenditure. You may purchase my book ($19.95), full templates for three sizes of rocking chairs($35.00) AND my BBHT ($35.00) all for under 90 dollars!

In 1992 I made my first chair, a rocking chair for my daughter, Rachael,  who was then three years old. Since that time I have endeavored to un-lock the secrets of what makes a rocking chair comfortable so I can apply what I learn to each new rocking chair that I make. Folks who have had the pleasure of sitting in one of my chairs believe that I have succeeded in creating the most comfortable wooden chair ever made.

I believe that the highest calling a person can have is to teach what they know to others who would like to learn. Following that call, I have taught, through my "Rocking Chair University" program, hundreds of folks how to make beautiful (and exquisitely comfortable) rocking chairs since 1996.  Many of them have gone on to make rocking chairs professionally, you can see links to their web sites on my links page.

I studied biology in college earning a BS in Biology with a Chemistry minor. I ended up with a 3.5 gpa in my major. Not bad - except for the fact that I never really wanted to be a biologist! I just loved the classes. My freshman year in college I took "Biology for people that don't like Biology." It's purpose was exactly as stated; for people with non science majors who just wanted to get science out of the way.  Well - the professor was brilliant and I loved every minute of the class. Consequently, when selecting classes for the following semester I looked for "R. Harvard Riches" in the schedule to see what else he was teaching that I could take. I found he was teaching Genetics, so I enrolled. Don't ask why a psych major was taking Genetics. Again, I loved every minute of the class and the following semester I was scanning for R. Harvard Riches again, found another class I could take and before long I had more credits in Biology than anything else,  since I was enjoying my Biology classes more than anything else, I defaulted to a Biology degree.

As soon as I graduated I went into electronics and ended up as the Manager of Electrical Engineering in a comany in Woodbridge, VA. From there I moved into Manufacturing Management, finding that I enjoyed the science of making things more than anything I had done up to that point in my life.

It is this love of  "The science of making things" that I bring to my students who come for seminars or purchase my books and videos. I have divided the processes of making a rocking chair into a continuous series of easy to understand and execute steps, the last of which is to "turn around and have a seat in the most comfortable rocking chair you ever sat in!"

At Rocking Chair University you have choices!

Purchase Plans	For those who want to build their chair in their own shop this is the option for you. The "Plans" are comprised of PDF Book, Templates and BBHT
Attend Seminar	This is for the folks who may have already purchased the plans and want to come and see how I do things. The Seminar runs Monday thru Friday, starting around 9:00am and ending at 4:30pm
BYOB	This is my "Bring Your Own Boards" program designed for folks who know exactly what boards they want their chair made from.
Build Your Own Rocking Chair	This is the program for folks who want to go home with a finished rocking chair. We will work together for seven or eight days, starting on a Monday and running through Tuesday or Wednesday of the following week. At the end of the program you can take your lovely new rocking chair with you or I can ship it to your home.
How Much Wood?	You will need something close to 40 board feet depending on the quality of your wood and the size of chair you are making.
What Tools do You Need?	You need a good bit of "stuff", this page tells you most of what is required.

When you purchase my plans, or come for a seminar, you get my ongoing support for as long as you are making rocking chairs. Any time you have questions feel free to email or call.

I hope you enjoy your tour of  Rocking Chair University. Come on out for a visit, I'll keep the light on for you!


Hal Taylor
Rocking Chair Maker