Tools and Quick Tips for Rushing

Here is the ubiquitous Paint Can Opener which can pull strands of rush into proper alignment or adjust a corner. Especially useful underneath to organize the forgotten bottom strands and produce a really professional finish.

Paint Can Opener pulling strand

Paint Can Opener

 Here again is the rush packer for compression. Lightly hammer toward the corners and keep the measurements even for each quadrant as the rush builds toward the center.

Rush Packer

Upgraded Workstation for Rushing

While attending the Gathering of the Seatweavers' Guild in Indiana last summer, I observed a bench similar to this being used for rushing. It provides a stable base for securing a chair and doing the necessary pulling, tugging, and packing involved in good rushing technique. After chasing several unsecured chairs around the top of my canvas covered bench, I broke down and went to the garage to scavenge some poplar and melamine surfaced chipboard. Now I have an efficient workstation. The height is customizable by changing the length of the pipe nipples.
Second upgrade was making a semi-circular opening in the side of my hickory "compressor board" or "packer" used to compress the woven rush toward the corners to keep it close and tight. This handy tool now grabs the rush on 3 sides of the rung and a couple quick taps tightens it right up.
I also started to use 3/16" wide staples, 10mm long in an upholstery stapler(BostitchTU97) to secure lengths of rush to the rungs instead of hand driven tacks. Much faster and less frustration. Thanks to Katherine at seatweavingrestoration.com for that tool tip.