One of the best DIY projects for any woodworker is the Adirondack chair. It is unique for having a slanted seat and back rest. A fixed version can take up space. But you can build a folding, rocking, glider or even a combination version of this chair.
You can buy PDF project plans for Adirondack folding, rocking, glider chairs from Woodworkers Journal, Woodworkers Workshop, ebay, or Amazon.
Folding Adirondack chair
Materials, wood-cut, tools, seat measurements are all in the project plan.
Instructions
Mark off measurements then cross cut the boards to width and length
Pre-drill bolt holes on the boards for the middle and bottom back brace, arm supports, hinge bars and legs.
Make a first piece cut for these matching seat parts:
Seat supports, legs, arm rests, arm braces, middle and bottom back braces, arm supports, and rockers.
Draw grid of one inch squares on a blank board piece. Plot points on the grid and use a French curve and rulers to draw the shape of the piece. You can also use a flexible strip to draw curves and shapes.
Cut out the first piece with a band saw or jigsaw and smooth it out. Use this first piece for tracing and making a duplicate piece. Rough cut the second piece. Next, attach the two pieces together with tape or with a clamp. Trim the edges with a flush trim router bit of a router table so that pieces match together. Smooth out sharp edges with a sander.
Back rest assembly
Drill holes on the ends of the middle and back braces. Screw in the hanger bolts to these holes. Next, fasten each of the back slats to the bottom back brace using small screws. Maintain equal spacing between slats. Attach a middle brace midway across the back slats for support.
Seat assembly
Fasten the seat slats onto the two seat supports with screws. Make sure seat slats are an equal distance apart.
Arm rest assembly
Next, fasten arm rests to the arm supports. Secure with glue and screws. Attach small arm supports to the sides of the arm supports with glue.
Leg assembly
Cut the front legs to the right size. Make small rounded curves at the top back corners of each front leg. This allows the front leg to pivot backwards. Fasten arm braces to the top of the front legs.
Put it all together
Attach the backrest to the seat using small hinge bars.
Then, attach one of the holes of the hinge bar to each side of the seat support. Fasten using carriage bolts and washers.
Insert the other hole of the hinge bar to the hanger bolt of the bottom back brace. Use washers and lock nuts to secure.
Attach the arm supports to the middle back brace with washers and nuts.
Position the front legs and seat support to the desired incline.
Drill matching holes on the front legs and seat support. Secure using carriage bolts, washers and nuts.
Next is to attach the front legs to the arm rest. Align matching holes of the arm supports with holes at the top of the front legs. Secure using carriage bolts, washers and nuts.
Check for the alignment and folding action.
Fill gaps with wood fillers. Sand off rough surfaces and finish with wood stain or paint.
To build an Adirondack Rocking chair
You can add rockers to either a fixed or a folding Adirondack chair.
First cut out the shapes for the rockers. Then make four small hinge bars.
Use the hinge bars to attach the rockers to the bottom of the front legs and rear ends of the seat support.
To build an Adirondack Glider chair
You need to have a base unit placed beneath the chair to turn it to a glider.
The base unit assembly consists of a wooden frame with a gliding mechanism.
Remove the front and rear seat braces under the chair then insert the base unit assembly underneath.
Attach the base unit to the front leg and rear end of the seat support. Use carriage bolts to screw the bearing arms of the gliding mechanism to the seat support. Secure with lock nuts.
Please Share This Article 🙂
