DIY rocking chair made of plywood - drawings and step-by-step instructions

MesterulManole October 25, 2018Specialization: many years of experience in finishing works of residential and office premises, summer houses, country cottages, etc. Hobby: cycling in all its forms

After varnishing, such a chair will decorate any interior.

A comfortable and beautiful wooden rocking chair in the store is not cheap. However, you don’t have to buy such furniture, because everything can be done with your own hands. Read this article about how to make reliable and inexpensive furniture from plywood yourself for a comfortable stay.

Small fishing chair

A small homemade stool will be useful not only for those who like to fish.
It is so small and compact that it can easily fit in a tourist’s backpack or just for a walk in the park. It is very important to choose the right materials for making the chair - strong, lightweight and wear-resistant.

The design of the stool is the simplest. It consists of only three elements and does not contain complex joints or hinges. The parameters of the chair proposed in the drawing are designed so that when folded it can be put into a backpack. If you need a larger product, they can be changed.

Materials and tools

• A piece of plywood 40x30 cm with a thickness of at least 12 mm.
• Dense wear-resistant material measuring 30x35 mm. You can use a tarp or a small piece of carpet.
• Jigsaw.
• Milling cutter or sandpaper.
• Scissors.
• Wood paint, brush.

How to make a rocking chair with your own hands

The selection of high-quality material determines how high-quality and durable the chair you make will be. After all, the material should be light and durable, since the owner of this chair may get used to carrying it around. Those who do not want to pay a lot of money for such a thing ask themselves how to make a rocking chair with their own hands at home, choosing the most suitable and high-quality materials. Therefore, when selecting materials, we recommend making a rocking chair from wood, reed, or wicker. Also, sometimes the chair is made from light metals.

A rocking chair is the perfect way to create an atmosphere of comfort and tranquility.

Plywood rocking chair

Plywood - Can fall apart due to water, but is an excellent option for creating a chair. Because of this, many are interested in how to make a rocking chair with their own hands, drawings from plywood. We recommend making such chairs for your home or apartment. Therefore, if you want to make such a chair, then you should carefully monitor it if it is in the yard.

A rocking chair made by yourself in a classic style with curved runners will be an excellent option for your first experience in making furniture.

To create a simple and comfortable rocking chair, you need to prepare:

• For the sides: plywood sheets (1200x1400 mm, a moisture-resistant type of plywood would be an excellent option) 30 milliliters thick;
• For the base: 3 boards (20x150x800 mm);
• For sitting: 32 small boards (15x39x1200);
• Portable router;
• Screwdriver;
• Electric jigsaw;
• Portable electric grinding machine;
• Self-tapping screws (20 pieces);
• Wood glue;
• Putty;
• Varnish.

Making a rocking chair with your own hands is not at all difficult; a minimal set of tools and a great desire are enough.

Sidewalls

To begin with, the side parts are prepared, which are also the runners, as well as the base for the chair. Two parts are cut out with a jigsaw.

To begin with, let's draw out 2 sides of the chair using the template and carefully cut them out according to the markings with a jigsaw.

Frames

With this action, they are created with markings on the sidewalls, which are drilled (20x150x800 mm). One of the main conditions for this operation is its accuracy. After this, grooves are made that correspond to the grooves of the jumpers. They are 5 mm deep. Before installing the frames, coat these holes with glue. To prevent the material from bursting, holes are made in advance.

All edges of the parts must be sanded with sandpaper.

Boarding

Mark the holes in the planks (15x39x1200) that make up the seat. Mark 20 cm from each edge, draw lines where the screws will be fixed. The distance between parts is 1 cm.

We glue the supports to the side walls with wood glue and, for reliability, secure each of the bars with a self-tapping screw.

Finishing elements

It is made with putty dissolved with sawdust, the holes where the boards were attached are hidden, and the surface is leveled. Sand after the putty has dried. Then they are varnished with water, after which a mattress or carpet can be placed on the chair for comfort. It is better to do this, because a stationary mattress will be wet from the rain.

The ends of the sidewalls can be varnished or painted with glossy paint.

How to make a rocking chair out of wood

When starting to create a chair, many people ask the question: how to make a rocking chair with your own hands from wood, while finding suitable drawings and sizes? They search for a long time on various sites, ask on forums, and so on. In this section we will tell you how to make it high-quality, reliable, convenient and modern.

These rocking chairs are beautiful and can decorate your interior in your apartment, on the balcony or in the courtyard.

In order to create a chair, you will need:

1. hacksaw with fine teeth;
2. a plane to process the structure;
3. belt machine for grinding parts;
4. folding milling machine;
5. plumb line;
6. screwdriver;
7. hammer;
8. portable ruler and pencil;
9. clamp;
10. brush.

You can create a drawing at your own discretion and to your own size, or you can find it on the Internet.

To begin, make 1 meter grooves in a wooden board measuring 4.5 by 4.5 centimeters. Grind the ends of the boards to fit into the slots of the runners. Place the runner boards in hot water until the wood is pliable for bending. Using the jig, bend the board to a suitable radius and set it aside until it is completely dry. Place the dried runners on the legs, treating the grooves with glue in advance.

Anyone can make a new homemade rocking chair at home

About materials

Rocking chairs are made primarily of wood. Metal, for all its manufacturability, low waste and greater durability in the open air, is too heavy. The influence of the chair on the overall CG turns out to be significant, the moment of inertia of the system is large and, as a result, the rocking is too sharp. Or you have to set an extremely small initial elevation of the CO above the CO, risking that the rocking chair will tip over under someone. However, we will return to metal rockers when considering individual samples.

Using plywood to make a rocking chair

Plywood is a completely different matter, especially for novice woodworkers. Firstly, when making the parts of the rocking chair with 3-layer glued ones, you can only use a jigsaw to make accurate and durable tenon-groove joints, on the left in the figure, if you follow the following. rules:

• Plywood for the middle layer is taken twice as thick as for the outer layers. For example, if you need a total thickness of 20 mm, then glue 5-10-5 mm.
• The parts are assembled from blanks using 2-component waterproof glue. If it is on PVA, be sure to reinforce it with small nails.
• The connections are assembled with gluing (wedging in this case is unacceptable) and reinforced with diagonal pairs of self-tapping screws on both sides.
• The supporting surfaces are protected with linings made of thin (6-10 mm) strips of hard, durable wood or dense sheet rubber 4-5 mm thick. Plywood under a concentrated load cracks very well at the end.

Secondly, plywood makes it possible to use non-standard technical solutions, for example. as on the right in Fig. Such a rocking bowl can be made from plywood, again using only a jigsaw. Comfort is high, stability is absolute, and can serve as a hanging hammock chair or swing chair. The thickness of the lamella boards is from 12 mm; connecting half-washers on poles – from 24 mm.

How to install overlays

Wear-resistant wooden pads are installed on the rocking chair runners. way:

1. Turn the chair over with the runners up;
2. We warm the blank plank thoroughly with a construction hairdryer;
3. We place the workpiece on the runner and wrap it tightly along the entire length with cotton braid. Don't get burned, the wood is very hot!
4. We also grab the second workpiece onto another runner;
5. Once the strips have completely cooled, remove the braid bands and glue the pads with PVA on wood or with 2-component glue;
6. We attach the ends of the planks with small nails until the overlays fit snugly along the entire length. Place washers or pieces of plywood under the nail heads;
7. Once the glue has completely dried (2-3 days), remove the temporary fasteners. We drill blind holes for screws and secure the ends completely;
8. We fill the holes with the fastener heads with putty made from sawdust of the same tree, thickly mixed with PVA.

Purpose

As for the purposes of the chairs, they are:

• For garden. For outdoor use, the chair is constructed from different materials: pallets, stumps, wood, metal, tires. There are no limits to imagination when choosing materials and designs.
  The main thing is that the product is resistant to negative factors and has high technical characteristics. A good option for installation in the garden are rocking chairs or hanging structures.

  All types of chairs are easy and simple to make with your own hands, have an attractive design and are easy to use.

  Read also:  Rating of the best reception desks for 2021
• Gaming (gaming, computer, car simulator). Such models are made of plywood, metal and textiles and are often equipped with furniture casters for easy movement around the room. To make them, you must have skills in working with wood, fabric and metal structures. Their main purpose is comfortable work at the computer.
• Karpov. They are necessary for fishermen to have a pleasant leisure time. The feeder chair should be light in weight, compact, stable, and able to withstand heavy loads. During its manufacture, the possibility of adjusting the legs and back is considered. The presence of a fishing chair will allow you to comfortably spend time fishing while waiting for a big trophy.
• In a PVC boat (or boat). Boat models are divided into: hard, soft and inflatable. Each individual option can be made independently. When choosing a particular design, you should take into account ease of use, the ability to withstand heavy loads, the product’s resistance to negative factors and dimensions. Some models are equipped with swivel mechanisms, others have an adjustable backrest, and others are ergonomic and suitable for even the smallest PVC boats.
• Balcony. To create a comfortable seating area on a balcony or loggia, you need to place a chair here.
  Most often, people prefer hanging models that do not take up much free space and have an attractive design. It must be in harmony with the surrounding environment.

  As a rule, balcony chairs are small in size. For glazed balconies, different materials are used in the manufacture of furniture.

  Here you can install a soft frameless product, a wooden folding model or a textile chaise lounge. If the balcony is open and not heated, it is recommended to choose products that are resistant to negative environmental factors.

• Fireplace. These models have different types of construction. Some people prefer rocking chairs, while others like solid wood pieces with a high back and wide armrests. You can complement the chair with a footrest to make relaxing by the fireplace as comfortable and enjoyable as possible. For classic styles, wooden products covered with leather or textiles are chosen. For the Provence direction, models with light upholstery are suitable; for an oriental interior, you should choose patchwork technique.
• For the bath. Furniture for a bath should be made of reliable materials that are resistant to high moisture. The frame of the chair is made of wood or metal.
  The main thing is to treat the materials with antiseptic impregnations to prevent rust (if the product is metal) or rot (if the frame is made of wood).

  The main requirements for the manufacture of a bath chair are: low heat conductivity, simple design, strength, moisture resistance, fire safety, safety in use. It is best to make a product from natural wood.

• For kitchen.
  As for choosing a model for the kitchen, there are no restrictions. The design and dimensions of the chair will directly depend on the tastes and preferences of the owners and on the characteristics of the room. It would be appropriate to place a wooden chair with soft upholstery here. Folding models that do not take up much free space are considered popular. They can be made entirely of wood or metal and fabric. If there is a large free space, you can place a chair in this room - a bed with or without a frame. This is an ideal option for people living in small apartments and who like to welcome overnight guests.

Help: functionally all chairs are interchangeable. It all depends on your imagination and current needs.

Tips for choosing a rocking chair

To choose a rocking chair that is ideal for you, be guided by the following points:

• Consider the height and weight of the future owner. A rattan product will not support people weighing more than 120 kg, but wicker or metal will do. And for a tall person, an appropriate backrest is required.
• When choosing upholstery material, think about the layout of the model. For the street, wicker or forged models are best. Also, a rocking chair in the interior should not be an alien element.
• Monitor product quality. Find out the country of manufacture. Rattan products are made in Indonesia, Malaysia and Latin America.
• If you choose a wicker chair, check the number of joints. Due to improper transportation, there are products with small tears. Over time, such holes stretch due to pitching, and the chair breaks.
• The cheapest ones are wooden models without soft elements. But that doesn't mean you have to live on a bare tree. Immediately purchase soft mattresses with ties. They can be easily removed and washed if necessary.
• The degree of pitching depends on the structure of the chair. Sit down and try out the chair to see if it is comfortable for you. The neck and legs should not become numb.
• Determine whether the window sills are conveniently located relative to your hands.
• The back and seat should follow the curves of the body, and not be flat boards.

Preparation of plywood and general rules for working with it

First of all, you need to conveniently organize your workspace. When cutting a large sheet of plywood, there should be enough space in the room.

To avoid rapid wear of the rocking chair parts, it is necessary to treat the plywood with one of the suggested means:

• fiberglass;
• varnish;
• drying oil;
• paint.

Coating with drying oil will help increase the moisture resistance of plywood

Varnishing helps protect plywood from external influences. Treatment with paint and drying oil, which forms a waterproofing layer, will help increase moisture resistance (impregnation will be even more effective if it is preheated in a water bath to 60 degrees).

Particular attention should be paid to the end sides of the plywood parts. They require additional insulation and careful processing. To protect them, you must do one of the following:

To protect them, you must do one of the following:

• putty the ends of the plywood;
• treat with deeply penetrating primers;
• apply thickly rubbed paints;
• cover the edges with metal or plastic edging.

When working with plywood, you must adhere to the following rules:

• It is not recommended to saw plywood across its fibers - this will lead to cracking of the edges of the sheet.
• It is better not to drive nails or screws into a sheet of plywood, as this will lead to cracking of the surface. To prevent this, you need to pre-drill the holes. If, after all, the plywood parts are connected with screws, it is necessary to put metal washers on them.
• To give the plywood the desired bend or shape, its surface should be wet and left in this position for several hours.
• Before gluing plywood parts, their contacting surfaces must be cleaned with sandpaper, then the material must be cleaned of dust and glue must be applied parallel to the plywood fibers. The parts to be glued must be placed under a press.

DIY rocking chair: preparation for work

Making a rocking chair is a rather painstaking and time-consuming process that requires special attention. First you need to decide on the design and material for production. Most often, beginners use plywood, which is much easier to work with. If you have the skills to work with metal and the appropriate equipment, you can make a welded or forged chair that can not only be used at home, but also installed on the veranda or in the garden. You can also make an excellent rocking chair from a vine, but provided that you know how to prepare the material and know how to handle it. A beginner can try himself as a rocking chair maker by making a children's design first.

When making calculations, you need to take into account the weight of the largest member of the household in order to later avoid troubles associated with excessive load on the chair (do not think that you will be able to use such a wonderful, comfortable piece of furniture alone, your relatives will definitely find a moment to bask in it). Sometimes incidents happen when the assembled rocking chair has an advantage, leaning in one direction or another. Don't despair - you can correct the situation with the help of an additional weight on the opposite side, for example, several wooden slats. To prevent the chair from turning over during strong rocking (and if there is a small child in the house, this cannot be avoided), you can attach a transverse bar to the runners on the back side, which will create a stop.

For greater strength, all connections must be fixed using self-tapping screws and glue (it is better to take a two-component moisture-resistant one). It is better to install additional wear-resistant linings on the runners, which will extend the life of the product. If you have already decided how and what you are going to make the structure from, you need to draw up a drawing of it with all the exact measurements. It can be difficult for novice craftsmen to make it themselves, so you can use the diagrams posted on the Internet. We select the tools accordingly (their list will vary depending on the material) and all the necessary accessories.

Pattern and marking

After the drawing and work plan are ready, you can begin making the rocking chair.

First you need to make patterns. To do this, you need to apply markings measuring 10x10 mm on prepared sheets of thick cardboard. Please note that the patterns must correspond to the drawing diagram and the specified dimensions of the chair.

Then you need to clean the work surface of construction and household debris. Sheets of plywood are laid on a flat horizontal surface and a drawing of each element of the rocking chair is transferred to them. Sheets with a thickness of 15 mm are used for the manufacture of the seat, back, side elements, seat supports and cross bars. Planks for the back and crossbars for the seat are cut from plywood with a density of 10 mm. A wooden beam is used to make the footrest.

The cutting of building material is carried out using a router and an electric jigsaw. Milling cutters are used in the manufacture of parts of complex shapes or non-standard designs. A grinder grinder is necessary for processing the surface and sides of the plywood sheet.

Step-by-step instructions for performing a model on three legs

1. Engineering project.

It is better to start making chairs from plywood by carefully studying and calculating a drawing, which you can sketch yourself or find on the Internet.

Overall dimensions of the chair.

As an example, we take a drawing of a round chair made of spherical plywood. The model is distinguished by its original design and ease of execution. It is better to take a birch leaf. For high-quality cutting, you need to prepare a template.

Drawing of the front legs of the chair.

1. Making a template.

The drawing is redrawn on graph paper, then applied and traced along the contour.

Drawing of chair parts with dimensions.

1. Cutting elements.

After a high-quality redrawing of the drawing, you need to cut out the elements with careful movements, while using the material sparingly.

If you rarely cut plywood, practice on an unnecessary piece, so you will not only get used to the jigsaw, but also decide on the cutting speed.

1. Cutting out elements.

After cutting, you must carefully cut out all the elements with a jigsaw without damaging their structure.

During cutting, the movement of the jigsaw should be as smooth as possible - without acceleration or settings. Each jerk or stop will certainly leave a mark, and then you will have to sweat with it while polishing the cut area.

1. Veneering.

The cut areas must be treated with sandpaper to remove excess roughness and prevent chipping and delamination during assembly.

Use different numbers of abrasive pads depending on the size of the defects.

1. Treatment.

First, use special products with an antiseptic effect. Then comes the treatment with wood glue. This point is needed to prevent parts from scattering during assembly.

Pre-clean the surface from dust and dirt. Check the moisture content of the plywood, it should be completely dry.

1. Product assembly.

Holes for screws and fastening points should be drilled according to the drawing diagram. Self-tapping screws should not be smaller or larger than the product; protrusion of any parts is unacceptable.

In order not to waste time sealing up “ugly” heads, use self-tapping screws with decorative heads.

1. Putty.

After the assembly stage, protruding screws should be filled with putty. Coat the frame with varnish and let dry.

The number of layers of varnish must be at least two.

1. Painting and upholstery.

To give a brown tint, the plywood sheet should be treated with stain. Afterwards you can make the upholstery of the seat and armrests.

For example, in the form of a soft pillow.

Materials

As for manufacturing materials, they delight consumers with a wide range. You can make your own chair from:

• Boards Such products are considered classic. Their shape can be square or round. The advantages of chairs made from boards include: environmental friendliness, durability, long service life.
  They do not emit toxins, are easy to make and can be used outdoors or indoors.

  For outdoor use, the boards are pre-treated with impregnations to prevent moisture, fungi and pests.

• Brusa.
  It can be profiled, non-profiled or glued. Glued laminated timber is used to make furniture. It can be made from different types of wood: pine (does not rot and has a pleasant light shade), larch (is not afraid of moisture and does not crack), oak (is distinguished by its high strength and beautiful appearance). Chairs made of timber are manufactured quickly and are distinguished by their practicality, durability and long service life.
• Log This type of furniture is exclusive. It can most often be found in gardens, on terraces or in gazebos. For the exclusivity of a piece of furniture, you can use unhewn logs. They are distinguished by their naturalness, durability, originality and convenience. As a result, you will get a stylish and comfortable chair with a back that will harmoniously fit into the landscape design.
• Bruskov. This material is used to make outdoor furniture. Most often, bars are used for folding Kentucky models. They have a simple and interesting design. The product is made entirely of bars fastened together with wire. The result is a practical piece of furniture that is easy to use, takes up little space when stored in winter, is light in weight and attractive in appearance.
• Pallet.
  These lumber are easy to assemble and process. The furniture is assembled in a matter of hours and has an original appearance. Armchairs made from pallets will harmoniously fit into the loft style. They are also suitable for outdoor use. The main advantages of furniture made from pallets include low cost, practicality and exclusivity.
• Profile. The features of the profile pipe include: light weight, strength, corrosion resistance, ease of assembly. The chair is assembled quite easily and quickly. This requires a special soldering iron, PVC pipes, free time and imagination.
• Stump. Stump furniture attracts with its charm. Any wood is suitable for its manufacture: oak, pine, birch.
• Artificial rattan. This material is innovative. The reliability and strength of the polymer allows you to create stylish and wear-resistant furniture items of various shapes, sizes and designs from it. An artificial rattan chair is suitable for outdoor placement. Since the material is resistant to various influences of the elements. He is not afraid of sudden changes in temperature and high humidity. Such furniture is distinguished by its versatility, aesthetics and long service life.
• Foam rubber. Such models are frameless and consist of a soft base filled with foam rubber and a removable cover. Their shape can be pear, apple, square or round.
  The advantages of the chair include: light weight, ease of use, attractive appearance. Soft foam chairs will be a wonderful decoration for a child's room.

  They are safe to use, pleasant and soft to the touch.

• Shin. This product will delight its owners with its high technical qualities. Car tires are elastic, wear-resistant and can withstand heavy loads. The chair made of tires is equipped with plywood on top, upholstered with fabric.

Help: the simplicity of the design allows you to make a chair from any available material. Just look around.

Benefits of working independently

The most important advantage of a DIY plywood chair is its price, which is much lower than the store price. In addition, hand-made chairs are in no way inferior to expensive factory ones, and sometimes even better - more original and reliable.

In the world of furniture design, there are famous names of designers who have made a name for themselves by making furniture from plywood.

Such designs are mainly made for country houses, as recreational items. The average cost of one product does not exceed 6 thousand rubles. By making a chair from plywood, you can not only create a high-quality piece of furniture, save money, but also get great pleasure from the work.

The main task of designer furniture is to delight consumers with its informal forms.

Types of designs

Rocking chairs can be divided into several categories depending on the purpose of use or the material from which they are made. But there is also a certain classification of such chairs, according to which rocking chairs are divided into several types depending on their design features.

Rocking chair - an important element of the cottage

Table. Types of rocking chairs.

Type Description With simple runners These are chairs that are mounted on runners that have a radius curvature (for example, rocker arms, skis, arches). This is the very first option that began to appear on sale. Such chairs are the easiest to make, but you need to use them carefully - if you swing too much on them, there is a risk of the product tipping over

So in this case, it is important to take into account the location of the center of gravity during manufacturing - it should be located as low as possible. On elliptical runners Such chairs have a very soft swing, sometimes have small bumpers, and are also often equipped with springs or a footrest. By the way, it’s not so easy to make a chair with springs at home. Gliders This chair has a fixed base, but swings due to the fact that it is equipped with a pendulum mechanism

The design is complex but interesting, but a novice master may not be able to do it. On runners with variable curvature Such chairs cannot tip over due to the special structure of sufficiently long runners with variable curvature. It’s quite difficult to build a drawing yourself; it’s better to use a ready-made version, but it’s quite possible to make such a chair yourself. Roly-poly chairs Simply put, this is a tumbler chair. Usually placed in the garden and very stable. Here the chair and runners are a single unit. It is almost impossible to turn it over; it always returns to its original position. The drawing is quite complicated, but you can find ready-made options on the Internet.

Drawings of a simple rocking chair

How to choose a rocking chair in a store

In the manufacture of such interior items, a wide variety of materials are used, including natural wood, reliable metal and durable modern plastic. The most common furniture is from Italian manufacturers, the design of which is characterized by the presence of arc supports installed on both sides.

This feature of the chair allows you to swing on it. Less common are models that have a solid rounded base. Another feature of the rocking chair is the presence of a comfortable backrest and armrests, and some models have a comfortable footrest.

Depending on the scope of application, sizes vary, and all models can be divided into home, street or garden and office. The classic version is represented by relatively light, simple in shape and affordable garden models. It is not advisable to use wicker products outdoors for a long time. Natural materials such as wicker or rattan quickly deteriorate when exposed to direct sunlight.

For outdoor use, experts recommend giving preference to rocking chairs made from the most resistant materials such as metal, plastic and synthetic fabrics. The design of furniture for home use can be selected depending on the interior features of the room. Among other things, all types are divided into children's and adult models. The first option is small in size and is often presented in a playful form, so it can look like a rocking horse, dog or bird.

How to make a rocking chair with your own hands: the most affordable options

The main part of the rocking chair design is two runners (skis) that have an arched shape, due to which, in fact, the chair can rock. These runners can be short or long. In chairs with long runners, the depth and amplitude of the swing is quite large; a person goes from a sitting position to a reclining position. Rocking chairs with short runners provide a calm and sedate rocking motion, which is why they are especially popular with older people.

Short runners, and you sway smoothly and calmly, away from all worries

To make a simple rocking chair, you don't even need a detailed drawing of a rocking chair. It is enough to take a ready-made, for example an old, chair (1) with wooden legs. Let's make two supports (2), for this we make two elements from bars that will have the same curved base. We also saw out the cheeks (3), which we later use as the bottom for the chair legs.

Diagram of a simple rocking chair

For each leg of the original chair, we cut out two limiting bars (4) - a total of eight. We nail the appropriate stops at the required distance for each support for all legs. We screw in three (6) furniture bolts from the outside of both supports - this will give the chair stability and ensure safe swinging. Prepare a closing plate (7) for each limit bar. Having inserted the legs of the chair into the prepared grooves with limiters, we cover the limiters with closing plates and fix them using a hammer drill. For convenience, you can add a footrest (8) to the front.

Drawing diagram of a rocking chair

Similarly, you can upgrade a chair with metal legs by making special metal mounting loops

Sample of a rocking chair made from a regular chair and homemade runners

Plywood rocking chair

For plastic modeling, plywood is the most favorable material. Using a jigsaw, you can get a design that will greatly simplify the process, because structurally it combines the two most important (and most difficult to manufacture) elements of a rocking chair - the runners and the sides. In addition, the absence of joints significantly increases the strength of the structure.

For production we will need:

• jigsaw
• screwdriver
• plywood – sheet at least 15 mm thick
• oak (pine) slats with a cross-section of 10x50 mm - about 20-35 pieces, the length depends on the manufacturing option - a single or double chair. For a single seat, the length of the rail is 1200 mm.
• timber (pine, preferably oak) – 30x50 mm, 3 pieces, equal in length to the slats
• self-tapping screws

We draw a pattern on graph paper, transfer the design to plywood and cut out the side panel with a jigsaw.

After this, we sand all the parts and remove small chamfers.

If the rocking chair is intended for a summer residence, the ends will require special attention - they require maximum protection from dampness. Therefore, the ends of all parts are impregnated with hot drying oil, after which the wood fibers are slightly flattened with a hammer - this way the moisture will be absorbed much less

Before the general assembly begins, the finishing and varnishing procedure for the ends must be carried out twice.

We mark holes for connecting bars (tsars) at the foot, middle part and headboard. To achieve maximum accuracy, after preliminary marking, the sidewalls are aligned and a hole is drilled. The drawers are secured with Euroscrews and additionally secured with wood glue. After this, we evenly fasten the slats onto the already assembled frame with self-tapping screws. After completing the assembly, you need to fill the holes above the screws, sand all the parts again with fine sandpaper, treat them with an antiseptic, cover them with stain (if you like dark tones of wood) and cover the resulting chair with waterproof varnish.

If it is possible to use an angle grinder and a welding machine, you can assemble a metal frame. To do this you will need a steel corner (20x20x3 mm) and a steel strip (thickness 4 mm, width 40 mm). After assembly, the frame is painted, after which holes for self-tapping screws are drilled along the entire length of the seat and backrest, which will be used to fasten the wooden facing strips.

Assembly

The most important stage in the process of making a rocking chair from plywood with your own hands is assembling individual elements into a single structure:

1. Glue 10mm wide wooden strips onto the main piece. Bend the plywood sheet slightly to form a rocking chair shape.
2. Attach cross bars that will give the product strength and reliability.
3. Attach the side panels and footrest. Connect all the workpieces with screws and close them with special plugs. To strengthen the structure, it is recommended to use small self-tapping screws that are designed for working with wood.

How to choose material and design

Modern models of rocking chairs are made from various materials, each of which has its own characteristics:

1. Wood. Furniture made from various types of wood looks stylish, it is durable and reliable. The surface must be treated with a finishing protective compound.
2. Sheets of plywood. The material is easy and comfortable to work with, it can take any shape, and is also suitable for the manufacture of small elements. However, it is better not to place such rocking chairs outside.
3. Profile pipes. It is better to make individual parts from them, rather than the entire structure. The material is durable and easy to work with.
4. Plastic pipes. A practical, budget-friendly and reliable option, the material is lightweight and easy to process.
5. Rattan and wicker. The result is beautiful designer products, but the weaving technology is quite complex, and high-quality material for manufacturing is not easy to find.
6. Metal. Processing parts will require skills and experience from the master. Metal chairs are durable and resistant to external influences.

Tips from the experts:

• Coniferous woods are the most comfortable when assembling furniture yourself, as they are easily amenable to any type of processing. However, they quickly react to humidity and swell, so rockers made of spruce, pine or alder must be treated with special protective solutions.
• Furniture can also be made from expensive and denser species, for example, oak, beech or ash. In this case, you can be sure of the strength and durability of the structure, since these types of trees do not have large pores.
• To create swinging products, it is better to use well-dried first grade wood blanks. If the chair is assembled from damp material, the entire structure may become deformed and deteriorate over time.
• The choice of material is often determined by the location where the rocking chair will be located. An outdoor structure (for a dacha or veranda) must have additional protection in the form of treating all surfaces with antiseptic agents that can minimize the effects of snow, rain and frost.
• Summer cottage products should not be covered with textiles and covers should not be placed on the body, otherwise the fabric may become damp and rot. In this case, it is better to use removable pillows and blankets.
• Wood can be combined with metal to create an even more durable structure. In this case, the frame should be metal, and the seat itself should be wooden.
• It is better to choose plywood sheets with good ductility for manufacturing; they are more convenient to process.

Final processing

You can increase the service life of a plywood rocking chair using simple manipulations:

1. Fill the holes with fasteners with high quality putty. In this case, the color of the putty must match the color of the plywood sheet.
2. Carefully treat plywood and wooden slats with fire retardants and antiseptics. Special protective agents increase the resistance of wood and wood materials to moisture, fire, high air temperatures and other external factors.
3. Cover the surface of the chair with a transparent waterproof varnish. The use of colorless varnish will increase the strength and durability of furniture, as well as improve its appearance.

Many summer residents neglect the final processing of garden furniture, considering such manipulations a waste of time. But applying a protective moisture-resistant coating prevents moisture from penetrating inside the plywood sheet, causing its further swelling and rotting.

Relaxing in the countryside in the shade of fruit, deciduous and flowering crops allows you to relax, take a break from the everyday hustle and bustle and enjoy unity with nature. Accordingly, a rocking chair made of plywood will become a favorite piece of furniture for every household member.

Making a rocking chair-bed

This version of the rocking chair can be placed in the garden and used for comfortable relaxation in the fresh air on a warm summer day.

Step 1. First of all, you need to purchase everything you need - a sheet of plywood 30 mm thick, a hand router, a grinder, a screwdriver, a jigsaw, and various measuring tools.

What you need for work

Step 2. Next you need to mark the parts on a sheet of plywood. The first step is to cut out a rectangle measuring 1820x1500 mm, and find the center on it.

Marking of structural parts

Step 3. Now you need to draw the shape of the side parts of the chair, focusing on the drawing. Curved lines can be drawn using a tape measure with the ability to insert a pencil into it, or a rope of the required length with a pencil tied at the end. It turns out to be a kind of compass.

The pencil is inserted into the tape measure. The shape of the side parts is drawn. Another photo of the process.

Step 4. Next you need to make holes in the plywood so that you can make cuts for the internal radii of the parts.

A hole is being drilled

Step 5. Then you need to cut out the side elements of the rocking chair using a jigsaw.

The side elements are cut out. Jigsaws are used.

Step 6. Using the first part as a template, you can make the second without unnecessary movements.

The part is used as a template

Step 7. The finished parts of the rocking chair need to be sanded well using a sanding machine.

Sanding parts

Step 8. Now you can start making the seat slats. They need to be cut from plywood.

For slats you will need plywoodCutting slats

Step 9. You also need to chamfer the side parts.

Chamfering

Step 10. Using a Forstner drill, you need to make recesses for the jumpers between the side parts of the chair. On both parts they should be located clearly opposite each other.

Creating recesses for jumpers

Step 11. The elements of the chair can be painted with a water-based stain and dried well before further work.

Applying stain

Step 12. On the slats for installing the seat, you need to attach metal corners along the edges, on which they will be held between the side elements.

Fastening metal corners

Step 13. The two side elements of the chair need to be connected using jumpers, round in cross-section. They must be securely fixed.

Connection of side parts

Step 14. Next, it’s time to screw the seat slats. They need to be fixed using the corners previously screwed to the slats on the side elements.

Slats for seating are attached

Step 15. This chair has a small roof that will protect the resting person from the scorching sun. You can secure the material (and this is fabric) using a construction stapler.

The fabric is secured with a stapler

Step 16. To make lying on the rocking chair comfortable, you can lay a thin mattress or foam rubber on the slats. The rocking chair is ready.

Rocking chair-bed It turned out quite beautifully

Making a rocking chair from metal

Of course, if we talk about metal chairs, the first thing that comes to mind is excellent designs with elegant forged elements.
However, such masterpieces require real skill and special tools, so we will talk about more simplified options. For example, you can make a chair by welding metal pipes. This design is more reminiscent of a chaise longue, as it has a fabric seat. It is necessary to prepare 22 mm metal rods, a welding machine, paint and a piece of thick fabric. First, we make calculations, draw up a diagram and cut out the rods of the required length. Next, we weld the structure step by step. The most difficult moment will be bending the metal rods. You can do this, as shown in the photo, using a persistent tree with a branched trunk. One edge of the rod needs to be inserted into the bifurcation point of the barrel, and a lever pipe must be placed on the second, moving which you can achieve the desired bend. When the structure is completely ready, it should be painted. Then we make a pattern and cover our structure with seat fabric.