A rocking chair is one of the most difficult pieces to build if you are a woodworker since it requires a lot of tools and pieces, but you can still make a unique chair on your own.If the rocking chairs have the wrong balance and weight, they can tip over.You will have a chair that you'll be able to pass down for generations with the right tools and determination.
Step 1: You can draw the shape of your seat on wood.
A piece of wood is 1 8 in thick, 21 in wide, and 20 in long.To draw the shape of the chair's seat, use a pencil.The seat should be U-shaped with the flat side front and curve back.If the chair is not symmetrical, it won't balance well.You can design your own templates for chair seats.You can make a cutout of your seat from a sheet of paper.The color andDurability of cherry make it a great wood to use.
Step 2: The seat shape can be cut with a band saw or jigsaw.
Slowly guide your piece of wood through the blade as you turn the saw on.You can still sand and shape the sides of the chair by cutting just outside of your pencil lines.Throw away the wood that isn't a part of your seat design.Wear safety glasses whenever you work with power tools.If you don't have access to power tools, you can use a handsaw.
Step 3: There are 10 points around the back of the seat.
You can measure from the center of your chair to the back edge.To mark where to drill your hole, put a dot on the point with a pencil.You should make 4 more dots to the left of your first mark.Go back to the first mark and make 5 dots on the right side of the seat.If you put a dot in the middle of the chair, it will make a person sitting down uncomfortable.
Step 4: Through each of your marks, drill 8 holes.
A drill press can be used to make a 8 in hole at a 12-degree angle toward the back of your chair.The hole should go all the way through to the other side of the seat.Continue drilling holes on your marks so they are in the back of the seat.If you don't have a drill press, you can use a handheld drill.
Step 5: Make 4 holes in the seat for the legs.
The 2 front legs need to be marked so that they're at least 10 cm from the front of the seat.The holes on the back legs need to be made from the front and the center of the seat.You can use your drill press to make holes.The sides and front of the chair should be aligned by 5 degrees.The back legs should be moved 20 degrees toward the back of the seat and 5 degrees to the side.For example, if you're drilling the left legs, make the hole for the front leg angle to the right side and front of the seat.You can angle the hole for the back leg to the left side.
Step 6: The seat has a curved draw shave.
A curved draw shave is a two-handled blade that is used to carve out large areas of wood.Pull the blade toward you at an angle to dig out the seat.You can curve the area where you sit from the back of the seat.To shape your seat, you can dig up to halfway through the wood.The left, back, and right sides of the seat should be left flat since you'll be placing the spindles for the back and arms.When using the curved edge shave, work slowly so the blade doesn't slip when you pull it toward you.
Step 7: Straight edge shave the edges of the seat.
A straight edge shave is a two-handled tool used for carving wood.Pull the blade toward you at an angle to remove some of the wood.If the sides of your chair aren't sharp, make a curve around the edge of the seat.The blade shouldn't slip if you pull the straight edge shave toward you.
Step 8: The seat needs to be sanded.
To get rid of burrs and rough edges, go over the seat with a piece of 320-grit sandpaper.If you want to see any rough areas, wipe the sawdust off your chair.The electric sander may leave marks on your chair.To remove marks, be sure to go over the area again.
Step 9: You can cut the front and back legs with a bandsaw.
Cut your leg pieces from wood that's 2 in thick and 5 in wide.The 2 front legs should be 41 cm long and the 2 back legs 33 cm.You should wear safety glasses when working with power tools.If you don't keep your wood pressed down, you may end up with an even cut.
Step 10: Use a lathe to shape the legs into cylinders.
A lathe is a large tool that is used to spin wood.Put the ends of the wood on the lathe grips.Press the scraper lathe tool on the guard in front of the lathe into the wood.Work across the entire surface of the wood in order to make it cylindrical.When you stop the lathe, check the thickness of your legs with a caliper.Hardware stores can be used to purchase lathes.The scraper tool may be resistant when you first start shaping the wood.The top of the tool should be supported by your nondominant hand.When using a lathe, wear safety glasses so you don't get sawdust in your eyes.
Step 11: The legs are 1 4 in on one end.
The scraper tool can be used to shape one end.Work back and forth along the last 2 2 in of the leg until it's only 4 in.The leg should be the same thickness.Continue to work on each leg.You will be able to fit the ends into the holes.
Step 12: The back and arm supports need to be cut.
To start your spindles, use wood that's 2.5 cm wide and 1 cm thick.White ash is a sturdy and flexible wood that can be used for your spindles.You can cut the blanks using the bandsaw.You will need 16 spindles for the supports on your chair.For the back of the chair, make 10 of your spindles 29 in (74 cm) long.The front supports on the arms should be supported by 2 spindles that are 9 in.The center arm supports need to be cut to 10 in (25 cm) long.For the back arm supports, make 2 spindles 12 in (30 cm) long.
Step 13: Use a block plane to round your spindles.
A block plane is a hand tool used to smooth out edges.Pull the hand plane toward you to shave off the wood.When using the plane, round the edges evenly by rotating the spindle.The thickness of the cylinders should be checked occasionally.To get a smooth finish, you may need to sand your spindles.
Step 14: The untapered ends of the legs are cut into 16 in.
Cut the slots into the thick ends of your legs with a table saw or band saw.The slots need to be in the middle of the leg.Cut out the slot and it's 16 in wide and 2 in deep.The slots should be at the end of each leg.The slots are held firmly in place because they fit onto the rocks.
Step 15: Put wood glue around the holes in the back of the seat.
Pick up a bottle of wood glue and squeeze it into the holes.The best way to coat the inside of a hole is to use a cloth or finger.Work on 1 hole at a time.
Step 16: The end of the spindles needs to be put in the holes.
Look at the direction of the wood grains on your 29 in (74 cm) spindles and make sure it's in line with your seat.The ends of the spindles should be put into the holes with the glue so they stick out from the seat.Continue putting the rest of the back spindles into the holes until you have filled them all.Since you'll add them later, keep the chair's arms aside for now.If you can't get the spindles into the holes, tap the ends lightly with a mallet.
Step 17: The glue should be set for 24 hours.
Leave your chair alone for a full day because wood glue takes 1 day to set completely.The glue shouldn't stay wet if the area stays cool and dry.While the glue is drying, you can work on other pieces of your chair.
Step 18: Sand the ends of the spindles with a flush cut saw.
You can cut along the edge of the seat with a flush cut saw.Once the glue is completely set, you can use a saw to cut the spindles.To smooth the edges on your cuts, use 220-grit sandpaper.
Step 19: To size your arms and back crest, cut them with a bandsaw.
For your arms and back crest, use a piece of wood that is strong.The middle of the arcs is back from the edges.Cut the crest in half, so it's 23 in (58 cm) long, 3 in (6 cm), tall, and 1 8 in (2 cm).The arms should be 20 in (51 cm) long, 3 in (8.6 cm), wide and 1 in thick.The back crest needs to match the curve at the back of the seat in order for the spindles to fit.
Step 20: There are 8 holes in the back crest.
The holes on your crest should be 2 4 in apart.To make the holes 12 in, use a handheld drill with a bit that's 8 in.Attach the back crest in a vise so it doesn't move while you're drilling.The bit may come out of the side if you drill straight into the wood.
Step 21: Make 8 holes in the backs of your arm pieces.
The hole should be from the back of each arm.To make the hole at a 12-degree angle, use a handheld drill or drill press with a 8 in (1.6 cm) bit.
Step 22: The arm pieces should be put on the spindles.
The arms should be guided down the left- and right-most spindles.If you need to raise the arm up from the seat, use a wooden mallet to lightly tap the arms.Don't let the arm move down any further by putting a clamps underneath it.You won't be able to attach the arms if you put the back crest on before you do this.
Step 23: Put wood glue on the holes in the back crest.
Put a generous amount of wood glue into each hole in the back crest and spread it around the hole with a finger or cloth.Press the back crest into the holes with the spindles.The back crest should be lightly tapped with a hammer.Put a clean cloth over the spilled wood glue.The spindles will not break or weaken if you bend them to line up with the back crest.
Step 24: With a drill through the seat and arms, drill 8 in holes.
You can drill the holes for the arm spindles once you have the back crest in place.Use a pencil to mark the spots where you want to position the spindles.To get them to line up with one another, use a 8 in drill bit to bore through the arms and seat.Work slowly and carefully so the crest doesn't move.
Step 25: Put wood glue on the holes and slide the arm spindles in.
Spread wood glue around the holes and the entire surface.The spindles should be moved through the top of each arm and the seat to equalize the amount on each side.Before you work on your chair again, let the glue dry for a full day.
Step 26: The arms should be trimmed off using a flush cut saw.
Attach the glue to the arms of your chair with a flush cut saw.It's a smooth cut if you get as close to the wood as you can.If you need to smooth rough edges after you make a cut, use 220-grit sandpaper.You don't have to remove anything from the back crest.
Step 27: Put wood glue in the holes for the legs.
Put a small amount of glue in the holes for your chair's legs and spread it around the inside of the hole with your finger or a cloth.Make sure it coats the entire surface.
Step 28: Use a mallet to pound the ends of your legs into the seat.
Put the sides of your legs on the bottom of the seat.Hold the seat with your nondominant hand and use a mallet to work the legs into the holes.Keep hitting the legs until they fit inside.The glue should be wiped with a shop cloth.The longer legs should be in the back 2 holes on the seat.
Step 29: After 24 hours, use a flush cut saw to remove wood from the seat.
If you want the glue to set, start working on your chair again the next day.If you have wood sticking out from your leg, use your saw to trim it.The wood should be smooth with the seat.It is possible to get the edges completely smooth by using 220-grit sandpaper.
Step 30: Take the shape of the rockers out of your wood.
Take a look at the shape of your rockers.At their tallest point, the rockers should be 10 cm tall, and 8 cm thick.You can use a bandsaw to cut the rockers out of the wood.If you use the same wood as your seat, your rocking chair will look uniform.There are templates and shapes online.The backs of the rockers should be longer than the front to prevent the chair from tipping over.
Step 31: To plane them evenly, attach the pieces together.
If you put the rockers together upside down, they will be lined up.The curved bottoms of the rockers can be smoothed with your block plane.When you're sitting in the chair, the rockers shouldn't feel unbalanced.Continue smoothing out the rockers' bottom curves until you're happy with the shape.The rocker's bottom curve should be no more than 45 degrees so that it doesn't make the rocking motion choppy.
Step 32: Attach the rockers to the legs with glue.
Put wood glue on the insides of the chair legs and spread it around with your finger.The rockers have slots on the bottom of the chair legs.To fit the rocker tightly in place, tap the bottom of it with a wooden mallet.The rockers are slightly smaller than the slots so they have a snug fit.
Step 33: There are four holes through the legs and rockers.
To make a hole through the leg and rocker, use a drill with a 4 in (0.64 cm) bit.Make sure the hole is completely through the leg.You should keep drilling holes in each leg.
Step 34: To hold the legs in place, place wooden dowels through the holes.
Place the 4 in the holes and slide them through.Once the glue is dry, your chair is finished and ready to use.Extra support is added to the rockers by using the dowels.