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

How to make a metal rocking chair yourself: drawings

Metal is a rather difficult material to process.
When there is no experience in forging or specific equipment for the production of bent products, then only simple rocking chairs will be available for self-assembly. However, their design can be quite interesting. First, the frame of the product is assembled from a metal corner or profile. Next, all workpieces must be treated with an anti-corrosion compound. Hammer paints are very popular now. The finishing decor depends on the preferences of the master. For example, the seat can be made of wooden planks or covered with soft fabric. To decorate a rocking chair, you should make small pillows for the back and seat, and cover everything on top with a large removable cover. Sometimes the metal frame is braided with a large amount of willow vine. For this work, you will need theoretical skills in wicker weaving, which are worth learning from numerous videos on the Internet.

Selection of material

A variety of materials are used for making furniture yourself, most often natural wood and plywood, as they are easy to process. A welded or forged metal structure is more difficult to make; its creation will require special tools, usually available only in professional workshops. To make an original bent-glued product from thin veneer, you will also need the appropriate equipment - a steam generator, various matrices, patterns, templates. Sometimes the structure is woven from wicker or rattan; plastic options are suitable for children, since their strength is low.

Some general information

Whatever one may say, it is a rocking chair, especially one standing in the garden or near a lit fireplace, that many associate with comfort, a pleasant evening in a narrow family circle, peace and quiet. In such an environment you can have a great rest and relaxation by reading your favorite book or watching a good movie. The rhythmic rocking movements of the rocking chair will help you get ready for sleep and simply feel peace, which is so rare in modern life, filled with bustle and heavy thought processes.

Rocking movements increase concentration

It is still unknown exactly how and where the very first rocking chair came from. Usually many people associate it with old England, fireplaces and rugs. At the moment, there are two main versions of the history of the origin of this chair. According to one of them, the first rocking chair was invented by the Viennese furniture maker, experimenter and innovator, as well as a fan of bent wood, Michael Thoneta in the mid-19th century. However, there is one more fact that casts doubt on this version. Thus, at the end of the 18th century, the word “rocking chair” was added to the English dictionary, and since the 1800s, such chairs began to be produced by many English furniture manufacturers. But the fame and peak of popularity of rocking chairs came precisely in the 19th century. They were used mainly by rich and aristocratic people, as well as those involved in literary and artistic arts.

Plywood rocking chair

According to the second version, the rocking chair was invented by Benjamin Franklin. In terms of time, this was also the 19th century. But there are those who refute this version, believing that Franklin was just the one who became the first owner of the rocking chair.

In a word, we can say that the beginning of the history of the chair is the 18th-19th centuries. The sources are silent about the rest. And, nevertheless, rocking chairs still remain popular and in demand, and are primarily intended to create a special ambiance and comfortable environment in a certain place.

The rocking chair has its own story. Which plywood to use for a rocking chair?

Making a rocking chair for two

A rocking chair allows you to create a special atmosphere of coziness and comfort in the garden, making your holiday truly relaxing. Even a beginner can assemble such a structure; a simple and clear drawing will help him with this. This model of the chair consists of three drawers, two sidewalls, as well as 35 transverse slats, from which the seat and back are formed.

The most difficult stage of the work is cutting out the sides. To do this, you must first prepare special patterns. The cutting shown in the drawing is plotted on a metric grid with a step of 10 cm. Using this cutting, you need to make a template, and then transfer it to a sheet of plywood or other material with a thickness of at least 3 cm. This material will be used to make the supporting elements of the chair - the sides, Tsarg.

Then you need to cut out the two sides using an electric jigsaw. When manufacturing structural parts, certain errors are allowed, but the sidewalls must be strictly the same in shape and size, otherwise the product will be skewed and unstable. When both sidewalls are ready, you need to chamfer them with a router and then sand them using a grinder or sandpaper.

At the next stage, three drawers should be cut out of plywood; it is not necessary to chamfer them. The width of the drawers should be 10 cm, and the length – 120 cm. Their length can be reduced, but it is not advisable to increase it, as this may reduce the reliability of the structure. Then, from a 50x25 mm timber, you need to cut 35 elements 120 cm long, sand each section, and chamfer it.

On the sides it is necessary to make marks in those places where the drawers will be attached (at the head, in the middle part, near the legs). Then you should drill through holes in the side parts using an 8 mm drill. After this, similar holes are made in the ends of the frames, but in this case a 5 mm drill is used.

Then you need to assemble the frame of the future chair, connecting the sides with the drawers using confirmations. To assemble the entire structure, the master needs to purchase 12 confirmats 5x120 mm, 140 screws for wood 4x45 mm. At the next stage, pre-cut bars are attached to the seat with self-tapping screws. At each end of the beam, two self-tapping screws are screwed into pre-drilled and countersunk holes.

After this, all that remains is to putty all the cracks and holes, treat the surface of the structure with fine-grained sandpaper and primer, and then cover it with three layers of varnish. The chair is ready!

Advantages and disadvantages for the child

A rocking chair is a comfortable piece of furniture designed for daily use. When rocking in a chair, people relieve muscle tension and fatigue disappears.

Most consumers like to sit in a chair in front of the fireplace while reading books, doing handicrafts, or just talking with family and friends. Some people use this type of furniture to watch their favorite TV shows or relax in the fresh air.

The main advantages of a rocking chair include:

• the presence of streamlined structures that relieve tension from the spine;
• the rocking mechanism improves muscle tone, normalizes the functioning of the nervous system, and improves the condition of the musculoskeletal system;
• a wide selection of models that harmoniously fit into different stylistic directions.

As for the disadvantages, it is worth adding to them:

• the quality of the products sold is not always high;
• high cost.

But if you make furniture yourself, you can save your own savings and make a truly durable and reliable piece of furniture.

Tip: a rocking chair is an original and beautiful piece of furniture. It can be placed in any room, in the garden or on the terrace.

Manufacturing materials

Before you begin manufacturing and assembling a rocking chair, you need to decide on the design, dimensions and materials of its manufacture.

As for the frame materials, it can be made from:

Metal. Such products are highly durable. They can be decorated with forged elements to add aristocracy. Metal furniture can be placed in any room: living room, bedroom, or on the veranda. The metal product can withstand weight up to 300 kg.

Rattan. The wicker model has an elegant openwork design. Rattan products are found in country houses and dachas. Their advantages include: the ability to withstand heavy weight, environmental friendliness and safety, long service life of more than 15 years, strength and reliability of the structure. Tree. Wooden structures are the most common

They are able to decorate any room interior or yard exterior with their noble and elegant appearance. It is important to choose the right wood here. The ideal option would be: pine needles, oak, larch.

Willows, vines

Such rocking chairs are in particular demand. The material has a unique composition that provides furniture items with high wear resistance. You can weave a rocking chair with your own hands. To do this, you need to choose a suitable scheme and stock up on consumables. The advantages of wicker furniture include its light weight, compact size and high strength.

Plywood. She is easy and pleasant to work with. It pleases with its long service life, naturalness and the ability to make products of any design.

Profile pipe. The features of the material include: low weight, strength and resistance to stress, ease of use (PVC pipes are assembled into interesting designs), and affordable cost of the material.

Some models of chairs are decorated with textile upholstery:

• Natural leather. It is durable, wear-resistant, and resistant to negative factors.
• Eco-leather. The material has an affordable price, a wide selection of color palettes, and practicality.
• Faux leather. It is characterized by low cost, resistance to high moisture, resistance to deformation and tearing. Dust does not collect on its surface and stains do not remain.

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.

Rocking chair made of profiled metal pipe

Such a design can be made if there is a special installation for bending metal pipes. Despite the apparent difficulty, it is actually not that difficult to make such furniture; moreover, it is heavy and at the same time stable.

Manufacturing steps:

• Metal pipes are taken and bent on a special machine by rolling the element between three rotating rollers.
• Then two pipes are welded to the two skids, which form the base and form a kind of triangle with one rounded side.
• There is also a semicircular element in the middle, which is welded to the support elements. This is done to increase sustainability.
• Then the transverse elements are assembled in accordance with the drawing.
• After this, the armrests and back of the chair are completed. They are fixed with self-tapping screws and adhesive.
• At the final stage, everything is complemented with soft elements in the form of pillows or special upholstery with foam parts.

How to restore an old chair

Old, dilapidated and broken products will get a new design if you plan all the steps to improve them. The first step is to remove the wooden elements of the armrests and legs. They are cleaned of varnish, if necessary, their integrity is restored with glue and varnished again. The old upholstery is carefully removed. In most cases, the filler is replaced, and a new one is attached with a furniture stapler. New parts are cut out from the old upholstery and attached in a similar way. The chair is then restored with updated elements of the armrests and legs. You should not throw away chairs on which some miniature part has broken or the upholstery has simply worn out - their repair will be quick and relatively simple. At the same time, chairs from the mid and second half of the 20th century with narrow, old-fashioned armrests are most often repaired. There are many such Soviet-made products left in apartments and houses.

Country house chair made from pallets

You can make such a design with your own hands, spending only a few hours. During the work you will need the following:

• wooden pallets (you can buy new ones or disassemble old ones that are no longer used);
• hammer;
• nails;
• sandpaper;
• fastenings;
• primer.

Prices for wood preservatives

Impregnation for wood

Pallet chair

Step-by-step instruction

Step one: in this case we will need to take two pallets of the same size, which will then be divided into parts. Moreover, if the design involves the presence of additional decorative elements, then more pallets will be needed.

Divide the pallet into parts

Step two: the surface of the wood should be thoroughly sanded.

Sanding the surface of the pallets

Step three: first you need to connect the parts of the seat and backrest together. At this stage, you can make a small cut to get the slope of the back.

Connecting the back and seat

Step four: it is better to fix all the parts with screws, because the connection made from nails is not very reliable.

Types of chairs

Today you can find a huge number of models of wooden rocking chairs of various shapes, sizes, breeds, styles and purposes.

Rocking chairs are:

1. Homemade. These chairs are needed for rest, relaxation and stress relief after a busy day at work. The frame of the structure is most often covered with soft fabric or covered with a beautiful cover. Such furniture can become a real piece of art and can decorate any interior.
2. Office. Allows you to take a break during work to stretch and relax your muscles a little. Office rocking chair models often have elegant leather upholstery and can be equipped with wheels for movement.
3. Dachas. They are placed on the veranda of a country plot or inside a country house. Garden versions of rocking chairs look especially harmonious near a fireplace or stove. These structures also serve for relaxation and relaxation.

To make a rocking chair for your dacha with your own hands from plywood, you will need drawings and instructions from experienced craftsmen, as in the video below.

Depending on the type of chair design, there are:

• With radius runners. Swinging occurs smoothly and softly. For such an assembly, only a low landing is suitable, otherwise the rocking chair may tip over. If you need to increase the height, bump stops are simply installed on the runners.
• With runners of variable curvature. In such a chair, accidental tipping is excluded. The design is suitable for people of different body types.
• With a cradle. Designed especially for children. The chair is equipped with runners of variable curvature, is completely safe, swings gently and without jerking.
• Nirvana rocking chair on ellipses. It has elliptical runners, making the swing soothing, smooth and almost blissful. Strongly swinging is not recommended to avoid falling.
• Nirvana on springs. These chairs are characterized by soft rocking and safety. However, it is quite difficult to make them yourself; this will require wood species such as dogwood, teak or boxwood. Sometimes a rubberized strip of spring steel is used, which will eliminate scratches and dents on the floor.
• On runners with smooth breaks. This is a “3 in 1” rocking chair, it is multifunctional and can change position: from a regular chair to turn into a small lounger. The disadvantage of such structures is their large size, so they are unlikely to be suitable for small city apartments.
• Children's horse chair. This is the most comfortable and safe design for a small child with the right size of arms and backrest angle.
• Tumbler. In this product, the runners are also a seat. It can be placed both in the country house and in the apartment.
• Glider. This is a modern model of a rocking chair with a pendulum mechanism.

How does rocking happen?

Many people assemble rocking chairs according to ready-made drawings, but the products may not always fit the size of a specific person. Therefore, before starting production, you should understand the kinematics of this product:

• If a person stands upright, the center of gravity (CG) of the body is between the lower back and the sacrum inside the spinal column. If a person is in a sitting position, the CG shifts slightly forward and down. In rocking products, the overall CG is always shifted back and down to its original position. In this case, there is a slight error in the projection of the main center of gravity in relation to the supporting surface (floor, soil, etc.), which can be corrected at the end during balancing.
• The stability of the structure is most affected by the displacement of the overall CG relative to the vertical central axis (CO). If the CO coincides with the COG, this is a state of free balance, which is impossible to achieve in a rocking chair. If the center of gravity is greater than the center of gravity, there is a high probability of tipping backwards. It is necessary that the central center is 450 mm or more higher than the central central point (recommended excess is 600-700 mm).

In other words, the overall center of gravity of the rocking chair should be shifted from the seat to an angle intermediate between the back and the seat. The supporting legs are two arched strips, thanks to which smooth swinging is possible. The amplitude depends on the length of the runners.

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.

• 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.

Process of creation

When creating such a chair from plywood with your own hands, you need to choose the right dimensions. For the average person, the most comfortable height will be approximately 90 cm, if the chair is without a headrest. If with a headrest, then it should be about 115 cm. Sheets for such work should be even and smooth.

It is recommended to make the seat in such a rocking chair 50 cm in width and length, then you can sit comfortably in it. The backrest should be tilted approximately 15°. It is advisable to place the armrests slightly away from the seat, approximately 12-15 cm.

Preparation of plywood

To make a rocking chair, it is recommended to use FC plywood sheets. It is environmentally friendly and safe for human health. And also easy to process. Sheets with a thickness of 4, 10 or 15 mm will be required. You can also take thinner plywood, from which you can cut several parts of the same shape and glue them together. To do this, the surface is sanded with sandpaper, then the dust is carefully removed from it. The glue is carefully applied with a brush along the fibers. The glued parts are installed under the press. Thin sheets are cut with a knife, thicker ones with a jigsaw.

In order for a rocking chair made of plywood to serve for a long time, it is recommended to treat the material with drying oil, paint or varnish; you can also use fiberglass for this. You should choose a varnish without epoxy and polyester additives.

The plywood can be bent to give the piece the desired shape. To do this, it must be moistened, after which it can be bent as required and left in this position. After a few hours it will dry and take the desired shape.

Transferring a drawing

The prepared patterns are laid out on sheets and outlined with a pencil. At the same time, you should definitely save space to avoid waste of material.

Sawing

After marking, sawing is carried out to produce chair elements according to the drawing. Sawing is performed along the grain to prevent delamination. If a side cut is required, then notches are applied to the plywood using a bench knife. If you don’t have an electric jigsaw, you can use a special file for figure cutting. It is suitable for cutting curved parts with curves, large and small radii.

You should not cut straight along the drawn line, but step back from it outward by about 1 mm, so that you can then carefully clean the edges without violating the specified dimensions of the part. Otherwise, gaps may appear at the joints. After finishing cutting, the edges of the parts need to be sanded. To do this, use a file, a grinder, or a drill with a grinding attachment.

At specially marked places, holes are drilled for fastening the frame and all parts. The drill must enter exactly vertically, without tilting. At the end of this procedure, the entire surface of the sawn part is sanded with fine-grained sandpaper. Then varnish is applied.

Assembly

When all elements of the rocking chair are completely ready, assembly can be carried out. To connect, you need to use more than just wood glue. The mechanical load on the rocking chair is high, so additional fastening with screws and nails will be required.

All protruding parts are covered with glue and inserted into the grooves. They should be firmly embedded in them. Excess glue is removed from the surface immediately; do not allow it to dry out. After this, for the glue to harden, you need to leave the finished rocking chair for a day.

Making a rocking chair from plywood yourself is an opportunity to show your creativity and get a beautiful and useful piece of furniture. Such work will not require large material costs, and the creation process itself will bring considerable pleasure. The main thing is effort, accuracy and attentiveness, and everything will work out!

Possible materials and benefits of plywood

You need to choose the material for a rocking chair based on the operating conditions. So, in a garden, where it will be affected by light, wind, and precipitation, the material should be used as resistant to all these types of influence as possible or have a special treatment. For a rocking chair installed indoors, the requirements are much less, and simpler material can be used.

Rocking chair for the garden made of plywood. Blueprints

In general, the following material options are used for rocking chairs:

• wood and its derivatives , usually treated with special compounds;
• metal treated with anti-corrosion compounds (by the way, this is a very heavy option, and it is recommended to place such a chair in the garden on a solid base, and not on the lawn);
• plastic (it is not durable, but it is not afraid of water. It can fade in the sun);
• willow vine (allows you to create beautiful wicker chairs).

On a note! In the garden, it is best to use plastic or well-processed metal, and you can also use wood species that are resistant to various influences. There should be no soft upholstery. But indoors you can install a rocking chair with a soft finish made of any material.

Do-it-yourself rocking chair made of plywood
If we talk about creating a rocking chair with your own hands, then the easiest way for the first time is to try to make a product from plywood. Plywood is a material that has several layers, based on wood veneer. It is glued together using a special glue and allows you to create fairly durable canvases.

Plywood is easy to work with, it does not have a high price, and you can purchase it at almost any hardware store. It is easy to saw, glue together, and to give a beautiful and finished appearance, plywood can be painted, stained, varnished and other substances. You can also burn a beautiful pattern on it and use other decoration options.

Homemade rocking chair made of plywood

Advice! To create a rocking chair, you should use thick (from 15 mm) high quality plywood. This is what will allow you to achieve the required level of strength of the product. It is also worth taking environmentally friendly plywood if the chair will be installed indoors - some varieties contain adhesives containing formaldehyde, and they will not be suitable.

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.

Where can it be used?

A rocking chair in general can be installed anywhere, be it a room or a veranda in the garden. But most often it can be seen in a spacious living room in a private house or in the garden. In the latter case, rocking chairs are often made of either metal or rattan. The products are characterized by increased strength; when properly processed, they are not afraid of water, are durable and can really not only decorate the garden, but also create a real relaxation area in it. Moreover, the rocking chair will feel great both on the veranda and on the lawn or garden path, where it will not disturb anyone.

Rattan rocking chair

On a note! In the garden you can put not just a rocking chair for one person, but also a real rocking sofa or a bench that can accommodate several people at once.

Also, rocking chairs fit perfectly into the interior of large and spacious rooms, especially those made in a certain style. Of course, with modern design solutions, you should abandon the traditional rocking chair, but a stylized chair will fit even into a high-tech room.

Rocking chair made of boards and plywood

Advantages and disadvantages of hanging models

A hanging chair, like any piece of furniture, has its pros and cons. The undoubted advantages of a product made independently include originality and uniqueness. This copy is absolutely exclusive, as there are no others like it. Its second advantage can be called comfort. A comfortable soft seat that sways steadily in space promotes relaxation and tranquility.

The downside of the design is the difficulty of carrying it. Dismantling takes a lot of time, and after a massive hook the ceiling will be damaged. The chair on the stand is also too massive and heavy to be constantly moved.

Materials

Knowing what types of rocking chairs there are, and choosing the easiest option for your own production, all that remains is to consider the possible materials for use. Beginners are advised to stick to lumber - it’s easier to work with them, and everyone can find the necessary carpentry tools.

Modern models of rocking chairs differ in design in terms of materials. Possible options:

wood is the most common material used in the form of lumber and rough wood. Such furniture always looks fashionable and rich. In addition, it is strong and durable; plywood - it is easy to work with, as it can take any shape. But such chairs are undesirable for outdoor placement. This option is budget-friendly and does not require large financial investments.

Only to create reliable and durable furniture is it important to select thicker plywood sheets; metal - used for the production of runners or the entire structure. Metal rocking chairs are extremely durable and can last for decades

It is recommended to take profile pipes - they are easy to process. The only disadvantage of the finished product is its heaviness; rattan or wicker - allow you to create truly exclusive products, but require certain skills and strength, due to complex weaving technology. Willow and grapevine or any woody vines are possible as starting material. Rattan refers to the bark of the rattan palm. The advantage of such chairs is that they create shock absorption for the person sitting in it.

When working with wood, preference is given to coniferous species, since they have low density. They are also easier to carpenter.

The upholstery is chosen to be practical. It can be flock, tapestry or jacquard. Natural fabrics are preferred, but they strongly absorb dust. In this sense, it makes more sense to choose leather that is soft and resistant to negative external factors. If this is expensive, then eco-leather is an alternative - an equally high-quality material.

Assembly steps

Modern furniture manufacturers are ready to offer a huge range of models of various shapes, colors, styles and materials. However, if you have the time and desire to independently assemble a home rocking chair, you need to safely purchase all the necessary materials and get to work.

The simplest model

Tools and materials:

1. Screwdriver or drill.
2. Tape measure for measurements.
3. Self-tapping screws.
4. Special wood glue.
5. Electric jigsaw.
6. Thick cardboard for patterns.
7. Sandpaper for sanding.
8. Sheet of plywood.

A simple model of a rocking chair

Step-by-step instruction:

• Apply markings to a sheet of plywood using a pattern.
• Using a jigsaw, cut out two parts.
• Sand the resulting elements well.
• Then you need to cut 14 transverse strips from plywood (length - 59 cm, width - 6 cm).
• After which 14 support strips are cut (length - 5 cm, width - 6 cm). The entire surface is well sanded.
• The transverse strips are glued to the two side parts. Support strips are glued to the inside of the structure and secured with self-tapping screws.
• The rocking chair on two sides in the shape of a boomerang with cross bars is ready! The product can be varnished or painted, and beautiful upholstery can be sewn onto the back.

How to make a rocking chair with your own hands is shown in the video master class with detailed step-by-step instructions.

Rocking chair with curved skis

For assembly you will need:

1. Tape measure for measurements.
2. A simple pencil.
3. Graph paper.
4. Screwdriver.
5. Electric jigsaw for working with wood.
6. Sander.
7. Metal confirmants.
8. Wood board for cutting skis 300/20/4 centimeters.
9. Board for frame 300/10/2 cm.

Country chair with curved skis

Step-by-step assembly instructions:

• According to the drawing, templates for curved skis are cut out and transferred to a wooden board.
• All parts are carefully cut out according to the markings: 2 armrests, 2 front and rear legs, 2 fixing strips for the seat, the shape of the back and seat, ski elements, front connecting strip.
• All cut out structural elements must be sanded well, and then holes for confirmants must be drilled.
• Next comes the final assembly of all the parts, and the chair is ready! Now you can think about decorating it in the form of a soft cover and decorative pillows.

Balancing Recommendations

In most cases, additional balancing of the product will be required so that the chair does not cause inconvenience when rocking, sitting down and standing up.

How to balance a swing structure:

• If the chair falls forward, you can make the back heavier by attaching cross bars to the rear runners.
• To increase the weight, weighting decor can be mounted on either side of the part.
• If the product tilts backwards, a counterweight should be created in the front part of the rocker. A foot bar or niche is suitable for this.

A rocking chair will always remain a desirable piece of furniture, because it is so pleasant to sit in it and forget about all the problems. It is not at all necessary to spend a lot of money on a purchase; you can make such a product yourself. And ready-made instructions and drawings will help with this.

What will you need?

To work with plywood at home, you don't need a lot of tools. The required list includes a jigsaw with a suitable saw blade, a drill for drilling holes, a sander or sandpaper, and a brush for applying paint and varnish. You also need to have a pencil, ruler, and pattern on hand.

Almost every craftsman has an electric jigsaw.

As for materials, in addition to the required amount of plywood, you will have to purchase fastening elements, as well as a composition that will be applied to the product in order to decorate it and protect it from external influences. Wood glue may be required.

A drawing is one of the aspects that must be thought through before purchasing everything you need. It will allow you not only to immediately imagine what the rocking chair will look like, but also to calculate the required amount of materials and make sure that the chair will be as safe as possible. It will also facilitate the assembly process and applying the necessary markings to materials. You can draw the drawing yourself, or you can download a ready-made one from the Internet. It is important to understand that it is recommended to make a diagram yourself only if you have at least some experience in this matter.

Structural diagram of a rocking chair made of plywood

Important! On the drawing you need to immediately note all the dimensional parameters of the product. This will make the job easier.

It is recommended to transfer the drawing before starting work onto a large sheet of paper or polyethylene and thus create templates that will make it easier to cut out parts of the same shape. In general, this requirement only applies to complex curved elements.

Features of models made of plastic pipes

A rocking chair made of plastic pipes is an excellent way to “use” leftover material after making a drinking or irrigation water supply. To create a frame, you will need scissors for PVC pipes and a special soldering iron (welder).

For the side surfaces you will need a pipe with a diameter of 32 or 25 mm, for jumpers - 20 mm. Tees are purchased based on the number of connection points. It is better to plan to purchase with a reserve in order to practice soldering on individual parts. The price of tees starts from 5 rubles, so a supply of 4–5 parts will not cost much.

A template is prepared in advance, according to which pipe sections are cut, providing a margin of 3–4 cm for each part: when soldering, the tube is inserted into the tee by 1.5–2 cm.

If you work carefully, the runners can be given a rounded shape without heating. If this cannot be done, then clean sand is poured inside the tube, heated in the oven to 90–100⁰C. To prevent the sand filler from spilling out, a plug is welded to one side. It will remain on the part even after the work is completed to prevent moisture from getting inside. The same plugs are welded to all open ends of the pipes.

Once the frame is assembled, a foam rubber mattress covered with raincoat fabric is attached to it if the chair will be used outdoors. For fastening, strips of fabric (ties) sewn to the mattress are used.

Welder for plastic pipes

Side element diagram

Scraps of reinforcement are inserted inside the pipes

We weld the fastening points with a welding machine

Rocking chair made of plastic pipes

DIY garden chair

Before starting work on the manufacture of the chair, it is necessary to prepare the following materials and devices:

• cedar veneer;
• screws;
• wood glue;
• sandpaper;
• finishing varnish;
• drying oil;
• scotch;
• thick paper for patterns;
• plane;
• saw;
• milling equipment;
• hacksaw;
• drill;
• clamps;
• a simple pencil;
• measuring tape.

Prices for the range of drills

Drill

Approximate diagram of creating a chair

Preparing parts

Step one: first you need to make patterns for the design, marking the dimensions of the parts on thick cardboard. In our case, we should get the following elements:

• legs (4 pieces) – 2x25x78 centimeters and 2x7.6x53 centimeters;
• back - 2x28x91 centimeters;
• armrests - 2x12x40 centimeters (2 pieces) and 2x7.5x61 centimeters;
• connecting strip - 2x5x58 centimeters;
• additional strip (2 pieces) – 1.2x2x2.5 centimeters.

Garden chair elements

Step two: you need to cut out the parts from cardboard, and then transfer them to the wood (circle), after which you can saw the parts of the future chair. This should be done very carefully - the peculiarity of cedar boards is that they are susceptible to chipping, so cutting should only be done along the grain.

Sawing the parts

Connecting parts

Step one: before starting assembly, all parts must be thoroughly treated with an antiseptic against fungus and dried. Only then can you proceed to the next steps.

Preparing the product for processing

Step two: we adjust the finished parts to the required size and at the same stage leave markings for the holes for fasteners.

We trim the parts of the structure exactly along the intended contour

Step three: use a drill to make holes for the fasteners, and then fix the parts together.

The location of the boards affects the strength of the entire chair frame

Step four: fix the chair leg (back) at an angle of 90 degrees, and fix it on the other side in the same way. It is necessary to connect the sides of the structure.

The end parts of the planks and the opposite ends of the legs must match, which will allow you to obtain the correct location of the structure

Step five: place the supports and then secure them with clamps.

The joint should be very tight

Step six: install the backrest guide from above using screws, adjusting it to the crossbar from below. We mark the markings with a simple pencil on all the crossbars, as well as on part of the back, after which we make a hole, holding the bar.

We fix the planks one by one

Step seven: make curves by cutting the boards along the marked lines.

Installing the rail on the seat

Step Eight: The last step is to sand the entire surface of the chair using sandpaper.

It is important to achieve perfectly smooth wood without burrs. Then you need to treat the product with heated drying oil and cover it with several layers of varnish

After applying the varnish, the chair should dry for some time.

Varieties

Despite the variety of types of rocking chairs, they all share a number of advantages:

• positive effect on the musculoskeletal and nervous system;
• providing a relaxing effect;
• Possibility of use both indoors and outdoors for people of any age category;
• safety and reliability in operation.

The purpose of such chairs is very different - without meaning and with meaning. For example, this will be a significant help in rocking the baby and at the same time rest for the mother herself.

Mothers with babies will especially appreciate rocking chairs

It is a mistaken belief that rocking chairs are bulky and take up a lot of free space. In fact, modern models are quite compact and convenient. Such chairs are universal, but there are still some aspects of separation, which depend on the place of use - garden or home. For outdoor use, it is recommended to select furniture with removable seats that can be removed when it rains. For them, they choose a stronger and weather-resistant material from which the chair is made.

On skids

Inertial type design with a base in the form of two rounded runners and a weight limit of 100 kg. The model is simple due to the absence of unnecessary parts. Designed for use on hard surfaces.

The design has no unnecessary parts and is simple to implement

Pendulum

They have a fixed base with a possible pendulum mechanism on hinges for swinging. Due to this, uniform and silent swing occurs while maintaining inertia for a long time. Suitable for all floors.

The peculiarity of the mechanism is that it gives inertia, and the chair can swing for quite a long time

Spring

They consist of a stationary base on a massive spring and a seat directly. Permissible load - within 150 kg. Most often made from rattan.

These chairs are made mainly from rattan.

Hanging

A chair attached with ropes or chains to a vertical support. Essentially, these are the same swings.

Well, isn't it a pleasure to swing in such a chair?

Finishing

Once all the flaws have been identified and corrected, you can safely begin finishing.

The decorative compositions used are:

• Varnish;
• Alcohol stain;
• Paints.

The option where the seat and back are covered with fabric cannot be ruled out. Upon completion of finishing, you need to pay attention to the places where the fasteners are located.

They must be masked using special furniture plugs. Or there is an option using sealant.

How to do it at home?

Making a rocking chair with your own hands will still be possible for those people who have basic carpentry or welding skills, depending on the chosen master class.

On skids

The easiest way to make a homemade chair on runners is from an ordinary old armchair or chair. In fact, all that remains is to add the runners themselves, securely fasten them to the legs and, possibly, sew a cover. In addition to the chair itself on legs, you will need runners, a screwdriver, screws, a drill and sandpaper. To give the rocking chair an aesthetic appearance, paint and a brush will be useful. The runners themselves are cut out independently into shape using a pattern, or they are ordered from a craftsman.

It is important that the gap between the legs is 20-30 centimeters less than the length of the runners. At those points where the chair is fixed on the legs, holes are drilled, after which the runners are “fitted on.” If the result is positive, the latter can be sanded with sandpaper and painted in several layers.

The finished “skis” are put on the legs and fixed with screws in the already prepared holes

If the result is positive, the latter can be sanded with sandpaper and painted in several layers. The finished “skis” are put on the legs and fixed with screws in the already prepared holes.

Pendulum

An excellent pendulum rocking chair is made on the basis of bearings. Compact and durable design creates even swing and is ideal for outdoor use. For manufacturing, it is necessary to prepare two steel strips with dimensions of 40 by 4 millimeters and 60 by 6 millimeters, as well as profile pipes with dimensions of 20 by 20 millimeters and with a wall thickness of two millimeters. The movement of the rocking chair can be ensured by 8 bearings, the outer diameter of which is 32 millimeters, and the internal diameter is 12 millimeters, as well as 8 bearing cages. They are created by hand on a lathe, or cut from a tube. Finally, you can’t do without a pair of garage hinges and bolts with nuts size M12.

In order to minimize welding, profile pipes can simply be bent using a homemade jig. To avoid making mistakes, it is better to first apply markings every 100 millimeters. The entire frame of the rocking chair is made from a profile pipe, that is, the support part, two sidewalls, the seat and the back. As a rule, for a standard size of outdoor furniture it takes about 20 meters. From the strip and profile, parts are created that regulate how much the back of the chair tilts, in the amount of 2 pieces.

A steel strip measuring 6 by 60 millimeters is cut into two equal parts. From it, as well as bearings and bolts with nuts, pendulums are created in the amount of 4 pieces.

On springs

It is not recommended to make a spring rocking chair with your own hands, since this mechanism is very complicated to implement. The design has a powerful and motionless base, above which there is a large spring. It is she who is responsible for rocking the soft seat mounted on top. It is much easier to make a hanging rocking chair, which will decorate both the summer cottage and the children's room.

The easiest way to make a homemade swing is from a hoop with a diameter of 90 centimeters, a piece of thick fabric with dimensions of 3 by 1.5 meters, non-woven fabric, 4 metal buckles, 8 slings and a metal ring, from which the chair itself will be suspended.

The hoop is either created independently or formed from a metal-plastic tube or bendable wood. First of all, a pair of equal squares with sides of 1.5 meters are formed from 3 meters of fabric. Each of them is folded 4 times, after which a circle with a radius of 65 centimeters is cut out of the workpiece. The blanks are marked with an internal contour and holes for slings.

At the next stage, both blanks are ground together, leaving a hole for the frame. The remaining free allowance is cut with teeth, after which the finished cover is turned inside out and ironed again. The hoop itself is covered with the selected filler, cut into strips with a width of 6 to 8 centimeters. The frame is inserted into the case, both parts are connected to each other. The cover is filled with strips of padding polyester sewn to the fabric with a hidden seam. The sling is cut into 4 two-meter pieces, the edges of which are melted on both sides. The slings are pulled through the patterns and stitched several times. Buckles on the free ends allow you to adjust the height and inclination of the rocking chair. All slings are assembled and fixed on a metal ring.

How to make a hammock chair from a metal hoop is described below.

Master classes on making rocking chairs

To create a beautiful rocking chair, first a drawing of what is planned is made, and a drawing is developed from it. Next, all the necessary tools and materials are selected, and the details of the future product are cut out. After the structure is assembled, it is finished and dried.

To “test” the chair, just sit on it for a couple of minutes and rock. If problems arise with the stability of an item, they are corrected immediately. When an object falls back, the front part is made heavier, if on the contrary, the rear overhang is strengthened, combining the runners with an additional crossbar.

Made of wood

To make a completely wooden product, assembled “without a single nail,” you will need solid wide boards or high-quality furniture panels. The material chosen is thick (at least 25-30 mm) - the heavier the person sits and rocks in the chair, the thicker the parts are needed.

The design consists of five elements:

• two figured sidewalls with maximum dimensions of 100 by 90 cm, slots at the height of the seat, located 35-50 cm from the floor level;
• rectangular, slightly rounded in the upper part of the back, measuring 80 by 85 cm (in the widest part), with two slots for attaching the side panels in protruding places, one wide groove in the lower part for inserting a seat;
• seats - its dimensions in the wide front half are 85 cm, there are also two slots for inserting side panels, in the rear - 55 cm, depth - 45 cm, with a protrusion for fastening - 60 cm;
• the rear drawer is an oblong part, measuring 85 by 15 cm, having two slots for fastening to the sidewalls.

During the work, suitable variants of parts are developed or downloaded from the Internet and transferred to the boards. Then all the elements are cut out, polished, it is advisable to chamfer the edges by a few mm so that there are no sharp corners. The product is assembled, checked for stability, disassembled, each part is varnished, dried, assembled again, if desired, decorated with carved patterns, but preferably before varnishing.

Made of metal

The frame itself is made of metal, but the seat should be soft or wooden, for convenience and comfort. You can’t do without bent parts; you will also need a welding machine to connect individual elements to each other. First, a seat frame with several crossbars is made, then a seat and “runners” are welded to it, secured at three points. Wooden slats or a finished soft part in a wooden frame are screwed onto the back and seats.

Similar, but lighter options are made from aluminum and steel profile pipes.

From plywood

The plywood structure consists of two sidewalls, three transverse sides, several dozen lamellas of the back and seat. Average dimensions – 150 by 110 by 72 cm. This product does not have armrests, which greatly simplifies the manufacturing process.

Tools you will need:

• jigsaw, wood saws;
• Sander;
• pencil, square, ruler;
• metal tape measure;
• brushes;
• screwdriver;
• putty knife.

The drawing is transferred to paper, a pattern is cut out, along which the contours are applied to thick plywood (at least 30 mm) and cut out with a jigsaw. Both sidewalls are made completely identical and have no sharp corners. The drawers are made of timber, as are the seat and back parts. The dimensions of the three crossbars are 12 by 12 by 75 cm, the slats are 5 by 2.5 by 75 cm. The latter will require 35-37 pieces, depending on the distance from each other they will be placed.

Next, all parts are carefully polished, and small chamfers are removed. The ends must be processed twice. Afterwards, assembly is carried out - tightening the frame, attaching the seat strips. To do this, you need euroscrews and self-tapping screws - each lamella is attached in four places.

At the end of the work, the recesses formed above the screws are filled with wood primer and sanded. If necessary, tint with stain. If the product is planned to be used outdoors, it is impregnated with anti-rot compounds and varnished.

Baby rocking chair

A children's rocking chair is more of a toy than a place to relax. It is made of plywood and should not be too heavy so that the baby can rearrange it himself. The object consists of a back, two sides, a seat, and in the front part a horse's head is attached with a small crossbar on top so that you can hold on, and on the bottom for resting your legs. The seat is upholstered in soft fabric, foam rubber, and the wooden parts are painted by hand.

From an ordinary old chair, armchair

The most budget-friendly option for creating a rocking chair is to convert an old chair, or a not too heavy chair, into it. There are three possible varieties:

• with runners - to make the product, simply attach two wide plywood runners to the chair, fastening them with two strips in front and behind;
• glider - the base here rests firmly on the floor, but under the seat there is a pendulum mechanism;
• spring option - it’s difficult to make such an item at home, the base is fixed, inside there is a leg with a spring, due to which the swinging occurs.

Restoring an old upholstered chair that has served you for many years will save you money without having to part with your favorite piece of furniture.

Rattan or willow wicker

Often seating structures are woven from willow wicker, rattan, pine roots and even newspaper tubes. The latter are made as thick as possible, impregnated with PVA glue, painted, but the finished item is used only for children, as it is not very durable. Natural materials also require preliminary preparation.

The “classic” rocking chair is woven from willow wicker - it is light, openwork, and optimally suited for gardens, ethnic, and eco-interiors. The frame itself is made of twigs or vines, three to four cm thick, the braid is made of very thin ones. Individual joints are made from hemp and leather straps. The finished product is painted and varnished.

Types of chairs for self-production

Conventionally, the options can be divided into:

• hard;
• semi-soft;
• soft;
• rocking chairs.

First, individual elements are created. Then they are processed and holes are made, paint and varnish materials are applied to them. In some cases, a completely finished product is improved. As for certain types of chairs, a feature of hard chairs is the lack of upholstery. Usually these are just chairs with armrests. Semi-soft options are a chair with upholstery and filling inside. Soft upholstery is usually present on the seat, armrests, and backrest. The fabric consumption will be small. The first two models of chairs are more suitable for the garden. A soft type of chairs - completely upholstered in elastic material, an excellent option for the interior of a home. A rocking chair is suitable for the garden, veranda and the house itself. This can be furniture made of various materials or wickerwork. Different types of chairs are made from pallets, boards with beams, bars, and wicker. Sometimes they use metal, and the algorithm of work will not be much different from master classes with wooden models.

How we developed a drawing of a rocking chair

Initially, our production was built on the production of furniture based on ancient samples. Using technologies proposed by the Thonet brothers at the beginning of the 19th century. Of course, the characteristics of the material and modern realities force us to make adjustments by changing some elements. However, our items are still made by hand with love for our work. For example, you can compare the surviving frame of an antique chair and its great-granddaughter Veduga.

After looking at the image, it immediately becomes clear that we did not develop new 3-D models or involve designers. And they used developments that are already 200 years old! Because we believe that these technologies and elegant things are undeservedly forgotten. Once upon a time it was a supplier to the Russian imperial court. And now not everyone knows that such furniture is still produced.

We cannot measure all the corners and lines of our “living” drawing. We present only the main dimensions and nuances. In general, when calculating the angles and lengths of parts of the pattern, you can rely on drawings of wicker rocking chairs developed in Soviet times.

We try to share the principles of technology for making furniture from bent sticks. We hope that there will be people who will love this business as much as we loved it.

Uncover

Before starting work, it is recommended to watch a video where you can see the details of making the chair

After studying the drawings, transfer them to graph paper. After cutting out the patterns, mark the plywood. It is necessary to place the elements on the surface of the sheets so that the material is used sparingly.

The material should only be cut with a suitable tool:

• for sheets less than 15 mm thick, use a jigsaw;
• more than 15 mm – circular saw.

The sheets are cut taking into account the direction of the fibers - always along. Otherwise, the edges of the parts will delaminate. If it is necessary to make a cross-section, first apply notches to the surface of the plywood using a bench knife.

The cutting tool should not be applied directly to the marking line, but beyond half a millimeter. Then, after sanding the ends of the plywood, the parts will retain the desired size.

Cutting plywood. Chair detail

The edges of each part are treated with medium-grain sandpaper. You should not skip this stage, even if the cut areas look even. There may be small, unnoticeable particles of wood at the edges, which may become embedded in the leather during use of the chair. The surface of the plywood is sanded with fine-grained sandpaper.

If, according to the selected sketch, the parts should have rounded edges, they are processed with a file or special tools: a drill with a milling attachment, a grinder.

Based on the drawings, places for fasteners are marked on the prepared elements. Drill holes with a drill of suitable diameter. It must enter the material strictly vertically. If this condition cannot be met, it is better to drill another hole, retreating some distance from the originally intended point.

After the rocking parts are ready, they are coated with a primer. You should choose antiseptic compounds that increase the resistance of wood to moisture. They wait until it is completely dry, after which they begin to assemble the chair.

Rocking chair installation location

For the greatest convenience, it is best to install a product that swings in a recreation area with a canopy:

• in the gazebo;
• on the terrace;
• on the porch of the house;
• next to the covered barbecue area.

You can also relax outdoors, for example near the pool or on the lawn in the garden. In this case, it is necessary that the furniture is properly protected from harmful precipitation. Alternatively, you can pick up the product in the evening under a canopy (also find out how to make a box out of plywood with your own hands).