This step by step woodworking project is about free adirondack rocking chair plans. I have designed this rocking chair so you can have a nice place to relax in the garden, while keeping the beautiful and unique Adirondack design. This article features a chair with a unique design that will not only add value to your property, but it will also become the focus point of your home.
You need to sand the edges of the components with a sand block, or round them with a router and a 1/4” bit. Moreover, we recommend you to align all the components at both ends before driving in the screws. Work with great care and with attention, making sure all the slats are placed equally spaced. Invest in high quality lumber, such as pine, cedar or redwood, as the chair will be exposed to rain. See all my Premium Plans HERE.
Projects made from these plans
Adirondack Rocking Chair Plans
Building-a-rocking-adirondack-chair
Cut & Shopping Lists
- A – 2 pieces of 1×4 lumber – 17 1/4″ long LEGS
- B – 2 pieces of 1×8 lumber – 32 1/4” long, 1 piece – 17 1/2″ long LEGS
- C – 2 pieces of 1×4 lumber – 30″ long, 1 piece of 1×2 lumber – 17 1/2″ long ROCKERS
- D – 5 pieces of 1×4 lumber – 17 1/2” long SEAT
- E – 4 pieces of 1×4 lumber – 29 1/4” long, 1 piece of 1×3 lumber – 16″ long, 1 piece of 1×6 lumber – 16″ long, 1 piece of 2×2 lumber – 19″ long BACKREST
- F – 2 pieces of 1×4 lumber – 23 1/4” long, 2 pieces – 24 1/2″ long, 2 pieces – 1 1/2″ long ARMRESTS
- 1 piece of 1×2 lumber – 2′
- 5 pieces of 1×4 lumber – 8′
- 1 piece of 1×8 lumber – 8′
- 1 piece of 1×6 lumber – 2′
- 1 piece of 2×2 lumber – 2′
- 1 5/8″ screws
- 1 1/4″ screws
- wood filler, stain
Tools
Hammer, Tape measure, Framing square
Miter saw, Drill machinery, Screwdriver, Sander
Time
One day
It’s that simple to build your own rocking chair!
Building an adirondack chair
Building-the-back-legs—adirondack-chair
The first step of the woodworking project is to build the back legs for the rocking adirondack chair. Mark the cut lines on the 1×8 slats, using a carpentry pencil and then make the cuts with a saw. Smooth the edges with sandpaper and remove the resides with a clean cloth.
Fitting the front slat
After building the legs for the adirondack chair, assemble the seat frame, by following the instructions described in the diagram. Cut the front component at the right size using a piece of 1×8 lumber.
Drill pocket holes through the front slat and insert 1 5/8″ screws into the back legs. Add glue to the joints and make sure the corners are right-angled. Align all the edges flush.
Fitting the seat slats
Next, attach the 1×4 slats to the frame of the adirondack chair. Place the slats equally-spaced and to drill pilot holes before inserting the 1 5/8″ screws into the legs of the chair. Smooth the exposed edges with sandpaper and remove the residues.
Fitting-the-front-legs
Continue the garden project by attaching the 1×4 front legs to the structure of the adirondack chair. As you can easily notice in the diagram, we recommend you to cut the legs at the right size and to smooth the edges with sandpaper.
Top Tip: Fit the legs to the structure, drill pilot holes and secure them into place using several 1 5/8″ screws or carriage bolts. Plumb the legs with a spirit level and leave no gaps between the components.
Backrest slats
Next, cut the slats for the backrest. In order to get a professional result, we recommend you to cut the components at the appropriate size, using a jigsaw. The arched top will enhance the look of the chair.
Assembling-the-backrests
Lay the slats equally-spaced on a level surface and attach the cleats into place, by using 1 1/4″ screws. Take accurate measurements and you leave no gaps between the components.
Fitting the armrest supports
Build the armrests supports from 1×4 lumber, making sure you follow the pattern described in the image. Drill pilot holes through the supports and use a spirit level to make sure they are horizontal, before attaching them to the legs with 1 1/4″ screws. Align everything and ensure there are no gaps between the components.
Building the rockers
Use 1×4 lumber for build the rockers. Mark the cut lines on the slats and then get the job done with a jigsaw. Smooth the edges with sandpaper and then roundover the edges with a router.
Fitting the rockets
Fit the rockets to the adirondack chair frame. As you can see in the free plans, you should use pocket holes to secure the rockers to the front legs. Use 2″ carriage bolts to secure the rockers to the back legs. Drill pilot holes into both components before inserting the bolts.
Fitting the armrests
Place the backrest to the frame of the adirondack chair. Ask a friend to lock the backrest into place, while you drill pilot holes through the armrest supports and insert 2 1/2″ screws into the frame of the backrest.
Build the armrest in a decorative manner, as attaching simple 1×4 slats would hinder the look of the outdoor chair. Drill pilot holes and secure the armrests to the supports by using 1 1/4″ screws. Fill the holes with wood plugs and smooth the surface by using a sander and fine-grit sandpaper.
Fitting the decorative pieces
If you want to enhance the look of the adirondack chair, I recommend you to build the decorative trims out of 1×4 lumber. Drill pocket holes along the side and top edges and secure them to the structure using 1 1/4″ screws. Add glue to enhance the bond of the joints.
Fitting the stretcher
Fit the 1×2 stretcher to the rockers, as shown in the plans. Drill pilot holes through the rockers and insert 1 5/8″ screws to assemble everything together tightly.
Adirondack rocking chair plans
Last but not least, I recommend you to take care of the finishing touches. Therefore, fill the holes with a wood filler and let the compound to dry out for about several hours. Afterwards, sand the wooden surface along the wood grain, using 120-grit sandpaper.
Adirondack rocking chair plans – front view
Top Tip: Vacuum the residues thoroughly, before covering the wooden surface with several coats of stain. Make sure you apply the products in a properly-ventilated location. Check out the rest of my adirondack projects HERE.
This woodworking project was about free adirondack rocking chair plans. If you want to see more outdoor plans, check out the rest of our step by step projects and follow the instructions to obtain a professional result. LIKE us on Facebook to be the first that gets our latest updates and submit pictures with your DIY projects.
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