The rocking chair is rightfully one of the most popular pieces of furniture. It is gaining even more popularity with country house... It can be different models made from different materials... But more preference is given wooden products... You can buy ready-made, or you can make it yourself. How to make a rocking chair with your own hands and what materials to give preference to, read further in the article.
Advantages and disadvantages of wooden structures
Wood is the most common material for making furniture. The wooden rocking chair is no exception, thanks to its many benefits:
- An environmentally friendly material that emits a pleasant forest scent.
- Considerable strength.
- Long period of operation.
- Possibility of implementation design solutions.
- Ease of processing, including manual processing.
- A wide selection of woods of any brand, anywhere.
- Large color spectrum of the material.
The finished rocking chair fits well into any architectural ensemble of the building. It can be installed at any time in a convenient place: in a clearing, by the pool, by the fireplace, near the barbecue, etc. Swinging in a chair relaxes, creates body comfort and benefits the body. This is a comfortable and safe swing for children.
Photo: rocking chair in interior design
Along with numerous advantages, there are a number of disadvantages, the main of which is the significant cost of any rocking chair. In addition, the structure is characterized by the loss of its qualities and characteristics if it is affected by rain, fog, and other precipitation. Long-term exposure of the rocking chair under the influence of the sun will also be undesirable.
Material and its characteristics
For the manufacture of rocking chairs from solid wood, conifers are preferably selected. It can be pine, spruce, alder or larch. These rocks are characterized by low mass and low density. Homemade constructions with a significant mass it will be inconvenient to move. The high density of the material will create difficulties in work.
Conifers have a light texture gray shade... Easy to process. A significant disadvantage of such wood is that it increases in size as the moisture level rises. Despite this, conifers are a budget option, widespread in the trade network and have an insignificant cost.
The chair can be made from more expensive types of wood. It can be oak, ash or beech. These types of wood have almost no pores, as a result of which high level strength. Ready-made structures are reliable and durable, but they have a high cost. Tree species are light or light yellow in color.
For the manufacture of a chair that sways, high-quality wooden blanks of the first grade are used. The moisture content of these blanks at the beginning of work should not exceed 10%. If this figure is higher, then it is not recommended to use wood. It is better to let it dry, as the structure, made of damp wood, will subsequently dry out and undergo deformation. The consequence will be its nondescript appearance or complete destruction.
Blueprints
To make a wooden swinging structure, it is necessary to draw up a drawing of the chair. It is better to do it on graph paper, drawing all the structural elements with dimensions. To make a simple rocking chair with your own hands from wood, it is recommended to take an ordinary chair as a basis.
Drawing of a rocking chair made of wood
The simplicity of the design lies in the fact that all elements are attached at right angles and there is no need to cut additional parts. The whole structure is based on the size of the seat and the height of the legs. Connecting elements will be cut to these dimensions. The next stage in the manufacture of a rocking chair, according to the drawing and the required dimensions, is cut into wood parts.
The square seat with a side length of 53-56 cm can be made of plywood or a single piece of wood. The thickness of the seat should be 1.0-1.5 cm. For the back and front legs, a bar with a section of 4.5x4.5 cm is used. The rear legs are cut with a height of 105-110 cm, the front ones - 55-60 cm. length, height and thickness 57x4x1.5 cm, respectively.
This design and dimensions are not dogma. Based on preference, the shape and size of the parts may vary.
Another drawing example
Tool
Making a chair requires a tool. To complete the work you will need:
- fine-toothed hacksaw for wood or electric jigsaw for cutting workpieces;
- a simple or electric plane for processing structural parts;
- sander or belt machine for grinding parts;
- hand-held milling machine for grooving and processing connecting rails;
- right angle or plumb line;
- screwdriver;
- hammer;
- tape measure and pencil;
- clamp or rubber band;
- brush or putty knife to fill in the mounting holes.
Given that the structural elements will not be fastened with nails, a hammer will be needed to fit the parts together.
Connecting parts
To attach the seat and legs to each other, you can use two options:
- fastening in a thorn;
- connection with glue.
When fastened in a thorn on wooden elements rocking chairs are marked. According to it, grooves are cut in the legs, measuring 2.0x1.5 cm, 2 cm deep. The shape of the connecting rails is prepared for the grooves. Before fastening the parts, the groove and the ends of the rails are processed with construction glue.
Thematic material:
In the second version, the attachment points are processed with glue and connected to each other. For reliability, epoxy glue is often used. The joints are reinforced with self-tapping screws. The seat is mounted on transverse slats and is also fixed with self-tapping screws.
In both versions, a clamp and gaskets are used for the final fastening of all elements of the rocking chair made of wood. The gasket material is installed between the clamp and the rocker. After installation, the clamp is tightened and the rocking chair is left for 24 hours to completely harden the glue. In the absence of a clamp, the screed is carried out using a rigid rubber band.
Installation of runners
The manufacture and installation of runners can be done in two ways.
The first way
Differs in simplicity and speed of implementation. It is as follows:
- For the manufacture of runners, a sheet of plywood with a thickness of 1.5 cm is used.
- Two workpieces of the same curvature, about 1 m long, are cut out from plywood on a pattern.
- In the legs of the chair, slots are made, 1.5 cm wide, for the thickness of the plywood runners. The depth of the slots can be 7-10 cm.
- The runners are sanded along the edge and fitted into the slot. During installation, it is necessary to achieve the most uniform level of their installation.
- At the landing sites of the runners, through hole, with a diameter of 2 cm.
- The hole is treated with glue and a wooden spike is inserted into it.
Second way
More time consuming. A block of wood is used as a ski. To equip a rocking chair with skis, you must:
- Cut grooves in a wooden block with a section of 4.5x4.5 cm and a length of about 1 meter.
- Process the ends of the chair legs to fit into the grooves of the runners.
- Place the runner bars in a boiling or hot water until the wood becomes pliable.
- Using a tool, bend the skis to a certain radius and leave in this state until completely dry.
- Install the dried runners on the legs, having previously processed the grooves with glue.
In order for the runners to serve for a long time, it is necessary to use wood with high wear resistance.
Balance check
A rocking chair made of wood can be uncomfortable when getting in or out. This occurs as a result of the difference in weight of the structural elements that are located in its front and rear parts. To avoid discomfort, balance the swinging structure.
With a significant inclination of the structure forward, transverse strips can be mounted on the runners behind the backrest. If necessary, the weight on the slats can be increased by installing decorative elements.
Balanced rocking chair
When tilting backwards, the same counterweight should be fitted at the front of the rocker. This could be an extra leg shelf. If this weight is not enough, then you can equip a niche under the shelf for additional counterweight.
Treatment
The finished structure will be used in different places at different temperatures. Operation in winter and summer, under the sun and in the cold, indoors and outdoors, can lead to rapid aging of the tree and various diseases. Processing of the material will save from this.
Before assembling the structure, the tree can be treated with wood stain. Due to its concentration, the rocking chair can take on any shade.
The armchair is varnished in 3 layers
To prevent diseases, the tree must be covered with a special antifungal liquid, as well as an agent against wood insects and pests.
To protect the wood from getting wet, it is recommended to treat it with a special water-repellent liquid.
The finished armchair will serve not only as a piece of furniture, but also as a separate design element that will always attract everyone's attention.
A rocking chair is a very useful and comfortable thing that helps you relax while relaxing, or, conversely, concentrate while working. On the furniture market, you can choose this piece of furniture for different taste and in different price categories.
But there is a more reliable and less expensive option - it is to make a rocking chair yourself at home. It is important to carefully calculate and measure all the details, since if the exact balance is not observed, the chair will either not move or will tip over on its side.
The main types of rocking chairs
Below are photos of different types of rocking chairs.
An excellent option for a private home would be a massage rocking chair - it will not only add to your interior modern style, but also has great functionality!
Look at the photo, how beautifully the massage rocking chair fits into the interior:
Cantilever armchair
The chair is the most popular among users, that is, it has radius runners. Such a rocking chair is distinguished by its simplicity of design and rather uncomplicated assembly technique.
The disadvantage of such a chair is that it will not be possible to swing strongly, since it will simply tip over forward or backward.
Variable curvature armchair
A chair with variable curvature eliminates overturning. It is the most comfortable to use and allows for almost any planting height.
Chair on elliptical runners
The chair on elliptical runners is equipped with bumpers to prevent overturning.
Multifunctional armchair
The multifunctional chair has another name "3 in one". If necessary, such a piece of furniture can be turned into a lounger, but its dimensions are quite overall, therefore, use is available only in relatively large rooms.
Materials for making
Usually rocking chairs are made of wood, as the metal is too heavy for this design. Most often, beginners assemble a rocking chair from plywood, without violating the following recommendations:
- plywood in the middle layer should be much thicker than for the edges;
- it is necessary to use mainly waterproof glue, or when using PVA, it is better to fix the parts with small nails;
- all joints are treated with glue, securing them with several self-tapping screws on both sides;
- the surfaces on which the whole mass rests, it is reasonable to protect with rubber or strong wooden battens to prevent the plywood from spalling from the load.
- for greater strength, the finished structure must be treated with a special emulsion or water-based varnish.
From tools, an electric jigsaw, a screwdriver, a drill and a hammer are useful.
Naturally, only a specialist can make a forged rocking chair, since special equipment and premises will be required.
Of course, it is possible to make such a chair by welding metal shaped pipes that resemble wicker rocking chairs. But this option is more suitable for the territory of a garden street plot.
You can also place a sunbed with an awning (such as a swing) in the garden, which is a little more difficult to manufacture, but will bring a lot of pleasure to use!
For home comfort and comfort, it will be more aesthetically pleasing to use wood, decorating it with rattan wicker rods.
It is not complicated and Baby chair-rocking, but its proportions will differ from the adult version. Making it yourself is not at all difficult even for a beginner.
Important steps and rules of work
Before you make a rocking chair with your own hands, you need a competent drawing! Most often, self-taught masters find ready-made drawings of a rocking chair on the Internet, but it is worth considering the mass of the largest person who will use it in order to avoid misunderstandings in the future.
Note!
And then, on occasion, you can put a pillow on the seat for more comfort and avoid sudden rocking.
Novice craftsmen may not immediately get an ideal option, even if all sizes of a rocking chair are observed. This can be easily remedied by balancing the product.
The rear overhang can be made heavier by simply joining the rear ends of the runners with a U-shaped stick. So the rocking chair will be easier to walk and "not shove" when rocking.
When the chair is tilted back, accordingly, it is necessary to attach weights to the front overhang.
Necessary pads for the seat runners
It is imperative to install pads on the runners of the rocking chair, which extend its durability and make the furniture wear-resistant.
- you need to turn the chair with runners up;
- we heat the bar of the required size quite strongly with a special hairdryer;
- then gently press the hot workpiece to the runner and wrap it up with a tight braid;
- repeat the same action with the adjacent runner;
- after waiting for the final cooling of the blanks, we glue them with waterproof glue;
- we fix the lining with small studs along the entire length;
- after a maximum of three days, when the glue is completely dry, you can remove the temporary fasteners. Then finally fix the ends with self-tapping screws;
- the heads of the self-tapping screws must be carefully wiped with a putty made from sawdust of the same material (wood), mixing them with glue.
Note!
Photo of a rocking chair with your own hands
A private garden is a great place to work and relax. For a full country holiday people have come up with all sorts of devices from a swing to a hammock. Armchairs are considered a classic piece of comfortable furniture. But someone ingenious managed to add an addition to its design that made it even more convenient: a rocking chair was born. This model allows you to perfectly relax all the muscles, and the unhurried and rhythmic swaying disposes to pleasant reflections, calms, lulls. The rocking chair has become so popular that many variations and modifications have appeared since its invention. Moreover, it turned out that a do-it-yourself rocking chair made of different materials is not a myth.
To create a classic rocking chair, you need a willow vine. The openwork and lightweight design looks great against the backdrop of country greenery and is successfully combined with the interior garden house or gazebos. This lightweight and durable product has one drawback - the fear of excess moisture.
It is not so easy to make a light and seemingly unpretentious armchair from a willow vine. You need to be able to prepare the material, and the weaving technique requires special skills
Rattan is a flexible vine native to Southeast Asia. Rattan also makes wonderful and very beautiful chairs. They are not inferior in beauty to willows, which cannot be said about strength. No screws or nails are used to create rattan furniture. All connections are held only thanks to glue and skillful knitting.
Rattan is not sold as raw material in our stores. Such a rocking chair for the owner of a summer cottage is a good purchase, and not a product in the manufacture of which he can show his creativity.
If we talk about the strength and durability of the product, then this model, created from forged metal, can be an example of reliable furniture. An elegant lace structure will decorate any garden.
The main advantage of this model is its durability. The main one, but not the only one. Agree that this thing looks like an exquisite silver jewelry
Rockers are used not only as country furniture. Distinctive feature office rocking chair are its respectability and solidity.
Office workers also appreciate quality rocking chairs as accessories that help them get a complete break from the hustle and bustle of business. Of course, office models are different from the suburban version.
There are also designer models of high-tech rocking chairs.
A very interesting and, most importantly, quite functional model. Combines a comfortable rocking chair and directional light
Some of the state-of-the-art rocking chair designs are truly unique. Like simpler models, they guarantee their owner comfort, but, in addition, independence from energy sources. Such a product, equipped with solar panels, allows you to spend time with comfort and benefit.
Thick plywood can be used for the base of such a structure, and polycarbonate for its upper part. Finding solar panels on the network today is also not a problem.
Master class: rocking chair for two
A two-seater rocking chair looks more like a sofa. If you put several pillows or throw a blanket on this comfortable structure, you simply cannot find anything better for a summer cottage. We will tell you how to make such a rocking chair with your own hands.
Who said that you can only enjoy the comfort of a rocking chair alone? This model is good for two too.
Stage # 1 - preparing tools
Making a quality rocking chair isn't as difficult as it sounds. Having everything necessary tools and stocking up quality materials, you can slowly do everything yourself. What kind of tools do we need for this job?
- Electric jigsaw complete with wood saws.
- Disc grinder. It will need nozzles with different grain sizes. Actually manual frezer may also be needed, but if you have a large amount of coarse sandpaper and if the grinder has sufficient power, you can do without it.
- Screwdriver with a set of wood drills and bits.
- A right angle with a long ruler.
- Roulette.
- Hammer.
- Putty knife.
- Brushes and pencil.
The correct organization of work assumes that all the listed tools will be literally at hand.
Stage # 2 - draw a drawing
Any important work begins with the manufacture of a drawing. It is necessary in order to correctly calculate the need for materials. However, the drawing is already there. On the metric grid, the step of which is 100 mm, the template for the side of the chair is placed. It is best to transfer the drawing to paper and cut out a mold, with which it will be easier to draw the outline on the plywood.
A drawing of an excellent rocking chair, which you can make with your own skillful hands, is made on a metric grid, the step of which is 100 mm
Small inaccuracies are permissible, it is important not to be mistaken in the main thing: the sidewalls must be identical, on the rolling, lower side of them there must be no protruding corners.
Stage # 3 - cutting blanks from plywood and timber
For the manufacture of screeds, sidewalls and sidewalls, you will need eurofaner, the thickness of which is 30 mm. The sides, as already mentioned, are cut with a jigsaw strictly according to the pattern. The dimensions of each of the three drawers are 800x120 mm.
Now you need to cut the blanks of the bars, which will later form the surface of the seat and back of the rocking chair. To do this, we need a beam of 50x25 mm in size, from which we will cut 35 blanks of 1200 mm each. Before purchasing the necessary material for this, find out what the standard length of one such bar in your stores is.
Based on the proposed drawing, you need to make a pattern, with the help of which the contour of the side of the chair should be applied to the plywood
You can easily calculate the general moldings that you need on your own. Observe the multiplicity so that when cutting blanks there is no large amount of residues. Better to let your rocking chair turn out to be a little narrower than originally planned. For example, with a standard length of 2.4 meters, the length of one workpiece will be 1195 mm (the thickness of the cut and subsequent processing are subtracted).
With fasteners, everything is simple. Looking for:
- confirmations (euro screws) 12 pieces, size 5x120mm;
- self-tapping screws 140 pieces, size 4x45.
In fact, the initial part of the work is over, but you still have to work hard to get the desired result. In the process of this work, you will need linseed oil, wood varnish, putty, antiseptic, which you also need to buy in advance.
Stage # 4 - pre-processing of parts
We proceed to sanding all parts and removing small chamfers. If your sander is powerful enough and you know how to handle it, this procedure shouldn't take you long. Taking into account the fact that the rocking chair will be on the street, special attention must be paid to the ends of all elements in order to protect them as much as possible from the dampness to which they will undoubtedly be exposed.
Pre-treatment of parts is not only about sanding and chamfering. It is necessary to take all measures in order to protect the end parts of the elements from decay.
The ends of the parts must be impregnated with hot linseed oil, and the wood fibers on them must be slightly flattened with a hammer. This will reduce moisture absorption. For the ends, the processing-varnishing-processing procedure should be carried out twice before the general assembly of the structure.
Stage # 5 - assembly of the structure
No specific standards in the manufacture of this item garden furniture not provided. The holes for the tsars are marked out as the logic requires: the headboard, the middle part of the outer arc of the sidewall and the footboard. The drawers will be pulled to the sidewalls with the help of confirmations. To do this, on the sidewalls they make preliminary marking, after which the two sidewalls are aligned, and a through hole is drilled in their planes with an 8 mm drill. For the hole in the end of the drawers, a 5 mm drill is used. Now you can tighten the chair frame with the euro screws.
The holes for the drawers must first be marked, after which both sidewalls are folded together and neat through holes are drilled
Now let's talk about how to drill the bars that form the seat and back of the chair. We have exactly 35 of them. Drill 4 holes in each block (two on each side). And these are 140 symmetrical holes.
To simplify the task, we use a "conductor" - a device for marking a large number of homogeneous parts. We make it very simply: we take a piece of the same bar, not shorter than 250 mm, drill holes in it for a template, the diameter of which should be the same as that of a marking pencil. From the end and one of the side parts of the "conductor" we nail the plywood trimmings, which will serve as a limiter, preventing overshooting during the marking process. The "conductor" is ready.
Assembly is the longest and most time consuming part of creating a rocking chair. However, the "jig" will help you to facilitate the procedure for drilling symmetrical holes.
This is what the chair looks like at the final stage of work. Of course, it cannot yet be exploited in this form. It is necessary to take measures to protect it from bad weather.
The "jig" will be used to mark holes, you cannot drill through it, because the drill can break pattern holes and the parts will have to be countersunk separately. If we take a 3.5x30 drill with a countersink, it will be possible to make a hole according to the finished marking as needed.
According to the drawing, there should be a gap of 15 mm between the bars. In order to avoid distortions, it is necessary to mark on the side of the chair a distance that will correspond to six bars together with intermediate intervals, and check the coincidence of the template inserts in thickness. If they match, you can continue to fasten. Otherwise, adjustments should be made. The four-millimeter self-tapping screw for wood holds perfectly in the euro-veneer. But given that the fastening frequency is high, it is better to use a 3mm drill.
Stage # 6 - finishing the finished product
The holes above the self-tapping screws must be carefully filled. The next in turn will be antiseptic treatment and three-time coating of the product with a waterproof varnish. You need to work very diligently. Remember how much of your labor has already been invested in this chair. After all, you want it to last as long as possible? Then do your best!
If you have small children, you can involve them in the work of filling the holes above the self-tapping screws, but you will have to carefully examine the model for damage to fix them yourself.
Sliding chair without rails
You probably noticed that all the models presented above have general principle work. The trick is that these rockers use curved runners as a base. How to make a rocking chair without runners? It turns out that there is such a possibility too. Watch this video and you will get an idea of exactly how this is done.
A rocking chair is always associated with a quiet, relaxing evening dedicated only to relaxation.
Of course, you can use it at any time of the day, but you won't be able to relax the way rhythmic and motion sickness allows you anywhere else.
That is why this piece of furniture today can be found not only in the garden, but also in respectable offices. Moreover, many companies equip rest rooms with them.
A rocking chair allows you to relax not only the body but also the brain.
Scientists have long proven that rhythmic repetitive movements, such as walking or rocking, help to calm down, concentrate, and put things in order in thoughts.
The most difficult tasks in such an environment are much easier to solve.
If you know, in the country, then a high-quality, fresh lawn will always be the subject of your pride and the admiration of your guests. Details in the article.
Sunny and varied astilba: landing and care in open ground depending on the type of plant. What is behind the different types of astilba?
An ideal choice for a summer residence
A must-have for any vacation spot on the site. The most popular models are from vine, artificial and natural rattan and forged.
Their advantages:
- beautiful appearance;
- strength;
- resistance to moisture and ultraviolet radiation;
- durability.
Of course, it is in the garden that a rocking chair is most appropriate. It can be installed in a gazebo, on or open veranda... Models from natural materials harmoniously fit into any landscape design.
They look beautiful and bright on modern estates Garden swing on runners made of metal and textiles. For areas with log cabins or buildings made of timber, wicker furniture or solid wood is more suitable.
If buildings and structures prevail in the design of the dacha decorative elements made of stone - you should pay attention to artistic forging or cold bending.
Unusual design solutions can be a bright accent in the landscape. it rocking chairs for two, or a kind of beds that can easily replace the usual sun loungers.
Variety of options
The history of the rocking chair goes back a little over two centuries. And this wonderful idea belongs to a talented person, inventor and politician - Benjamin Franklin.
But, in Europe, it gained fame and distribution only in the middle of the 19th century. Today, runner models are popular. Such rocking chairs can be found on the pages of the classics describing the life of the aristocracy and in modern gardens.
Relatively recently, it appeared completely new design... Sliding rocking chairs without runners. They are ideal for interiors with delicate flooring.
The materials from which such furniture can be made are striking in variety:
- It can be hard woods.Such armchairs attract with their massiveness and reliability, while the variety of shapes and design solutions is limitless here. It is among the models made of wood that one can find both golden classics and avant-garde.
- Rattan and vine – traditional material for the manufacture of rocking chairs. Their distinctive feature is lightness and delicacy. Today, wicker furniture can also be made of artificial material. It practically does not differ from models made of willow or grapevine or rattan, but at the same time it is not afraid of moisture.
- Metal- the material is plastic, but heavy. Wrought iron furniture always looks luxurious. But, the weight of such products is significant. That is why, even in the garden, it is better to use them only on stone or concrete sites. Metal runners will sink into the ground and damage the turf of the lawn, they also leave noticeable marks on wooden planks.
- Gaining popularity today plastic models... They are durable, resistant to any whims of the weather and bright and modern design... Equally important is the fact that models from this material are the most affordable.
Smooth hands and desire
A rocking chair can be made with your own hands. This will require, first of all, desire and a little time.
Most popular materials self-made such furniture - wood, plywood and metal... What exactly to choose, everyone House master decides for himself. It depends on the availability of the material and the ability to work with it.
Photo selection with ready-made rocking chairs that you can make yourself:
We use wood and plywood
This is possibly the simplest and affordable option... For work, you will need tools that almost every home craftsman has.
In the photo, a drawing of a rocking chair made of plywood
How to make a rocking chair with your own hands from wood and plywood using only an ax, a planer and a saw, you can see in the video presented, but such work requires a lot of experience in woodwork. This video is the first in a series of tutorials. In any case, this is a quality and real experience from a master who can really show you how to make this piece of furniture yourself.
If you are not used to making do with only hand tool, then for work you need to prepare:
- jigsaw;
- screwdriver;
- self-tapping screws and drills of different diameters;
- sandpaper of various grain sizes for processing finished parts.
The easiest way to make a wood rocking chair with your own hands is use an old but sturdy chair... Its legs are shortened, and the resulting structure is mounted on runners made of hardwood.
To give it a new and unconventional appearance it can be braided with leather or plastic bands or an unusual case can be sewn.
More interesting models the easiest way to make it at home is from plywood with a thickness of at least 15 mm. The general idea is pretty simple. Sidewalls are cut from the sheets according to a pre-calculated pattern. For example, it might look like this:
Cut out the sidewalls
The edges of the plywood are carefully finished. Two parts are interconnected by three bars 30x50x600mm.
The upper part is laid out with thin boards or plywood strips with dimensions of 10x50x600 mm (the length can be longer if it is necessary for the strips to protrude beyond the edge of the sidewalls), which are attached to the end with self-tapping screws. 
To avoid plywood cracking and delamination, it is recommended to pre-drill it in the attachment points with a small-diameter drill.
Also in the facing strips it is worth making recesses so that the hardware hats are recessed.
If desired, they can be hidden with special plugs to match the wood or putty.
After assembly, the tree can be tinted and varnished or painted in any color.
Metal armchair
Metal is a difficult material to work with. And if there are no forging skills or equipment for the manufacture of bent elements, then only simple models of chairs are available for do-it-yourself manufacturing, but they can also be no less interesting.
First of all, a metal frame is made from a corner, pipe or profile.
After that, all parts are covered with an anti-corrosion compound. Hammer paints look very nice. What will be decorative trim- depends on the desire and imagination of the master.
For example, the seat can be just made of wooden strips. Or the model can be soft. Why the seat can be braided with a regular luggage strap.
Sew back and seat cushions and hide everything with a common removable cover. Also, it is enough to simply braid the metal frame with a willow vine. To do this, you will need the very basic knowledge of weaving from a vine, which can be found on the Internet.
His hand is the lord
Despite the fact that only two are presented in detail simple options, they can be implemented in different ways. Based on the above recommendations, you can assemble a wooden rocking chair of this type.
In the first video, we see drawings for making a rocking chair with our own hands:
On the second, tips and assembly instructions:
As you can see, in this master class, a simpler form of the sidewalls was used, but special attention was paid to the design. Such a chair will look luxurious not only in the garden, but also in the office.
Experiment is the engine of evolution
Experimenting with the base of the frame, you can make other models according to a similar principle. For example, with armrests.
If desired, it can be a whole furniture group for two persons. Such a model not only looks very original, but also allows you to relax in a pleasant company.
Armchair for two persons
Moreover, it is enough to fantasize a little and the usual rocking chair turns into a comfortable couch with an awning. You can relax on it in any heat. And if you equip a canopy of mosquito net then and sleep on summer nights in the fresh air.
No less interesting and unusual are the ideas of home craftsmen for models on a metal frame. They can be delicate and almost weightless.
Or simple, concise and modern.
To make such a model, you will need welding and a pipe bender. Its construction is extremely simple. And the seats can be either wicker or sewn from dense material.
From metal pipes you can also make a rocking chair in a classic style.
Classic rocking chair
No less interesting is the patchwork model, in which a metal ring is taken as the basis of the seat. Such an armchair is ideal for a country-style summer cottage.
Country style rocking chair
Making a rocking chair with your own hands is not just creating an exclusive thing, but the opportunity to make such furniture that will be convenient for you and will suit the design of your site. This is a great chance to show your imagination and creativity.
Many of us are familiar with such a piece of furniture as a rocking chair, which can be found in many country houses... For most, it is one of their favorite places to relax, but at the same time, not everyone knows that everyone can make such a chair. However, first you need to get certain knowledge, skills and prepare a tool.
V last years the rocking chair has become a fairly common piece of furniture. In the assortment of many furniture companies, you can find a large number of models of rocking chairs designed for use in apartments and offices... Moreover, among them there are models made in the classical version by the weaving method, as well as modern products that fully meet the requirements of the high-tech style.
Advantages of a wooden chair
Before you start making, you need to decide what material to use for it as a basis. While there are many options, a wooden chair is the most common one. Therefore, further list the advantages possessed by this material:
- environmental Safety. For many years, wooden furniture has been very popular among consumers, which has provided it with such qualities as natural origin, safety and hypoallergenicity. Therefore, the owners wooden chairs do not face any inconvenience in the process of using it, since they are confident in the environmental friendliness of this material;
- strength and long service life. Wood is a fairly durable material that is passed on to the furniture made from it. In addition, it perfectly tolerates mechanical stress and demonstrates a long service life;
- attractive appearance and variety of shapes.
Rattan rocking chair
Again, rocking chairs today offered in a large number the most different options... One of these products is a rattan rocking chair, which not only has a pleasant design, but can also be in perfect harmony with other elements of the dacha interior. The birthplace of rattan is South America, and this plant itself is often referred to as a flexible vine.
Of the features of this material, it should be noted high strength, what it is capable of compete with willow twigs.
The technology for making chairs from this culture is characterized by the fact that instead of traditional joints based on screws and bolts, glue and skillful knitting are used. Alas, in our country it is impossible to buy this tree, so most owners country cottages you will not be able to make such a chair with your own hands.
Wicker rocking chair
A photo of the options for this piece of furniture available today allows us to judge that a wicker rocking chair is quite in demand today. It can be found in dachas and even in apartments in many regions of our country. A willow vine is used as a material for it, and the finished chair itself fits well into the interior of a garden house, a summer residence, and even the greenery of a garden. Consumer rocking chair willow attracts primarily because of its low weight and high strength. However, such furniture has one serious drawback: excess moisture negatively affects the material, therefore, it is not recommended to keep such chairs outside in wet weather.
Materials for making
Regardless of what kind of wood you decide to use to make a wicker chair, you must have certain skills. The tree is notable for its accessibility and ease of processing, therefore, many owners who are thinking about making a rocking chair with their own hands, most often consider the option using wood as the basis for it. But first it is necessary prepare certain tools for the manufacture of furniture:
- electric jigsaw with a set of knife blades;
- disc sander with a set of coarse and fine-grained nozzles;
- screwdriver with drills;
- tape measure and corner with a ruler;
- hammer and spatula;
- brush and pencil.
Executing a drawing
Even before you start work, you should consider that a drawing is required to make a high-quality rocking chair with your own hands.
Having a sketch drawn up in your hands, you can avoid serious errors in relation to the size of the product and correctly determine the amount of materials that you will need for making.
First you need to take metal mesh, each cell of which corresponds to 1 cm, and mark on it a template for the side of the chair. To make it more convenient to work further, it is recommended to transfer the created chair template to plain paper. So it will be easier for you to mark the contour of the chair already on the plywood itself. Don't worry if small errors are made. Here it is important to maintain the symmetry of the sidewalls and avoid protruding corner elements on the outer rolling part.
To complete this work, we need plywood 3 cm thick, from which three drawers are cut dimensions 120 x 800 mm... The sidewalls are made using an electric jigsaw exactly on the curve. After that, you need to take a bar 50 mm wide and 25 mm thick and cut 35 fragments out of it, the length of each of which should be 120 cm. The finished bars will subsequently serve as a seat and a backrest.
Try to get enough timber at the very beginning to minimize waste. This will be quite easy to do, given that you can calculate the total length of the bar even before buying. For example, if it has a length of 2.3 m, then it is better to make the chair narrower. As a result, its width will decrease to 115 cm however, this will avoid waste. The given dimensions of the rocking chair do not require their exact observance. Therefore, if in the process of work it becomes clear to you that it would be better to increase or decrease the size to minimize waste, then you can do it without fear.
Workpiece processing
Surface treatment of workpieces is carried out using grinder... Carrying out the operation, you need to pay special attention to their ends. If, during work, wood fibers appear on them, then you need to use a hammer and level them, and then treat them with hot linseed oil. This will make the ends of your furniture more resistant to moisture, which will have a positive effect on its lifespan. When the drying oil dries up, it is necessary to carry out reprocessing to consolidate the result.
The assembly of the chair is carried out, focusing on the drawing of the rocking chair. Necessary fasten the two sidewalls, drawers are used. But first you need to mark the places where they will connect.
According to common patterns for making rocking chairs, it is recommended to fix them in the head area, in the middle and in the legs. Whenever you need to attach the tie bars to the sidewall, use a confirmation file to do this. This name is carried by a special screw tie, with which the wood materials... First, before fastening, it is necessary to create holes in the sidewall of 8 mm and in the end of the drawer side 5 mm.
Next, we begin work on creating the seat and attaching it to the base. We take earlier cooked 35 pieces of lumber, in which you need to make four holes for two on each side. After that, the bars must be fixed to the sidewalls. Given the number of holes present, it is recommended to fix the bars with 3 or 4 mm self-tapping screws. While fixing the planks, constantly check the horizontal position of their installation.
Finished product processing
If we turn to the experience of making rocking chairs made of wood and plywood by ordinary owners with their own hands, we can reveal a number of serious mistakes made after assembly. Among them, I would especially like to dwell on low-quality finishing or lack thereof. To do everything right and provide the chair with the longest possible service life, it is necessary do the following:
- process the hole above the screws with putty;
- cover with a layer of antiseptic;
- Apply waterproof varnish in two or three layers.
If you do all the work described above exactly, then you can be sure that a rocking chair made by yourself will be able to please you for more than one year.
If you are going to start making a rocking chair with your own hands for the first time, then it will be useful for you read the recommendations experienced craftsmen who have already done this work more than once:
Other types
One of the varieties of this piece of furniture is wooden baby seat... It is done according to the same scheme that was described above, however, you need to make an amendment to the size for the child's age. This also applies to the inclination of the backrest and handles. Quite often, child seats are made in the form of a horse.
Of particular interest is the rocking chair for the office. The peculiarity of its manufacture lies in the fact that leather is used for facing, as a result of which the product acquires a respectable and solid appearance. Having such a chair at hand, a person will have the opportunity to relax and unwind during the working day.
Conclusion
Despite the fact that furniture production offers a fairly large selection of furniture, one of the coveted by many owners of summer cottages is a rocking chair. Sitting in it, you can relax and allow yourself to forget about everyday affairs for a while.
Moreover, in order to personal experience to feel all the benefits of having such a piece of furniture, it is not necessary to spend a lot of money on the purchase of a rocking chair. You can always make it yourself. Considering that for this one can use available materials and tools, any person who at least once held a hammer and a saw in their hands can cope with this task. There are many ready-made schemes for the manufacture of such furniture, therefore, if you follow the manufacturing technology of a rocking chair exactly, you can create a sufficiently elegant and reliable product that can serve you for many years.