Rocking chair made of wood. Do-it-yourself homemade rocking chair made of metal and wood: drawings and assembly. DIY rocking chair made of wood: drawings and a master class

Reading time ≈ 10 minutes

Comfortable furniture is one of the important components home interior. Everyone associates a rocking chair with comfort, because it is so nice to sit by the fireplace with a cup of tea and relax in it. This piece of furniture is able to fit into any style, as well as serve as an independent decor. You can make a rocking chair with your own hands from wood, for this we will consider photo examples with drawings and the progress of work.

Design feature

On the chair, you can swing anywhere, calming your nerves and relieving stress. This is one of the simplest and most affordable means for relaxation. You can buy it at furniture stores, order on the website or do it yourself in your home workshop.

Why is the rocking chair so popular:

At the same time, you can put an armchair everywhere: both in the bedroom and in home office and on the terrace country house and even in the office. How to make a rocking chair with your own hands from wood according to photos and drawings, a video with the progress of work and detailed instructions will tell.

The wooden structure has its advantages:

The main part of the rocking chair is skis or arched skids, due to which rhythmic rocking occurs. If the runners are made long, the amplitude and depth of the swing will be large, it is possible to smoothly move from a sitting position to a recumbent one. And if you assemble with short skids, the swings will be slight, soft and smooth. These chairs are more suitable for older people.

Wooden chair on skids

Types of armchairs

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

Rocking chairs are:

To make a do-it-yourself rocking chair from plywood, you will need drawings and instructions from experienced craftsmen, as in the video below.

According to the type of chair design are:

How swinging happens

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

• If a person is standing straight, 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 general CG is always shifted back and down to its original position. In this case, there is a small error in the projection of the main center of gravity in relation to the supporting surface (floor, ground, etc.), which can be corrected at the end when balancing.
• Most of all, the stability of the structure is affected by the displacement of the common CG with respect to the vertical central axis (CO). If the CO coincides with the CO, this is a state of free balance, which cannot be achieved in a rocking chair. If the CG is larger than the CG, the probability of tipping back is high. It is necessary that the central heating is 450 mm or more higher than the central heating (recommended excess is 600-700 mm).

In other words, the general center of gravity of the rocking chair should be shifted from the seat to an angle intermediate between the back and the seat. Support legs - two arcuate strips, thanks to which smooth rocking is possible. The amplitude in this case depends on the length of the runners.

How to choose material and design

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

To make a rocking chair from solid wood, it is best to use conifers: larch, pine, alder or spruce. The density and weight of such wood are small, which is very convenient when working with the material.

Masters Tips:

Assembly steps

Modern furniture manufacturers are ready to offer a huge range of models various forms, colors, styles and materials. However, if there is time and desire for self assembly 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. Roulette for measurements.
3. Self-tapping screws.
4. Special wood glue.
5. Electric jigsaw.
6. Thick cardboard for patterns.
7. Sandpaper for grinding.
8. Plywood sheet.

Step-by-step instruction:

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. Roulette for measurements.
2. Simple pencil.
3. Graph paper.
4. Screwdriver.
5. Electric jigsaw for woodworking.
6. Sander.
7. Metal confirmers.
8. Wood cutting board for skis 300/20/4 centimeters.
9. Board for the frame 300/10/2 cm.

Country chair with curved skis

Step by step assembly instructions:

In most cases, additional balancing of the product will be required so that the chair does not cause inconvenience when swinging, landing and getting up.

How to balance a rocking structure:

A rocking chair will always remain a desirable piece of furniture, because it is so nice 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, such a product can be made independently. BUT finished instruction and drawings will help with this.

O beneficial effect rest in a rocking chair written a lot. It also helps to concentrate during intellectual work. Finally, it's just convenient, pumping out, to take books from the rack behind your back or a cup of coffee with coffee table. The prices of ready-made rocking chairs, as it should be in a consumer society, react to such advantages in their own adequate way: a rocking chair for 5,000 rubles. it's still cheap. And the people are artisans and also respond adequately in their own way: those who want to make a rocking chair with their own hands arrive. However, the rocking chair differs from other pieces of furniture, firstly, in that the whole thing moves and sways. Secondly, so that it does not turn from a rocking chair into a kicker or a tipper, the entire product with the person seated in it must have an exact balance, which must be maintained within acceptable limits for riders of different weights and builds. This publication is devoted to the consideration of questions on how to achieve the required qualities of a rocking chair.

Types of rocking chairs

It is necessary to be consistent with your own requests already at the stage of choosing a prototype. There are several types of rocking chairs, oriented to users with different habits and needs. The main types of rocking chairs are shown in the photo. Rocking chairs on simple radius skids (arcs, rocker arms, skis) were the first to appear in everyday life. They are in use to this day, both in modern and classical form, pos. 1 and 2. Their main advantage is constructive and technological simplicity.

Smoothness and softness of swinging are provided by radius skids only on relatively small swinging, and in case of strong swinging they do not guarantee against tipping over. Therefore, rocking chairs “on the radii” are made with a low landing, which ensures a large excess of the center of the generatrix of the circle (CO) over the common center of gravity (CG); see below for more details on the kinematics of rocking chairs. If a seat of normal height is required, then the skids are equipped with chippers, pos. 3. The shocks of the fenders on the floor are noticeably given off at the “fifth point”, and in any case, you have to get out of the rocking chair on the radius skids, somewhat strained.

Note: swinging stability with a slightly larger amplitude at a normal landing height is provided by rocking chairs on radius skids with a closing horizontal arc, see fig. on right. But, suddenly the limit is reached, the supporting surface is instantly reduced to a point and a sharp push in the back follows.

Overturning is excluded in rocking chairs on skids of variable curvature, pos. 4. All of them are quite comfortable for riders of different builds. They themselves gently land the seated and leaning forward rider of a rocking chair of the nirvana type on runners of variable curvature, pos. 5 and 6. It is also possible, by changing the progression indicator in the law of change of the generating radius (also see about kinematics), to design them for any, within acceptable limits, landing height.

Note: mothers with a baby give good rest with the complete unity of the souls of the rocking cradle. Reliable rocking chairs with a cradle are made only on skids of variable curvature, see fig. on right. Otherwise, suddenly the little one will get worried and the mother will start up, and you can somersault together. Which is just dangerous for a baby.

Nirvana rocking chairs on elliptical skids, pos. 7, provide a truly blissful slight rocking, but do not prevent tipping over during strong swinging, therefore they are equipped with chippers; the front is often combined with a footboard. Garden rocking chairs with an awning on ellipses never tip over, pos. eight.

Nirvana rocking chairs on springs, see fig. on the left, swing as gently as on ellipses, because the mechanical characteristic of the springs is progressive. But it is difficult to make a spring chair with your own hands: either high-quality boards of special types of wood (teak, boxwood, dogwood) or rubberized so as not to scratch the floor, a strip of spring steel are required. In addition, dirt accumulates in the gap between the spring and the skid and it can be very painful to pinch your finger in it. For the last reasons, now spring chairs are very rare for sale.

Rocking chair 3 in 1

Finally, there are also multifunctional rocking chairs "3 in 1" on skids with smooth kinks, see fig. on right. In a direct landing, this regular chair; leaning back, it can be switched to the rocking chair mode at radii, and leaning back even more, it can be turned into a sunbed. But the dimensions of the 3 in 1 rocking chair are too big for apartments below the business class, and the transitions from mode to mode are accompanied by quite sensitive shocks. In unsuccessful models, for this you have to either get up at all, or twitch, wriggle and fidget like a puppet on strings. Therefore, rocking chairs 3 in 1 are a piece of furniture for an amateur.

To start

Without any special claims, just to relax after work, a rocking chair on radius skids will help. Blueprints simple sample, made, with the exception of skids, only from straight-line parts, are given in fig. To the cottage, veranda or garden, this chair can be made in half a day, using only a jigsaw, a drill and a couple wrenches(assembly - on bolts). And having rocked to your heart’s content, it’s possible to already think about a home rocking chair for the more sophisticated; then you need a tool and knowledge more thoroughly.

How does it swing?

Most home craftsmen make rocking chairs according to ready-made drawings, but prototypes often turn out to be designed and tailored to a specific person and an exact replica is not so convenient. Therefore, before making a rocking chair, it is necessary to obtain at least initial information about its kinematics.

The CG of an upright person of normal build is located on the border of the lower back and sacrum on the inside of the spinal column. In a seated individual, it is somewhat mixed forward and even less down. In the seat-rider system, the overall CG is shifted back almost to the starting position and a little further down. The downward displacement of the general CG for the design of a rocking chair is not particularly significant, and it can be assumed that the projection of the general CG on the supporting surface (floor) is approximately the same as that of a standing person. In the future, the resulting error can be easily compensated by the final balancing of the chair, see below.

The location of the central heating element vertically relative to the central heating unit has a much stronger effect on the stability and comfort of the rocking chair; the latter is the determining value in the design of rocking chairs on skids with variable curvature. If the CG and CG coincide, this is an indifferent equilibrium: for any physically possible inclination of the chair, the projection of the CG on the floor falls on the point of contact of the skids O, pos. 1 and 1a in Figs. The chair does not rock, and if you lean back too much - an instant somersault with the risk of breaking your neck. Fortunately, the exact coincidence of DH and DH is possible only theoretically.

If the CG is higher than the CG, then its projection “runs away” outward, backward or forward, from the point of contact with any inclination. At the slightest inclination, the overturning moment Mo occurs (pos. 2 and 2a), the rocker turns out to be unstable. To avoid such a situation for a family rocking chair, it is calculated and balanced for the tallest, heaviest and pot-bellied rider possible so that its CO is 450 mm or more higher than the CO. Then, when the chair is tilted, t. O will “run away” from the CG projection, the restoring moment Mv will constantly act (pos. 3 and 3a) and the chair will not tip over when swinging within acceptable limits. For those who are smaller, the excess of the CO over the CO will turn out to be too big, and the rocking will be harsh, but this can be easily compensated with pillows under the back and buttocks. In general, the lower the elevation of the CO above the CO, the softer and smoother the rocking, but the probability of tipping over, sharply straightening up and sitting up in the chair, is higher. Therefore, it is better for novice carpenters to ask for an excess of CO in the range of 600-700 mm.

Note: if it is impossible to determine the position of the CG of the largest of the riders (say, in its absence), the radius of the generatrix of the circle R is taken equal to the average height of the users minus 5 cm.

There is no need to drag your own pillows with you into a chair on runners of variable curvature: it will itself rise to the position of greatest comfort. At the same time, the healthy man will lean back more, and the slender one will be sitting straighter. When swinging back, t. O will run away from the CG projection the farther, the greater the angle of inclination, and it simply will not work to swing before tipping over. And if you “pump” forward, which is generally difficult, the chair will smoothly land the hyperactive person on the floor: where do you want to rest? Get up, do something.

To construct a profile of skids of variable curvature, the radius of the generatrix of the circle (it is determined as in the previous case) will, firstly, have to be rotated several times by a fixed angle α; usually take α = 10 degrees. Secondly, to build the rear branch of the snake, R is increased at each turn according to the law geometric progression with index k=1.02-1.03. That is, it will be (see pos. 4 of the figure) R1 = kR; R2 = kR1; R3 = kR2; R4 = kR3 etc. if required. In fact, R changes according to a certain trigonometric function, but for furniture accuracy and the size of a rocking chair, it is more convenient to replace it with a progression, it is easier to count this way.

The construction of the anterior branch is carried out at a constant R, but with each turn of the generatrix of the circle, the CO is raised vertically (ibid., at pos. 4 of the figure). The initial elevation Δh1 is taken equal to 2-3% R, i.e. (0.02-0.03)R, and the subsequent ones also follow a geometric progression with the same indicator as for the back branch. Δh1 in this case, the value is quite critical; its smaller value should be taken for thin ones, and the larger one for thick ones.

In conclusion, the obtained points are connected using a smooth curve pattern. Do not be embarrassed if the tangents to it turn out to be not perpendicular to the radii: in order for the chair to be stable, it must be on the opposite slope at every moment of rocking. When building, it is desirable to take a scale no smaller than 1:5.

Note: if a nirvana chair is being designed, but the front ascending branch of its runners will be an ellipse arc (green dotted line in pos. 4), tangent to the constructed profile of the runner in point I in the same place.

Final balancing

It is unlikely that a novice master will have a rocking chair immediately comfortable enough. Most likely, the product will need to be balanced. If the chair does not sway well, and shoves when leaving it, you need to weight the rear overhang. The easiest way to do this is to connect the ends of the rear branches of the skids with a low U-shaped beam of boards, with a notch facing down. Loads are placed in the recess. The arm of the lever in this case is long, so the weights do not have to be suspended. Another option, depending on the design, is a transverse tube-beam with a load inside. But in the process of balancing it will have to be removed and put back several times. If the rocking chair strives to fall back, you need to weight the front overhang. The easiest way to do this is by placing a footboard and attaching weights to its underside.

About materials

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

Plywood is a completely different matter, especially for beginner carpenters. Firstly, when making the parts of the rocking chair with 3-layer glued ones, it is possible only with the help of an electric jigsaw to make accurate and durable tenon-groove joints, on the left in the figure, if you follow the following. regulations:

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

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

Note: in any case, the finished plywood rocking chair must be impregnated twice with a water-polymer emulsion or water-based liquid acrylic varnish. This will not only increase the strength of the product and its resistance to external influences, but also remove excess residual stresses in joints and bent parts.

How to put overlays

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

1. We turn the chair upside down;
2. Thoroughly warm the bar-blank with a building hair dryer;
3. We lay the workpiece on the skid and tightly wrap it along the entire length with cotton tape. Don't burn yourself, the wood is very hot!
4. We also grab the second blank on another runner;
5. After the strips have completely cooled down, we remove the bandages from the braid and glue the PVA overlays on wood or with 2-component glue;
6. We attach the ends of the slats with small nails until the overlays fit snugly along the entire length. We put washers or pieces of plywood under the nail heads;
7. After the glue has completely dried (2-3 days), we remove the temporary fasteners. We drill blind holes for self-tapping screws and fasten the ends completely;
8. We rub holes with fastener heads with putty from sawdust of the same tree, densely mixed with PVA.

Note: metal hardware linings need to be fixed only at the ends. Otherwise, when the lining is abraded during use, the fastener heads will stick out and begin to scratch the floor.

Examples of rocking chairs

metal

Let's start the review of rocking chairs with metal ones, because. making rocking chairs out of it is justified in a few cases. Forged rocking chairs imitating classic wicker or rattan wicker, both requiring special equipment, a forge, etc. qualifications, do not touch. But a metal rocking chair "under the braid" can be made by welding from a profile pipe; preferably - elliptical section. In this case, it is necessary to choose the kinematic scheme of the nirvana rocking chair as the least sensitive to the excessive elevation of the CO above the CO, it also corresponds well to the design of the wicker rockers, see fig. The seat, in order not to increase the moment of inertia, is made of braided cables, belts, etc.

It also makes sense to make garden rocking chairs out of metal, see below, due to its strength and wear resistance. But a welded frame like the one in pos. 1 fig. on the right - the solution is not optimal, too complicated, labor- and material-intensive. Much easier to make a steel frame garden rocking chair type Concept, pos. 2. Pipe - round from 40x2. Actually the bed can be sewn like a hammock; balancing - by changing its tension and, accordingly, sagging. As a result, labor and costs are much less than for repeating the established forms of rocking chairs coming “from the tree”, and comfort is no worse.

Another interesting option is visible here: the frame of a rocking chair A concept from ... gymnastic hoops. Only not aluminum or propylene, but carbon fiber (carbon). Strength - monstrous, durability - absolute, weight - miserable. What, however, can not be said about the cost.

Vanka-vstanka

AT recent times garden rocking chairs - tumblers - gained popularity. If you lean back completely in this and tuck your legs in, it collapses back at almost 90 degrees without losing stability; the rider will be lying on his back with his knees at the zenith. And if you stretch your legs forward, the rocking chair - roly-poly-stand-up becomes in the usual position and then you can sway as always.

The roly-poly toy with a spherical bottom sways quite sharply. Comfortable swinging of the roly-poly rocking chair is achieved by profiling its runners according to a complex law. It will not work to build their sidewalls “in a school way”, as described above. It is necessary to be guided by proven samples and draw markup on a grid, see fig. The variant on the inset, with a sheathing of planks 30-40 mm thick, is more expensive, but less laborious. It also allows you to increase the length of the rocking chair by placing intermediate skids.

Note: wooden balls are mounted on the protruding ends of the longer rods (1050 mm) and form handles for swinging and carrying.

rocking bench

Rolling with your heels in the sky, throwing your hands behind your head and admiring the clouds floating in the blue heights through the trembling foliage is a heavenly pleasure, but not for everyone. It is desirable for someone to look more impressive while relaxing. This is more suitable garden bench- rocking chair, see fig. It is a bit difficult to swing on it, its own moment of inertia is large, but it also swings for a long time. The maximum span between supports with skids is 750 mm with 40 mm thick lathing. The back paneling is decorative.

Sunbed with awning

Both those and other requests will be satisfied by a garden rocking chair on elliptical runners and with an awning. The dimensions of its sidewalls are given in fig. their material is 24 mm plywood. The bed width is up to 900 mm, its sheathing is made of slats 50x50. The places of the sidewalls, indicated by gray circles, are connected by round wooden crossbars with a diameter of 60 mm or more.

rocking chair

Here we are not talking about rocking horses, they are toys, not furniture. But it’s also not harmful for children to relax, swaying, so it makes sense to make a rocking chair for a child. Its proportions will be slightly different than for adults, due to the influence of the square-cube law.

The device of a child rocking chair, its assembly diagram and specification of parts are given in fig; material is wood. It will not be difficult for a more or less experienced home craftsman to build a rocking chair for a child, guided by these data, and beginners can first watch a master class on making almost the same children's rocking chair.

A successful invention for those who appreciate the opportunity to relax and unwind without leaving home is a rocking chair. And if you put it in the garden, you can enjoy doubly.

The traditional material for such chairs is willow vine and its analogue - rattan. Products made from this material weigh little, are distinguished by the elegance of lines and a solid price.

Modern materials can also be used in the manufacture of wicker chairs - there are options from synthetic wicker. They are no worse than natural ones, are not at all afraid of moisture and have a very long term services.

Armchairs made of metal, despite the reliability and plasticity of the material, are too heavy. A wrought iron chair will look great in the garden, but you will have to make a platform for it. In addition, certain skills are needed to work with metal; it is difficult for a beginner to make a metal chair.

Rocking chair made from pipe scraps

Metal profile rocking chair

Affordability and attractive appearance on plastic chairs. To these advantages, you can add resistance to wet weather, durability, bright non-fading color. In addition, they do not have to be repainted and processed.

For self-manufacturing wood is best suited - an inexpensive, easy-to-work material. At the end of the work, the wooden chair can be given any color or its texture can be preserved. For those who first thought about making furniture on their own, wood is best suited.

There are many models for home craftsmen, the simplest ones are presented below.

When developing homemade rocking chair the main thing is that it does not tip over when the seated one leans back. It is also important that the rocking process itself, for which the chair was made, does not force the person to strain too much.

Types of rocking chairs

The simplest type is armchairs built according to the radius principle. These are the most affordable products for self-manufacturing, they are distinguished by the simplicity of manufacturing technology and design. The model below has a somewhat heavy and awkward look, such a chair is suitable for the garden.

Armchairs of this type are made with a fairly low seating position, which ensures smooth rocking and safety of the seated person. If the seat is set to a normal height, then the chair runners are equipped with bumpers - swing amplitude limiters. To get up from such a chair, you need to make a physical effort. Yes, and the buildup itself requires some tension.

Much more stable chairs on skids of variable curvature, they do not tip over.

Nirvana chairs are very comfortable, it is worth leaning forward a little, it will gently “land” a person on his feet. Rocking chairs on elliptical skids, despite their comfort, can tip over, therefore they are equipped with chippers, the front one usually acts as a footboard.

Overturning during swinging at sunbeds with awnings, on elliptical skids is excluded.

Where to begin

Below is a rocking chair for the garden, which, with some effort, even a beginner can make. On the
such a model, you can try your hand before moving on to a complex home version.

In any case, the drawing should be as simple as possible so that it can be reproduced even without much experience.

Such a compact chair will look great in the garden, and it can be placed at home, it does not take up much space. This simple model will be used to describe the process.

Start with a drawing

The drawing is carried out on a scale grid, on which each cell corresponds to 10 cm. All markings on sawn parts must be made according to the drawing, taking into account the scale.

What can a chair be made of?

Euro plywood 3 cm thick is suitable for work.

• You need to cut the sidewalls exactly according to the pattern, three parts for each side;
• The remaining parts are made of timber 50 mm wide and 25 mm thick. For the seat and backrest, you need 35 elements from a bar, the length of each is 120 mm;
• In order to correctly calculate how much timber is needed, you must first visit the store and see what bars are presented and what is their length. Knowing the initial size of the material, it will be possible to minimize waste by varying the width of the chair;
• For example, if bars of the required thickness with a length of 2.3 meters are available for sale, then you can make the chair a little narrower - cut the bars for the back and seat by 115 mm. If the bars have a slightly larger width, then the chair can be made a little wider, so that there are not many scraps left;
• You will also need three crossbars from a bar; in their manufacture, one should proceed from the width of the chair - that is, the length of the bars for the back and seat.

Small fluctuations in width will not affect the stability of the chair, so you can do this without worrying about the result.

When the details are ready

After the parts are sawn, they will need to be processed. They should not be rough.

In addition, carefully processed surfaces will give the product a finished look and facilitate finishing.

Surfaces are processed using a grinder, each part must be sanded on both sides with sandpaper with different grains. If you have the skill, you can use the milling nozzle to soften and round the sides of each part. If this is not possible, you can simply grind the cuts with a grinder or sand them by hand.

Treatment with hot drying oil should be carried out in at least two layers. This is one of the most outdated methods, but after that the product can be painted with oil paint and used even on the street, without losing its quality and appearance.

Small parts can be dipped in boiling drying oil as a whole, while you can not hold them with your hands. It is better to make improvised tongs from wooden slats. Larger parts should be generously smeared with a brush, laying them out on cardboard, alternately on each side, and dry the rest of the parts in the same way. Working with hot drying oil requires great care, you should remember this during the impregnation process. Do not lean over a container with a boiling substance; wear thick work gloves on your hands.

Alternatively, the parts can be treated with antiseptics, stains, and other impregnations, of which there are a great many in stores. They should be selected based on the intended purpose of the item: where it will be used.

At the end of the work, it will be possible to walk with a fine sandpaper again by hand, bringing it to complete smoothness.

Assembly

• Be sure to put the attachment points of the transverse bars - these places are marked on the drawing, you should calculate their location on the finished parts, based on the scale grid step.
• Having assembled the sidewalls, you can begin to attach the parts of the seat and backrest. The back will be attached to the rack, the seat - to the sides.

We need to pay attention to that again. that the drawers must be fixed strictly symmetrically, and the assembled side parts, if put on top of each other, must completely match, without the slightest deviation.

• Now the side parts are fastened together by crossbars, they should be attached at the legs, in the middle and at the top of the chair. For attachment, it is better to use confirmations (type of connecting fastener);
• To attach the back and seat parts, four holes should be drilled in each bar, two on each side. In order for the heads of the self-tapping screws not to be visible, each hole must be slightly expanded from above with a drill larger diameter(it must be selected according to the diameter of the caps). When screwing on, the caps will be in recesses, which can then be masked with furniture putty.

Such careful execution of the first part of the work will ensure the following indispensable condition- all parts of the seat and back, all 35 bars must be located strictly horizontally.

Finishing

After assembly, the product must be processed again to give it a finished look. In addition, it will significantly extend its service life and maintain an aesthetic appearance.

If the parts were processed with drying oil, then at the end of the assembly, the chair should be covered with oil paint, in thin layers in two or three layers.

If you want the product to have a natural texture of wood, it should be treated with a stain of the desired shade and varnished.

Varnish should be chosen waterproof, as well as stain. There are varnishes that create especially durable coating resistant to abrasion and cracking. If the chair will stand on the street, it is better to take a yacht varnish or another with increased strength. In any case, it is better to keep the product under a canopy, this will extend the period of its functionality, or at least bring it into the house when it rains.

• For the chair you need to use strong types of wood. These are oak, larch, coniferous;
• Euro plywood, a 3 cm thick glued wood material, also has sufficient strength to make the chair reliable;
• Plywood sheets must be carefully inspected before purchase so that they do not have surface damage and cracks. This will eliminate the difficulties in cutting the product and its subsequent processing;
• The more time is spent processing the product and impregnating it with drying oil or compounds, the longer its service life will be;
• The chair does not need to be upholstered with foam rubber and dense tissues, this will contribute to the accumulation of moisture under the upholstery, which will quickly render it unusable. For sitting and backrest it is better to get removable pillows;
• If the finished product is too leaning back or, conversely, oriented forward, it will have to be balanced at the end of the work. For this, an additional cross member is installed at the rear ends of the sidewalls. Previously, notches are cut in it, where the weights are attached according to the slope. Also, if necessary, the front of the chair is loaded. By adding and subtracting them, trying to sit and swing in a chair, you can achieve the perfect balance of the product.

Making a rocking chair is a rather complicated process, but quite doable. If you correctly and accurately, following the drawing and the advice given in the article, perform all the steps, then the result will be a beautiful and functional product that will last a long time.

For inspiration, watch the video below. The video contains incredibly simple, affordable models for self-production, from available materials.

The rocking chair in most people is associated with rest and relaxation. Imagination draws a veranda of a country house, a warm blanket and a glass of wine. Is it possible to make this piece of furniture, a synonym for a measured life, with your own hands? After reading this article, even a novice master can easily cope with this task.

• glider;
• classic on skids.

Each of the types has a number of features, so we will consider them in more detail.

Glider (with pendulum mechanism)

This type of furniture has a fixed base, and swinging occurs with the help of a pendulum mechanism. It has a number of advantages over the classic one, but the main plus is its silent operation. That is why it is often purchased by mothers for feeding and rocking babies.

Classic on skids

This type of rocking chair is known to everyone, but not everyone knows what a wide variety of subspecies of this piece of furniture exists.

1. On simple runners of constant curvature (radius).

   Radius skids - the simplest and most common type of support

   However, it is worth knowing that this is not the safest design option. Professionals make to order, as a rule, rocking chairs on skids not of constant, but of variable curvature, which are calculated taking into account the height and weight of users. It is these models that have the lowest risk of capsizing.

2. On elliptical skids with tilt limiters.
3. On springs.
4. Roly-up.

What materials can a rocking chair be made of - table

Rocking chairs made of plastic, metal, rattan, willow vines and solid wood - photo gallery

Armchairs for home and garden

In the house it is better to use products made from environmentally friendly materials, not too heavy, so as not to spoil the flooring. Size also matters if your apartment is not too big. Most suitable option- plastic and wood products. Wicker furniture also suitable, but not always appropriate in an urban interior.

If you plan to use furniture outdoors, then you need to take into account some points: how resistant is the material to moisture, sun exposure, is it easy to clean. With a certain preparation, a product made of almost any material can be used on the street - forged, plastic, wooden models. Designs with an awning from the sun are relevant on hot days.

You can also make original rocking chairs from chairs that have long been going to be repaired.

Photo gallery: options for wooden garden chairs

DIY rocking chairs

Making this piece of furniture is not really simple task, but even those who have never done anything like this before can do it. There are many schemes, options and manufacturing methods. Consider the most interesting and simple of them.

The simplest chair from an ordinary highchair

The best option is to use an ordinary wooden chair. Required for manufacturing the following materials and tools:

• chair with back and armrests;
• high-quality plywood 15 mm thick;
• varnish for wood;
• jigsaw;
• milling cutter;
• Sander;
• dowel.

Stages of work:

1. We cut the radial skids from plywood according to the scheme with an electric jigsaw.
2. We grind them with a machine or sandpaper on a rail.
3. From below, on the legs of the chair, we make cuts and select the grooves for the skids.
4. We insert the runners into the grooves of the chair legs, fix with glue and dowels.
5. We cover the surface of the rocking chair with varnish.

Video: making a highchair

Vanka-vstanka: step by step instructions, photos, drawings

It will also be easy to make such a rocking chair with your own hands from plywood, knowing the drawing. There are many options on the net, we will give one that is devoid of the risk of rollover.

Assembly materials and tools:

• sheets of plywood measuring 1520x800 mm, 15 mm thick (for sidewalls, racks and supports), 10 mm thick (for back and seat slats);
• jigsaw;
• glue;
• screws.

Chair assembly steps:

1. We are preparing a drawing of the future product.
2. We transfer the drawing to sheets of plywood.
3. Cut out necessary elements using an electric jigsaw.
4. Drill holes for screws.
5. Sanding, primer and paint all the elements.
6. Assembling the frame.
7. We form the seat and back from the planks, glue the elements.
8. We fix all the elements with self-tapping screws.

Video: simple plywood rocking chair

Is it possible to assemble a pendulum mechanism for a sliding chair on your own

The pendulum design moves the top of the chair relative to its base. To do it yourself, you need a detailed diagram. This is not an easy job. But the principle of operation of the mechanism is always the same. For the simplest design you will need:

• 4 bars of the same length and two - larger (sizes are chosen depending on the design scheme);
• 8 bearing nuts and washers.

Instruction:

1. Assemble the bars and drill one hole into them at each end for the bearings.
2. Make an end beam (it holds the weight of the entire sliding structure):
   
3. Attach each end part to two bars. This will be a simple pendulum mechanism. Then it is connected to the base of the chair and the seat. An example of the finished design is below.

Rocking chair made of plastic (polypropylene) pipes: diagram and procedure

The chair can also be made from profiled metal or simple water pipes. For work you will need:

• plastic pipes with a diameter of 25 mm (for sidewalls) and 20 mm (for transverse elements);
• drill and apparatus for welding pipes;
• fittings with a section of 15 mm (inserted into pipes to enhance the stability of the chair);
• fittings for corner connections(2 pcs for 90° and 6 pcs for 45°);
• pipe plugs;
• pencil, ruler.

Instruction:

To make the chair comfortable, you need to fix it on the frame foam mattress 50 mm thick. To do this, you need a cover with ties, which is easy to sew on your own (on a typewriter or even by hand).

give plastic pipe rounded shape can be using hot sand. To do this, the sand is heated in an oven to 95-130 ° C, a plug is inserted into one end of the part, the tube is filled with sand, given the desired shape and waiting for cooling.

The desire and basic skills to work with the tool are all that is needed to independently build a comfortable and beautiful rocking chair for home or summer cottage. The described instructions will help you do it correctly and quickly.

The armchair has always been a kind of “comfort equivalent”, since it is sitting in it that a person can relax and unwind after a busy day. The rocking chair enhances the state of relaxation, as it creates the effect of weightlessness, when there is no hard emphasis on the legs, and hence the load on the spine. Such pieces of furniture have long been very popular in many families. And although this is to a certain extent a relic of antiquity, many today are not averse to acquiring it.

However, high-quality finished products of this type are very expensive. Therefore, a do-it-yourself rocking chair is a way out for those who, for one reason or another, cannot purchase a similar piece of furniture for a house or apartment, and their head and hands work well.

The last reservation was not made by chance, since the manufacture of such an armchair is not an easy task. The complexity of creating a rocking chair lies in the correct balancing of the curved elements, because if it is not achieved, the chair will begin to tip over or simply will not be able to perform its main function - to swing without the risk of rolling over. Moreover, choosing finished project or creating your own, you need to take into account the different weights of family members.

The main types of rocking chairs by design features

Before deciding to manufacture such a product, it is worth delving a little into the information about different types of rocking chairs - this will help determine the choice of the required model. There are several varieties of such chairs, focused on specific requests and even user habits.

The table below will help you visually evaluate different types rocking chairs, as well as their main characteristics.

Illustration	Brief description of the features of rocking chairs
	A chair with radius skids can be called traditional, since it was with such models that the development of other designs of rocking chairs began. E Its name is explained by the fact that the runners along their entire length have a bend of one radius. Therefore, making this type of chair is easier than other options. Models with this design are still popular today, as they are distinguished not only by their simplicity of design, but also by the “conscientious” performance of their immediate functions. A chair equipped with radius skids usually has a low seat - this factor is associated with its not too high rocking stability. So, with an increase in the amplitude of oscillations, it may well tip over. This situation can be avoided by installing closing horizontal arcs on the skids.
	A rocking chair with skids having variable curvature has a different radius of their bending in different areas along the entire length. This version of the product has greater stability, and it does not threaten to tip over. Therefore, it is this safe design that is used for rocking cribs.
	The chair, which has runners made in the form of an ellipse, has a soft “move”, it is pleasant to rest and relax in it. As a rule, the rocking chair has a low fit. Rollover of such models is rare, but in order to completely eliminate the risk of their occurrence, it is recommended to install a high-quality bump stop on the structure, which will reduce the swing radius.
	Spring rocking chairs. For their manufacture, expensive elite wood species or spring steel are used. Therefore, their price is quite high, and making such a model at home is quite difficult. Yes, there is no special need for this, since it has a number of significant shortcomings. Firstly, such rocking chairs cannot be called completely safe, since fingers can be pinched by the springs. AT secondly, dust and dirt get clogged between the skids and springs, which can be extremely difficult to clean.
	Rocking chair "three in one" - includes three functions and can be used as a regular chair or lounger, as well as as a rocking chair. The chair is equipped with skids having smooth kinks. It is stable in any position and cannot accidentally tip over. However, such a piece of furniture is still more suitable for apartments with spacious rooms or for use on the site of a private house - the design has impressive dimensions. Another unpleasant moment is the transfer from one position to another, since for this it is necessary to make certain efforts in the form of sensitive shocks.
	The roly-poly chair or "roly-poly" has recently become especially popular for relaxing in the garden. However, his compact version It may well be installed in a residential area. The design feature of such a rocking chair is that, if desired, while in the chair, you can take a lying position. Then, when the load is relieved, it takes its original position, and sitting in it, you can just sway slightly.
	The pendulum design of the chair performs the function of swing due to the swivel joints and the presence of bearings. Such models can be called an improved version of the usual classic chair, but supplemented with a rocking function. Models have a fixed base, while rocking they work almost silently. This chair is perfect for a young mother to rock her baby. However, making this type of chair yourself is very difficult. Therefore, if you are interested in just such an option, then it would be more rational to purchase it ready-made.

Material for the manufacture of rocking chairs

Having decided on the principle of product design, it is necessary to choose the material from which it is possible to manufacture it. In addition, each of the materials has its own characteristics, so it is selected depending on the conditions under which the rocking chair will be used. The table shows the most used materials for the manufacture of rocking chairs, but, of course, there are other options:

Illustration	Characteristic features of materials
	Armchair made of metal rods and strips welded or by forging. This material variant is an excellent solution for an armchair designed to be installed in the yard or garden, as well as on a spacious terrace. Such chairs are highly durable and wear-resistant, they are resistant to various external natural influences. The disadvantage of the products is their large weight and the fact that their manufacture will require special equipment. (However, it is unlikely that a high-quality wooden chair can be created without special power tools). The frame of the structure is most often made of metal, on top of which a comfortable mattress is laid for the period of operation, and soft armrests are fixed.
	A plywood rocking chair is the most popular product option designed for use in an apartment or house. Any craftsman who has the skills to work with carpentry tools can make a model from this material. The advantages of plywood include the ability to produce precise joints, relatively low weight. Due to the large linear dimensions of the sheets and different thicknesses, the material allows you to implement even the most complex projects products. In order for the plywood chair to last as long as possible, its parts are treated with one of the protective compounds - a polymer emulsion or acrylic varnish.
	Wooden rocking chairs are the traditional option. Wood is environmentally friendly, easy to process and available material with high strength properties. Products made from it have a long service life, as well as a pleasant and warm appearance that can bring a feeling of comfort and coziness to any interior. Wooden products with proper processing can be used both indoors and outdoors. If you have a ready-made or your own, correctly calculated project, manufacturing and assembly wooden chair could well be made at home.
	A chair made from a profile pipe, if properly designed and manufactured, will last long years. This product is intended for outdoor use, on a terrace or in a large area. Rocking chairs from this material are made by welding. In addition to the welding machine, you will need a pipe bender to work. For a chair, it is best to choose pipes that have an elliptical shape in cross section. After completion of welding work, the product must be coated with anti-corrosion varnish or paint. Boards or plywood covered with fabric or natural or artificial leather can be used as a seat and armrests.
	An armchair made of polypropylene pipes can be called creative option, which is unlikely to be used indoors at home. It is more suitable for the conditions of the yard or garden, especially since the material is resistant to external natural influences, unless, however, you count severe frosts and direct sunlight. To give the structure higher rigidity, it is worth using a large number of connecting elements, so that it consists of small pieces of pipes. However, it should be borne in mind that this option is not suitable for people with a lot of weight, since even short pipe sections can bend under the influence of a large load. For the manufacture of products from polypropylene pipes, you will need a special soldering iron.
	Rocking chair from a rod. To make a product from this material, you must have certain knowledge of its processing and the basic technological methods of weaving. It should be noted that this work is very laborious and time-consuming, so you will have to be patient to complete it. But the armchair made of wicker will turn out to be light and comfortable, you can take it outside if you wish, and then bring it into the house.

Recommendations for the choice of material and the manufacture of the product

Before proceeding to the consideration of options for the manufacture of different rocking chairs, I would like to give a few recommendations that will help in the selection of material and in the process of work.

• For the manufacture of chairs, dense wood species are used - larch, oak, teak, ash, walnut, etc.
• If plywood is chosen, it is better to give preference to "Euro-plywood", which has a thickness of up to 30 mm and has excellent quality, strength and reliability. Material before its acquisition should be checked for damage, knots or cracks. High-quality plywood is easier to mark, cut and process.
• The more time is spent processing and impregnating wood blanks with protective compounds, the higher will be the durability of products made from them.
• If the chair is planned to be made for outdoor use, then stationary soft upholstery should not be fixed on it, even from moisture-resistant material. Moisture will still seep through outer skin in foam rubber or synthetic winterizer, in which mold will appear over time. The best option there will be removable pillows or mattresses, as well as armrests in which a synthetic winterizer is used as stuffing. Such products can be not only for autumn and winter period or bring it into the house during rainy weather, but also wash it if necessary.
• If the finished rocking chair falls back strongly or, on the contrary, moves forward, then it should be balanced. How to do this will be discussed in a separate section.

Check out a few interesting options, from our new article on our portal.

Options for the manufacture of rocking chairs

In order to independently calculate the ideally correct bending of the chair runners for a specific weight of a certain person, it is necessary to apply physical and mathematical calculations. Some precise data must be involved in them. In general, this process is quite complicated, and not everyone is able to understand its nuances. Therefore, it is recommended to use ready-made proven projects that are transferred to the main material of manufacture using a marking grid or provided dimensions.

rocking chair prices

rocking chair

Check out how to make chairs for a veranda or terrace from our new article -

garden rocking chair

This chair has a simple design and can be made even by a novice craftsman who has the necessary tools and skills to work with them.

Appearance of a garden rocking chair of the "Roly-Vstanka" type

Crafting will require some electrical and hand tools- this is electric jigsaw, manual milling machine for processing edges of material, screwdriver, metal ruler, tape measure and pencil, rubber spatula.

From the materials should be prepared:

— plywood sheets 30 mm thick, 1400 × 1200 mm in size;

- boards with a size of 800 × 150 × 20mm - 3 pcs.;

- boards for seat upholstery 32 pcs. size 1200×30×15 mm;

- self-tapping screws;

- water-based protective varnish;

- wood putty.

The first thing to do before starting work is to carefully study the drawing of the parts from which the rocking chair will be assembled.

General scheme. A molded part that will be cut out of plywood for transferring to plywood sheets is shown in dimensional grid with cells 100×100 mm

The table below shows step by step the process of manufacturing parts and assembling such a rocking chair.

Illustration
	The first step is to make side molding parts, which will become the basis of the structure - both skids and a kind of frame for attaching seat parts. To make it easier to transfer curved lines to plywood from the drawing presented above, sheets of 1400 × 1200 mm in size must be drawn into squares of 100 × 100 mm. Then, by measuring the location of the lines in each of the squares on the project, the values ​​are transferred to a grid drawn on plywood. Therefore, to make it easier for yourself, a small drawing is best done on a scale of 1:10, that is, each cell will have a size of 10 × 10 mm. After the drawing is transferred to plywood, the parts are cut out in turn using an electric jigsaw. After cutting the parts, they are put together, compressed in clamps, and ideally adjusted to each other using a jigsaw and a router.
	The next step is the processing of the side parts with a milling cutter - chamfers are removed from their end sides. Well, then the parts are ground manually or using a grinding machine. At the next stage of work, three jumpers (tsargs) are made from the prepared boards, which will fasten the sidewalls of the structure. The size of these jumpers-siders should be 800 × 150 × 20 mm.
Collecting comfortable armchair made of wood with their own hands	Further, focusing on the drawing, on the inner surfaces of the side parts, the installation sites of the fastening jumpers (tsarg) are marked. The markings should be as accurate as possible, otherwise the chair may turn out to be skewed. In order for the jumpers to be more firmly fastened to the side parts, it is necessary to make a sample of wood from the lined rectangles to a depth of 5 mm. Then, before installing the jumpers, these cut out grooves are filled with PVA or wood glue.
	After the side parts are connected to each other by the drawers, the structure is turned on its side and twisted with furniture screws or confirmations. Each of the connecting nodes will require two fasteners. In order to prevent the jumpers from cracking, holes are drilled under them before screwing the confirmations - it is best to use a special cutter for this.
	At the next stage, the assembled frame is sheathed with narrow boards. In order for them to be installed evenly, not to stick out to the left or right, it is recommended to mark and draw lines along which the fixing screws will be screwed. For marking, the slats are evenly laid out on the table, 200 mm are laid off from each edge - this is where the desired line will pass.
	Then, starting from the lower edge of the chair, they begin to carry out the sheathing of the frame. Reiki are mounted at a distance of 10 mm from each other. To keep the exact step, it will be easiest to make two calibrator templates 10 mm thick, which will set the width of the gap on both sides. After attaching the board, these calibrators are removed and rearranged to attach the next jumper - and so on. As can be seen in the illustration, the edges of the skin protrude beyond the side load-bearing parts by 200 mm on each side. The heads of the self-tapping screws must be recessed into the wood below the surface level by 2 ÷ 3 mm.
	The next step is to tightly fill the holes formed above the heads of the screws with wood putty. It is best to make the composition yourself or add small sawdust to the finished putty left when sawing plywood and boards. Putty is recommended to be applied with a rubber spatula, which will immediately level its surface. Further, the putty must be allowed to dry well, after which the places of its application are polished.
We assemble a comfortable chair made of wood with our own hands	Before carrying out the "grand opening", the rocking chair must be covered protective varnish designed for outdoor use. You can choose water-based formulations or alkyd options. It showed itself well as a resistant coating for wood that is all year round outdoors, "Yacht Lacquer", widely used to coat the hulls of yachts and boats, as well as other structures in contact with water.

Rocking chair with skids of variable curvature

This type of chair is on sale in a large assortment - the models may differ in the configuration of the side parts, as well as in the arrangement and upholstery of the seats. To use rocking chairs at home, the seats are most often made soft, for the street - from well-treated wood.

One of the options for chairs equipped with skids with variable curvature

This section will consider a slightly different option from the one shown above in the photo, but made according to the same principle. The chair has a compact size, so it can be installed in a living room.

Prices for a rocking chair with a footrest

rocking chair with footrest

The demonstrated version of the chair is equipped with armrests, as well as overlays on the runners, which will prevent the structure from tipping over.

For the manufacture of this model, you will need the same tools that were listed in the previous case. From the materials it will be necessary to prepare:

The step between grid lines is 100×100 mm

• Plywood sheets with a thickness of 16÷18 mm, having dimensions of 1100×700, 1200×600 and 1200×200 mm - 2 pieces each:

The first is for cutting out side parts;

The second - parts for the back and seat;

The third - a larger part is designed for overlays on the runners, a smaller one - for the armrests.

• Bars-beams (tsargi) for fastening together the parts of the seat - 6 pcs. section 30 × 20 mm, length 600 mm.
• Bar-beam to stiffen the structure, fastened by the lower part of the side parts, section 50 × 20 mm, length 600 mm.
• Metal corners 14 pcs. size 30×30 mm.
• Fiberboard sheets 2 pcs. for the base under the soft seat, size 600 × 700 mm.
• Foam rubber 100 mm thick, the same size as chipboard.
• Fabric or leather for seat and back upholstery - two cuts 700 × 800 mm in size.
• Furniture self-tapping screws for assembly of the structure.

Illustration	Brief description of the operations performed
	This illustration shows the assembled structure, but on which all the details are visible through and through. Thanks to this image, it is easier to navigate how it will be possible to connect individual parts into a single structure.
	The first step from the design drawing is to transfer the dimensions and shapes of the side parts to plywood sheets. It is recommended to draw them in a cell measuring 100 × 100 mm. The installation locations of the fasteners are immediately determined, and at the intended points, after the parts are cut out, they are drilled through holes.
	In the same way, the parts that form the back and seat are transferred and cut out. It is very important when cutting out both one and the other paired parts, to fit exactly to each other - they must be absolutely identical. Finished curved parts (their edges) must be processed with a router, making sharp corners slightly rounded.
	The next step is preparing the drawers - six crossbars for the seat and back, and one jumper for connecting the side parts. They are made from a board or bars suitable for the section. The wood should be well sanded, free of roughness and burrs.
	Next, there is a stage of connecting two parts - the seat-back. It is very important to correctly mark the attachment points, otherwise the design will turn out to be skewed. In this project, the connection is provided with the help of dowels, but it is additionally recommended to strengthen them metal corners fixed on the reverse side of the structure. In order for the markup to be perfect, it is necessary not only to take measurements, but also, having laid the details side by side, check visually.
	Now you can do the connection of the side parts with the seat and back. For this, the marking of the installation points of the fasteners is also done on the latter. According to the marking, through holes are drilled for screws with nuts and washers installed on both sides of the fastened parts.
	The next step is to install the lower jumper, which strengthens the structure. Before its installation, the places of its attachment are also marked. The part is screwed with furniture screws, they will need two on each side.
	Further, linings are mounted on the skids - their installation location must also be marked. To do this, the chair is turned upside down. These parts are fixed using a special technology, which includes several stages: - the blank of the overlay is well warmed up with a building hair dryer; - then it is laid on the marked place on the runner and tightly tied with cotton braid or twine. You need to work carefully so as not to get burned, as the plywood will still be hot; - in the same way, the second overlay is also attached; - after the plywood parts have cooled down and taken the exact shape of the runner, the fixing rope is removed; - the slats are coated with PVA or carpentry glue, then they are well pressed against the runners; - the edges of the slats are nailed to their entire length until they fully adhere to the runners. Before hammering nails, washers or pieces of plywood are put on them to make it easier to remove them after the glue dries; - in this state, the product is left for two or three days; - then the nails are removed, the surface is cleaned with a grinder; - blind holes are drilled at the ends of the overlays, into which self-tapping screws are screwed, their heads must be recessed into the wood; - holes above the heads of self-tapping screws are rubbed with putty with the addition of sawdust. It is important to remember that the fastening of the overlays with self-tapping screws is carried out only at their ends, otherwise, during the abrasion of the wood, the fasteners will scratch the floor covering.
	After fixing the overlays on the skids to the glue, the armrests are fixed in the same way. After the glue dries, unlike the pads on the skids, the armrests are fixed with self-tapping screws along the entire length, they are installed in increments of 80 ÷ 100 mm. Fastener heads are also recessed into the wood and sealed with putty, after which the linings are sanded.
	Further, goes already not so difficult stage of work - fixing on the lintels of the seat and back of the fiberboard fragments cut to size. They are nailed with furniture nails with wide hats. You can also use short self-tapping screws to fix them.
	Now you can do soft upholstery. For this, foam rubber and upholstery fabric are cut to size. Then the edges of the fabric are carefully wrapped on the back of the foam rubber and fixed with glue. To fix the upholstery on a sheet of fiberboard, it is recommended to use a special glue for foam rubber. Such a fastening of the upholstered part of the chair is shown in this diagram, but it is still better to do it differently. First, foam rubber should be glued onto individual cut-out sheets of fiberboard, then covered with a cloth, fixing it on the back of the hard layer with staples. Then - fix the pillows on a rigid base on the lintels of the chair, using through fasteners, for example, screws with round caps decorated with fabric or leather. Another option is to make removable pillows. To do this, you need to sew covers, fill them with padding polyester, then flash the finished product in five to six places. As fasteners, a braid is sewn on the bottom and top of the pillows, which is tied on the back of the back and seat.

Rocking chair from an ordinary old armchair or chair

To facilitate the task of making a rocking chair, you can use a ready-made chair or a chair that is no longer used in household use. If the upper part of the structure is in a decent, durable condition, then it remains only to make skids under it and fix them on the legs, having previously adjusted and cut them along the formed radius.

In order not to bother with complex calculations, you can go empirically by making a runner template by selecting the required radius. To do this, you should take the advice of an experienced master.

This table will consider one of the ways to make skids, since it depends on them how well the chair will swing, and because they are the most difficult structural details to manufacture:

Illustration	Brief description of the operations performed
	So, to create the necessary bend, you first need a strip of fiberboard 1200 long and 30 ÷ 35 mm wide and a rail with a cut to fix the strip on it, which will become the prototype of future skids.
	Cutouts are made at the ends of the strip, with the help of which it can linger on the ledge of the rail, so that you can check how well and with what amplitude the swing will be performed.
	Having determined the radius of the bend, on a table or on a sheet of plywood according to the pattern learned from the plank and rail, an arc is drawn on which the middle is determined - the top of the bend of the future skids.
	When choosing the desired bending radius, it must be taken into account that the selection system allows you to achieve weak, medium or strong rocking of the chair: - for example, if it is necessary that the chair barely sways, then you should choose a larger radius for the location of the bar on the rail, that is, push it wider; - if there is a desire to create a "reactive" version of rocking, then the radius is made smaller, that is, the edges of the strip on the rail are moved closer to the center; - in the case shown in the illustration, the middle option is selected, which will not allow the chair to tip over. The distance in the middle from the lath to the bent strip is approximately 150 mm.
	According to the intended radius, you can simply cut out the skids from plywood with a thickness of 18 to 30 mm. Or make them in bent glued technology. The second option is longer in execution, but when using it, more durable skids are obtained, and their width can be increased up to 50 mm. However, to carry out this process, a special device is required - stocks, which are wooden corners on which a strip of fiberboard is fixed. The device has a certain flexibility and can be set according to the template drawn on the table - this is well shown in the illustration. The exposed stocks are firmly attached to the base (workbench). Thus, a spatial curvilinear template is set, according to which it is fashionable to produce bent glued parts of the same radius.
	In this case, only the technique of fastening plywood strips 5 mm thick to the template stocks is shown for example, therefore only two strips of this material were used. However, for the manufacture of skids, of course, the thickness of two strips of plywood (or MDF) lamellas 5 mm thick will not be enough.
	You will need at least six strips, which, before being installed on the stocks and clamped in clamps, are coated with PVA or other wood glue. The installation of the workpiece smeared with glue on the stocks is carried out from the center, that is, first the middle is attracted by the clamp, then the edges of the lamella are hooked, but not finally attracted. After that, starting from the middle with a step of 100 mm, the clamps are installed and tightened through the wooden lining, creating the desired radius of the future runner. The last clamps are tightened. In this position, the workpiece is left to dry for two to three days.
	The finished bent-glued skids are shown in this illustration. In the future, the ends of the skids made in this example will be decorated with decorative details. For their manufacture, pieces of bars are fixed on the blanks.
	For connection, grooves are cut out in the bars, equal to the thickness of the skids, with a depth of 20 mm. The edges of the blanks should fit snugly into the cut gaps. The grooves are smeared with glue, and then the edges of the runners are inserted into them. In order to be able to pull together the glued structure, the skids are temporarily fastened together by horizontal bars. After the parts are completely ready, they are milled and polished.
	The craftsman decided to reinforce the bent-glued blanks with wooden plates, which are fastened together with dowels. Overlays are marked and cut out according to a template created already by inside bent blanks.

Now it remains to fix the skids on the legs of the old chair or armchair. To do this, measure the distance between the legs of the product. Then the middle of the runners is determined again, after which ½ of the distance between the legs is laid off on each side from the found point.

Prices for the rocking chair "Impex"

rocking chair "Impex"

For example, this or a similar chair model is perfect for converting it into a rocking chair.

This marking will help determine the location of the legs on the runners. Further, each skid is applied to that side of the chair, to the legs of which it will be attached. On the legs, lines for sawing are determined, which will follow the direction of the skid, so that during installation they fit perfectly against the surface of the skid.

The next step is to cut holes or grooves in wooden overlays for bent glued blanks. Then grooves are also cut out on the legs, or the ends of the legs are processed so that they take the form of spikes. The spikes on the legs of the chairs are glued into the grooves cut in the runners. For reliability, it is fashionable to strengthen this connection with a dowel.

Find out, with step-by-step instructions, from our new article on our portal.

* * * * * * *

So, it is clear that making a rocking chair or even just skids for an old chair is not an easy task. Therefore, if there is no experience in carpentry or suitable quality tools to perform the work, then you should consider whether it is worth taking on the independent implementation of your plan. However, if the material is available, time will allow, the desire to try your hand spurs you on - why not try? And experience is a thing! And even if not everything goes smoothly the first time, then the next time, with an analysis of the mistakes made, it will definitely start to work out.

Well, for good masters and lovers of tasks it is more difficult - an example of creating a metal rocking chair of a pendulum type.

Video: pendulum-type metal rocking chair