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The demand for furniture with a swing mechanism is easily explained: mobile structures look spectacular and contribute to quality rest. There is no need to buy expensive products, a stylish do-it-yourself rocking chair is made in the shortest possible time - from 3 hours to several days. The secret of success lies in the selection of the right drawings and materials. The more carefully the features of the assembly of such furniture are studied, the better the finished product will turn out.
Design features and product varieties
A rocking chair is a comfortable furniture for relaxing with the possibility of rocking a seated person due to the special shape of the legs or the action of hinged mechanisms. It successfully combines decorative and useful functions. The scope of application is almost universal. Rocking chairs are installed in living rooms, recreation areas, bedrooms for nursing mothers, in offices, on fishermen's piers, terraces, gazebos.
Depending on the design, there are:
- Classic rocking chairs on radial skids with a relatively small radius of curvature. These models can be made with your own hands in a matter of hours, there are no complex elements in the design. Such furniture is appropriate in any type of interior, the only drawback is weak stability. To eliminate this drawback, the landing of the chair is made low.
- Rocking chairs with variable curvature of skids. On the arcs of such models there are chippers, minimizing the risk of overturning. This option is ideal for high-waisted designs and models for nursing mothers. It is not difficult to make such rocking chairs with your own hands, there are no problems with the selection of materials and drawings.
- Ellipse chairs with drip or oval arches. They provide a pleasant sway and are compatible with many types of classic or modern interiors. Making such arcs at home requires some skill; in the absence of experience and high-quality materials, they should be purchased ready-made. The stability of the structure depends on the presence or absence of fenders.
- Pendulum chairs (gliders). These models have stable feet and a pendulum mechanism for a pleasant, safe and silent swing. In the manufacture of a pendulum rocking chair with your own hands, the hinges of the gliders are attached to the fixed legs. The length of these elements is selected based on the expected swing amplitude (it is difficult to carry out this stage yourself without relevant experience). Factory pendulum models outperform homemade ones in functionality. They are equipped with locks for adjusting the height of the rocking chair, retractable footrests, mechanical or touch control units.
- Multifunctional models of the "3 in 1" type, equipped with special legs and mechanisms that allow you to fix the product as a sunbed, regular or rocking chair. With all the advantages, such furniture is expensive and takes up a lot of space. Changing modes is often accompanied by jerks.
- Spring models with steel springs holding inclined round seats. As a rule, they are equipped with an inertial swing mode and are made of thick wicker, rattan or stainless steel. There are no swinging skids or a pendulum part of such a product, the design is convenient and safe. It is difficult to make such a chair with your own hands without a reliable spring base.
- "Tumblers", having a one-piece design, easily take a lying position. Homemade rocking chairs of this type are assembled from plywood elements, factory ones can be poured out of plastic or molded polyethylene.
- Suspended structures on static supports. The seats of the chairs with this design are hung on chains or hooks. The model looks original and stylish.
Stages of creating basic models
The general sequence of actions is unchanged. First you need to decide on the size and material of the chair, only then - with the color and method of finishing. The expected assembly time depends on the base material, most of the forces are spent on metal or curved glued structures, at least on plastic pipes. Particular attention is paid to the skids - the weakening of these structures or their joints is unacceptable.
From an old armchair
To make a simple rocking chair with your own hands, you will need: an old wooden chair or seat in good condition, durable plywood, cardboard, dowels (from 4 pieces or more), carpentry glue, sandpaper, paints and varnishes and a standard set of tools (jigsaw, vise with the need for gluing plywood, drill). After preparing them, a simple scheme of actions is performed:
- The peelable finish is removed from the old armchair or chair, the product is cleaned, polished, impregnated with drying oil or stain.
- Skids are cut out of a plywood sheet using a cardboard template, all elements are glued, pressed down and dried. Finished skids are cleaned and polished.
- In the legs of a chair or chair, holes are drilled for dowels with a depth of at least 3 cm. The edges of the legs are rounded off taking into account the curvature of the runners. An alternative option is to file the edges until spikes are obtained.
- From the middle of the runners lay ½ of the distance between the legs of the old product. Through or deep holes are made in the center of the upper edge of the runners (at least 5 cm, depending on the type of support).
- All elements sit on dowels with sizing.
- The made chair is covered with stain and varnish, if desired, it is covered with foam rubber with upholstery.
Similarly, you can make a rocking chair from an old wicker chair and any comfortable seat.
Making a template Cutting out the skis Grinding the skis Installing skidsIt is not recommended to combine dissimilar materials, for example, plastic and wood - the runners will not adjoin tightly enough, and the finished product will turn out awkward.
From plywood
The advantages of this material are most pronounced when it is necessary to obtain complex curved shapes. Manipulations are performed by gluing several thin layers of plywood and clamping the element in a vise until the glue dries completely. With a limited timeframe, complex elements (sidewalls, skids) are cut out of a thick sheet without any problems. In this case, the operating time is reduced. A striking example of the use of plywood with all its advantages is a tumbler chair. This type of furniture has the simplest manufacturing technology.
To obtain such a design, a minimum of materials is required, namely, plywood with a thickness of 15 mm or more, wooden or plywood slats (10 × 50 mm - from 25 pieces), timber (3 slats 30 × 50 mm), self-tapping screws, a jigsaw, a drill, a hammer, grinder or sandpaper. The number and dimensions of the slats are selected based on the overall dimensions of the chair, if necessary, the number of parts increases. All individual elements of the rocking chair in any case must be solid.
The work takes a minimum of time, we collect the "roly-poly", observing the following procedure:
- All details are cut out, polished, impregnated with drying oil at least 1 time. On the sidewalls, you will need to make 3 through slots for the beam (foot, middle, headboard).
- The sidewalls are connected to the timber with a landing on the glue.
- The slats are evenly attached to the frame using self-tapping screws.
- Check chair balance.
- The product is decorated with mandatory protection against moisture.
We make a template and transfer it to a sheet of plywoodIt is possible to assemble the rocking chair only after impregnating the plywood ends with heated drying oil and tapping the edges with a hammer. Ignoring this requirement leads to a rapid set of moisture and delamination of the material, since the general impregnation of the already assembled structure does not protect the joints.
We cut out two sidewalls with an electric jigsaw, which will serve as skids. You should get two such parts. Carefully grind the sidewalls. The finished skids look like this 
We cut the transverse strips (according to the width of the chair) and square support bars (according to the width and number of lamellas) 
With the help of self-tapping screws, we install the support bars and attach the transverse strips to them. You should get this design 
We complement the finished chair with a soft seat made of foam rubber and leatherette From a profile pipe
For the manufacture of a metal frame, round or oval pipes with a cross section of at least 2 cm, a grinder, a welding machine, a pipe bender, a magnetic square and PPE are used. The seat in such an armchair can be sewn from durable canvas or weaved from strips of leatherette or polyrattan. Work is carried out according to a simple scheme:
- The pipes are cut into separate segments, rounded recesses are made at the insertion points of the joining elements, the remaining ends are cleaned and ground.
- All parts, with the exception of the skids, are welded on a flat, solid base. To check the level and the correctness of their location, use a magnetic square. The sides are welded first, only then (after checking their evenness) are the facade and rear elements welded to them.
- Sections of pipes under the skids are bent using a pipe bender or improvised devices. The bending of these parts is made as similar as possible.
- The skids are welded to the frame, the welding spots are cleaned with a grinder.
- The rocking chair made of metal is polished again. Then it is washed with a soapy sponge, dried, covered with 2-3 layers of primer, varnished or painted.
- A cover (removable if possible) is made of double fabric or durable synthetic materials, fixed on the chair. We weld the backrest guides We paint the frame
- Reinforce these elements with durable wooden overlays.
- Impregnate structures with drying oil, acrylic or yacht varnishes. The more time and money spent on these goals, the better.
- Avoid direct contact of skids with moisture.
Runners are recommended to be made from a solid profile of strong, but plastic types of wood (oak, coniferous) or glued europlywood. The best strength indicators are for curved glued structures made of 3–6 layers of high-quality plywood with a total thickness of 3 cm or more. To extend their service life, we recommend:
The practice of reinforcing these elements with durable wooden overlays is especially relevant for old dried out products or new bent glued structures made from plywood with your own hands. For fixing, dowels are used, hidden inside the furniture. With the right approach, a wooden rocking chair is covered with protective and LKS compositions several times (at least 1 of them is fully assembled).
In case of errors in the dimensions of the rocking chair or its insufficient stability, the runners need to be balanced. To carry it out, an additional crossbar with recesses for attaching weights is fixed between them. The ideal balance is selected empirically, with a change in the weight and number of weights and the load of the chair.
Furniture impregnated with linseed oil will become stronger and last longer. It is recommended to use dowels to reinforce the structure. Video
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 a ready-made project or creating your own, it is necessary to take into account the different weights of family members.
Types of rocking chairs
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 the different types of 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 landing. Overturning 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, its compact version 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 forged. 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 various thicknesses, the material allows the implementation of even the most complex product designs. 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 an environmentally friendly, easy to process and affordable material with high strength characteristics. 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, the manufacture and assembly of a wooden chair may well be done at home. |
 | A profile tube chair, if properly designed and manufactured, will last for many 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 a creative option that is unlikely to be used in the premises of the house. It is more suitable for the conditions of the yard or garden, especially since the material is resistant to external natural influences, except, however, for 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 pipe sections. 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 under the outer skin into foam rubber or synthetic winterizer, in which mold will appear over time. The best option would be removable pillows or mattresses, as well as armrests, in which a synthetic winterizer is used as stuffing. Such products can not only be brought into the house for the autumn and winter period or during rainy weather, but also washed 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 some 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 For manufacturing, you will need some electrical and hand tools - this is an electric jigsaw, a manual milling machine for processing the edges of the material, a screwdriver, a metal ruler, a tape measure and a pencil, a rubber spatula.
From the materials should be prepared:
- plywood sheets with a thickness of 30 mm and a size of 1400 × 1200 mm;
- 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. The patterned detail that will be cut out of plywood for transferring to plywood sheets is shown in a dimensional grid with cells of 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. |
 We assemble a comfortable chair made of wood with our 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 10 mm thick calibrator templates, 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 with a protective varnish, which is designed for outdoor use. You can choose water-based formulations or alkyd options. Well proven as a durable coating for wood, located all year round on the street, "Yacht Varnish", 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, through holes are drilled. |
 | 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 with metal corners fixed on the back 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, a not so difficult stage of work is underway - 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 separate 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 design 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 as an 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 with a 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. The overlays are marked and sawn out according to a template created already on the inside of the bent glued 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, cut lines are defined, which will repeat the direction of the skid, so that during installation they fit perfectly against the surface of the skids.
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.
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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 high-quality tools for performing 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
A lot has been written about the beneficial effects of relaxing in a rocking chair. 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 from the 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: stability during swinging with a slightly larger amplitude at a normal landing height is provided by rocking chairs on radial 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 changing the generatrix of the radius (also see about kinematics), to design them for any, within acceptable limits, landing height.
Note: mothers with a baby are given a complete rest with the complete unity of the souls of a 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. With a direct landing, this is a 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. Drawings of a 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 pair of wrenches (assembly - bolted). 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 users minus 5 cm. Suddenly, the rocking will come out harsh, this can be corrected by placing a permanent pillow on the seat.
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 of geometric progression with the 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 runner profile 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. Comfort is high, stability is absolute, and can serve as a hanging hammock 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:
- We turn the chair upside down;
- Thoroughly warm the bar-blank with a building hair dryer;
- 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!
- We also grab the second blank on another runner;
- 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;
- 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;
- 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;
- 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. It is much easier to make a steel frame of a garden rocking chair of the Concept type, 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
Recently, garden rocking chairs have become popular. 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
To wallow with your heels in the sky, throwing your hands behind your head and admiring through the trembling foliage the clouds floating in the blue heights is a heavenly pleasure, but not for everyone. It is desirable for someone to look more impressive while relaxing. A garden bench - a rocking chair is more suitable for this, 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 rocking chair is the most comfortable piece of furniture that is designed for home relaxation. Such a product is expensive, and not everyone can afford to buy it. In order not to spend money on the purchase of a product, you can design and make a rocking chair with your own hands. A beautiful and original self-assembly product will become a central decoration in your home interior.
Similar articles:
How to design correctly
There are several types of rocking chairs that suit different needs and habits of users. The first models that appeared in everyday life were equipped with simple arcs and skis. Do-it-yourself rocking chairs can be made according to the finished drawing. But you need to know that these drawings were created for an individual person and may not suit others. First of all, the product should be comfortable and meet your own needs.
If the family consists of 3-4 people, then the design of the chair is designed for the heaviest and tallest member of the family.
What you need to know when designing a product:
- In the manufacture of the chair, it is required to take into account that the center of gravity of the rocking chair must be correctly located in relation to the center of the rocking circle. Then the product will be comfortable and stable.
- A rocking chair made of wood will not move if these two points converge at one.
- The product will be unstable if the center of gravity moves higher in relation to the center of the circle.
How to choose material and design
The material for the chair is chosen depending on the interior of the room in which it will stand, and financial capabilities. Design and choice of material:
- Wicker products have a beautiful appearance and are the most popular models. They are expensive, because they are woven by hand from rattan and cane. Models made from Indonesian rattan are very durable and of good quality. These are elegant, comfortable and environmentally friendly products. Thanks to good depreciation, they are able to withstand any weight. They are often installed on balconies and loggias of a country house.
- The frame for rocking chairs is made of a profile pipe, metal or wood. Plywood is often used. The metal frame is combined with natural materials such as rattan. These products are highly durable and can withstand a lot of weight. To make them comfortable to sit on, the back and seat are made of plastic pipes.
- The most budgetary are products made from wood. They are less durable, but have a beautiful appearance. A classic armchair made of wood with your own hands will look incomparable in a living room with a fireplace.
The comfort and smoothness of the rocking of the chair depends on the runners (skis). They can be made in two ways:
- According to the drawing, 2 blanks are cut out of plywood and polished. The thickness of the plywood must be at least 15 mm. Skis must be installed in the grooves symmetrically with respect to each other. To do this, grooves are made in the legs of the product. Their depth should be from 7 to 10 cm. In the place where the legs of the chair and skis adjoin each other, through holes are cut through. A wooden spike is inserted into them, having previously lubricated the holes with glue.
- For the manufacture of skis, 2 square bars 1 m long and 45 mm thick are used. It cuts the grooves into which the legs of the chair will be inserted. To give the runners the necessary shape, the bars are soaked in hot water. When they soften, the material will become elastic and slightly arched. When the skis are dry, they are installed on the legs. The parts are fixed with glue, so all joints are pre-lubricated with a substance.
What do you do with old furniture?
Everyone associates a rocking chair with comfort and coziness, and you immediately want to sit in it by the fireplace in a country house with a cup of hot coffee. This is a very beautiful and original interior element that fits into almost any style. In addition, swinging on a chair is good for health. So you can relax, relieve stress, gain strength, calmly read your favorite book, listen to music or just take a nap. You can make a rocking chair with your own hands from wood, consider examples with photos, drawings and the progress of work using several technologies.
Features of wood structures
Most often, furniture is made of wood, so the rocking chair is no exception. Why do many people choose this particular material:
What makes this chair attractive?
How to make a rocking chair with your own hands from wood according to the drawings is shown in the video with instructions and work progress.
Types of armchairs
There are many different models of chairs, all of them can differ in their functionality, dimensions, style, materials and the presence of additional gadgets. We always choose furniture based on our preferences and habits, and the rocking chair is no exception.
Consider several options for the design of rocking chairs:
Work technology
To figure out how to make a rocking chair with your own hands from wood according to the drawings and the right dimensions, you need to purchase all the necessary materials and tools:
- Screwdriver.
- Paint brush for filling fastener holes.
- A hammer.
- Straight corner with a ruler.
- Disc grinding machine.
- Self-tapping screws.
- Electric jigsaw for cutting blanks.
- Clamp.
1 way
To create a rocking chair, you can use an ordinary chair by shortening its legs and attaching this structure to the skids. To make the appearance attractive, the chair can be braided with leather or plastic ribbons. If desired, you can also sew a rocking chair cover yourself.
To make the structure more interesting in shape, sidewalls can be cut out of plywood according to a pre-calculated pattern. The edges of the plywood should be well finished.
plywood edges
Then we connect the two resulting parts to each other using three bars (30 * 50 * 600 mm).
To lay out the upper part, we use thin boards and plywood planks (10 * 50 * 600 mm).
In some cases, the length can be increased so that the slats protrude beyond the edges of the sidewalls. After assembling the chair, it can be varnished or painted.
2 way
We begin the process of creating a rocking chair with a drawing. For a quality result, a sketch is required. In addition, we can save ourselves from strong errors in the calculation of the amount of material.
Work technique:
3 way
We will assemble a rocking chair according to the drawing, using high-quality types of wood. As a basis, we use an ordinary wooden chair. All parts will be mounted at right angles, so you do not need to cut out many additional elements.
Now you can create a rocking chair yourself and please your household. The main thing to remember is that the product can be scratched, and the material will quickly age and lose its appearance. Therefore, always treat the chair with varnish so that it pleases you with its beauty for a long time and creates comfort in the house.
