Rocking chair on your own at home. How to make a rocking chair with your own hands from scrap materials Rocking chair do-it-yourself pendulum mechanism drawings

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

The traditional material for such chairs is willow vine and its analogue, rattan. Products made from this material are lightweight, distinguished by their graceful lines and a solid price.

Modern materials can also be used in the manufacture of wicker chairs - there are options from synthetic vines. They are not worse than natural ones, they are not afraid of moisture at all and have a very long service life.

Armchairs made of metal, despite the reliability and ductility 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 required to work with metal; it is difficult for a beginner to make a metal chair.

Rocking chair made of pipe scraps

Metal profile rocking chair

Affordability and attractive appearance of plastic chairs. These advantages can be added resistance to damp weather, durability, bright, non-fading color. In addition, they do not have to be repainted and processed.

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

There are many models for DIYers, the simplest are presented below.

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

Types of rocking chairs

The simplest type is the armchairs built according to the radial 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 a garden.

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

Chairs on runners of variable curvature are much more stable, 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. Rockers on elliptical runners, despite their comfort, can tip over, therefore they are equipped with bumpers, the front one usually serves as a footboard.

Tipping over when rocking near sun loungers with awnings, on elliptical runners is excluded.

Where to begin

Below is a garden rocking chair that, with some effort, even a beginner can make. On
You can try your hand at such a model before moving on to a complex home option.

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 can be placed at home without taking up much space. This simple model will be used to describe the process.

You should start working with a drawing.

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

What can you make a chair from?

Eurofaner 3 cm thick is suitable for work.

You need to cut out the sidewalls exactly according to the pattern, three parts for each side;
The rest of the parts are made of timber 50 mm wide and 25 mm thick. For the seat and backrest, 35 pieces of timber are needed, the length of each is 120 mm;
In order to correctly calculate how much timber is needed, you first need to visit the store and see which bars are presented and what their length is. 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 and length of 2.3 meters are on sale, then you can make the chair a little narrower - cut the bars for the back and seat at 115 mm each. If the bars are slightly wider, 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 you 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 parts are ready

After the parts are cut out, they will need to be processed. There should be no roughness on them.

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

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

Hot linseed oil treatment 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. oil paint and use even on the street, without losing their qualities and appearance.

Small parts can be dipped whole in boiling linseed oil, but you cannot hold them with your hands. Better to make improvised tongs out of wooden slats... The larger parts should be liberally smeared with a brush, spreading them out on cardboard, alternately on each side, and the rest of the parts should also be dried. Working with hot linseed oil requires great care, this should be borne in mind during the impregnation process. You must not bend over a container with a boiling substance; you must have tight work gloves on your hands.

Alternatively, the parts can be treated with antiseptics, stain, 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 full smoothness

Assembly

It is imperative to apply the points of attachment of the cross bars - these places are marked on the drawing, their location on the finished parts should be calculated, based on the step of the scale grid.
Having assembled the sidewalls, you can start attaching the seat and back parts. The back will be attached to the rack, the seat to the side bars.

We must once again draw attention to that. that the tsars should be fixed strictly symmetrically, and the assembled side parts, if put on top of each other, should completely coincide, without the slightest deviation.

Now the side parts are fastened together with 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 fasteners);
To attach the back and seat parts, four holes must be drilled in each block, two on each side. In order for the caps of the screws to be not visible, each hole must be slightly expanded from above with a drill of a larger diameter (it must be selected in accordance with the diameter of the caps). When screwing on, the caps will be in the recesses, which can then be masked with furniture putty.

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

Final processing

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

If the parts were treated with linseed 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 wood texture, it should be treated with a stain of the desired shade and varnished.

The varnish should be chosen water-resistant, as well as the 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 prolong its functionality, or at least bring it into the house in case of precipitation.

For the chair, you need to use strong types of wood. These are oak, larch, conifers;
Europlywood, a 3 cm thick glued wood material, also has sufficient strength to make the chair reliable;
Plywood sheets must be carefully inspected before purchasing so that they do not have surface damage and cracks. This will save you from the difficulties in cutting the product and its subsequent processing;
The more time is spent on 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 fabrics, this will contribute to the accumulation of moisture under the upholstery, which will quickly render it unusable. For the seat and backrest, it is better to get removable pillows;
If the finished product falls back too much or, conversely, is oriented forward, at the end of the work it will be necessary to balance it. For this, an additional cross member is installed at the rear ends of the sidewalls. Previously, recesses are cut out 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 complicated process, but quite doable. If you perform all the actions correctly and accurately, following the drawing and the tips set out in the article, the result will be a beautiful and functional product that will last a long time.

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

Secondly, a simple and at the same time effective exercise machine for health. Thirdly, it is surprisingly comfortable to relax in it, read a book or indulge in sweet, addictive and enveloping laziness.

Since the statement that all diseases stem from nerves is largely true, a rocking chair can become a unique pill, a miracle cure for many diseases.

Rhythmic, uniform and calm swaying translates the human nervous system into a kind of trance - the body calms down, relaxes, but the parasympathetic nervous system, on the contrary, is activated.

The person relaxes, being distracted from the daily routine and obsessive thoughts. A relaxed mind is "lazy" to control the body, the muscles relax, starting to fully rest and recover, accumulating a reserve of strength.

A rocking chair will help to overcome sleep problems, because measured rocking is the same manipulation that a mother conducts, rocking the child in cradle... Just half an hour in a rocking chair - and deep healthy sleep will take you into its arms.

A rocking chair will help patients with tachycardia - rocking, as it were, sets a certain even pace, to which the heart adjusts. It trains the vestibular apparatus - after it, it is easier to endure long trips in a car, train or plane.

Today rocking chairs are made from different materials, but we have the most popular products from rattan and vines.

What to make a rocking chair from: select materials

To make a reliable, sturdy and durable rocking chair, you must use quality wood- coniferous varieties, oak or larch... Often, to simplify the work, plywood is used - its sheets are not only easy to saw to get a part of the required shape, but it is also quite plastic and lends itself well to further processing (sanding, painting).

The choice of material is almost entirely determined by the place where the rocking chair is placed. An outdoor rocking chair should have additional protection and be treated with antiseptic agents that minimize the impact of adverse aggressive natural factors (frost, rain, snow) and allow maintaining aesthetic appeal for as long as possible.

For a summer residence, a combination of metal and wood looks like the best option - the base (frame) is made of forged metal, and the seats are already made of wood. And stores are increasingly offering plastic rocking chairs with two undoubted advantages: low cost and high immunity to all natural influences.

How to make a rocking chair with your own hands: the most affordable options

The main part of the design of the rocking chair is two runners (skis), which have an arched shape, due to which, in fact, the chair can swing. These runners can be short or long. In chairs with long runners, the depth and amplitude of rolling is large enough, a person from a sitting position goes into a reclining position. Rocking chairs with short runners provide a calm and steady rolling motion, which is why they are especially popular with the elderly.

To make the simplest rocking chair, you don't even need detailed drawing rocking chairs. It is enough to take a ready-made, for example, an old chair (1) with wooden legs. We will make two supports (2), for this we make two elements from the bars, which will have the same curved base. We also cut out the cheeks (3), which we will use later as the bottom for the chair legs.

For each leg of the original chair, we cut out two restraining bars (4) - a total of eight. We nail the corresponding stops at the required distance for each support for all legs. We screw in three (6) furniture bolts at both supports from the outside - this will give the chair stability and ensure a safe swing. Prepare a closing plate (7) for each limiting bar... Having inserted the legs of the chair into the prepared grooves with stops, we cover the stops with the closing plates and fix them with a puncher. For convenience, a footrest (8) can be added at the front.

Similarly, you can upgrade a chair with metal legs by making special fastening loops from metal

Plywood rocking chair

For plastic modeling, plywood is the most favorable material. Using a jigsaw, you can get a structure that will greatly simplify the process, because structurally it combines the two most important (and most difficult to manufacture) elements of a rocking chair - runners and sidewalls. In addition, the absence of joints significantly increases the strength of the structure.

For manufacturing we need:

jigsaw
screwdriver
plywood - sheet with a thickness of at least 15 mm
oak (pine) slats with a section of 10x50 mm - about 20-35 pieces, the length depends on the manufacturing option - a single or double chair. For a single seat, the rail length is 1200 mm.
timber (pine, preferably oak) - 30x50 mm, 3 pcs, equal in length to the slats
self-tapping screws

We draw a pattern on graph paper, transfer the drawing to plywood and cut out the sidewall with a jigsaw.

After that we sand all the details and remove small chamfers. If the rocking chair is intended for a summer residence, Special attention require ends - they require maximum protection from moisture. Therefore, the ends of all parts are impregnated with hot drying oil, after which the wood fibers are slightly flattened with a hammer - this way the moisture will be absorbed much less. Before the start of the general assembly, the finishing-varnishing procedure for the ends must be carried out twice.

Holes for connecting bars (tsars) are marked at the foot, middle part and at the head. To achieve maximum accuracy, after preliminary marking, the sidewalls are aligned and a hole is drilled. The drawers are fixed with Euro screws and additionally fixed with wood glue. After that, we evenly fix the rails on the already assembled frame with self-tapping screws. After the assembly is completed, it is necessary to putty the holes over the screws, once again sand all the parts with fine sandpaper, treat with an antiseptic, cover with stain (if you like dark wood tones) and cover the resulting chair with waterproof varnish.

If it is possible to use a grinder and a welding machine, you can assemble metal carcass... To do this, you need a steel corner (20x20x3 mm) and a steel strip (thickness 4 mm, width 40 mm). After assembly, the frame is painted, after which, along the entire length of the seat and backrest, holes are drilled for self-tapping screws, which will fasten the wooden facing strips.

Advice! Be sure to treat the metal parts with an anti-corrosion compound before assembly.

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

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 such a 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 difficulty in creating a rocking chair lies in the correct balancing of the curved elements, since if it is not achieved, the chair will start to overturn or simply will not be able to perform its main function - to swing without the risk of overturning. Moreover, when choosing a ready-made project or creating your own, it is necessary to take into account the different weight of family members.

The main types of rocking chairs by design features

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

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

Illustration	A brief description of the features of rocking chairs
	A chair with radius runners can be called traditional, since it was with such models that the development of other rocking chair designs began. E Its name is explained by the fact that the runners have a bend of the same radius along their entire length. Therefore, making this type of chair is easier than other options. Models with this design are popular today, as they differ not only in the simplicity of the design, but also in the "conscientious" performance of their immediate functions. A chair equipped with radius runners usually has a low seating position - this factor is associated with its not too high stability when rocking. 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 runners.
	A rocking chair with runners having variable curvature has a different radius of their bend in different sections along the entire length. This version of the product is more stable and is not in danger of overturning. Therefore, it is this safe design that is used for baby rocking cots.
	The chair with 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 stance. The overturning of such models rarely happens, but in order to eliminate the risk of their occurrence completely, 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 it is rather difficult to make such a model at home. Yes, there is no particular need for this, since it has a number of essential disadvantages. Firstly, such rocking chairs cannot be called completely safe, since the springs can pinch your fingers. V secondly, dust and dirt are clogged between the runners and the 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 runners with smooth breaks. It is stable in any position and cannot topple over accidentally. However, such a piece of furniture is still more suitable for apartments with spacious rooms with an area or for use on the site of a private house - the structure 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 jolts.
	The tumbler-chair or "vanka-vstanka" has recently become especially popular for relaxing in a 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 recumbent position. Then, when the load is weakened, it takes its original position, and while sitting in it, you can simply sway slightly.
	The pendulum structure of the chair performs the swing function due to the articulated 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. The models have a fixed base; when rocking, they work almost silently. Such a chair is perfect for a young mother for rocking her baby. However, making this type of chair yourself is very difficult. Therefore, if you are interested in just such an option, then it will be more rational to purchase it ready-made.

Rocking chair material

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

Illustration	Characteristic features of materials
	Armchair made of metal rods and strips, made by welding or forging. This material option is an excellent solution for an armchair intended for installation in the yard or garden, as well as on a spacious terrace. Such chairs are characterized by high strength and durability, they are resistant to various external natural influences. The disadvantage of the products is their large weight and the factor that special equipment is required for their manufacture. (However, even a high-quality wooden chair can hardly 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 rocking chair made of plywood is the most popular version of products designed for use in an apartment or house. Any master with the skills of working with carpentry tools can make a model from this material. The advantages of plywood include the ability to make precise connections, relatively low weight. Due to the large linear dimensions of the sheets and various thicknesses, the material allows you to implement even the most complex product designs. To make the plywood chair last as long as possible, its parts are treated with one of the protective compounds - polymer emulsion or acrylic varnish.
	Wooden rocking chairs are the traditional option. Wood is an environmentally friendly, easy-to-handle 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 sense of comfort and coziness to any interior. Wooden crafts with proper processing, they 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 chair made of a shaped tube, if correctly designed and manufactured, will serve for many years. This product is intended for outdoor, terrace or indoor use. large area. Rockers from this material are made by welded method. In addition to the welding machine, a pipe bender is required for work. For a chair, it is best to choose pipes that have an elliptical cross section. After completing the welding work, the product must be coated with anti-corrosion varnish or paint. As a seat and armrests, boards or plywood covered with fabric or natural or artificial leather can be used.
	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 likely to be suitable for the conditions of a yard or garden, especially since the material is resistant to external natural influences, if, however, do not count severe frosts and direct sunlight. To give the structure a 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 large weight, since even short pipe sections can bend under the influence of a large load. To make products from polypropylene pipes, you will need a special soldering iron.
	Vine rocking chair. To make a product from this material, you must have certain knowledge of its processing and basic weaving techniques. 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 vine chair will turn out to be light and comfortable, you can, if you wish, take it out into the street, and then bring it into the house.

Recommendations for the choice of material and manufacture of the product

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

For the manufacture of armchairs, dense types of wood are used - larch, oak, teak, ash, walnut, etc.
If plywood is chosen, then it is better to give preference to "eurofaner", which has a thickness of up to 30 mm and has excellent quality, strength and reliability. The material should be checked for damage, knots or cracks before purchasing it. Quality plywood is easier to mark, cut and process.
The more time will be spent on processing and impregnating wood blanks protective compounds, the higher the durability of the products made from them will become.
If the chair is planned to be made for outdoor use, then stationary soft upholstery, even of moisture-resistant material, should not be fixed on it. Moisture will still seep under the outer skin into foam rubber or synthetic winterizer, in which mold will eventually appear. The best option would be removable pillows or mattresses, as well as armrests, in which synthetic winterizer is used as padding. Such products can be brought into the house not only for the autumn and winter periods 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 a few interesting options, from our new article on our portal.

Rocking chair manufacturing options

To independently calculate the perfectly correct curvature of the seat runners for a specific weight a certain person, it is necessary to apply physical and mathematical calculations. Some hard data must be involved. In general, this process is quite complicated, and not everyone is able to understand its nuances. Therefore, it is recommended to use ready-made verified projects that are transferred to the main production material using the marking grid or the provided dimensions.

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 necessary tools and skills to work with them.

The appearance of a garden rocking chair of the "Vanka-Vstanka" type

For manufacturing, you will need some electric and hand tools - an electric jigsaw, a hand-held milling machine for processing material edges, a screwdriver, a metal ruler, a tape measure and a pencil, a rubber spatula.

From the materials you should prepare:

- plywood sheets with a thickness of 30 mm and a size of 1400 × 1200 mm;

- boards measuring 800 × 150 × 20mm - 3 pcs.;

- boards for upholstery of the seat 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 curved piece 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 making parts and assembling such a rocking chair.

Illustration
	The first step is to make side curved parts, which will become the basis of the structure - both runners and a kind of frame for attaching the 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 100 × 100 mm. Then, measuring the location of the lines in each of the squares on the project, the values are transferred to the grid, drawn on the plywood. Therefore, in order to make it easier for yourself, small drawing it is best done on a scale of 1:10, that is, each cell will be 10 × 10 mm. After the drawing is transferred to the plywood, the parts are cut in turn using electric jigsaw. After cutting the parts, they are folded together, squeezed in clamps, and when ideally fitted to each other using a jigsaw and a router.
	The next stage is the processing of the side parts with a milling cutter - chamfers are removed from their end sides. Well, then the parts are sanded by hand or using a grinder. At the next stage of work, three lintels (tsars) are made from the prepared boards, which will fasten the sidewalls of the structure. The size of these side bars should be 800 × 150 × 20 mm.
We collect comfortable armchair made of wood with your own hands	Further, focusing on the drawing, on the inner surfaces of the side parts, the marking of the installation sites of the fastening jumpers (tsars) is made. The markings should be as accurate as possible, otherwise the chair may turn out to be skewed. In order for the lintels 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 grooves are filled with PVA or wood glue.
	After the side parts are interconnected by the drawers, the structure is turned to one side and twisted with furniture screws or confirmations. For each of connecting nodes you will need two fasteners each. To prevent the jumpers from cracking, holes are drilled under them before screwing in 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 to the right, it is recommended to mark and draw lines along which the fastening screws will be screwed in. To carry out the marking, the slats are laid out evenly on the table, 200 mm are laid from each edge - here the desired line will pass.
	Then, starting from the bottom edge of the chair, they begin to trim the frame. The slats are attached at a distance of 10 mm from each other. To maintain the exact pitch, it will be easiest to make two calibrator templates with a thickness of 10 mm, which will set the width of the lumen on both sides. After attaching the board, these calibrators are removed and rearranged to attach the next jumper - and so on. As you can see in the illustration, the edges of the cladding protrude 200 mm from each side of the side bearing parts. The heads of the self-tapping screws must be sunk into the wood 2 ÷ 3 mm below the surface level.
	The next step is to tightly fill the holes formed above the caps of the screws with wood putty. It is best to make the composition yourself or add fine sawdust left over when cutting plywood and boards into the finished putty. It is recommended to apply the filler with a rubber trowel, which will immediately level its surface. Further, the putty must be allowed to dry well, after which the places of its application are sanded.
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 intended for outdoor use. You can choose from water-based formulations or alkyd options. It has shown itself well in the role of a resistant coating for wood located all year round on the street, "Yacht varnish", widely used to cover the hulls of yachts and boats, as well as other structures in contact with water.

Rocking chair with variable curvature runners

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

One of the variants of seats equipped with runners with variable curvature

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

The displayed version of the chair is equipped with armrests, as well as pads on the runners, which will prevent the structure from overturning

To manufacture 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 spacing between the 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 is details for the back and seat;

The third - the larger part is intended for the linings on the runners, the smaller one for the armrests.

Bars-crossbeams (tsars) for fastening the seat parts together - 6 pcs. section 30 × 20 mm, length 600 mm.
A bar-crossbar for stiffening the structure, fastened to the lower part of the side parts, with a section of 50 × 20 mm, a length of 600 mm.
Metal corners 14 pcs. size 30 × 30 mm.
Fiberboard sheets 2 pcs. for a base under a soft seat, size 600 × 700 mm.
Foam rubber 100 mm thick, the same size as chipboard.
Fabric or leather for the upholstery of the seat and backrest - two cuts measuring 700 × 800 mm.
Furniture screws for assembling the structure.

Illustration	Brief description of the operations performed
	This illustration shows the assembled structure, but in which all the details are visible through and through. Thanks to this image, it is easier to navigate how the connections can be made. individual parts into a single design.
	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 into a cage measuring 100 × 100 mm. The locations of the fasteners are immediately determined, and through holes are drilled at the designated points, after the parts are cut.
	The parts that form the back and seat are transferred and cut in the same way. It is very important when cutting out both one and the other paired parts, exactly fit to each other - they must be absolutely identical. Finished curved parts (their edges) must be machined with a milling cutter, making sharp corners slightly rounded.
	The next step is to prepare the drawers - six crossbars for the seat and backrest, and one jumper for connecting the side parts. They are made from planks or bars of suitable cross-section. The wood must be well sanded, free from roughness and burrs.
	Next, there is the stage of joining the two parts - the seat-back. It is very important to correctly mark the attachment points, otherwise the structure 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 make measurements, but also, having laid the details next to it, to check it visually.
	Now you can start connecting the side parts with the seat and back. For this, on the latter, the marking of the mounting points of the mounts is also done. Through the markings, through holes are drilled for screws with nuts and washers installed on both sides of the parts to be fastened.
	The next step is to install the lower lintel, which strengthens the structure. Before installing it, the places of its attachment are also marked. The part is screwed with furniture screws, two of them are required on each side.
	Further, linings are mounted on the runners - their installation location must also be marked. To do this, the chair is turned over with runners up. These parts are fixed using a special technology, which includes several stages: - the lining blank is well warmed up with a construction hairdryer; - then it is laid on the marked place on the runner and tied tightly with cotton tape or twine. It is necessary to work carefully so as not to get burned, since the plywood will be still hot; - in the same way, the second pad is seized; - after the plywood parts have cooled down and take the exact shape of the runner, the fixing rope is removed; - the strips are coated with PVA or wood glue, then they are well pressed against the runners; - the edges of the planks are nailed to their entire length until they fully adhere to the runners. Before hammering in nails, washers or pieces of plywood are put on them to make it easier to remove them after the glue has dried; - in this state, the product is left for two or three days; - then the nails are removed, the surface is cleaned grinder; - blind holes are drilled at the ends of the linings, into which self-tapping screws are screwed, their heads must be sunk into the wood; - the holes above the heads of the self-tapping screws are overwritten with putty with the addition of sawdust. It is important to remember that the fastening of the linings with self-tapping screws is carried out only at their ends, otherwise, in the process of abrasion of the wood, the fasteners will scratch the floor covering.
	After fixing the strips to the glue, the armrests are fixed in the same way. After the glue has dried, in contrast to the linings on the runners, the armrests are fixed with self-tapping screws along the entire length, they are installed in increments of 80 ÷ 100 mm. The heads of the fasteners are also sunk into the wood and sealed with putty, after which the linings are sanded.
	Further, there is a not so difficult stage of work - fixing the fragments of fiberboard cut to size on the lintels of the seat and back. They are nailed with furniture nails with wide heads. 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 the fiberboard sheet, it is recommended to use special foam glue. Such an attachment of the soft part of the chair is shown in this diagram, but it is still better to do it differently. First, foam rubber should be glued to separate cut-out sheets of fiberboard, then covered with fabric, fixing it on the back of the hard layer with staples. After that, 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 the covers, fill them with padding polyester, then sew the finished product in five to six places. As attachments to the bottom and top of the pillows, a braid is sewn, which is tied on the back of the back and seat.

Rocking chair from a regular 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 runners under it and fix them on the legs, having previously adjusted and cut them along the resulting radius.

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

In this table, one of the ways of making runners will be considered, since it depends on them how well the chair will swing, and because they are the most difficult parts of the structure to manufacture:

Illustration	Brief description of the operations performed
	So, to create the necessary bend, you first need a strip of fiberboard with a length of 1200 and a width of 30 ÷ 35 mm and a rail with a saw cut to fix the strip on it, which will become a prototype of future runners.
	At the ends of the strip, cuts are made, 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 decided on the bending radius, on the table or on a sheet of plywood according to the template learned from the plank and rail, an arc is drawn on which the middle is determined - the top of the bend of the future runners.
	When choosing the required bending radius, it must be borne in mind 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 swayed, then you should choose a larger radius of the bar on the rail, that is, push it wider; - if there is a desire to create a "reactive" swing, then the radius is made smaller, that is, the edges of the strip on the rail move 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 strip to the folded strip is approximately 150 mm.
	Along the intended radius, you can simply cut out runners from plywood with a thickness of 18 to 30 mm. Or they can be made using bent-glued technology. The second option is more durable in execution, but when using it, stronger runners are obtained, and their width can be increased up to 50 mm. However, this process will require special device- slipways, which are wooden corners, on which the strip of fiberboard is fixed. The fixture has some flexibility and can be positioned according to the template drawn on the table - this is well shown in the illustration. The exposed slipways are firmly attached to the base (workbench). Thus, a spatial curvilinear pattern has been set, according to which it is fashionable to manufacture bent-glued parts of the same radius.
	In this case, only the technique of fastening plywood strips with a thickness of 5 mm to the template stocks is shown as an example, therefore, only two strips of this material were used. However, for the manufacture of runners, of course, the thickness of two strips of plywood (or MDF) lamellas with a thickness of 5 mm will not be enough.
	You will need at least six strips, which are coated with PVA or other wood glue before being installed on the stocks and clamped in clamps. 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 required 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 runners are shown in this illustration. In the future, the ends of the runners 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 in the bars, equal to the thickness of the runners, with a depth of 20 mm. The edges of the workpieces should fit snugly into the cut gaps. The grooves are coated with glue, and then the edges of the runners are inserted into them. In order to be able to pull off the glued structure, the runners are temporarily fastened together with horizontal bars. After the parts are completely ready, they are milled and polished.
	The master decided to strengthen the bent-glued blanks with wooden plates, which are fastened together with dowels. The overlays are marked and cut out according to the template already created according to inside bent glued blanks.

Now it remains to fix the runners on the legs of the old chair or chair. For this, the distance between the legs of the product is measured. Then, the middle of the runners is determined again, after which ½ of the distance between the legs is laid on each side of the found point.

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

These markings will help determine where the legs are attached to the runners. Further, each runner is applied to the side of the chair, to the legs of which it will be attached. On the legs, lines for the saw cut are determined, which will repeat the direction of the runner, so that during installation they ideally fit tightly to the surface of the runners.

The next step is to cut holes or grooves in the wooden lining on the bent-glued workpieces. Then grooves are also cut out on the legs, or the ends of the legs are processed so that they take the shape of thorns. The spikes on the chair legs are glued into the grooves cut in the runners. For reliability, it is fashionable to reinforce 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 can be seen that making a rocking chair or even just runners for an old chair is not an easy task. Therefore, if there is no experience in carpentry or suitable quality tools to complete the work, you should think about whether it is worth taking on the independent embodiment of the plan. However, if the material is available, time will allow, the desire to try your hand spurs - why not try? And experience is a real deal! And if even the first time not everything goes smoothly, then the next time, with an analysis of the mistakes made, it will definitely start to work out.

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

Video: pendulum metal rocking chair

Some pieces of furniture can hardly be called necessary. But after the rocking chair made with their own hands appears in the house, the inhabitants will be surprised - how they could do without such a pleasant device before.

Rocking chairs are made from both modern available materials: plastic, cardboard, and traditional ones - wood, rattan, metal. Giving preference to metal professional pipes (i.e. steel pipes with an oval, round or rectangular cross-section), the master receives a product that has a number of advantages. Furniture from such raw materials comes out lighter, stronger and, as a rule, inexpensive. Indeed, to create furnishings, the remnants of materials that remain after other work are often used.

Simple rocking chair from the designer

This workshop is for those who know how to weld metal. Minimalism has been in vogue for a long time. Try making a simple yet distinctive rocking chair. Check out the work of Belgian designer Müller Vann Severen. His works are characterized by geometry, simplicity and functionality.

The frame of the rocking chair is made of steel tube, and dense textiles are used for the seat. The choice of color is limited only by the framework of fantasy. Such furniture can be placed in an ultra-modern apartment, put on loggias, create a comfortable corner for relaxation near a country house.

Prepare materials for work

First of all, you should prepare existing or specially purchase metal pipes, which will become the base of the rocking chair. A round or oval profile with a diameter of at least 2 cm is best. In addition, you will need a piece of strong (preferably high cotton content) material 120x130 cm in order to sew the sling seat. Also, you should have at hand:

Metal welding machine.
Protective equipment for eyes and hands.
Grinder with cutting and grinding attachments.
Bending device metal pipes(pipe bender).
Metal primer.
Paint (color of your choice) for metal.
Magnetic welding square.
Roulette, pencil.
Sewing machine.

Before you start creating the chair, you need to select or cut the necessary blanks from the pipe:

4 pieces (A) 65 cm long;
2 elements (B) 26.8 cm each;
2 pieces (C) 86.7 cm long;
2 elements (D) 60 cm each;
2 parts (E) 89.6 cm each.

Scheme with letter designations details will help you to imagine the design and the way all the workpieces are located.

If necessary, you can change the preset size of the chair to your own, proportionally increasing / decreasing all parameters. Be careful when creating a larger product, choose a profile pipe of a larger diameter so that the base can withstand a heavy load.

Work description

Prepare the ends of the steel pieces so that they fit snugly together when joining. Using a grinder and a sanding attachment, make rounded indentations in the indicated places:

on steel rods A, cut and grind both ends;
on part B, make notches on one side only;
on each rod C, grind one end as indicated.

Attention! When welding parts, be sure to place them on a flat surface (on large table or on the floor) to avoid skewing the connections.

As shown in the photo below, first assemble the side parts of the chair. Using a magnetic weld square, make sure all parts are 90 degrees to each other. When welding, so that the angle is not violated, you can also use any cinder block.
When the two sides are completely ready, attach the two front and two rear A parts to them.
Now you need to give the desired bend to the parts-runners of the chair (E). If you have a pipe bender at your disposal, then the task seems to be simple. In the case when there is no special equipment, find a suitable device. You can find some witty ideas on the Internet. For example, a bifurcated tree trunk and an additional metal rod (thin and solid, not a pipe) could be the way out. Install the rod between the trunks, put the part on it, slowly pressing on the free end of the pipe, shape it. Do the work carefully, the bending of both parts should be as similar as possible.
Solder the ends of the curved pieces (E) to the chair legs. This is the most tricky part work completed.
Use a grinder with a grinding attachment to clean the solder spots so that the joints are neat, smooth, without dangerous sharp edges.
Clean the frame with a sponge and soapy water.

For further processing, it would be good to hang the frame, then all metal parts will be processed in the same way.

First coat the clean, dry framework with two or three coats of primer. Each subsequent layer should be applied only after 24 hours on a completely dried previous one.
Paint the metal base with your chosen paint color if desired, or cover with 1-2 coats of matt varnish.

Entrust the manufacture of the cover to a person who knows how to work on sewing machine... Instead of new fabric you can take an old blanket, then the fabric does not have to be folded in half.

Fold a piece of prepared fabric 120 cm wide and about 130 cm long in half to make a 60x130 cm rectangle. Sew the two long sides to form a sleeve. Turn it inside out. Wrap the edges of the sleeves inward and sew also. Such careful work will prolong the life of the fabric of the rocking chair.
If you can position the product as shown in the photo, sew the chair onto the frame with a machine. Otherwise, try to do this work manually as efficiently as possible.

That's all, your do-it-yourself pipe rocking chair turned out to be no worse than the designer one.

Chair made of polypropylene pipes

A rocking chair is easy to build from small diameter polypropylene pipes. If you pick up all the necessary parts, then the work will not take too long.

Materials and tools

To assemble the chair you will need:

Polypropylene pipe with a diameter of 25 mm for load-bearing parts.
Polypropylene pipe with a diameter of 20 mm for cross members.
Drill with a thick drill bit.
Apparatus for welding polypropylene pipes.
Metal reinforcement with a cross section of about 14-16 mm will be located inside the entire structure, giving it stability and rigidity.
8 fittings for triple connection of pipes of suitable diameter.
2 fittings for 90 degree elbow connection.
6 fittings for 45 degree elbow connection.
Sand or a blow dryer and a 2 cm pipe plug.
Roulette, pencil.

Cut the pipe with a diameter of 2.5 cm into lengths (2 equal) of each size:

5 cm - the lower parts of the side support;
40 cm - parts of the side support;
51 cm - parts of the side support;
62 cm - parts of the side support;
18 cm - the upper parts of the side support;
22 cm - parts of the side support, which need to be rounded;
220 cm - runners that need to be rounded.

From a pipe with a cross section of 2 cm, prepare 18 blanks 60-65 cm long for the crossbeams.

Work description

First of all, you need to give the runners and the upper parts of the base a rounded shape. In doing this work, you must try to make the paired parts as similar as possible.

The plastic pipe can be formed into any shape by heating the bend. But when heated, plastic releases toxic substances. The safest methods are to use a special hair dryer or hot sand. Heat the sand in the oven to 95-130 degrees. Close one end of the pipe with a plug. Use a metal funnel to fill the tube with sand. Give the desired shape, leave to cool.

When performing work related to heating plastic, wear respiratory protection and stay in a ventilated room!

Assemble the sides of the chair by placing the metal fittings inside. The assembly order is shown in the diagram below.
Mark the crossbars on both parts.
Drill holes up to 2 cm in diameter in these places.
Place the reinforcement in the cross members so that the ends protrude 3-4 cm.
After placing the ends of the reinforcement in the holes, attach the cross pieces, solder them using special equipment.
Insert the ends of large arcs into the extreme tees, solder them.
Make additional reinforcement for the chair from the remains of the pipe. Use a tape measure to determine the desired length of the parts. Cut them off. Weld one end of each to the tee and the other to the arc.

It remains to sew the cover on foam mattress and place it, fixing it to the frame with ribbons-ties.

What could be better than a soft chair for pleasant relaxation after a hard day?

People have managed to add a very useful addition to this classic piece of comfortable furniture, having come up with a rocking chair. A comfortable position of the body, combined with a leisurely rhythmic swing, perfectly calms and disposes to pleasant thoughts.

The popularity of the rocking chair over the centuries of its existence has led to the emergence of an unthinkable number of options and modifications. Therefore, today everyone House master can freely choose a suitable design and material for its manufacture.

For a detailed acquaintance with the best examples of engineering and design solutions embodied in specific models, a whole book is not enough. Therefore, we will consider the most interesting and original options for a rocking chair, choosing the most affordable ones for making at home.

Overview of popular rocking chair options

The classic rocking chair was made from strong and light willow vines.

The openwork hand-woven pattern is ideally combined with the interior of a country house and looks great among the greenery of a shady garden. The only drawback of a vine rocking chair is its low resistance to a humid environment. Therefore, you need to carefully monitor it in order to protect it from a sudden downpour.

Wicker chairs are also made from rattan today.- flexible vines growing in countries South-East Asia... Despite all its beauty, the rattan rocking chair is inferior in strength to willow, since this material does not allow the use of joints on screws and nails, but only adhesive contact and knitting.

Without mastering the weaving technique, a home craftsman will not be able to make a high-quality armchair from willow vine, not to mention natural rattan. We do not sell this material as raw material, but only in the form of finished products. Therefore, a wicker rocking chair for many owners of summer cottages is the best way for in-store purchases, not a way to use your creativity.

Created for the comfort of home, the rocking chair smoothly migrated to office space, where it was appreciated as an excellent accessory for resting from the hustle and bustle of business. It is quite natural that the office version of this furniture is distinguished by its special solidity and respectability.

Speaking about the factory models of rocking chairs, it is necessary to mention the very unusual design options in the high-tech style.

The possibility of active rocking is what distinguishes this furniture from the usual stationary structures... Therefore, a rocking chair for children is optimal solution helping to direct the energy of the growing organism in the right direction and at the same time keep it under the vigilant control of adults.

There are many design options for rocking chairs for children, from a classic wooden horse to a comfortable, electronically controlled chair.

For outdoor recreation, rocking chairs made of metal, wood or plastic are most often used. They are not afraid of the vagaries of changeable weather, they are distinguished by their durability and ease of maintenance.

Among modern designs, there are truly unique models., which, in addition to comfort, guarantee the owner independence from external energy sources. Take, for example, a solar-powered indoor rocking chair. Their capacity is sufficient to power a laptop or tablet computer.

By the way, this original version can reproduce a home craftsman with sufficient quality using a sheet of polycarbonate for the visor and thick plywood for the base of the structure. Install on it solar panels- not a problem. Today they can be freely purchased online.

How to make a rocking chair with your own hands?

The main differences between a rocking chair and stationary structures are the presence of curved rocking skids and a downwardly shifted center of gravity, which increases stability.

Therefore, with a great desire and the absence of a professional set of carpentry tools, such a chair can be built even from an ordinary chair by shortening its legs and placing it on bent runners made of wood or metal strip.

A rocking chair made of wood is stronger than a wicker chair made of wicker. It is resistant to moisture changes and retains its presentation outdoors longer. For the independent manufacture of such a structure, it is necessary to have basic carpentry skills, as well as purchase high-quality hardwood (oak, hornbeam or beech).

It is much easier and faster to make a wooden rocking chair from plywood, which can be given a very original shape.

Plywood is an excellent material for plastic modeling. Using an ordinary jigsaw, you can make a structure that combines the two most complex parts of a rocking chair - the sidewalls and runners.

Let's take a closer look at how you can make a do-it-yourself rocking chair out of plywood... In order to avoid problems during assembly, it is necessary to prepare a drawing indicating the dimensions of the sidewalls and connecting strips on it.

The main tools for work will be a jigsaw and a screwdriver, and the main materials are a 15 mm thick plywood sheet, several planed pine or oak slats with a section of 10x50 mm and wood screws.

Having drawn the contours of the sidewalls along the pattern on a sheet of thick plywood, they are cut out with an electric jigsaw. Then the sidewalls need to be connected at three points with transverse bars with a section of 30x50 mm (fix with wood glue).

After this operation, a facing strip made of a bar with a section of 10x50 mm is carefully attached to the assembled frame. Then all structural elements must be sanded with fine emery cloth, covered with stain for 2 times and opened with acrylic varnish.

If the rocking chair will stand not only in the house, but also in the yard, then the protection of the plywood sidewalls from moisture should be especially high-quality.

Those who confidently own a welding machine and a grinder, it is worth considering making a rocking chair with a steel frame. For such a structure, you will need a small steel corner 20x20x3 mm and a steel strip 40 mm wide and 4 mm thick.

After the metal frame is completely assembled, it needs to be painted. After this work, holes for self-tapping screws are drilled along the entire length of the backrest and seat corner for attaching a wooden facing strip.