How to make a rocking chair at home. We make a rocking chair out of plywood with our own hands correctly

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 just the opposite - it 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 uniform 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 out of: 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 unfavorable aggressive natural factors (frost, rain, snow) and allow maintaining aesthetic appeal for as long as possible.

For giving the best option looks like a combination of metal and wood - 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 in the future as the bottom for the chair legs.

For each leg of the original chair, we cut out two limit bars (4) - a total of eight. We nail the corresponding stops at the required distance for each support for all legs. Both supports with outside screwing in three (6) furniture bolts each - 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 structural strength.

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 linseed oil, after which the wood fibers are slightly flattened with a hammer - this way the moisture will be absorbed much less. Before starting 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 a 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 a metal frame. To do this, you need a steel corner (20x20x3 mm) and a steel strip (4 mm thick, 40 mm wide). 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.

Reading time ≈ 10 minutes

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

Design feature

The chair can be swayed anywhere, calming the nerves and relieving stress. This is one of the simplest and available funds for relaxation. You can buy it in furniture stores, order it on the website, or make it yourself in your home workshop.

Why is the rocking chair so popular:

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

Have wooden structure there are advantages:

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

Wooden chair on runners

Varieties of armchairs

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

Rocking chairs are:

To make a rocking chair for a summer residence with your own hands from plywood, you will need drawings and instructions from experienced craftsmen, as in the video below.

By the type of design of the chair there are:

How the rocking happens

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

If the person is standing upright, the center of gravity (CG) of the trunk is between the lower back and the sacrum within the spinal column. If the person is in a sitting position, the CG moves slightly forward and downward. In rocking units, the total CG is always shifted back and down to its original position. At the same time, there is a small error in the projection of the main center of gravity in relation to the supporting surface (floor, ground, etc.), which can be corrected at the end during balancing.
Most of all, the structural stability is affected by the displacement of the total CG in relation to the vertical central axis (CG). If the CO coincides with the CG, this is a state of free balance, which cannot be achieved in the rocking chair. If the CG is greater than the CO, the probability of overturning backwards is high. It is necessary that the central heating be higher than the central heating by 450 mm and more (the recommended excess is 600-700 mm).

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

How to choose material and design

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

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

Tips from the masters:

Assembly stages

Modern furniture manufacturers are ready to offer a huge range of models different forms, colors, styles and materials. However, if there is time and desire for self-assembly of a home rocking chair, you need to feel free to purchase everything necessary materials and get to work.

The simplest model

Tools and materials:

Screwdriver or drill.
Measuring tape.
Self-tapping screws.
Special carpentry glue.
Electric jigsaw.
Thick cardboard for the pattern.
Sandpaper for sanding.
Plywood sheet.

Step-by-step instruction:

How to make a rocking chair with your own hands is shown in the video master class with detailed step-by-step instructions.

Rocking chair with curved skis

For assembly you will need:

Measuring tape.
A simple pencil.
Graph paper.
Screwdriver.
Electric jigsaw for working with wood.
Sander.
Metal confirms.
Board made of wood for cutting skis 300/20/4 centimeters.
Frame board 300/10/2 cm.

Country chair with curved skis

Step-by-step assembly instructions:

In most cases, it will be necessary to perform additional balancing of the product so that the chair does not cause inconvenience when rocking, sitting down and getting up.

How to balance a swinging structure:

A rocking chair will always remain a welcome piece of furniture, because it is so pleasant to sit in it and forget about all the problems. It is not at all necessary to spend a lot of money on a purchase, you can make such a product yourself. And ready-made instructions and drawings will help with this.

The rocking chair is rightfully one of the most popular pieces of furniture. It is gaining even more popularity with country house... These can be different models made from different materials. But more preference is given wooden products... You can buy ready-made, or you can make it yourself. How to make a rocking chair with your own hands and what materials to give preference to, read further in the article.

Advantages and disadvantages of wooden structures

Wood is the most common material for making furniture. The wooden rocking chair is no exception, thanks to its many benefits:

An environmentally friendly material that emits a pleasant forest scent.
Considerable strength.
Long period of operation.
The ability to implement design solutions.
Ease of processing, including manual processing.
A wide selection of woods of any brand, anywhere.
Large color spectrum of the material.

The finished rocking chair fits well into any architectural ensemble of the building. It can be installed at any time in convenient place: in the meadow, by the pool, by the fireplace, near the barbecue, etc. Swinging in a chair relaxes, creates body comfort and benefits the body. This is a comfortable and safe swing for children.

Photo: rocking chair in interior design

Along with numerous advantages, there are a number of disadvantages, the main of which is the significant cost of any rocking chair. In addition, the structure is characterized by the loss of its qualities and characteristics if it is affected by rain, fog, and other precipitation. Long-term exposure of the rocking chair under the influence of the sun will also be undesirable.

Material and its characteristics

For the manufacture of rocking chairs from solid wood, conifers are preferably selected. It can be pine, spruce, alder or larch. These rocks are characterized by low mass and low density. Homemade constructions with a significant mass it will be inconvenient to move. The high density of the material will create difficulties in work.

Conifers have a light gray structure. Easy to process. A significant disadvantage of such wood is that it increases in size as the moisture level rises. Despite this, conifers are budget option, are widespread in the trade network and have an insignificant cost.

The chair can be made from more expensive types of wood. It can be oak, ash or beech. These types of wood have almost no pores, resulting in a high level of strength. Ready-made constructions reliable and durable, but have a high cost. Wood species are light or light yellow in color.

For the manufacture of a chair that sways, high-quality first-class wooden blanks are used. The moisture content of these blanks at the beginning of work should not exceed 10%. If this figure is higher, then it is not recommended to use wood. It is better to let it dry, as the structure, made of damp wood, will subsequently dry out and undergo deformation. The consequence will be its nondescript appearance or complete destruction.

Blueprints

To make a wooden swinging structure, it is necessary to draw up a drawing of the chair. It is better to do it on graph paper, drawing all the structural elements with dimensions. To make a simple rocking chair with your own hands from wood, it is recommended to take an ordinary chair as a basis.

Drawing of a rocking chair made of wood

The simplicity of the design lies in the fact that all elements are attached at right angles and there is no need to cut additional parts. The whole structure is based on the size of the seat and the height of the legs. Connecting elements will be cut to these dimensions. The next stage in the manufacture of a rocking chair, according to the drawing and the required dimensions, is cut into wood parts.

The seat is square with a side length of 53-56 cm can be made of plywood or whole piece wood. The thickness of the seat should be 1.0-1.5 cm. For the back and front legs, a bar with a section of 4.5x4.5 cm is used. The rear legs are cut with a height of 105-110 cm, the front ones - 55-60 cm. length, height and thickness 57x4x1.5 cm, respectively.

This design and dimensions are not dogma. Based on preference, the shape and size of the parts may vary.

Another drawing example

Tool

Making a chair requires a tool. To complete the work you will need:

fine-toothed hacksaw for wood or electric jigsaw for cutting blanks;
a simple or electric plane for processing structural parts;
sander or belt machine for grinding parts;
hand-held milling machine for grooving and processing connecting rails;
right angle or plumb line;
screwdriver;
a hammer;
tape measure and pencil;
clamp or rubber band;
brush or putty knife to fill in the mounting holes.

Given that the structural elements will not be fastened with nails, a hammer will be needed to fit the parts together.

Connecting parts

To attach the seat and legs to each other, you can use two options:

fastening in a thorn;
connection with glue.

When fastened in a thorn on wooden elements rocking chairs are marked. According to it, grooves are cut in the legs, 2.0x1.5 cm in size, 2 cm deep. The shape of the connecting rails is prepared for the grooves. Before fastening the parts, the groove and the ends of the rails are processed with construction glue.

Thematic material:

In the second version, the attachment points are processed with glue and connected to each other. For reliability, epoxy glue is often used. The joints are reinforced with self-tapping screws. The seat is mounted on transverse slats and is also fixed with self-tapping screws.

In both versions, a clamp and gaskets are used for the final fastening of all elements of the rocking chair made of wood. The gasket material is installed between the clamp and the rocker. After installation, the clamp is tightened and the rocking chair is left for 24 hours to completely harden the glue. In the absence of a clamp, the screed is carried out using a rigid rubber band.

Installation of runners

The manufacture and installation of runners can be done in two ways.

The first way

Differs in simplicity and speed of implementation. It is as follows:

For the manufacture of runners, a sheet of plywood with a thickness of 1.5 cm is used.
Two workpieces of the same curvature, about 1 m long, are cut out of the plywood pattern.
In the legs of the chair, slots are made, 1.5 cm wide, for the thickness of the plywood runners. The depth of the slots can be 7-10 cm.
The runners are sanded along the edge and fitted into the slots. During installation, it is necessary to achieve the most uniform level of their installation.
At the landing sites of the runners, a through hole is made with a diameter of 2 cm.
The hole is treated with glue and a wooden spike is inserted into it.

Second way

More time consuming. A block of wood is used as a ski. To equip a rocking chair with skis, you must:

IN wooden block, with a section of 4.5x4.5 cm and a length of about 1 meter, cut out the grooves.
Process the ends of the chair legs to fit into the grooves of the runners.
Place the runner blocks in boiling or hot water until the wood becomes pliable.
Using a tool, bend the skis to a certain radius and leave in this state until completely dry.
Install the dried runners on the legs, having previously processed the grooves with glue.

In order for the runners to serve for a long time, it is necessary to use wood with high wear resistance.

Balance check

A rocking chair made of wood can be uncomfortable when getting in or out. This occurs as a result of the difference in weight of the structural elements that are located in its front and rear parts. To avoid discomfort, balance the swinging structure.

With a significant inclination of the structure forward, transverse strips can be mounted on the runners behind the backrest. If necessary, the weight on the slats can be increased by installing decorative elements.

Balanced rocking chair

When tilting backwards, the same counterweight must be fitted at the front of the rocker. This could be an extra leg shelf. If this weight is not enough, then you can equip a niche under the shelf for additional counterweight.

Treatment

The finished structure will be used in different places at different temperatures. Operation in winter and summer, under the sun and in the cold, indoors and outdoors, can lead to rapid aging of the tree and various diseases. Processing of the material will save from this.

Before assembling the structure, the tree can be stained. Due to its concentration, the rocking chair can take on any shade.

The armchair is varnished in 3 layers

To prevent diseases, the tree must be covered with a special antifungal liquid, as well as an agent against wood insects and pests.

To protect the wood from getting wet, it is recommended to treat it with a special water-repellent liquid.
The finished armchair will serve not only as a piece of furniture, but also as a separate design element that will always attract everyone's attention.

O beneficial influence a lot has been written about resting in a rocking chair. It also helps to focus during intellectual work. Finally, it is just convenient, having pumped out, to take books from the rack behind your back or a cup of coffee with coffee table... The prices of ready-made rocking chairs, as it should be in a consumer society, react to such advantages in their own way: a rocking chair for 5000 rubles. it's still cheap. And the people are artisans and they also answer 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, sways. Secondly, so that it does not turn from a rocking chair into a kicker or a tipper, the entire product with the one sitting in it must have an accurate balance, which must be kept within acceptable limits for riders of different weights and builds. This publication is devoted to the consideration of the issues of how to achieve the required qualities of a rocking chair.

Types of rocking chairs

You need to comply with your own requests already at the stage of choosing a prototype. There are several types of rocking chairs, aimed at users with different habits and needs. The main types of rockers are shown in the photo. The first to appear in everyday life were rockers on simple radius runners (arcs, rocker arms, skis). They are in use to this day, both in a modern and in a classic look, pos. 1 and 2. Their main advantage is constructive and technological simplicity.

Smooth and soft rocking radius skids provide only for relatively slight rocking, and with strong rocking they do not guarantee against overturning. Therefore, rockers "on radii" are made with a low fit, which ensures a large excess of the center of the generating circle (CC) over the general center of gravity (CC); see below for more details on rocker kinematics. If a seat of normal height is required, then the runners are equipped with bumpers, pos. 3. The jolts of the bumpers on the floor are noticeably given off at the "fifth point", and in any case, it is necessary to get out of the rocking chair on the radius runners, somewhat straining.

Note: stability when swinging with a slightly higher amplitude at a normal landing height is provided by rockers on radius runners with a closing horizontal arc, see Fig. on right. But, suddenly the limit is reached, the support surface instantly converges to a point and a sharp push in the back follows.

Rollover is excluded in rockers on runners of variable curvature, pos. 4. All of them are comfortable enough for riders of different constitutions. Themselves gently land the rider, who has risen and leaned forward, 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 index in the law of change of the generating radius (also see about kinematics), to design for any, in acceptable limits, landing height.

Note: mothers and babies are given a complete rest with the complete unity of the rocking-cradle souls. Reliable rockers with a cradle are made only on runners of variable curvature, see fig. on right. Otherwise, all of a sudden the little one gets worried and mom starts up, you can tumble together. That is simply dangerous for a baby.

Nirvana rocking chairs on elliptical runners, pos. 7, provide light rocking, truly blissful, but do not prevent overturning during strong rocking, therefore, they are equipped with bumpers; the front is often combined with the footrest. Garden rocking chairs with elliptical awning, pos. eight.

Nirvana rockers on springs, see fig. on the left, swing as softly as on ellipses, because the mechanical characteristic of the springs is progressive. But making a spring chair with your own hands is difficult: 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 runner and it can be very painful to pinch your finger in it. For the latter reasons, spring armchairs are now very rare on sale.

Rocking chair 3 in 1

Finally, there are also multifunctional rockers "3 in 1" on runners with smooth kinks, see fig. on right. When seated upright, this is an ordinary chair; leaning back, it can be switched to rocking mode at radii, and leaning back even more, it can be turned into a lounger. But the dimensions of the 3-in-1 rocking chair are too large for apartments below the business class, and the transitions from mode to mode are accompanied by rather 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 runners will help. Drawings of a simple sample, made, with the exception of runners, only from rectilinear parts, are given in Fig. To the dacha, veranda or garden, this chair can be made in half a day, using only a jigsaw, a drill and a couple wrenches(assembly - bolted). And having swayed to the fullest, perhaps already and think about home rocking chair for the more sophisticated; then a more thorough tool and knowledge will be needed.

How does it swing?

Most home craftsmen make rocking chairs from 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, you need to get at least initial information about its kinematics.

CG straight standing man normal physique is located on the border of the lumbar and sacrum with inside spinal column. In a seated individual, it will mix slightly forward and even less downward. In the seat-rider system, the total CG is shifted back almost to the starting position and even slightly down. The downward shift of the total CG for the design of a rocking chair is not particularly significant and it can be assumed that the projection of the total CG onto the supporting surface (floor) is approximately the same as that of a standing person. In the future, the resulting error can be easily compensated for by the final balancing of the chair, see below.

The vertical position of the CG relative to the CG affects the stability and comfort of the rocking chair much more strongly; the latter is also a determining value in the design of rockers on runners with variable curvature. If the CG and CO coincide, this is an indifferent balance: for any physically possible tilt of the chair, the projection of the CG on the floor falls on the point of contact of the runners O, pos. 1 and 1a in Fig. The chair does not swing, and if you lean back too much - an instant somersault with the risk of breaking your neck. Fortunately, the exact coincidence of CG and CO is possible only theoretically.

If the CG is higher than the CO, then its projection at any inclination "runs away" outward, backward or forward, from the point of contact. At the slightest tilt, an overturning moment Mo arises (pos. 2 and 2a), the rocking chair turns out to be unstable. To avoid such a situation for a family rocking chair, it is calculated and balanced on the tallest, overweight and pot-bellied rider possible so that its CO is 450 mm or more higher than the CG. Then, when the chair is tilted, it will “run away” from the projection of the CG, the restoring moment Мв (pos. 3 and 3а) will constantly act and the chair will not tip over when swinging within the permissible limits. For those who are smaller, the excess of the CO over the CG will be too big, and the rocking will be rather harsh, but this can be easily compensated for with pillows under the back and seat. In general, the less the CO elevation above the CG, the softer and smoother the rocking, but the likelihood of overturning, sharply straightening up and standing up in the chair, is higher. Therefore, it is better for novice carpenters to set the CO exceeding within 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 his absence), the radius of the generating circle R is taken equal to the average height of the users minus 5 cm.

In a chair on runners of variable curvature, there is no need to drag your own pillows with you: it will automatically rise to the position of the greatest comfort. At the same time, the big man will lean back more, and the slender one will be sitting more upright. When swinging back, the t. O will run away from the projection of the CG the farther, the greater the angle of inclination, and it is simply impossible to swing before overturning. And if you "swing" forward, which is generally difficult, the chair will smoothly land the hyperactive on the floor: where should you rest? Go do something.

To construct the profile of the runners of variable curvature, the radius of the generating circle (it is determined, as in the previous case) will have to, first, turn several times by a fixed angle α; usually take α = 10 degrees. Secondly, to construct the rear branch of the runner, R at each turn is increased according to the law of a geometric progression with an index k = 1.02-1.03. Ie, it will be (see pos. 4 fig.) R1 = kR; R2 = kR1; R3 = kR2; R4 = kR3, etc., if required. Actually, R changes according to some trigonometric function, but for furniture accuracy and the size of the rocking chair, it is more convenient to replace it with a progression, so it is easier to count.

The construction of the front branch is carried out on a constant R, but with each rotation of the generatrix of the circle, the central center is raised vertically (ibid., At pos. 4, fig.). 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 index as for the posterior branch. Δh1 in this case is a rather critical value; a smaller value should be taken for thin ones, and a larger value for fat ones.

In conclusion, the resulting points are connected using a smooth curve. Do not be embarrassed if the tangents to it turn out to be not perpendicular to the radii: for the chair to be stable, at every moment of swaying it should appear as if on the opposite slope. It is advisable to take the scale when plotting no smaller than 1: 5.

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

Final balancing

It is unlikely that a rocking chair will immediately turn out to be comfortable enough for a novice master. Most likely, the product will need to be balanced. If the chair does not swing well, and when you leave it shoves, you need to make the rear overhang heavier. The easiest way to do this is by connecting the ends of the rear branches of the runners with a low U-shaped beam made of boards, with a notch facing down. Weights are placed in the recess. The lever arm in this case is long, so you don't have to hang the weights. Another option, depending on the design, is a transverse tube-beam with an internal load. 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 make the front overhang heavier. The easiest way to do this is by placing a footboard and attaching weights to its underside.

About materials

Rocking chairs are mostly made 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 rocking is too sharp. Or you have to set an extremely small initial elevation of the central heating over the central heating, risking that the rocking chair will overturn under someone. However, we will return to metal rockers in the course of considering individual samples.

Plywood is a completely different matter, especially for novice carpenters. Firstly, performing the rocking parts with 3-layer glued ones, it is possible only with the help of a jigsaw to make accurate and strong thorn-groove connections, on the left in the figure, if you follow the trace. regulations:

The plywood of the middle layer is taken twice as thick as for the extreme. For example, if a total thickness of 20 mm is needed, then 5-10-5 mm are glued.
Parts are assembled from blanks on a 2-component waterproof glue. If on PVA, they must be reinforced 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 by overlays made of thin (6-10 mm) laths of solid durable wood or dense rubber sheet with a thickness of 4-5 mm. 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 rocking bowl made of plywood can be made using, again, only a jigsaw. Convenience - high, absolute stability, and can serve as a hanging hammock chair or swing chair. The thickness of the lamella boards is from 12 mm; connecting half washers on poles - from 24 mm.

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

How to apply overlays

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

Turn the chair over with runners up;
We thoroughly warm the blank bar with a construction hairdryer;
We put the workpiece on the runner and tightly fasten it along the entire length with cotton braid. Do not burn yourself, the wood is very hot!
We also grab the second workpiece onto another runner;
After the strips have cooled completely, 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 planks with small nails until the overlays fit snugly along the entire length. Place washers or pieces of plywood under the nail heads;
After the glue is completely dry (2-3 days), we remove the temporary fasteners. We drill blind holes for self-tapping screws and finally fix the ends;
We wipe the holes with the fastener heads with a putty from sawdust of the same tree, thickly mixed with PVA.

Note: with metal hardware, the overlays need to be fastened only at the ends. Otherwise, if the pads are abraded during use, the heads of the fasteners will be protruding and begin to scratch the floor.

Rocking chair examples

Metallic

Let's start the review of rockers with metal ones, because making rocking chairs out of it is justified in few cases. Forged rocking chairs, imitating the classic wicker wicker or rattan, as requiring special equipment, forge, etc. qualifications are not concerned. But a metal rocking chair "for a wicker" can be made by welding from shaped pipe; preferably elliptical. In this case, it is necessary to choose the kinematic scheme of the rocking chair-nirvana as the least sensitive to the excessive elevation of the central center over the central heating, it also matches the design well with wicker rockers, see Fig. The seat, in order not to increase the moment of inertia, is made braided from cables, belts, etc.

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

Here you can see another curious variant: a rocking chair frame. Concept made of ... gymnastic hoops. Only not aluminum or propylene, but carbon fiber (carbon). Strength - monstrous, resistance - absolute, weight - scanty. Which, however, cannot be said about the cost.

Vanka-vstanka

Recently, garden rocking chairs - tumblers have gained popularity. If in this one lean back completely and curl your legs, it falls back almost at 90 degrees, without losing stability; the rider will be kneeling on his back to the zenith. And if you stretch your legs forward, the rocking chair - the vanka-stand-up gets into the usual position and then you can swing as always.

The toy vanka-stand with a spherical bottom sways quite sharply. Comfortable rocking of the tumbler-rocking chair is achieved by profiling its runners according to a complex law. It will not work to build their sidewalls "in school", as described above. You need to be guided by verified samples and draw the markings on the grid, see fig. The inset version, with planks of 30-40 mm thick, is more costly, but less laborious. It also allows you to lengthen the rocker arm by placing intermediate runners.

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

Rocking bench

Wallowing with your heels in the heavens, throwing your hands behind your head and admiring the clouds floating in the blue heights through the trembling foliage is a heavenly delight, but not everyone's satisfaction. Someone desires to look more impressive while resting. This is more suitable garden bench- rocking chair, see fig. It is a little difficult to swing on it, its own moment of inertia is great, but it also swings for a long time. The maximum span between supports with runners is 750 mm when sheathing with 40 mm thick slats. The back paneling is decorative.

Sunbed with awning

Both those and other requests will be satisfied by a garden rocking chair-lounger on elliptical runners and with an awning. The dimensions of its sidewalls are given in Fig. their material is plywood 24 mm. The width of the bed is up to 900 mm, its sheathing is made of 50x50 slats. The places of the sidewalls, marked with 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 resting, swaying, is also not harmful for children, so it makes sense to make the child a rocking chair. 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 the specification of parts are given in Fig. material - wood. It will not be difficult for an 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 rocking chair.

A rocking chair is the most comfortable piece of furniture 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-assembled product will become a central decoration in your home interior.

How to design correctly

There are several types of rockers that suit different needs and user habits. The first models that appeared in everyday life were equipped with simple arches and skis. Do-it-yourself rocking chairs can be made according to a ready-made 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:

When making a 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 chair circle. Then the product will be comfortable and stable.
The 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:

Wickerwork, have a beautiful appearance and are the most demanded models. They are expensive because they are hand-woven from rattan and reed. Models made from Indonesian rattan are very durable and have good quality... These are elegant, comfortable and environmentally friendly products. Thanks to their good shock absorption, they are able to withstand any weight. They are often installed on balconies and loggias of a country house.
The frame for the rocking chair is made of a profile pipe, metal or wood. Plywood is often used. Metal carcass combined with natural materials such as rattan. These products are highly durable and can withstand a lot of weight. To make it comfortable to sit on, the back and seat are made of plastic pipes.
The most budgetary are products made of wood. They are less durable, but have a beautiful appearance. A classic armchair made of wood with your own hands will look great in a living room with a fireplace.

Forged models are suitable for gazebos. They are graceful in appearance and rich in appearance. They are often installed on verandas. country houses... Soft cushions on the seats will make your rest more comfortable.

Simple rocking chair options

The basis of the chair is made up of arched runners (skis), thanks to which it is able to swing. The dimensions of the runners can be long or short. Older people are better off choosing models with short runners. The rocking of such products occurs calmly and evenly. Long runner models will suit other people. Here, the depth of movement is large and the chair is capable of tilting to a reclining state. For creating simple option do-it-yourself rocking chairs do not need drawings.

How to weave

The wicker chair has many benefits. It is lightweight, environmentally friendly material is used for its manufacture, and thanks to weaving it turns out individual design... As a material for weaving, you can choose willow, alder or bird cherry. Vines of grapes or raspberries are also suitable. Design creation and weaving:

First, a frame is assembled, which consists of a seat, a backrest, support legs and armrests. Then they make a braid.
To make the shanks softer, use a cylindrical shape. The vine is thrown over the form and tightened. Then pass 2-3 times in different directions.
The place of the braid is coated with PVA glue. Then the body of the product is woven.
To make the inner part of the frame weave more easily, 3 rods are used for winding. In addition, this will create additional reliability for the fasteners. Internally, weaving can be done in an openwork, single or combined way.

There are several do-it-yourself vine weaving techniques. This is a linear way, pigtail or staggered.

Made of wood

The easiest and fastest way to make a rocking chair is from an old chair that has wooden legs. Work order:

Two curved supports are prepared from wooden blocks.
Grooves are cut out under the legs.
Then 8 limit bars are prepared. There are 2 parts for each leg.
Limiters are nailed to each support. To make the chair stable and not roll over from the outside of the supports, screw in 3 bolts each. Each stop is equipped with a closing plate.
Legs are inserted into the grooves with stops. Then each stopper is closed with plates and fixed with a perforator.

Installing a footrest in front will add additional comfort to the user. This wood rocking chair is perfect for a summer cottage.

Made of metal

A homemade metal rocking chair is stronger and more durable than other models. To make it, welding is needed, so not everyone will be able to cope with such a job. To assemble the chair you will need:

pipes or steel rods with cuts of 20 × 20 mm;
corners 40x40x3 mm;
steel sheet 2 mm;
welding machine and grinder;
drills and a set of self-tapping screws.

Manufacturing process:

Do-it-yourself cuttings are made from rods or pipes. Their length should be 1 m.
Ready rods are attached to the frame with a distance of 5-6 mm. They are bent over an oval and secured with welding machine to the base.
The seat is made from steel sheet... It is screwed to the body with screws.
All seams are filed. The product is treated with an anti-corrosion agent and painted.

You can make the seat soft with wooden slats or cushions. Flaw forged products Is a lot of weight. Therefore, when making it, you need to try to make it smaller by changing some details for more light material... To prevent the product from scratching the floor in the room, rubber strips are glued to its runners.

Step-by-step instructions for making a rocking chair

The most common material from which furniture is made is plywood. If we compare plywood with wood, then the first is 2 times stronger and more expensive. Due to the high moisture resistance of the material, the plywood rocking chair has a long service life. It is easier to repair or decorate such a product, since it lends itself to any processing. It can be painted with various paints or varnishes, sanded and covered with a film. To make a chair at home you will need:

plywood 3 sheets measuring 1520 × 800 mm (the thickness of each sheet is different - from 4 to 15 mm);
timber 53 cm long;
glue;
jigsaw;
screws.

Before making a rocking chair with your own hands, you need to prepare a drawing.

Frame fabrication

To make a rocking chair from plywood yourself, you need to prepare templates and apply them to the material. Finished drawing transferred to a sheet of paper. The paper is preliminarily marked into cells. The size of each cage should be 10 × 10 mm. Then the cells are enlarged to the required size and, together with the painted details, are transferred to plywood. Drawings from plywood are cut out with a jigsaw. In doing so, the following must be taken into account:

It is quite difficult to assemble the back and seat. It consists of several elements, so their base is cut out from a thin sheet 4 mm thick. From a 10 mm sheet, 18 strips (540 × 30 mm) and 16 crossbars (500 × 30) are prepared. The slats are used for the backrest, and the crossbars for the seat. The uprights, seat supports, slats (470 × 45 mm) and the sides of the chair are cut out of 15 mm thick plywood. All parts are made in 2 pieces.
A hole is made in a wooden beam for screws. This part will serve as a footboard.
Before proceeding with the assembly of the structure, all elements are cleaned with sandpaper.
To give the structure a curved shape, thin strips (10mm) are glued to the back and seat, which were made of 4 mm plywood. All elements fix waterproof glue PVA.
The cross members are mounted on the back and seat base. Then install the footboard and sidewalls. All elements are fixed with washers and screws.
The product is ready. To keep the back and seat soft, they are covered with padding polyester and covered with fabric. Natural or artificial leather looks good. The pattern is made according to the size of the chair. Seat and backrest cover adhesive composition, then materials are laid in layers: burlap, synthetic winterizer, fabric. They are fixed with a furniture stapler.

If you follow all the rules for the operation of a furniture product, then it will last a long time.

Making skis

The comfort and smoothness of the chair rocking depends on the runners (skis). They can be made in two ways:

According to the drawing, 2 blanks are cut out of plywood and sanded. The plywood must be at least 15 mm thick. The skis must be installed in the grooves symmetrically with respect to each other. For 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 are adjacent to each other, cut through through holes... A wooden spike is inserted into them, after having greased the holes with glue.
For the manufacture of skis, 2 square bars 1 m long and 45 mm thick are used. Grooves are cut in it, into which the legs of the chair will be inserted. To give the runners the required shape, the bars are soaked in hot water. When they soften, the material will become elastic and bend slightly. When the skis are dry, they are placed 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?