Rocking chair made of plywood, design features, main stages and nuances of do-it-yourself manufacturing

A rocking chair can become a favorite relaxation spot and a cozy addition to any interior, terrace or garden. If you are thinking about making this comfortable furniture, but do not have practical skills, a rocking chair made of plywood is suitable as your first experience. We figure out what types of furniture exist, how to choose material, how to properly design and assemble furniture.

Rocking chair in the living room interior Source yandex.net

Variety of models

Before making a rocking chair, it is useful to study the existing types of this furniture. Several concepts for manufacturing rocking chairs on runners have been developed. Based on your habits and tastes, you can choose the appropriate option or use it as the basis for your own design and design. The following models of chairs are available for sale:

With radius runners. Rocking chairs on simple curved skis were the first to appear in everyday use. Despite their long history, they still remain a stylish element of classic and modern interiors today. Their main advantage is their simple design, which requires self-production.
With runners of variable curvature. The main advantage of the model is its safety, since changing the curvature of the runners prevents the chair from swinging above a certain point. The design prevents accidental tipping and is suitable for people of all ages and body types.
With a cradle. A variation of the previous version, as it is equipped with runners of variable curvature. Instead of a seat, there is a comfortable sleeping place for a baby; the chair rocks gently, without jerking.

A modern version with runners of variable curvature Source roomester.ru

Rocking chair-nirvana (on ellipses). There are home and garden models of rocking chairs on ellipses (the latter with an awning). Elliptical runners provide smooth, relaxing rocking. But you shouldn’t get carried away: with a strong amplitude of movement, the structure can topple. The problem can be solved by installing bump stops.
Nirvana on springs. A complicated version of the previous model, soft to sway, but quite difficult to implement on your own. For manufacturing you need high-quality wood (boxwood, teak); the work surface is finished with a rubberized strip of spring steel to protect the floor from damage.
On arches with smooth bends (“3 in 1”). A multifunctional model (mainly produced for babies), capable of changing position. If desired, the chair turns into a lounger without losing the ability to swing. The downside is its large dimensions; it is difficult for it to find a place in a small room.

Garden rocking chair on elliptical runners Source userapi.com

Pendulum (on bearings). The seat with supports is fixed on a fixed stand; rocking occurs not on skis, but on pendulum rods. The advantage of the design is that it operates silently and does not damage the floor. The downside is that a complex and bulky chair made of a profile pipe (or other metal) will not fit into every interior.

Facts from history

Today, there is almost no information left about from which country and approximately at what time the world saw the first rocking chair. One can only make guesses on this score and refer to one’s own associations, which for some reason are closely connected with England.

Historians offer two versions of where this chair could have come from. The first one talks about a certain furniture maker from Venice who lived in the 19th century. His name was associated with wood of an unusual type - round and curved.

However, turning to English dictionaries and the history of the origin of words, one can see several inconsistencies with this theory.
The first, perhaps, tells us that the word “rocking chair” itself appeared two centuries earlier, and at the beginning of the 19th century, chairs of this configuration began to be mass-produced by English manufacturers.
Only people from the upper class and creative people could afford such an outlandish piece of furniture.

The second version talks about a certain Benjamin Franklin. The years of his life almost coincide with the Venetian furniture maker, however, most historians believe that he was the first person to buy such a chair.

The history of the rocking chair most likely began in the 18th century. More specific information has not yet been found.

How to make the structure safe and comfortable

On specialized websites and forums you can find a variety of rocking chair designs. But, regardless of whether you use a ready-made solution or make your own drawing, you need to think through several points on which safe and comfortable use is based.

The main thing: the structure must be ensured to be safe when swinging. You don’t have to dive into the physics of the process; It is important to understand that the chair is designed for a certain (average) weight of a person. During movement, it is in unstable equilibrium and does not turn over until the displacement of the common center of gravity (rocking chair and person) does not exceed the permissible norm for this product.

The length of the runners affects the safety of the rocking chair Source wfcdn.com

To avoid tipping over, different strategies are used, for example, making runners with a closing horizontal arc (at the back). There are other ways to make a rocking chair safe and comfortable to use. To do this, the following design elements are adjusted:

The length and shape of the runners. You can lengthen the runners or make them closed; this will be enough to avoid capsizing. This measure is necessary if there are children in the house, because they like to swing and do not feel the need to restrain themselves.
The height of the center of gravity. To reduce the risk of rollover, it is recommended to have a lower center of gravity (low seating position). It is important to understand that then comfort will suffer: you will sit low, and additional effort will be required to get up. And this may be inconvenient for people with problems with the musculoskeletal system.
Width of handles. The wider the handles (within reasonable limits), the more convenient it is to lean on them when sitting down and getting up from the chair.
The width of the runners. The wider the runners, the more stable the chair, and the fewer marks it will leave on the floor covering (the load is distributed over a larger area).

A chair with minimal risk of tipping over Source behance.net

Type of seat. If it is hard (for example, made of wicker), then pillows will be required (to prevent them from slipping, choose products equipped with a hard padding on the back side).

The easiest to implement is considered to be a chair with radius runners. But it is not immune to capsizing when the swing limit is exceeded. The limit depends on the relative location of the two centers; the center of the circle forming the runners and the overall center of gravity. The greater the excess of the center of the circle over the center of gravity (it is always higher), the more stable the structure.

In general, when preparing a drawing for a homemade rocking chair “on radii”, you should adhere to the following principles:

Preference is given to models with a fairly low rise.
If you need to make a seat of normal height, there are options: increase the length of the runners (which does not always look aesthetically pleasing), provide them with a closing horizontal arc, or install bump stops. The downside of the last two options: when you reach the limit, you will feel a sharp jolt.

Model with moderate rocking ability Source dommino.ua

You can do without bumpers if you choose a rocking chair with runners of variable curvature. It can be designed for users of different body types and for any seating height (within acceptable limits, of course).

See also: Catalog of companies that specialize in garden furniture and storage systems

Varieties

The versatility of the material allows you to create chairs from it for a variety of purposes. Such products can be found anywhere. You've probably seen similar options: children's chairs in kindergartens, educational institutions or canteens. They are easy to move, they are absolutely harmless and safe. Bent-glued plywood is an excellent basis for production; it makes excellent rocking chairs and other fancy models.

For home. The environmental safety of this material allows you to choose plywood chairs for your home or apartment. Birch and coniferous plywood are most often in demand, and sometimes combined plywood is also found. From a design point of view, such chairs can be very different. Modern plywood chairs fit into almost any interior. Very popular today are models that represent a combination of plywood with leather or its substitute.
For the dacha. The dacha is usually the place where annoying objects from the house are “exiled.” A plywood chair is no exception. Everyone who has a dacha dreams of decorating it like a cozy nest. Therefore, beautiful plywood chairs will come in handy. A specialized assortment will allow you to add some zest to your country interior; you can choose both garden and home chairs.

Made from bent plywood. Bent plywood is a very convenient material for manufacturing. The models are good for their smooth lines, which is accompanied by ease of use. As a rule, such chairs are distinguished by a smooth back and a similar seat. Design incarnations allow you to purchase not only useful, but also interesting from a decorative point of view options.
Carved. These masterpieces are sometimes worthy of the most representative exhibitions. Sometimes designers create original thrones from seemingly simple plywood. Due to the availability of the material, even students can afford them. This chair is ideal for home and garden. Furniture stores today are pleased to offer you similar furniture in a variety of sizes.

Round. These chairs will look perfect with a round or semicircular table. Families with small children will especially appreciate this option. Round stools without backs will be an ideal solution for a garden or kitchen. Long gone are the days when plywood chairs were boring and faceless. Modern models are presented in beautiful and elegant options for a variety of purposes.
Computer. The smooth silhouettes that plywood allows you to create make it possible to keep up with the times. Computer chairs made from this material are unsurpassed. Such options give even the most advanced chairs a head start. From an aesthetic point of view, these chairs look very original and unusual. Experiments continue.

Plywood and other materials

For those who have no experience in making furniture, it is easier to start with using plywood. Plywood sheets are easy to process; it is easy to cut parts of any shape and size from them. For work, it is recommended to choose the following varieties:

Plywood FC. A grade of medium moisture resistance, obtained by gluing veneers with carbamide adhesives. The moisture-resistant qualities are low, so it is better not to place a chair made of FC plywood in the open air.
FSF plywood. It is characterized by high moisture resistance, mechanical strength and wear resistance due to the use of glue based on phenol-formaldehyde resins in the production. Considering the low environmental friendliness, it is better to leave such plywood for garden furniture.

A rocking chair model with a sophisticated design Source stroy-podskazka.ru
If the rocking chair is intended for home use, it is better to use birch plywood. If it will stand on a terrace or veranda, it is more logical to choose pine: coniferous wood is less susceptible to rotting. It is possible to make a rocking chair from other materials:

Wood. A significant part of rocking chairs are made from hardwood (oak, walnut, ash); the finished products are coated with a finishing protective compound. This is a classic version of furniture, characterized by a long service life and pleasant appearance.
Metal. Metal processing requires experience and certain skills; in addition, the metal product has significant inertia, which is why the rocking turns out to be sharp and uncomfortable.
Natural materials. A person with weaving skills can make a stylish designer product from wicker or rattan. The only difficulty is finding quality material. The wicker chair turns out to be lightweight, it is easy to move it from home to street and back.

Making a wicker rocking chair from wicker Source ytimg.com

From profile. A rocking chair made from a profile pipe is durable; Properly designed, it will last for many years. The only drawback is the weight, so it is preferable to make separate parts from the profile, connecting them by welding. For the frame, pipes with a cross-section in the shape of an ellipse are better suited.
Plastic pipes. The advantages of polypropylene are light weight, low cost and ease of processing. The furniture is light and practical for garden conditions. To increase the rigidity of the structure, it is designed and assembled from small parts. Minus: a chair made of plastic does not tolerate heavy loads.

Where is the best place to place a rocking chair?

You can place the rocking chair anywhere, the main thing is that there is enough space for it in that room. Most often, such a chair can be seen in private homes, on spacious terraces, verandas or gardens.

A metal or wicker chair looks very nice. They are durable and not as susceptible to environmental influences as, say, if they were made of wood.

If you have a burning desire to have a similar piece of furniture in your apartment, then take care of the appropriate design of the room. For example, a chair should not stand out particularly against the general background and look like an alien object. Either choose a chair of an appropriate design, or decorate the environment to match it.

Nuances of choosing plywood

Plywood sheets are selected based on the specifics of the project. In this case, you can adhere to the following recommendations:

For large and visible (external) parts, elite grades of plywood that do not have visible flaws are suitable. Quality will guarantee that chips and cracks will not appear during cutting.
If you are going to laminate or paint the chair, the luxury material can be replaced with 1st grade plywood. There are a small number of pin-shaped, fused and/or falling knots on its surface; edge defects and closed cracks are possible.

A creative approach to the design of a rocking chair Source kayabaparts.ru

Useful tips

Making furniture with your own hands is a very exciting activity. If the process is happening for the first time, make the simplest chair with clear lines and simple geometry. It will be easier to work, and the result will be neat.

Having experience in carpentry, you can surprise your family and friends with unusual shapes. The handcrafted round chair is effective and practical in any setting. Another easy way is to make a chair out of a car seat left in the garage.

By being creative and following the instructions, you can make a chair with your own hands that will be used for its intended purpose for many years. In addition, a product made with your own hands will become a source of pride for the owners and a source of pride for friends.

Tools and materials

Before you make a rocking chair yourself, prepare your workplace. To work you will need the following tools:

Hand saw or (better) electric jigsaw.
Measuring tape, pencil, scissors.
Screws, self-tapping screws, thin nails.
Screwdriver or drill.
Sandpaper for sanding parts.

You also need to prepare materials:

Sheets of plywood of the required quality and thickness.
Thick cardboard for making patterns.
Wood glue.
For final processing: stain, paint, varnish.
Optional: upholstery material and filler (for example, foam rubber).

Advantages of a homemade rocking chair

The positive aspects of making furniture yourself far outweigh the disadvantages. So, for example, we can highlight the following several main points that testify in favor of homemade furniture elements:

Adequate price: here you pay only for materials and spend money on purchasing the necessary tools, if such a need arises. Stores include many other services in the price of the product, which is why they get a crazy markup.
Environmental friendliness and quality: you always know what and how an item was made from, since you are its direct creator.
Durability: Since you are doing the work for yourself, you will definitely do it well, paying attention to every detail.
Design: here no one can limit your imagination and force you into the confines of the store’s assortment. The only limiting points are your experience and ability to work with the selected material.

In addition, you will receive unlimited use of a chair that has a strong association with comfort, pleasant evenings by the fireplace with a cup of hot chocolate and an interesting book.

Thanks to rhythmic rocking, brain function stabilizes, stress levels decrease and it becomes easier to settle into sleep.

Moreover, it has been proven that being in a certain rhythm, you can focus on a disturbing thought and quickly come up with a solution to the problem, catch inspiration and simply increase concentration. There are only advantages from such a chair!

Drawing

A drawing of a future rocking chair is a necessary component for the manufacture of a reliable, functional and aesthetic piece of furniture. With its help, you will be able to control the process, eliminate errors and perform all procedures as quickly and accurately as possible.

Before making a rocking chair, prepare a drawing; it can be obtained in three ways:

Select a ready-made drawing from those offered on the Internet and, if necessary, modify it.
Draw your own version using a specialized application.

Overall dimensions of a low rocking chair Source pinimg.com

Draw a drawing by hand, calculate proportions and put down dimensions.

When choosing the design of your future rocking chair, give preference to models with a small number of parts. A plywood sheet is essentially a multi-layer gluing. If we compare plywood with solid materials, then dynamic loads affect it more strongly, and the destructive effect appears more strongly at the joints. Therefore, the fewer parts, the more reliable and long-lasting the operation.

Small fishing chair

A small homemade stool will be useful not only for those who like to fish.
It is so small and compact that it can easily fit in a tourist’s backpack or just for a walk in the park. It is very important to choose the right materials for making the chair - strong, lightweight and wear-resistant.

The design of the stool is the simplest. It consists of only three elements and does not contain complex joints or hinges. The parameters of the chair proposed in the drawing are designed so that when folded it can be put into a backpack. If you need a larger product, they can be changed.

Materials and tools

A piece of plywood 40x30 cm with a thickness of at least 12 mm.
Dense wear-resistant material measuring 30x35 mm. You can use a tarp or a small piece of carpet.
Jigsaw.
Milling cutter or sandpaper.
Scissors.
Wood paint, brush.

Manufacturing stages

The rocking chair is assembled in the following order:

Patterns are being prepared. The details of the diagram are transferred onto cardboard (you can take graph paper) from the drawing, observing the dimensions and scale.
Mark the plywood. The patterns are laid out on a plywood sheet in such a way as to reduce waste to a minimum. You may have to try several options to find the best one.
Cut out the sheet. An electric jigsaw gives the best results. After it, you get a smooth and neat cut line, which cannot be said about working with a regular file. It leaves behind rough edges, which will take extra time to polish.

An electric jigsaw will help you cut plywood without chipping Source briobit.ro

How to glue plywood sheets?

Sometimes blanks of the required size can be obtained only by combining several parts into one whole. Often you have to glue plywood to each other or other wooden elements of a piece of furniture. In this case, the question arises of what glue to use.

A variety of compositions can be used. If we are not talking about the front elements of furniture, then it is acceptable to use any glue intended for wood. In general, albumin, casein, urea or phenolic formulations are recommended. Water-based adhesives should not be used with non-waterproof materials, otherwise the risk of delamination increases.

Subtleties of balancing

A novice master is able to accurately reproduce the shape of a rocking chair; but making a dynamic design yourself comfortable the first time is not easy. If the resulting chair does not rock well and leans back too much when landing, then it needs additional balancing.

In order for the chair to swing well, they resort to weighting the rear overhang (the back of the runners). This can be done by connecting the rear ends of the arcs with a transverse part: a wooden beam or pipe with a load (a recess is made in the bottom of the beam for the load, the load is placed inside the pipe).

The size of the load cannot be guessed right away, so balancing is performed in several approaches. If the rocking chair falls backwards, the load is attached to the front overhangs, forming it in the form of a footrest.

Garden rocking chairs with soft seat Source thdstatic.com

Frequently asked questions from beginning furniture makers

Before you start making this or that design, you should familiarize yourself with the list of questions that beginners in this business often have.

How to cut parts?

When cutting longitudinal parts, it is better to use a circular saw, and for transverse parts, an electric jigsaw.

Jigsaw

How to connect parts of the structure?

For connections that carry the main load, you will need to use euroscrews or self-tapping screws. In other cases, the parts are assembled using wooden choppers and glue.

Chopiki

Paint or varnish?

The choice of materials for processing depends on the quality of the wood itself. If the material does not have any defects, it can be treated with stain and then a layer of varnish can be applied. If stains appear on the surface, the wood must first be puttied, coated with a primer, and only then painted.

Wood varnishes come in different shades

How to reduce the consumption of paints and varnishes?

Quite often, during final finishing, the paint is quickly absorbed into the surface, which is why bald spots remain on it. This happens because natural wood has a porous structure. That is why professionals recommend pre-treating it with drying oil.

Drying oil for wood processing

Briefly about the main thing

A rocking chair is a good way to make the interior more comfortable, especially since many models are simple enough to assemble with your own hands. The easiest way for a novice craftsman to make a rocking chair with radius runners is from plywood. If the furniture is intended for indoor use, the FK brand is suitable, if for the garden, then FSF.

When choosing plywood, you need to pay attention not only to the brand, but also to the quality (grade) of the material. To work, you need a drawing, according to which the design patterns are prepared. After marking, parts are cut out from the sheet using an electric jigsaw. Assembly is carried out using glue, screws and self-tapping screws. If the rocking chair does not maintain balance, it is balanced using additional weights.

What to pay attention to

When making furniture from plywood, especially if the process is unfamiliar and is being performed for the first time, you should know several features.

Since the material is quite pliable and subject to deformation, which is actively used to create chairs with curved elements, it is necessary to protect it from moisture and high temperatures.

Garden furniture should be made only from special brands, treated with protective impregnations, and covered with alkyd varnishes with periodic renewal.

Both for decoration and for strengthening the structure, covers and soft upholstery are used, which create an additional tightening function. This is especially important in models in which no fasteners were used during assembly.