Adirondack Rocking Chair for Two
Lumber Required:
Part Thickness Length Width
2 Back Legs 3/4” 5 1/2” 30”
2 Front Legs 3/4” 3 1/2" 21”
1 Lower Front Support 3/4” 1 1/2” 44”
1 Top Front Support 3/4” 5 1/2” 45”
2 Arm Rests 3/4” 5 1/2” 25”
2 Back Supports 3/4” 3 1/2” 44”
1 Middle Seat Support 3/4” 5 1/2” 16”
11 Seat Slats 3/4” 1 1/2” 44”
10 Back Slats 3/4” 3 1/2” 26”
4 Rockers 3/4” 3 1/2” 34”
Tools Needed:
- Drill
- Jigsaw
- Sander
Materials List:
- Varnish
- Glue
- Wood Screws
Instructions:
Step 1: Front Legs
Cut the two front legs to size and designate one end of each as the top. Measure 6 1/2” up from the bottom of each leg and cut out a notch 5 1/2” inches long and 3/4” deep into each leg. The top front support runs along the front of the seat and fits into these notches.
Step 2: Top Front Support
Cut the top front support. To add an additional decorative touch, use the jigsaw to cut two matching curves or any other decorative pattern. Fit the top front support into the notches in the front legs. Check to make sure everything fits squarely, then glue and screw the top front support into place.
Step 3: Lower Front Support
Cut the lower front support. Position the lower front support between the front legs at a height of 0” to a maximum of 1 1/2” above the bottom of the legs. Secure into place using wood screws screwed through the front legs into the lower front support. Once attached, ensure the entire unit is square. Allow it to sit for several hours until the glue is dry.
Step 4: Back Legs and Middle Support
Cut out the shape of the legs and the middle seat support (see Fig. B). Note the line on the diagram where the middle support ends - this is an estimate of the angle that needs to be cut at the back of the support. This can be cut to a more accurate shape just prior to its attachment.
Once the back legs and middle support have been cut to shape, attach the legs to the inside of the front leg unit. Make sure to glue then screw the inside.
Step 5: Seating Slats
Cut the 11 seat slats to size. To attach the slats, pre-drill each end of the slat with a screw hole, then screw and glue the slats onto the back legs. It is important to work from the front of the seat to the back, leaving as little gap as possible between each slat. You may wish to lay the slats out and space them evenly before attaching to the legs.
Step 6 – Backrest
The first step in building the backrest is constructing the bottom back support. Use a 3 1/2” x 44” and cut a 3/4” deep and 2” high (see Fig. C). Cut the ten
Step 7: Armrests
Before the back can be attached, the armrest must be cut (see Fig. D). The exact shape is up to you. Attach a small block of wood underneath the back of 
each armrest. Screw the armrests into the top of the front legs leaving approximately one inch of the armrest sticking beyond the front leg.
Next, attach the backrest by screwing through each back leg into the notched bottom back support. Then put a screw through the blocks under the back of the armrests into the upper back support. Finally, cut and screw a small piece of wood underneath the front of the armrest into each front leg to support the weight of the armrest and prevent bending when pressure is put on it. (see Fig. E).
Step 8: Middle Seat Support
Cut the back end of the seat support to an angle matching the backrest (around 20 degrees) so that the seat support is flush with the bottom back support. Screw and glue the support into place halfway along the seating area. Attach using two screws through the top front support and two more through the bottom back support. Once these four screws are in place, the middle seat support should also be attached to the 13 seat slats using wood screws. This ensures even weight distribution when people are seated.
Step 9: Rockers
Cut the four rocker pieces, then glue and screw two together to form two rocker sections. Cut each rocker section into the shape shown (see Fig. F). The front of the rocker should have a more defined curve than the back of the rocker. This ensures that you will not tip over when rocking. Once cut into the appropriate shape, use a belt sander to create a smooth finish.
The rockers should be attached to the chair legs at a distance of between 1 1/2” to 5” from the front and 4” to 9” from the back. Drill up from the bottom of the rocker into the chair leg using a drill bit that is slightly larger than the screw head. This will ensure that the screw head sinks completely into the rocker. Once the holes are drilled, bolt the screws through the rocker into the front and back legs.
Step 10: Finish
Finish the chair with at least two coats of varnish or protectant specifically designed to withstand outdoor conditions.
- from http://www.timbermart.ca/projects/lawn-garden/adirondack-rocking-chair-two
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