We make a rocking chair with our own hands using a video tutorial and advice from experts. Three simple ways to make a rocking chair with your own hands Making a rocking chair at home

Making a rocking chair with your own hands is one of the ways to decorate a recreation area in a living space or garden. At home, such a convenient and practical piece of furniture is especially popular and in demand.

In the manufacture of such interior items, a wide variety of materials are used, including natural wood, reliable metal and durable modern plastic. The most common furniture is from Italian manufacturers, the design of which is characterized by the presence of arc supports installed on both sides.

Such The special feature of the chair allows you to swing on it. Less common are models that have a solid rounded base. Another feature of the rocking chair is the presence of a comfortable backrest and armrests, and in some models there is convenient stand for legs.

Dimensions vary depending on the application, and all models can be divided into home, street or country and garden and office. The classic version is represented by relatively light, simple in shape and affordable garden models. Basketry It is not advisable to use it for a long time street conditions. Natural materials such as wicker or rattan quickly become unusable as a result of exposure to direct sunlight.

For outdoor use, experts recommend giving preference to rocking chairs made from the most resistant materials such as metal, plastic and synthetic fabrics. Furniture design for home use can be selected depending on the interior features of the room. Besides everything else, all types are divided into children's and adult models. The first option is small in size and is often presented in a playful form, so it can look like a rocking horse, dog or bird.

Master class on making a rocking chair from plywood and wood with your own hands

A homemade, lightest or simplest product is the best option if you need to save money and get original design. The easiest way is to make a wooden product yourself. Simple rocking chairs, chairs and swings made of wood always go very harmoniously with any interior style.

DIY rocking chair: collecting parts (video)

Drawing up drawings with dimensions

Can be used already finished drawing, and, if necessary, make minor modifications to it, or develop an assembly diagram yourself. When choosing the first option, it is recommended to give preference to designs with a small number of connections, due to the need to obtain the most monolithic and reliable product.

The frame base consists of a couple of main parts:

boomerang-shaped sidewalls;
fourteen cross bars.

The stops are made from five-centimeter bars with a cross-section of 2.0x4.0 cm.

Standard dimensions of the finished model:

height – meter;
length – 1.2 m.
width – 60 cm.

After the drawing is drawn up, the template is transferred to graph paper, strictly observing the scale. As a rule, creating patterns for the simplest options that have a minimum number of structural elements does not cause difficulties.

Materials and tools

It is assumed that plywood with a thickness of 1.5 cm or more will be used as the main materials to create load-bearing structural elements, represented by side supports and racks. For the manufacture of backrest slats and any decorative elements plywood one centimeter thick is suitable. You may also need connecting bars with a cross section of 30x50 mm, but in a simple model you can do without them.

The most accurate cutting of plywood can be obtained by using electric jigsaw. Smoothing of plywood ribs is carried out using power tools of the appropriate modification in the form of household grinder or a low-speed drill with a milling attachment. All irregularities can be removed with a fine file or fine sandpaper. Used for wood processing antiseptic compounds. Assembly is carried out with glue and galvanized self-tapping screws, the heads of which are recessed.

Manufacturing stages

The DIY manufacturing technology is as follows:

preparing a template for the side parts on thick cardboard;
cutting out plywood parts according to a template;
processing of ends in the cutting area sandpaper;
cutting out transverse plywood strips 60 cm long and 4 cm wide, followed by sanding with sandpaper;
cutting out stops for cross bars from 2.0 x 4.0 cm timber;
making markings on each side for installation of thrust bars;
fastening the thrust bars using wood glue.
fastening the sidewalls with transverse strips.

The fully finished frame is processed protective compounds. Two layers of stain and furniture varnish give a good result.

How to make a rocking chair from wicker at home

Flexible branches of bird cherry or willow are ideal for weaving. The design of a wicker rocking chair is presented:

lower bench;
seat;
back;
armrests.

Manufacturing technology:

preparation of 25 long rods, the diameter of which is 30mm and a large number of thin rods, 5mm thick;
Thick rods are bent using a jig;
thin rods secure the frame legs to the crosspiece and frame;
the leggings are tightened;
shootouts are established;
the upper part of the backrest is mounted;
seat cross rods are installed;
armrests are woven from rods;
the armrests are attached to the arms using nails;
the upper part of the armrest rods is attached to the side supports;
preparation of inlaid rods and their installation on the back of the seat.

On final stage All elements of the wicker chair are decorated using decorative weaving from thin cut tape.

How to make a wicker rocking chair with your own hands (video)

Features of making a rocking chair for a summer cottage made of metal

At home, quite often, corrugated pipes or other types of metal are used to make rocking chairs. A metal structure made of metal rods is connected using a welding machine or drill and bolts in accordance with the following technology:

the drawing can be made according to the sample simple chair, the dimensions of which are transferred to scale paper;
the radius of the planned arc determines the standard swing range of the manufactured structure;
the basis of the structure is steel rods with a cross-section of 20x20 mm, cut in accordance with the dimensions shown in the drawing;
Arcs are bent from rods and welded to the legs on a frame assembled in accordance with the drawing;
rods can be welded at a distance of 5-6 mm, which allows you to get the most durable and reliable design, but requires increased material consumption;
sheet metal is welded or screwed onto the frame base along the entire length of the seat and backrest;
All elements of the finished structure are sanded and then primed and painted.

More popular option metal structure is a design based on a bed made of a fully curved sheet metal, fixed on arcs, which are steel or aluminum pipes. Often the metal structure is replaced with a frame based on plastic pipes. The seat bed can be made of durable and reliable tarpaulin.

Other unusual options

A very interesting option is the double rocking chair. This model resembles a sofa and is the best comfortable option for a country seating area.

Required Tools:

electric jigsaw;
disc sander;
screwdriver;
a square with a long measuring ruler;
roulette;
hammer;
spatulas and brushes.

Twelve euroscrews, 5x120 mm in size, and 140 self-tapping screws, 4x45 mm in size, are used as fasteners. During the work you will also need drying oil, wood varnish, putty and an antiseptic solution.

Technology self-made:

making a drawing and template on a metric grid with subsequent transfer of the outline to plywood;
cutting plywood blanks from plywood and timber. Production of drawstring ties and side elements from 30 mm thick euro plywood. The side parts are cut out using a jigsaw in strict accordance with the pattern. Cutting three drawers measuring 80x12 cm;
cutting blank bars to create the surface of the seat and back of the product. To cut 35 elements 120 cm long, bars with a cross section of 5.0x2.5 cm are used;
sanding all cut parts and removing small chamfers using a grinding machine, after which the end parts of the parts are impregnated with hot drying oil.

The assembly of the structure consists of attracting the drawers to the sidewalls using confirmations. Through holes are drilled in the planes, and the frame is tightened using Euroscrews. The holes above all installed screws must be filled very carefully and thoroughly. At the final stage of assembly, mandatory treatment with antiseptic solutions and triple coating of the surface of the entire product with a special waterproof varnish are carried out.

Varieties of rocking chairs (video)

Self-assembly of a rocking chair is not only a way to save money cash on the purchase of home and country furniture. In the last few years, use in home interior and the landscape of the garden territory, pieces of furniture made independently are a tribute to fashion and very original way registration

Most people associate a rocking chair with home comfort, rest, and relaxation. Sitting in it, it’s nice to drink a cup of coffee, read a book or dream by the fireplace, covered with a blanket, on a long winter evening. Regular rocking calms, relaxes, and gives peace. It’s not for nothing that everyone loves to swing so much even on ordinary chairs, often breaking them. But it is not always possible to purchase rocking chairs - they are not cheap. In this case, you can make the item yourself.

Types of rocking chairs

There are a great variety of rocking chairs. They differ in design, scope of application, material of manufacture and upholstery, design.

Type of design

Rocking chairs can be divided into the following types according to the type of structure.

On simple radius runners - skis, rocker arms, arcs. These chairs were the first to appear and are still in use today. They are easy to manufacture, but have a drawback - the risk of tipping over when strongly rocked. In this regard, they are made with a low landing so that the center of the generating circle is greater than the center of gravity. There are also varieties with a closing horizontal arc. This model requires the construction of individual drawings taking into account the height and weight of the person for whom it is intended.
On skids variable curvature. They have no risk of capsizing. Thanks to their length, when tilted back, they prevent the chair from falling, and when tilted forward, they simply push the person out of the seat. When making this model, it is better to use a ready-made drawing, since the process of its construction is quite complicated.
On elliptical skids. They swing very softly. They are often equipped with bumpers at the rear, a step at the front, or springs. It is not possible to make a model on springs at home; this requires special types of wood or a rubberized metal strip.
Glider - sliding rocking chair. Unlike previous designs, its base remains stationary. It swings due to the installed pendulum mechanism. This piece of furniture is a difficult option for a novice craftsman.
Vanka-vstanka is a garden tumbler chair. Does not lose stability in any position. This is due to the fact that the seat is also runners. If you lean back too much, the chair will move to an almost horizontal position, but will not turn over, and with a little effort it will return to its original position. It is quite difficult to construct a drawing of such a chair, but you can use a ready-made one.

Options for rocking chairs depending on the structure - photo gallery

The classic rocking chair has the main disadvantage - the risk of tipping over when strongly rocked Elliptical bars provide smooth swinging On runners of variable curvature there is no risk of tipping over The glider chair will not leave marks of scuff marks on the floor in your home. The Vanka-Vstanka rocking chair does not lose stability in any position, and from the side it resembles a person lying down

Glider - the ideal chair for young mothers - video

Variety of materials

The following materials can be used in the manufacture of rocking chairs.

Tree. Conifers, oak and larch are suitable for this. The craftsman will need experience in wood carpentry and knowledge of how to connect parts.
Plywood. The best option For a novice craftsman there will be plywood. Working with it will require a minimum of skills and tools; all parts can be cut out with jigsaws.
Vine and rattan. It is better not to take on the job without the skills to work with these materials. You will need skills in proper harvesting, drying and processing of vines, as well as weaving skills. In addition, it is worth considering that the rattan palm does not grow in Russia; its homeland is Indonesia and the Philippines.
Metal. Products made from it are durable, strong, but heavy. To work with this material, you need special welding or forging skills, as well as pipe bending equipment if the chair is made from pipes. As a rule, the frame is made of metal, and the seat is made of wood. Such a chair in an apartment can damage the floor, and it looks more appropriate in a country house or country house.
Profile pipes. Suitable for making elliptical arches. This material, like any metal, also requires welding skills.
Plastic pipes. Lightweight, durable, easy to work with. You only need fittings and a blowtorch. Moreover, the cost of such a product is low.

Types of materials for making rocking chairs - gallery

Plywood is suitable for making a chair by a novice craftsman The rattan palm does not grow in our country, its homeland is Indonesia and the Philippines To work with metal, you need welding or forging skills Polypropylene pipes are light, durable, and easy to work with. Conifers, oak and larch are the most popular materials for making rocking chairs To make products from wicker you will need special skills

Application options

Depending on the place of use, rocking chairs are divided into items for home or outdoor use. If you plan to use the product outdoors (dacha, garden plot), keep in mind that the material will be affected Sun rays, precipitation, air temperature.

Metal is not afraid of changes in humidity. It only needs to be treated with an anti-corrosion compound. Due to its heavy weight, it is better to place this chair on a stone base. It will push through loose soil or a wooden podium. The best option for the street is metal product with a wooden seat or with removable cushions.

Wooden chairs must be treated with a waterproof coating. This must be done especially carefully if the product is made of plywood. Before assembly, hot drying oil is applied to the ends of the parts, and then they are slightly flattened with a hammer so that moisture does not penetrate inside. After this procedure, the elements are coated twice with waterproof varnish.

Wooden rocking chairs should not be kept outdoors all the time. Otherwise, the product may lose its original appearance.

The most successful outdoor option are plastic chairs. They do not rot, are not afraid of the sun and wind, and do not require protective coating. Such products are durable and lightweight, they can be moved to any place if necessary.

You should not use chairs with soft upholstery, it is better to cover them with a blanket or put removable pillows. The upholstery will get wet in the rain and deteriorate.

“Street” seating options - gallery

A chair made of plywood and wooden planks is the simplest option for a novice craftsman A plywood chair with a roof will save you from sunburn The rocking sofa can accommodate several people at once Plastic pipes are a fairly inexpensive material; even a beginner can make a rocking chair out of it.

How to make a rocking chair with your own hands

Things made with your own hands carry a completely different energy than purchased ones. When making them, you can make any of your wishes come true. Making a rocking chair is not difficult; even a beginner can cope with this task. You need to be patient and follow the step-by-step instructions exactly.

Types of handmade chairs from various materials - gallery

You can cut a chair of absolutely any shape from plywood. The presence of a footrest creates a greater relaxing effect A chair covered with threads will surprise your guests A wooden chair with soft upholstery will help you relax after working day An armchair made from natural materials is suitable for an eco-style interior This original rocking chair will decorate your country house Pipes can serve as the basis for a future chair A wrought-iron rocking chair will look natural on your summer cottage Knitted elements in interior items create a homely atmosphere A pipe and a tree will always be found on the farm. You can easily make a country rocking chair from this material

We turn the most ordinary chair into a rocking chair

The easiest option to get a rocking chair quickly and inexpensively is to make it from an old but strong chair or armchair. You only need to make a couple of runners. To ensure structural stability and prevent tipping, the center of gravity must be shifted downward. To do this, the legs need to be filed under the arches on which the chair or armchair will later be attached.

How to make runners from solid wood - video

Instructions for making a vanka-stanka

To make this chair yourself, it is better to use plywood. You can construct a drawing by making calculations yourself, or use a ready-made diagram.

Preparing tools and materials

Before starting work, you need to prepare materials and tools. You may need:

electric jigsaw with wood files;
disc sander with a set of attachments of various grain sizes;
screwdriver or drill;
hammer;
brush;
sheet of plywood 20-30 mm thick;
50x25 mm block for cladding;
3 connecting bars 30x50 mm;
self-tapping screws or confirmants;
wood glue;
wood antiseptic;
primer or drying oil;
dye;
roulette;
pencil;
graph paper.

Now you have everything you need. Before proceeding to the next step, treat the plywood sheet with an antiseptic. While you are working on the drawing, it will dry.

Drawing a diagram

The design of the vanka-stand does not require taking into account the individual parameters of future users. If you wish, you can make amendments to the finished diagram. For example, if necessary, such a chair can be made double. Thus, we will assume that you have the drawing.

We transfer it to graph paper, and then to thick paper in full size details. We cut out the patterns and draw out the sides. We will make them from plywood, fasteners from bars, sheathing from slats.

Both sidewalls must be absolutely identical, there must be no bulges or irregularities on the swinging surface, the line must be smooth!

We make parts

Using an electric jigsaw, he cuts out sidewalls from plywood and connecting drawers from bars. The best connection between the parts of the chair is a tenon connection. If the drawing provides for it, we make tenons and cuts for them in the sidewalls. We cut the facing strip from the slats. To ensure that there are as few scraps as possible, when choosing slats, ensure that their dimensions are a multiple of the finished plank. If you have any leftovers, keep them, they will be useful to you when the product needs to be repaired.

We sand all the parts, grind them, and then chamfer them. We process the ends especially carefully. We lightly break their fibers with a hammer so that moisture does not penetrate into them. All elements must be primed and painted, the ends - twice.

Assembling the chair

We connect the sidewalls with drawer bars. If you have a tenon joint, then insert the tenons into the cuts under them, having previously coated them with wood glue. If not, then we mark the joints on the sidewalls, make holes with an 8 mm drill, and at the ends of the bars - 5 mm. We tighten it with the help of confirmants - euroscrews.

Now all that remains is to attach the facing strips. In order for them to lie flat, they must first be marked. Each board should have 4 marks, that is, 2 on each side. To make the work easier, you can make a template from a piece of slats by drilling 2 holes in it, then the work will go much faster.

To prevent the planks from cracking when fastening, drill holes according to the marks thin drill and screw them onto the sidewall with self-tapping screws. The distance between the slats should be 15 mm.

Cover the product with primer and paint. The rocking chair is ready, you can enjoy it.

Video on making a rocking chair from plywood

Making a rocking sofa

Using the basics of making a Vanka-Vstanka chair, you can make a rocking sofa. In this case, you will need three side panels.

This light and comfortable chair is suitable for both home and garden. The seat and back can be braided with leather strips, colored cord, or simply stretched with durable fabric.

Photo of making a chair on radius arcs

First make a drawing Prepare all the details of the future chair, mark the places where the elements will be attached Assemble the chair according to the diagram presented

Making a chair out of wood

Wood is a more complex material than plywood. There are several drawing options wooden chairs-rocking chairs

The product can be without armrests and have a back that follows the curves of the back.

If you do not have sufficient woodworking skills, you can make a chair whose elements are straight lines. The only exception will be arcs.

The procedure for making such a chair is the same as for the plywood model.

We make drawings and patterns.
We cut out the material. A board of 3000x200x40 mm will be used for the runners, and a board of 3000x100x20 mm will be used for the remaining parts.
We sand and polish.
We prime and paint all the elements.
We mark the joints of the parts and drill holes for the bolts.
We do the assembly.
We put a soft pillow and swing.

How to make a rocking chair out of wood for a child - video

We use a pendulum mechanism in the manufacture of a glider

To make such a chair, you need to have good drawings. Although, there are craftsmen who build them themselves, taking dimensions from factory products. The pendulum mechanism is assembled on ball bearings. This applies to both metal and wooden structures. The seat should not be attached to the base, but suspended from it. This allows the chair to swing in a horizontal plane.

How to make a metal pendulum chair - video

Making a wicker chair from wicker

Wicker products are widely popular. If you know how to weave from wicker, you can make such a chair at home. However, the process of making it is quite long and requires patience and effort.

It should be noted that a wicker chair should be comfortable and durable. Its flexibility is achieved due to the vine, which is also an environmentally friendly material.

We use plastic pipes to simulate the sound of the sea - video

We make a chair from metal “like wicker”

If you know how to forge products, then it will not be difficult for you to make a rocking chair from metal. It can also be made by welding profile pipe, better than the elliptical section. The seat, back and braid of the armrests can be made from ropes, belts or strips of fabric.

A simple metal chair for a summer cottage - video

If one person managed to create something, then another will certainly be able to repeat it. All you need is desire and strict adherence to instructions. And it’s not so important what your chair is made of. If you put your soul into your work, the result will bring joy.

Many of us are familiar with such a piece of furniture as a rocking chair, which can be found in many country houses. For most, it is one of their favorite places to relax, but not everyone knows that anyone can make such a chair. However, first you need to acquire certain knowledge, skills and prepare a tool.

IN last years The rocking chair has become a fairly common piece of furniture. In the assortment of many furniture enterprises you can find a large number of models of rocking chairs designed for use in apartments and offices. Moreover, among them there are models made in classic version by weaving method, as well as modern products, fully satisfying the requirements of high-tech style.

Advantages of a wooden chair

Before you start manufacturing, you need to decide what material to use as a base. Although there are many options, the most common one is the wooden chair. Therefore further Let's list the advantages which this material has:

environmental Safety. Wooden furniture has been very popular among consumers for many years, which has provided it with such qualities as natural origin, safety and hypoallergenicity. Therefore, owners of wooden chairs do not encounter any inconvenience when using it, since they are confident in the environmental friendliness of this material;
strength and long service life. Wood is a fairly durable material, which is also reflected in the furniture made from it. In addition, it perfectly withstands mechanical stress and demonstrates a long service life;
attractive appearance and variety of shapes.

Rattan rocking chair

We repeat that rocking chairs today offered in large quantities the most various options. One of these products is a rattan rocking chair, which not only has a pleasant design, but can also harmonize perfectly with other elements of the cottage interior. The homeland of rattan is South America, and this plant itself is often called a flexible vine.

Among the features of this material, it is worth noting its high strength, which it is capable of compete with willow twigs.

The technology for making chairs from this culture is characterized by the fact that instead of traditional connections based on screws and bolts, glue and skillful knitting are used. Alas, in our country it is impossible to buy this tree, so most owners country dachas It will not be possible to make such a chair with your own hands.

Wicker rocking chair

A photo of the options available today for this piece of furniture allows us to judge that a wicker rocking chair is quite in demand today. It can be found in dachas and even in apartments in many regions of our country. Willow vine is used as material for it, and the finished chair itself fits well into the interior garden house, cottages and even garden greenery. Consumer rocking chair from willow vine attracts primarily because of its low weight and high strength. However, such furniture has one serious drawback: excess humidity has a negative effect on the material, so it is not recommended to keep such chairs outdoors in wet weather.

Materials for manufacturing

Regardless of what type of wood you decide to use to make a wicker chair, you must have certain skills. Wood is accessible and easy to process, so many owners who are thinking about making a rocking chair with their own hands most often consider the option of using wood as the basis for it. But first it is necessary prepare certain tools for making furniture:

electric jigsaw with a set of blades;
disc sander with a set of coarse and fine-grained attachments;
screwdriver with drills;
tape measure and angle with ruler;
hammer and spatula;
brush and pencil.

Execution of the drawing

Even before you start work, you should take into account that to make a high-quality rocking chair with your own hands, a drawing is required.

Having a sketch in hand, you can avoid serious errors regarding the dimensions of the product and correctly determine the quantity of materials that you will need for manufacturing.

First you need to take a metal mesh, each cell of which corresponds to 1 cm, and mark a template for the side of the chair on it. To make it more convenient to work further, it is recommended to transfer the created chair template onto plain paper. This will make it easier for you to mark the outline of the chair on the plywood itself. Don't worry if there are minor errors. Here it is important to maintain the symmetry of the sidewalls and avoid protruding corner elements on the outer rolling part.

To complete this work we will need plywood 3 cm thick, from which three drawers are cut dimensions 120 x 800 mm. The sidewalls are made using an electric jigsaw exactly according to the pattern. After this, you need to take a beam 50 mm wide and 25 mm thick and cut out 35 fragments from it, the length of each of which should be 120 cm. The finished beams will subsequently serve as a seat and backrest.

Try to purchase enough timber at the very beginning to minimize waste. This will be quite easy to do, given that you will be able to calculate the total length of the beam before purchasing. Let's say, if it has a length of 2.3 m, then better chair make it narrower. As a result, its width will decrease to 115 cm, however, this will allow you to avoid waste. The given dimensions of the rocking chair do not require their exact observance. Therefore, if during the work it becomes clear to you that it would be better to increase or decrease the size to minimize waste, then you can do it without fear.

Workpiece processing

The surface treatment of workpieces is carried out using a grinding machine. When performing an operation, it is necessary Special attention give them to the ends. If wood fibers appear on them during work, you need to use a hammer and level them, and then treat them with hot drying oil. This way you will make the ends of your furniture more resistant to moisture, which will have a positive effect on its service life. When the drying oil dries, it is necessary to re-process it to consolidate the result.

The chair is assembled based on the drawing of the rocking chair. Need to fasten two sides, drawers are used. But first you need to mark the places where they will connect.

According to common patterns for making rocking chairs, it is recommended to fix them in the head area, in the middle and in the legs. When you have to attach the tension strips to the sidewall, use confirmat for this. This name is given to a special screw tie with which the wood materials. First, before fastening, it is necessary to create 8 mm holes in the sidewall and 5 mm in the end of the drawer.

Next, we begin work on creating the seat and attaching it to the base. Take earlier prepared 35 pieces of timber, in which you need to make four holes for two on each side. After this, the bars must be fixed to the sidewalls. Considering the number of holes present, it is recommended to fix the bars using 3 or 4 mm self-tapping screws. When attaching the boards, constantly check that they are installed horizontally.

Processing of the finished product

If you look at the experience of ordinary owners making rocking chairs from wood and plywood with their own hands, you can identify a number of serious mistakes made after assembly. Among them, I would especially like to focus on low-quality finishing or its absence. To do everything correctly and ensure the chair has the longest possible service life, you need to do the following:

treat the hole above the screws with putty;
cover with a layer of antiseptic;
Apply waterproof varnish in two or three layers.

If you carry out all the work described above exactly, you can be sure that a rocking chair made by yourself will be able to please you for many years.

If you are going to start making a rocking chair with your own hands for the first time, then it will be useful for you read the recommendations experienced craftsmen who have performed this work more than once:

Other types

One of the varieties of this piece of furniture is wooden baby chair. It is made according to the same scheme as described above, but you need to adjust the size to the age of the child. This also applies to the tilt of the backrest and arms. Quite often, children's chairs are made in the shape of a horse.

Of particular interest is the rocking chair for the office. The peculiarity of its manufacture is that leather is used for lining, as a result of which the product acquires a respectable and solid look. Having such a chair at hand, a person will have the opportunity to relax and unwind during the working day.

Conclusion

Although furniture manufacturing offers enough big choice furniture, one of the things desired by many cottage owners is a rocking chair. Having settled down in it, you can relax and allow yourself to forget about everyday affairs for a while.

Moreover, in order to personal experience To feel all the benefits of having such a piece of furniture, you don’t have to spend a lot of money on buying a rocking chair. You can always make it yourself. Considering that you can use available materials and tools for this, any person who has at least once held a hammer and saw in their hands can cope with this task. There are many ready-made ones on the Internet manufacturing plans for similar furniture, therefore, if you strictly follow the manufacturing technology of a rocking chair, you can create a fairly elegant and reliable product that can serve you for many years.

Furniture made with your own hands will please not only the eye, but also the wallet. A great start for any craftsman is a DIY rocking chair. This original item will favorably emphasize and complement any interior. All you need to create an exclusive model: carefully selected material, correct drawing and, of course, the desire to create a masterpiece.

What to make a rocking chair from?

The master class on creating this furniture begins with the selection of materials. Since it must be strong and reliable in order to serve for a long time, then you should give preference to durable, environmentally friendly materials. To make furniture, it is better to choose plywood, wood, metal or wicker. It all depends on the chosen model.

A plywood product will fit perfectly into a country house interior - it is openwork, light, but has a serious drawback - the fear of water. It can be placed either in the house or taken out into the gazebo, but sudden rain can significantly damage the chair.
A product made of wood (beech or oak) can be called eternal, but only if the material is handled correctly. It has practically no drawbacks, except for one thing - working with wood is more difficult than, for example, with plywood, you must have certain carpentry skills.
A metal product is resistant and durable, but has a disadvantage - it is very heavy. Due to the influence of metal on the center of gravity, the chair sways quite sharply or may tip over.
A wicker product made from wicker is the most ergonomic. No nails or screws are used in manufacturing; all connections are held in place by weaving and glue.

We make furniture

A homemade rocking chair has standard sizes, so the product creation drawing is general. However, there are still minor features, and they should be taken into account when designing at home.

Plywood chair

You will need:

3 sheets of high-quality plywood (preferably 1520x800 mm in size), the sheets should be different thicknesses– 4, 10, 15 mm;
20 screws or self-tapping screws;
wood glue (PVA is not recommended);
jigsaw

Having made the drawing, we prepare the patterns. Thick cardboard that can hold its shape is suitable for this. Cut out the details. Be sure to leave a margin of 1-2 mm at the edges. After this, using pencil patterns, the plywood sheets are marked. The parts for the model are cut out with a jigsaw.

It should look like this:

From the thickest plywood sheet (15 mm) - 2 side elements, 2 racks, 2 seat supports and 2 slats measuring 470x45 mm; plus an additional crossbar 540x45 mm and a strip 485x45 mm.
From a 10 mm sheet - 18 strips 540x30 mm and 16 crossbars 500x30 mm for the seat.
From a sheet of 4 mm - 2 bases in the shape of a square for the seat and back.

Now the DIY rocking chair requires assembly. Be sure to clean the parts with sandpaper before doing this, otherwise the product will look untidy. First of all, it is necessary to glue the existing crossbars to the bases of the seat and backrest from thin sheets. Now all parts are covered with special paint; alternatively, you can use varnish or stain (this is more economical option). It will take 3-5 hours to dry completely. All parts are assembled together and fastened with screws or self-tapping screws. For the beauty of the product, it is worth closing the fastening caps with special plugs. The last stage is the footrest. Its base should be made of metal. An old handle from a rake or shovel will do. The main thing is that the length is approximately 530-550 mm. Plywood is attached to it.

Made of wood

You will need:

3 euro pallets made of wood;
4 linear meters timber 50x100 mm (can be taken in pieces of 60 cm);
threaded rods 90 cm – 4 pcs.;
bolts with lock washers (diameter 12 mm) – 10 pcs.;
M10 bolts 50 mm long – 6 pcs.;
wood glue;
cardboard tubes 5 mm thick;
jigsaw and drill;
high grit sandpaper.

Before you make a rocking chair out of wood, you need to draw a drawing. Only after this can production begin.

You should start by disassembling the pallet. You need to pull out all the metal (staples, nails and screws) from it. If you do this carelessly, the structure may rot over time. We process all damaged corners and edges with sandpaper.

Now it's time to work with the bars. 2 side trapezoidal frames are made from 6 bars, L-shaped side frames for the seat are made from 4, and the bars for the runners are rounded with a saw (to ensure stability of the chair when swinging, the front part of the runners is made shorter and with a high curvature in relation to the back). All fastenings in this model are made on tongues so as not to damage the wood.

At the beginning of assembly, a cut is made on the top of the runners, and the vertical racks sidewalls coated with glue. Drying time at home is a day.

The next step is to drill holes in the L-shaped sides for the seat for the cardboard tubes. They will be the back. It is worth leaving 5 mm gaps between the tubes to allow air and moisture to circulate. Before fastening, the tubes are lubricated with glue. It will take 4-5 hours to dry. All that remains is to insert the threaded rods into the joints between the seat and the side supports. We tighten them with nuts. If the rods are peeking out, you can simply cut them off and cover the cuts with plugs. The chair is cleaned and sanded again, then varnished.

Made of metal

The master class on creating a rocking chair from metal is more complex than previous options. In this case it is used welding machine, as well as special tools.

You will need:

steel rods with cuts 20x20 mm;
steel sheet – 2 mm;
steel corners 40x40x3 mm;
welding machine, drill, grinder or hacksaw;
set of screws for metal.

When developing a drawing, the width of the runners must be calculated. A wide arc is provided around the runners to make the furniture stable.

Steel rods are cut into meter-long sections and welded to the main frame. The indentations, or the so-called frame step, are 5-6 mm. The steel is bent into an oval and welded to the base. Steel sheet screwed to the seat part with metal screws. The master class on creating metal furniture is over.

IN finished product All welds are cleaned. A grinder or file is suitable for this. The chair must be treated with an anti-corrosion agent or painted. For convenience, wooden planks are placed on top of the metal on the seat or braided with vines.

From the vine

Before you make a rocking chair with your own hands from wicker, you will have to master the weaving technique and the basics of preparing the material. For beginners, bird cherry or willow branches are suitable, which need to be harvested and processed using a special technique.

You will need:

woven lower bench, seat, back, armrests;
25 willow twigs with a diameter of 3 cm and about 50 thin ones with a diameter of 5 mm.

Using a jig (special tool), we bend the rods, fix the frame with the lower seat, attach the back and transverse rods. Woven armrests are attached to the base using special nails. Inlaid rods are inserted vertically and horizontally into the back of the product.

The final stage - a chair made of wicker requires decoration. Along the edges you can make decorative weaving from a thin ribbon.

Any master class offers universal calculations for work and drawings. To create an exclusive model, it is worth adjusting the furniture to the person who will use it.

Most people associate a rocking chair with rest and relaxation. The imagination pictures a veranda of a country house, a warm blanket and a glass of wine. Is it possible to make this piece of furniture, synonymous with a measured life, with your own hands? After reading this article, even a novice master will easily cope with this task.

glider;
classic on runners.

Each type has a number of features, so let’s consider them in more detail.

Glider (with pendulum mechanism)

This type of furniture has a fixed base, and swinging occurs using a pendulum mechanism. It has a number of advantages over the classic one, but the main advantage is silent operation. That is why it is often purchased by mothers for feeding and rocking babies.

Classic on skids

This type of rocking chair is known to everyone, but not everyone knows what a wide variety of subspecies of this piece of furniture exist.

On simple runners of constant curvature (radius).
Radius runners are the simplest and most common type of support
However, it is worth knowing that this is not the safest design option. Professionals make custom-made, as a rule, rocking chairs on runners that are not of constant, but of variable curvature, which are calculated taking into account the height and weight of the users. It is these models that have the lowest risk of capsizing.
On elliptical skids with tilt stops.
On springs.
Vanka-stand-up.

What materials can a rocking chair be made from - table

Material	Description, features	Advantages	Flaws
willow vine	Very durable openwork products are obtained from vines, but this work is very labor-intensive and requires certain skills. This material is often used to make suspended structures.	beautiful appearance; long service life; ease.	afraid of moisture
Rattan	Rattan products have their own ethnic flavor. Weaving it yourself is a difficult task, since it is not easy to get material in our latitudes.	very light and beautiful; Only braided and adhesive joints are used in production.	high price; quite fragile material.
Wood massif	The most common material for making strong and durable rocking chairs is wood. Different types of wood are used, but the most common are coniferous, especially durable species (alder, oak, larch).	relatively low price; opportunity to make it yourself.	carpentry skills are required for manufacturing; durable wood species have a high price.
Metal	Since metal has large mass, only the frame is usually made from it, and the seats are made from another material - plastic, fabric, leather, wood. Fully metal forged products look impressive, but are quite complex in execution. To do this, you need to have a special tool, as well as skills in working with metal.	durability	heavy weight of the structure
Plastic	To make a folding rocking chair yourself, you will need special equipment.	low price; variety of design.	low strength of the product.

Rocking chairs made of plastic, metal, rattan, willow wicker and solid wood - photo gallery

Armchairs for home and garden

In the house it is better to use products made from environmentally friendly materials, not too heavy, so as not to spoil the floor covering. Size also matters if your apartment is not too large. Most suitable option- plastic and wooden products. Wicker furniture also suitable, but not always appropriate in an urban interior.

If you plan to use furniture for open air, then it is necessary to take into account some points: how resistant the material is to moisture, exposure to the sun, and whether it is easy to wash. With certain preparation, a product made from almost any material can be used outdoors - forged, plastic, wooden models. Designs with a sun awning are relevant on hot days.

You can also do original rocking chairs from chairs that had been going to be repaired for a long time.

Photo gallery: options for wooden garden chairs

DIY rocking chairs

Making this piece of furniture is not entirely simple task, but it can be done even by those who have never done anything like this before. There are many designs, options and manufacturing methods. Let's look at the most interesting and simple ones.

The simplest chair from an ordinary children's highchair

The best option is to use an ordinary wooden chair for work. For manufacturing you will need the following materials and tools:

chair with back and armrests;
high-quality plywood 15 mm thick;
wood varnish;
jigsaw;
milling cutter;
Sander;
dowels

Stages of work:

We cut out radial runners from plywood according to the diagram using a jigsaw.
We sand them with a machine or sandpaper on a lath.
We make cuts from the bottom of the chair legs and select grooves for the runners.
We insert the runners into the grooves of the chair legs, fix them with glue and dowels.
We cover the surface of the rocking chair with varnish.

Video: making a high chair

Vanka-stanka: step-by-step instructions, photos, drawings

It will also be easy to make such a rocking chair from plywood yourself, if you know the drawing. There are many options on the Internet, we will present one that does not have the risk of capsizing.

Materials and tools for assembly:

sheets of plywood measuring 1520x800 mm, 15 mm thick (for sidewalls, racks and supports), 10 mm thick (for back and seat slats);
jigsaw;
glue;
screws.

Chair assembly steps:

We are preparing a drawing of the future product.
We transfer the drawing onto sheets of plywood.
Cut it out necessary elements using a jigsaw.
We drill holes for the screws.
We sand, prime and paint all the elements.
We assemble the frame.
We form the seat and back from the planks and glue the elements.
We fix all the elements with self-tapping screws.

Video: simple plywood rocking chair

Is it possible to assemble a pendulum mechanism for a sliding chair on your own?

The pendulum structure moves top part chair relative to its base. To do it yourself you need a detailed diagram. It's not an easy job. But the principle of operation of the mechanism is always the same. For simplest design you will need:

4 bars of the same length and two of a larger length (sizes are chosen depending on the design scheme);
8 bearing nuts and washers.

Instructions:

Assemble the bars and drill one hole in them at each end for the bearings.
Make an end beam (it holds the weight of the entire sliding structure):
Attach each end part to two bars. This will be a simple pendulum mechanism. Next, it is connected to the base of the chair and the seat. An example of the finished design is below.

Rocking chair made of plastic (polypropylene) pipes: diagram and operating procedure

The chair can also be made from profile metal or simple water pipes. To work you will need:

plastic pipes with a diameter of 25 mm (for sidewalls) and 20 mm (for transverse elements);
drill and pipe welding machine;
fittings with a cross-section of 15 mm (inserted into pipes to enhance the stability of the chair);
fittings for corner connections(2 pcs. – for 90° and 6 pcs. – for 45°);
pipe plugs;
pencil, ruler.

Instructions:

To make the chair comfortable, you need to attach a 50 mm thick foam mattress to the frame. To do this, you will need a cover with ties, which is easy to sew yourself (by machine or even by hand).

You can give a plastic pipe a rounded shape using hot sand. To do this, the sand is heated in the oven to 95–130 °C, a plug is inserted into one end of the part, the tube is filled with sand, given the required shape and wait for it to cool.

Desire and basic skills in working with tools are all you need to independently build a comfortable and beautiful rocking chair for your home or cottage. The described instructions will help you do this correctly and quickly.