How To Make a Dining Chair: A Step-By-Step Guide
Over the next couple of weeks, I will be posting plans for a few different chairs. The final plan in this “series” is a really cool project that I am building for myself and this way, it gives me time to finish it – providing the weather cooperates!
Anyway, the free plans to build a dining chair (#1) is really easy and this chair (as well as the others) will be perfect at the dining table, desk, or just as a side chair. If constructed out of treated wood or cedar, or even painted with exterior paint, it would be perfect for the front porch!
When I construct chairs like this, I like to purchase 2x4s and 1x6s then rip them down on the table saw. It is much more economical, for me anyway, and I don’t have to hunt for 2x2s that are straight!
Materials:
- 1-1/4″ pocket hole screws (<–affiliate link!)
- 2″ pocket hole screws
- 1-1/4″ brad nails
- Edge banding for seat, if desired (<–affiliate link!)
Lumber:
- 1 – 2×4 at 6′
- 1 – 1×6 at 6′
- Scrap of 3/4″ plywood for the seat
Cut List:
- 2 – 2×2 at 17-1/2″ – Upper Back Legs
- 2 – 2×2 at 18-1/2″ – Lower Back Legs
- 2 – 2×2 at 17-3/4″ – Front Legs
- 4 – 1×3 at 15″ – Front & Back Aprons, Back Slats
- 1 – 1×4 at 15″ – Upper Back Slat
- 2 – 1×3 at 14″ – Stretchers
- 1 – 3/4″ plywood at 18″ x 18″ – Seat
Step One
Cut the pieces for the legs. Cut a 5 degree bevel in the bottom of each upper piece. The angle allows the back to “recline” so to speak! Drill pocket holes in the top edge only of the lower leg pieces then attach the top using glue and 2-1/2″ pocket hole screws.
Step Two
Cut the pieces for the back apron and the back slats. For the upper slat, draw the arc as shown and cut out using a jigsaw or a bandsaw. For the lower slats, draw the curves as shown on one piece and cut out. Clamp this board to the second board and trace the curves, then cut out. Keeping the boards clamped together, sand both at the same time. (I am incredibly OCD about this and tend to get frustrated if the pieces don’t match!) Drill pocket holes in each end of each piece. Secure using glue and 1-1/4″ pocket hole screws. The front faces of the slats will be flush with the front faces of the legs.
Drill pocket holes in each end of the back apron. Secure the piece as shown, the outer face will be flush with the back face of the lower legs.
Step Three
Cut the pieces for the front frame. Drill pocket holes in each end of the apron. Secure using glue and 1-1/4″ pocket hole screws. The front faces of the apron will be flush with the front faces of the legs.
Step Four
Cut the pieces for the stretchers and drill pocket holes in each end. Secure as shown using glue and 1-1/4″ pocket hole screws in the front leg, and 2″ pocket hole screws in the back legs.
Step Five
Cut the piece for the seat. Cut the notches for the legs as shown and apply edge banding if desired. Secure the seat to the frame using glue and 1-1/4″ brad nails.
Finish as desired.
Have questions about the free plans to build a dining chair (#1)? Leave a comment below!
Originally posted 2013-01-30 08:00:28.
