LOTL

Check out this online guide from LOTL columnist Ladywood of the Manor.

This garden chair is a very simple design and most probably one of the easiest things you can make in a day. You don’t need to be butch and strap on a tool belt to play with wood. If you find yourself bored one weekend, why not build this simple garden chair?

Once all of the timber pieces have been cut and the holes marked and drilled, simply line up the holes (according to plan), place the bolts in the holes and the chair frame will take shape automatically! You will need a saw, drill and 10mm woodbit, hammer and bevel (or old fashioned protractor).

How to use this guide:

Print out the diagrams in the slideshow, which include the individual pieces. Then just follow the steps and voilà!

The Cut

a] Front leg. 90x45mm(Cut 2)
b] Rear leg. 90x45mm (Cut 2)
[c] Back. 90x45mm(Cut 2)
[d] Seat. 90x45mm (Cut 2)
[e] Arm support. 90x45mm (Cut 2)
[f] Common slats. 90x20mm (Cut 6)
[h] Front slat. 90x20mm (Cut 1)
[i] Arm rest. 90x20mm (Cut 2)
 

The Wood
Altogether you will need 6.6 metres of 90x45mm exterior grade timber and 6 metres of 90x20mm timber. Measurements may vary from 90x45 to 90x42 or 90x20 to 90x18.
 

The Nuts n Bolts
You will also need 10 galvanized coach bolts 10mm (3/8") x 100mm (4") with nuts and washers, and 40 wood screws that are 50mm  long.

The Put Together

If you can’t get wood the exact size (90x40 or 90x20mm) get as close to it, and modify the plans slightly...nothing is ever going to be precise, but make sure your wood is straight and not warped in any way, as well as being smooth for your delicate areas and suitable for outdoor use.

Step 1: Cut all the individual pieces to the sizes and shapes according to the plans.

Step 2: Mark and drill 10mm bolt holes where required according to the plans.

Step 3: Assemble the two side frames. Lay members [e] and [d] on even ground or bench. Lay members [a],[b] and [c] on top with the bolt holes in line. Bolt the members together.
Screw the bottom of member [c] to member [b]. Refer to the side view plan if you need to.
Note that the two side frames will be a mirror image of each other. See fig.1.

Step 4: Lay the frames on their backs to commence fixing the slats. See fig.2. Space the side frames 640mm apart and ensure that they are parallel. Pre-drill screw holes through the slats (two at each meeting). Screw the slats in place to members [c]. See the front view plan for placement.

Step 5: Stand the chair frames upright ensuring members [d] are parallel. Pre-drill screw holes through the seat slats (two at each meeting). Screw the slats in place.

Step 6: Pre-drill screw holes through the two arm rests [i] and screw them in place to the arm rest supports [e]. All done!