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  • Adirondack Chair: Back Assembly
  • From "Woodworking"
    episode DIW-209
    advertisement

    Click here to view a larger image.

    Spacers are used create even spaces between the back slats. Although the spacers are removed, the spaces that remain allow the boards to expand and contract during temperature changes.

    Click here to view a larger image.

    Figure A

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    Figure B

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    Figure C

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    Figure D

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    Figure E

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    Figure F

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    Figure G

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    Figure H

    Once the base, legs, arms and back support are in place, it's time to cut the slats for the back and attach them to the frame.

    Materials:

    1 piece of 3/4" x 5 1/2" x 35" wood (center back slat)
    2 pieces of 3/4" x 3 1/4" x 35" wood (back slats)
    1 piece of 1/4" x 1" x 16" wood (for compass)
    1 piece of 3/4" x 3" x 20" wood (lower back cleat)
    1 piece of 3/4" x 2" x 21" wood (upper back cleat)
    Scrap wood for spacers
    Drill and 1 1/4" galvanized screws
    Woodworker's glue
    Saber saw
    Pencil

    1. Cut all back slats to proper dimensions. Vertically taper end slats (from 2" wide at top to 5/8" bottom width) to create a traditional Adirondack look.

    2. Use 1/4" thick scrap wood as spacers between the slats. Add a row of spacers about 5-6" from the top edges and about 3-4" from the bottom edges.

    3. Add a cleat across the bottom of the back, even with the bottom edges of slats (figure A). Apply woodworker's glue to cleat before positioning.

    4. Then, countersink two pilot holes (evenly spaced) into the cleat and center slat (figure B). Drive 1 1/4" galvanized screws into the holes.

    5. Countersink one hole through cleat and each additional back slat and drive galvanized screws into the holes (figure C).

    6. Remove spacers.

    7. Measure and mark 9" from top edge (figure D). Apply woodworkers glue to upper cleat and position at the 9" mark (figure E).

    8. Then, countersink and drive screws into the cleat in center of each slat (figure F)

    9. Flip back assembly over and cut top arch. Begin by taking a narrow piece of scrap wood (about 16" long). Measure and mark 2" from bottom of wood strip and 2" from top. At top, drill a 1/8" hole through the back of the strip; countersink the hole through the front surface. At bottom mark, add a finish nail to hold the strip in place (figure G).

    10. Attach the strip to center of middle slat by pressing the nail's point into the wood. Insert pencil into top hole. Start drawing the arch in top center of the middle slat and continue to end slat on the right side (figure H). Start again at center point and draw remaining half of arch to the end slat on left side.

    11. Use saber saw to cut along line and create arch.

    12. Measure and drill pilot holes into front surface of bottom of the slats so that it can be later attached to the base assembly with screws.

    Sponsored Resource
    > Click here to order your tools and materials for this project from Woodcraft!


    RESOURCES :

    The Wood Finisher: How to Finish Everything, From Decks to Floors to Doors
    Author: Bruce Johnson
    ISBN: 0345372972
    Ballantine Books

    Finishes for Exterior Wood: Selection, Application and Maintenance
    Model: 0935018832
    Author: R. Sam Williams, et al

    Outdoor Wood Furnishings: 35 Easy Projects for Your Yard
    Model: 0865736332
    Author: Creative Publishing International

    176 Woodworking Projects: A Workbench Treasury
    Model: 0806965282
    Author: Workbench Magazine

    To order this title from Amazon, click here.


    Shop Tested Outdoor Furniture You Can Make: From the Editors of Wood Magazine
    Model: 069620746X
    Author: The Editors of Wood Magazine

    The Woodworker's Guide to Furniture Design: The Complete Reference. . .
    Model: 155870437X
    Author: Garth Graves
    Betterway Books (F & W Publications)
    Website: www.fwpublications.com

    American Woodworker Magazine
    American Woodworker
    Website: www.americanwoodworker.com

    Building Adirondack Furniture : The Art, the History, and the How-To
    Model: 091358987X
    Author: John D. Wagner

    Build It Yourself: Adirondack Chair
    Model: 1880029634
    Author: The Staff of Creative Homeowner Press

    Easy-To-Build Adirondack Furniture
    Model: 1580172644
    Author: Mary Twitchell

    Outdoor Furniture for the Backyard Builder : Easy-To-Build Projects for the Yard & Deck
    Model: 0762101806
    Author: Bill Hylton, et al

    Building Garden Furniture: More Than 30 Beautiful Outdoor Projects
    Model: 0806983752
    Author: Ray Martin, et al

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