Adirondack Chair (WIP)

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wizer

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Ok, well I don't seem to be able to focus on one project. I have about 3 or 4 things going on in the workshop. The Japanese Stool has been shelved indefinitely due to a gargantuan c*ck-up. :oops:

I thought i'd work on some outdoor projects and what better than the Adirondack Chair. Why? because there must be a gazillion plans and articles out there, so ****-ups should be minimal (why did I say that).

I've been working on this for a couple of weeks, Dave R helped me out with the plan I was drawing in SU.

w-adirondack4.jpg


I altered the typical design to have horizontal slats on the back rest as well as the seat.

My idea is to make MDF templates for all the parts on the bandsaw which can be used on the RT with a bearing guided bit. I'm diving right in and going for a matching pair of chairs. Sense would probably say to make one, learn mistakes, make a better one. But i'm a bit odd.

Initially I laid out the parts on the MDF by making a 20mm grid and mark an X at each point a curve started or changed direction. Then, using felxi-curves, french curves, rulers, etc, I drew everything up. This went quite well but when it came to cutting them out, the pencil lines where very hard to see on the green MR-MDF and so it led to a not so perfect finish. Then I had the bright idea to print them out full size and stick them on. Luckily I have access to a plotter and this worked very well. The second attempt at cutting the parts went very well. I cleaned them up on the new bobbin sander.

DSC_0276.JPG


To my shock and amazement, they seem to go together quite well.

DSC_0274.JPG


I'm going to use Yellow Balau as I have a load left over from my old deck. It's been left outside, stickered and covered for about 4yrs and, in it's raw state, is quite 'gritty'. To save a my planer knives a little, I first used a belt sander to get off any dirt and grit.

DSC_0218.JPG


Seemed to clean them up nicely.

DSC_0222.JPG


I then re-sawed about 5mm off it, again, to save the planer knives a bit.

DSC_0228.JPG


Probably a bit of a false economy that step, as I managed to snap the belt on my bandsaw by over tensioning a blade :oops: :roll: Still I have plans for the left over 5mm bits.

DSC_0230.JPG


Next job is to clean them up on the P/T and then joint the boards for the seat base using gorilla glue.

Don't hold your breath on this one, quick I ain't

:D
 
WiZeR":mp9vu3ia said:
I altered the typical design to have horizontal slats on the back rest as well as the seat.

Wizer,
Having made a couple of Adirondacks myself, I would recommend the usual vertical back. I think your going to lose a lot of comfort with that design. Just my 2 cents worth.
Neil
 
Hi Wizer,
I look forward to seeing the finished result - it's certainly an interesting project.

Cheers
David
 
Thanks guys

Neil, I hadn't considered comfort too much when designing the chair. An oversight I admit. But, thinking about it now, I really can't see how it would be any less comfortable than having the slats the other way around. I am a complete novice of course and I'll learn from my mistakes. Stay tuned to see how that pans out! ;)
 
Wizer,
Your design looks very well for sure. All I meant was that on the more trad versions the vertical slats are fixed to a curved rail, which on the ones I've made anyway make a really comfortable chair (so comfortable in fact you wouldn't think you were sitting on wood). I just thought that the flat back might not be as comfortable. Best of luck with the project I'll be watching with interest.
Neil
 
This is a very interesting design and so, I'm looking forward to seeing how it turns out. I wouldn't have thought you've compromised the comfort in your design at all. :)

Nice to see you actually did a trial fit to see that things fit together early on, I've been guilty of not doing that myself a couple of times... :?
 
I sat on one of the curved-back ones at the put last weekend. It was the first time I've ever tried an adirondac chair.

It looked just like this..
AdirondackChair.jpg


Sure was comfortable... and the nice wide arm rests are ideal for pint and peanuts :)

I look forward to seeing your chair progress... I was thinking that I should make some for myself this summer.
 
WiZeR":ogmx781j said:
BTW it's based on this:

011192061_01_xl.jpg

Looking very nice WiZer - I like this design and can see no reason why this should be any less comfortable than with vertical slats up the back. I find the most comfortable garden furniture has a slight "S" shape to the back to provide support for the small of the back, and this design with a horizontal slatted back could incorporate this very easily. So that's another project to add to the list! :)
 
I have actually put a bit of lumbar support at the base of the back. Not sure how this will turn out, it's all very experimental.

lumbar-support.jpg
 
Right, what an *****. Had a twinge in my back as I was getting in the shower yesterday, slipped and smashed my head on the tiles! :roll: Not as bad as I first thought, just a bump on the head and a bruised backside.

Anyway it means I'm back in the horizontal position and will miss a long weekend of WW. :(

So it's got me thinking about things. I have a question.

For the slats, can I take a 133mm x 25mm board and rip it into 9 13mm strips, then rotate them so the 25mm bit lays on the supports. Like this:

slats_001.jpg


I'm pretty sure you can but I thought i'd check.
 
Sorry about your back. I hope you recover soon.

I don't see any reason you couldn't do as you sketched out. In fact that seems like a very good idea to me. Better than thicknessing (or would that be unthicknessing?) the board to 13mm and cutting 25mm wide slats.
 
Sorry to hear about your back again WiZeR. As for your idea on the slats, I think it's a good idea. Especially if the board you have is anything other than quarter-sawn - that way, you'd end up with quarter-sawn slats, which would be that extra little bit more stable. :wink:
 
Wizer, I don't think you will be able to get 9 pieces @ 13mm wide out of that board.

133 / 9 = 14.77

that allows only 1.77mm for the saw cut and to plane a finish.

I'd only budget for 8 pieces, but even then it will be tight.
 
thanks Shultzty. It was a lazy guess. I have quite a bit of this timber so I'll just keep cutting till I have enough.
 

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