You can make a rocking chair with your own hands. To do this you will need a drawing of a plywood rocking chair. Plywood is best suited for such a product due to its ductility. Using an electric jigsaw, you can make a design that combines two important elements of the product at once - the sides and runners. The strength of a plywood product can be increased by choosing a design without joints.
Facts from history
Today, there is almost no information left about from which country and approximately at what time the world saw the first rocking chair. One can only make guesses on this score and refer to one’s own associations, which for some reason are closely connected with England.
Historians offer two versions of where this chair could have come from. The first one talks about a certain furniture maker from Venice who lived in the 19th century. His name was associated with wood of an unusual type - round and curved.
- However, turning to English dictionaries and the history of the origin of words, one can see several inconsistencies with this theory.
- The first, perhaps, tells us that the word “rocking chair” itself appeared two centuries earlier, and at the beginning of the 19th century, chairs of this configuration began to be mass-produced by English manufacturers.
- Only people from the upper class and creative people could afford such an outlandish piece of furniture.
The second version talks about a certain Benjamin Franklin. The years of his life almost coincide with the Venetian furniture maker, however, most historians believe that he was the first person to buy such a chair.
The history of the rocking chair most likely began in the 18th century. More specific information has not yet been found.
Varieties
Despite the variety of types of rocking chairs, they all share a number of advantages:
- positive effect on the musculoskeletal and nervous system;
- providing a relaxing effect;
- Possibility of use both indoors and outdoors for people of any age category;
- safety and reliability in operation.
The purpose of such chairs is very different - without meaning and with meaning. For example, this will be a significant help in rocking the baby and at the same time rest for the mother herself.
Mothers with babies will especially appreciate rocking chairs
It is a mistaken belief that rocking chairs are bulky and take up a lot of free space. In fact, modern models are quite compact and convenient. Such chairs are universal, but there are still some aspects of separation, which depend on the place of use - garden or home. For outdoor use, it is recommended to select furniture with removable seats that can be removed when it rains. For them, they choose a stronger and weather-resistant material from which the chair is made.
On skids
Inertial type design with a base in the form of two rounded runners and a weight limit of 100 kg. The model is simple due to the absence of unnecessary parts. Designed for use on hard surfaces.
The design has no unnecessary parts and is simple to implement
Pendulum
They have a fixed base with a possible pendulum mechanism on hinges for swinging. Due to this, uniform and silent swing occurs while maintaining inertia for a long time. Suitable for all floors.
The peculiarity of the mechanism is that it gives inertia, and the chair can swing for quite a long time
Spring
They consist of a stationary base on a massive spring and a seat directly. Permissible load - within 150 kg. Most often made from rattan.
These chairs are made mainly from rattan.
Hanging
A chair attached with ropes or chains to a vertical support. Essentially, these are the same swings.
Well, isn't it a pleasure to swing in such a chair?
Where is the best place to place a rocking chair?
You can place the rocking chair anywhere, the main thing is that there is enough space for it in that room. Most often, such a chair can be seen in private homes, on spacious terraces, verandas or gardens.
A metal or wicker chair looks very nice. They are durable and not as susceptible to environmental influences as, say, if they were made of wood.
If you have a burning desire to have a similar piece of furniture in your apartment, then take care of the appropriate design of the room. For example, a chair should not stand out particularly against the general background and look like an alien object. Either choose a chair of an appropriate design, or decorate the environment to match it.
Rules of care
Caring for rocking chairs of various modifications comes down to the following mandatory procedures:
- when using a product with soft covers, it is necessary to promptly remove dust or dirt from them using a household vacuum cleaner or a damp rag;
- in case of heavy contamination, you should try to remove the stains with the same rag soaked in a soapy water solution, and then allow the wet areas to dry completely;
- It is not recommended to leave chairs made of willow in open sunlight (it is advisable to choose shaded places protected from precipitation for their placement).
Removable covers made of various fabrics (suede) are recommended to be washed in soapy water, after which they should be thoroughly rinsed and dried in the open air. In addition to regular wiping with a damp cloth, it is advisable to cover expensive leather upholstery with a layer of glycerin or stearin ointment at least once a year.
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Advantages of a homemade rocking chair
The positive aspects of making furniture yourself far outweigh the disadvantages. So, for example, we can highlight the following several main points that testify in favor of homemade furniture elements:
- Adequate price: here you pay only for materials and spend money on purchasing the necessary tools, if such a need arises. Stores include many other services in the price of the product, which is why they get a crazy markup.
- Environmental friendliness and quality: you always know what and how an item was made from, since you are its direct creator.
- Durability: Since you are doing the work for yourself, you will definitely do it well, paying attention to every detail.
- Design: here no one can limit your imagination and force you into the confines of the store’s assortment. The only limiting points are your experience and ability to work with the selected material.
In addition, you will receive unlimited use of a chair that has a strong association with comfort, pleasant evenings by the fireplace with a cup of hot chocolate and an interesting book.
Thanks to rhythmic rocking, brain function stabilizes, stress levels decrease and it becomes easier to settle into sleep.
Moreover, it has been proven that being in a certain rhythm, you can focus on a disturbing thought and quickly come up with a solution to the problem, catch inspiration and simply increase concentration. There are only advantages from such a chair!
Making a structure on three legs
Project
The manufacture of any furniture should begin with the preparation of the project. You can make drawings of a plywood chair with your own hands or use ready-made projects that can be found on the Internet.
Below are drawings of a spherical product. It has an interesting and attractive design, and is also quite easy to manufacture.
Design drawing - side view
To make it, it is best to use birch wood plywood. Moreover, you will need sheets of different thicknesses:
| Purpose | Thickness, mm |
| For side elements and supports | 15 |
| For the back | 10 |
Drawing of the front legs
All parts of the product can be cut with a jigsaw or a router for wooden products. In addition, you will need an electric drill to drill holes for screws or tongues if a tongue and groove connection is used.
Drawing of the “ridge” detail
Design sketch - top view
Swing principle
Basically, there are three types of rocking chairs, regardless of their modification options: chairs with curved runners, hanging models and pendulum models. Although they have external differences, swinging still occurs according to the principle of a pendulum.
This principle is achieved by shifting the center of gravity. The first swing always occurs with effort, when all subsequent swings occur by inertia, which ultimately gradually weakens.
Types of chairs
Today you can find a huge number of models of wooden rocking chairs of various shapes, sizes, breeds, styles and purposes.
Rocking chairs are:
- Homemade. These chairs are needed for rest, relaxation and stress relief after a busy day at work. The frame of the structure is most often covered with soft fabric or covered with a beautiful cover. Such furniture can become a real piece of art and can decorate any interior.
- Office. Allows you to take a break during work to stretch and relax your muscles a little. Office rocking chair models often have elegant leather upholstery and can be equipped with wheels for movement.
- Dachas. They are placed on the veranda of a country plot or inside a country house. Garden versions of rocking chairs look especially harmonious near a fireplace or stove. These structures also serve for relaxation and relaxation.
To make a rocking chair for your dacha with your own hands from plywood, you will need drawings and instructions from experienced craftsmen, as in the video below.
Depending on the type of chair design, there are:
- With radius runners. Swinging occurs smoothly and softly. For such an assembly, only a low landing is suitable, otherwise the rocking chair may tip over. If you need to increase the height, bump stops are simply installed on the runners.
- With runners of variable curvature. In such a chair, accidental tipping is excluded. The design is suitable for people of different body types.
- With a cradle. Designed especially for children. The chair is equipped with runners of variable curvature, is completely safe, swings gently and without jerking.
- Nirvana rocking chair on ellipses. It has elliptical runners, making the swing soothing, smooth and almost blissful. Strongly swinging is not recommended to avoid falling.
- Nirvana on springs. These chairs are characterized by soft rocking and safety. However, it is quite difficult to make them yourself; this will require wood species such as dogwood, teak or boxwood. Sometimes a rubberized strip of spring steel is used, which will eliminate scratches and dents on the floor.
- On runners with smooth breaks. This is a “3 in 1” rocking chair, it is multifunctional and can change position: from a regular chair to turn into a small lounger. The disadvantage of such structures is their large size, so they are unlikely to be suitable for small city apartments.
- Children's horse chair. This is the most comfortable and safe design for a small child with the right size of arms and backrest angle.
- Tumbler. In this product, the runners are also a seat. It can be placed both in the country house and in the apartment.
- Glider. This is a modern model of a rocking chair with a pendulum mechanism.
How does rocking happen?
Many people assemble rocking chairs according to ready-made drawings, but the products may not always fit the size of a specific person. Therefore, before starting production, you should understand the kinematics of this product:
- If a person stands upright, the center of gravity (CG) of the body is between the lower back and the sacrum inside the spinal column. If a person is in a sitting position, the CG shifts slightly forward and down. In rocking products, the overall CG is always shifted back and down to its original position. In this case, there is a slight error in the projection of the main center of gravity in relation to the supporting surface (floor, soil, etc.), which can be corrected at the end during balancing.
- The stability of the structure is most affected by the displacement of the overall CG relative to the vertical central axis (CO). If the CO coincides with the COG, this is a state of free balance, which is impossible to achieve in a rocking chair. If the center of gravity is greater than the center of gravity, there is a high probability of tipping backwards. It is necessary that the central center is 450 mm or more higher than the central central point (recommended excess is 600-700 mm).
In other words, the overall center of gravity of the rocking chair should be shifted from the seat to an angle intermediate between the back and the seat. The supporting legs are two arched strips, thanks to which smooth swinging is possible. The amplitude depends on the length of the runners.
Materials and tools
To make the simplest chair you will need the following materials and tools:
- Plywood;
- Drawing;
- Self-tapping screws;
- Milling cutters;
- Hardware;
- Wood glue;
- Paint and varnish;
- Jigsaw;
- Screwdriver;
- Drills, bits;
- Clamps;
- Tool for sanding wood surfaces.
Assembly Tips
The elements of the future rocking chair are connected, as a rule, using wood glue and fasteners. Since the load on the structure will be considerable, glue alone will not work. Nails will help secure the parts.
It is necessary to cover the parts with glue in those places where they come into contact with each other, and then secure the work done using nails. They are driven in all the way.
In places where excess glue appears, a rag is used to remove it. This must be done immediately after applying the material to the surface, otherwise, after it has completely dried, it will be impossible to remove it. The chair should stand untouched for about a day for the glue to completely harden.
What will you need?
To work with plywood at home, you don't need a lot of tools. The required list includes a jigsaw with a suitable saw blade, a drill for drilling holes, a sander or sandpaper, and a brush for applying paint and varnish. You also need to have a pencil, ruler, and pattern on hand.
Almost every craftsman has an electric jigsaw.
As for materials, in addition to the required amount of plywood, you will have to purchase fastening elements, as well as a composition that will be applied to the product in order to decorate it and protect it from external influences. Wood glue may be required.
A drawing is one of the aspects that must be thought through before purchasing everything you need. It will allow you not only to immediately imagine what the rocking chair will look like, but also to calculate the required amount of materials and make sure that the chair will be as safe as possible. It will also facilitate the assembly process and applying the necessary markings to materials. You can draw the drawing yourself, or you can download a ready-made one from the Internet. It is important to understand that it is recommended to make a diagram yourself only if you have at least some experience in this matter.
Structural diagram of a rocking chair made of plywood
Important! On the drawing you need to immediately note all the dimensional parameters of the product. This will make the job easier.
It is recommended to transfer the drawing before starting work onto a large sheet of paper or polyethylene and thus create templates that will make it easier to cut out parts of the same shape. In general, this requirement only applies to complex curved elements.
Possible difficulties and problems
Do not forget to properly test and check the manufactured structure before you begin finishing. The problem may be insufficient swing amplitude. It indicates that the balance is disturbed.
To eliminate this difficulty, you will have to slightly weight the back of the rocker. This can be done by adding an additional crossbar between the runners. For greater effect, use a heavier material.
How to do it at home?
Making a rocking chair with your own hands will still be possible for those people who have basic carpentry or welding skills, depending on the chosen master class.
On skids
The easiest way to make a homemade chair on runners is from an ordinary old armchair or chair. In fact, all that remains is to add the runners themselves, securely fasten them to the legs and, possibly, sew a cover. In addition to the chair itself on legs, you will need runners, a screwdriver, screws, a drill and sandpaper. To give the rocking chair an aesthetic appearance, paint and a brush will be useful. The runners themselves are cut out independently into shape using a pattern, or they are ordered from a craftsman.
It is important that the gap between the legs is 20-30 centimeters less than the length of the runners. At those points where the chair is fixed on the legs, holes are drilled, after which the runners are “fitted on.” If the result is positive, the latter can be sanded with sandpaper and painted in several layers.
The finished “skis” are put on the legs and fixed with screws in the already prepared holes
If the result is positive, the latter can be sanded with sandpaper and painted in several layers. The finished “skis” are put on the legs and fixed with screws in the already prepared holes.
Pendulum
An excellent pendulum rocking chair is made on the basis of bearings. Compact and durable design creates even swing and is ideal for outdoor use. For manufacturing, it is necessary to prepare two steel strips with dimensions of 40 by 4 millimeters and 60 by 6 millimeters, as well as profile pipes with dimensions of 20 by 20 millimeters and with a wall thickness of two millimeters. The movement of the rocking chair can be ensured by 8 bearings, the outer diameter of which is 32 millimeters, and the internal diameter is 12 millimeters, as well as 8 bearing cages. They are created by hand on a lathe, or cut from a tube. Finally, you can’t do without a pair of garage hinges and bolts with nuts size M12.
In order to minimize welding, profile pipes can simply be bent using a homemade jig. To avoid making mistakes, it is better to first apply markings every 100 millimeters. The entire frame of the rocking chair is made from a profile pipe, that is, the support part, two sidewalls, the seat and the back. As a rule, for a standard size of outdoor furniture it takes about 20 meters. From the strip and profile, parts are created that regulate how much the back of the chair tilts, in the amount of 2 pieces.
A steel strip measuring 6 by 60 millimeters is cut into two equal parts. From it, as well as bearings and bolts with nuts, pendulums are created in the amount of 4 pieces.
On springs
It is not recommended to make a spring rocking chair with your own hands, since this mechanism is very complicated to implement. The design has a powerful and motionless base, above which there is a large spring. It is she who is responsible for rocking the soft seat mounted on top. It is much easier to make a hanging rocking chair, which will decorate both the summer cottage and the children's room.
The easiest way to make a homemade swing is from a hoop with a diameter of 90 centimeters, a piece of thick fabric with dimensions of 3 by 1.5 meters, non-woven fabric, 4 metal buckles, 8 slings and a metal ring, from which the chair itself will be suspended.
The hoop is either created independently or formed from a metal-plastic tube or bendable wood. First of all, a pair of equal squares with sides of 1.5 meters are formed from 3 meters of fabric. Each of them is folded 4 times, after which a circle with a radius of 65 centimeters is cut out of the workpiece. The blanks are marked with an internal contour and holes for slings.
At the next stage, both blanks are ground together, leaving a hole for the frame. The remaining free allowance is cut with teeth, after which the finished cover is turned inside out and ironed again. The hoop itself is covered with the selected filler, cut into strips with a width of 6 to 8 centimeters. The frame is inserted into the case, both parts are connected to each other. The cover is filled with strips of padding polyester sewn to the fabric with a hidden seam. The sling is cut into 4 two-meter pieces, the edges of which are melted on both sides. The slings are pulled through the patterns and stitched several times. Buckles on the free ends allow you to adjust the height and inclination of the rocking chair. All slings are assembled and fixed on a metal ring.
How to make a hammock chair from a metal hoop is described below.
Finishing
Once all the flaws have been identified and corrected, you can safely begin finishing.
The decorative compositions used are:
- Varnish;
- Alcohol stain;
- Paints.
The option where the seat and back are covered with fabric cannot be ruled out. Upon completion of finishing, you need to pay attention to the places where the fasteners are located.
They must be masked using special furniture plugs. Or there is an option using sealant.
Kinds
In everyday practice, the following product options are very popular:
- glider-type swinging chair;
- rocking chair for the garden;
- chair for nursing mothers;
- rocking chairs with recliner.
Each model deserves to be part of the interior.
Glider
The modification of rocking chairs is an improved model, the prototype of which was invented back in the 20th century. Its basis is wooden runners, on which the pendulum swinging mechanism is rigidly fixed. At the same time, the chair continuously moves back and forth, which is accompanied by an additional rocking effect. You can stop the process using a special lever, through which the movement is completely blocked (stopped).
For nursing mothers
The devices are equipped with a swinging mechanism, which is optimal for caring for infants. The design includes an anatomical backrest that follows the contours of the body, as well as a mechanism for changing the angle of inclination, which completely relieves tension from the spinal muscle.
In addition to traditional armchairs, there are models equipped with a round-shaped pillow. They are mounted on a wooden frame and provide coziness and comfort to mothers. Products can be equipped not only with runners, but also with special spring mechanisms.
With advertiser
The devices provide maximum comfort to its user. Their name comes from the English recline, which means “thrown back.” The mechanism built into the chair allows you to transform it into a comfortable chaise lounge at the touch of a button. With its help, it is possible to ensure complete relaxation of the body in its various positions (lying, reclining and sitting).
