How to Build a Straight Back Chair

But building a chair can be more complicated to make than some other woodworking projects. If you want to build a straight back chair of your own, it will help to have some carpentry experience, especially with joining. Oak, maple or ash are appropriate wood choices for chairs.

Things You'll Need

• 2 back legs, each 1 3/4 inches by 1 3/4 inches by 36 inches
• 2 front legs, each 1 3/4 inches by 1 3/4 inches by 16 inches
• 3 back rails, each 2 1/2 inches by 1 inch by 15 inches
• 3 lower back and side rails, each 2 1/2 inches by 1 inch by 15 inches
• 1 lower front rail, 2 1/2 inches by 1 inch by 15 inches
• 1 seat, 17 inches by 1 1/2 inches by 14 inches
• 4 corner blocks, each 1 inch by 1 1/2 inches by 3 inches
• Table saw
• Drill
• Drill bits
• Band saw
• Plunge router
• Wood screws
• Chisel
• Mallet
• Tape measure
• Wood glue
• Clamps
• Grinder
• Sander

Instructions

Design

1. Create a design for your chair. Consider comfort when designing.

2. Decide on the dimensions. Modify the suggested dimensions in this plan to suit your taste. Design your chairs to fit under desks and tables.

3. Draw and cut out a template for the pieces.

Framing

1. Use the table saw to cut the pieces for the front and back legs, and shape.

2. Cut the three back rails and shape with a band saw to get a curve.

3. Cut the lower rails with the table saw.

4. Mark the locations of the slots into which the 3 back rails will fit. With a hammer and chisel, make one hole 3/4 inch deep at the top and bottom of each slot's position. Connect the pair of holes. This outlines each slot.

5. Cut out the excess, leaving 3 slots in each back leg for the back pieces. Make sure the ends of each back piece will fit in its proper slot, notching the top edge.

6. Use mortise and tenon joint construction to join the legs and bottom slats. This is simply a square peg in a square hole. Use a plunge router to cut the mortise. The tenon should be centered and 1/3 the thickness of the piece of wood.

Assembly

1. Fit the entire chair together first and make sure that it is square. Then take it apart.

2. For the mortise and tenon joints, glue and push together to fit. This will lock the joint in place. Clamp and let dry.

3. Align and join the front legs to the rails. Make sure the pieces fit tightly. Glue and clamp together.

4. Join the back and side rails to the back legs. Glue and clamp together.

5. Put the back rails on the back legs. Glue and clamp.

Finishing

1. Cut corner blocks, drill holes and attach to rails with screws.

2. Use the table saw to cut the seat and shape with the router. A grinder may be used instead to create the scoop section for a comfortable seat.

3. Drill holes for screws into underside of seat.

4. Attach the seat by setting it on top of the legs and gluing. Turn chair over and drill at an angle to the rails and secure with screws.

5. When finished and the glue is dry, sand the chair.

6. Apply a sealer finish or stain according to directions on the label.

Tips & Warnings

• For more details on creating a mortise, see the related eHow article titled "How to Chisel a Mortise."

• Label each rail to keep track of the pieces.

• Practice the mortise and tenon joints before building the chair.

• Tenons should be at least 1/2 inches long for strength.

• Seat needs to be thick enough to cut out a shallow scoop shape.

• You may have to glue pieces of wood together to get the 17-inch width for the seat.

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish