How to Make Paper Beach Chairs

Making beach chairs from paper, especially corrugated cardboard, is very possible. The main drawback to paper furniture is that it is not as long-lasting as wood furniture. Although, with a little care, your paper beach chairs could easily last through an entire summer.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• 1/4 inch sheet of plywood
• Lots of cardboard
• Sabre saw
• Large C-clamps
• Drill with long drill bit
• 4 long bolts
• 4 washers
• 4 nuts
• Hacksaw
• White glue
• Polyurethane
• Brush

1. Draw a template for your beach chair on a 1/4-inch sheet of plywood. Keep it simple. An "L" shape is an excellent choice. Draw the "L" shape full-sized on the plywood. The base of your chair should be at least 5 inches high, with the bottom leg of the "L" at least 16 inches long and the back of the "L" at least 18 inches tall and 4 inches thick. Your template should be the exact size and shape of your chair as viewed directly from the side.

2. Cut out the template using your saber saw.

3. Make a stack of sheets of cardboard as tall as the width of your finished chair. Place the template on top of the stack. Use your large C-clamps to hold the entire stack together.

4. Cut around your template with your saber saw. This will result in a stack of cardboard pieces that are all in the "L" shape of your chair. Set the pieces upright with the base of the "L" on the floor and the back of the "L" upright. You will see how your paper beach chair is going to look.

5. Remove the C-clamps, and remove the plywood template. Spread white glue between the sheets of cardboard, then stack them on their side. Place a heavy object on top of the stack, and allow the glue to dry overnight.

6. Drill four holes through the cardboard chair from one side to the other. Space the holes for maximum strength, and then insert the long bolts with washers. Lock down the nuts so all of the sheets of cardboard are held together even more firmly than before. Use your hacksaw to cut off any excess length on the bolts. Turn the chair upright.

7. Cover the back and the seat of the chair with a layer of cardboard so that your chair has a "finished" look to it. Attach the final piece of cardboard with white glue, and allow to dry overnight.

8. Paint the entire chair with polyurethane. Allow to dry. Paint on a second coat. Once dry, your paper beach chair will be sturdy and waterproof.

Tips & Warnings

• When C-clamping your pieces of cardboard together, do not over-tighten the clamps. You could crimp the cardboard and weaken it.
• Similarly, when tightening the nuts on the long bolts, do not over-tighten them.