How to Build Shaker Furniture
Like most architectural artifacts, furniture is a direct reflection of a society's economic, social and ethical beliefs. France's King Louis XVI demanded furniture with gold embellishments to mirror his reign's decadence, while primitive woods found in South American nations are reflections of natural resources below the Equator. Understanding how furniture styles represent a society is particularly fascinating when viewed through the eyes of the Shakers. Spun-off from the Quaker religion in the 1700s, the name Shaker describes the violent trembling experienced by believers when caught up in the emotion of worship. Fortunately, there was no shaking involved when the sect conceived their benchmark furniture designs. All Shaker furniture--whether bed, shelf or chair--is simple, solid, sturdy and beautiful, reflecting the culture's ethos: "Strive for perfection, waste no effort, use no ornamentation, give no credit to the craftsman and understand that the most menial job must be in God's service." That said, you won't have to check your religious beliefs at the door if you decide to try your hand at building a piece of Shaker furniture. Our simple, utilitarian, slat-back entry bench will be the highlight of your entryway if you've got a good set of carpentry tools and a vision for the simplicity of a no-frills piece of furniture.
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Things You'll Need
- 8 feet of 3/4-inch plywood (birch is recommended)
- 2-inch drywall screws
- Wood glue
- Wood filler
- Sandpaper
- Wood primer
- Paint
Instructions
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1
Power up the jigsaw and cut three legs measuring 18 x 34 inches of plywood. Each leg should look like a lower-case letter H from the side. The seat will rest on the top of the 18-inch high hump and the backrest will fit into the 34-inch leg top.
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2
Drill notches into the three legs approximately 6 inches from the seat front. Each notch should measure ¾ inch wide and 2-1/2 inches deep. Optional: Cut half circles measuring 8-1/2 inches wide using a compass as your measuring tool set to a 4-1/4 inch radius. The half-oval cutout side of the leg will rest on the floor.
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3
Use the jigsaw to cut a seat panel from the plywood that measures 13 x 72 inches.
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4
Cut the stretcher that will support the seat to these specifications: 5 x 70 inches. Drill three half-lap notches into the stretcher to mirror those drilled in the three legs (Step 2). Position the three notches 5 inches from each end and in the center. Each should measure 3/4 inch wide by 2-1/2 inches deep.
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5
Line up the stretcher notches with the leg notches and seat them. Make fit adjustments as necessary. When you're satisfied, fill the notches with glue secure the two units for a tight fit. Let dry.
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6
Line up the seat over the stretcher leaving an inch of overhang on both sides. Adjust if necessary, then apply glue to the seat and the stretcher, seating them securely. Drill up to 10 holes where the seat meets the stretcher; reinforce the bond using 2-inch drywall screws.
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7
Cut a 5 x 70 inch backrest from the remaining plywood using the jigsaw. Use a clamp to hold the two tightly, leaving a 5-inch overhang on each end. Drill six holes (two at each of the bench's upper leg junctures) into the backrest. When you are satisfied with its position, apply a generous amount of glue to the surfaces, keeping the clamps on the pieces until the glue dries. Fit drywall screws into the six holes to complete the job.
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8
Finish the bench by covering the screw tops and noticeable nicks in the plywood with a wood fill. Sand the entire bench in preparation for sealing.
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9
Use a coat of primer followed by two coats of paint to complete the entryway bench. The finished size will be 72 inches long, 34 inches high and 19-3/8 inches deep.
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Tips & Warnings
The nonprofit John C. Campbell Folk School in Brasstown, North Carolina has been helping people of all ages get in touch with their inner Shaker furniture crafter since 1925. If you'd like to improve your skills and learn the ins and outs of Shaker furniture building, classes are held year-round. If the school's growing list of Shaker furniture-specific courses is an accurate indication of today's interest in this eighteenth century furniture style, you'll find yourself in good company whether you are a carpentry beginner or a pro.
