Adirondack Chair

PopularMechanics.com
For more on Adirondack Chairs, see our original story.

Our version of the Adirondack chair has come a long way from the early types that had flat backs and seats-and, we've added a matching table. Don't be intimidated by the curved slats and number of pieces in this project. Although there are a few angles and curves to cut, there's actually no fancy joinery --everything's held together with deck screws. We used cedar for these pieces because it stands up well to the elements, and it's available in the required 3/4- and 1-in. thicknesses. You could substitute pine if you plan to keep the chairs out of the weather.

Step 1 Plans and Materials

QTY. SIZE DESCRIPTION
A. 2 1 x 5 1/4 x 33 3/4" cedar side rail
B. 1 1 x 4 1/4 x 23 1/4" cedar top back rail
C. 1 1 x 3 1/2 x 23 1/4" cedar bottom back rail
D. 9 3/4 x 2 1/4 x 23 1/4" cedar seat slat
E. 7 3/4 x 3 1/4 x 35 1/2" cedar back slat
F. 2 1 x 4 1/4 x 20 1/2 cedar front leg
G. 2 1 x 2 1/2 x 29" cedar back leg
H. 2 1 x 2 3/4 x 6 1/2" cedar arm bracket
I. 2 1 x 5 1/4 x 28" cedar arm
J. 2 1 x 5 1/4 x 16" cedar foot
K. 2 1 x 1 1/2 x 19 1/4" cedar cleat
L. 2 1 x 5 x 16 1/2" cedar leg
M. 2 3/4 x 5 x 17 1/2" cedar stretcher
N. 5 1 x 3 3/4 x 24" cedar slat
O. as required 1 5/8" No. 8 fh deck screw
P. as required 2" No. 8 fh deck screw

Comments

[goebelguzzler]

Done with White Oak b/c I did not want to pay so much for Cedar. Made this decision with the help from the person working at the lumber yard. Had to go with 7/8 inch for the 1 inchers b/c the 1 inchers had to be plained. 2 coats of Spar Urethane. They're heavy, but I don't plan on using them like regular lawn chairs and I doubt if teenagers will be running down the street with them. Person at the lumber yard said 'The wind won't knock these over'. How do they look? My first, trial chair I did was with Pine from Home Depot and the wood cost me the same as the White Oak from the lumber yard. Goebelguzzler

[Botswana4me]

diagrams are too small to see and you cannot enlarge as the rsolution sucks.

[sjcronchi]

see the next website:
http://www.popularmechanics.com/home_journal/woodworking/2919751.html

[shawninsicily]

This would be an awesome instructable if you could clear up this step. It's also illegible in the PDF. Thanks

[sjcronchi]

see the next website:<br/><a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.popularmechanics.com/home_journal/woodworking/2919751.html">http://www.popularmechanics.com/home_journal/woodworking/2919751.html</a><br/>

[evy-wevy]

Here in CANADA we call the Muskoka chairs....There is one in my backyard ^_

[blodefood]

I understood that this type of chair was called a Muskoka chair, too! In fact, the world's largest Muskoka chair is in Gravenhurst in the area of Ontario known as, well... Muskoka.

Here is a site with some authoritative information about the differences.
Woodmill is a company that makes this type of chair.

Muskoka
1. Origin to the Muskokas
2. Seat lower to ground, comfort fit
3. 19" span between arms
4. Longer seat front to back

Adirondack
1. Origin to the American Adirondack Mountains
2. Seat higher off ground
3. 21-1/2" span between arms
4. 1-1/2" legs

And, there you have it.

[evy-wevy]

HA HA! I've been to the chair in Gravenhurst. Climbed up, and took a photo :P

[grapeshot]

Heh. My Dad made a couple of these chairs way back in the early 60's. He used to subscribe to Popular Mechanics, too, so I bet that's how he got the plans to make them. The chairs he made are still in use, and still sitting outdoors, as they have for the past 40+ years. I think he used California redwood. The chairs have never been treated or stained, and they have a very soft, grey, weathered look to them. Next time I visit my parents, I will try to remember to take a picture and post it here.

[dchall8]

So...this is basically SPAM, right? Popular Mechanics, a magazine I used to have some respect for, has come here to Instructables to post illegible plans for one of their popular projects. And the first thing they did was post two links to THEIR website, thereby "redirecting" viewers from Instructables to Popular Mechanics AND THEIR ADVERTISERS. To make things even worse (for the folks at Popular Mechanics), the plans on their website are even less legible than what they posted here. I see they have posted 11 projects, all of which redirect readers to their website. If I owned this website I think I would ask for clickthrough royalties. I'm giving them a negative vote and flagging them. This stinks!

[NoOneIsHere]

exactly. Lets not encourage people to turn Instructables.com a marketing and advertising tool. Let's keep it a community.

[flairchairs]

Very nice furniture! I have something that may be of interest, these chairs are for those that don't fit the norm. http://www.instructables.com/id/Building-Eye-Popping-Outdoor-Furniture/

[gabemejia]

If you guys want to view the plans, you have to follow the link below, and in the "download printable plans" make sure to right click/save as. The *.pdf file should pop right up. I hope this helps you too.

http://www.popularmechanics.com/home_journal/workshop/2919751.html?series=20

[tzepeda1]

Those are some really nice chairs! I would like to make some but when I print the plans, they come out too small and when I enlarge it, I can't read the measurements! Can anyone help?

[Pike]

A person can also find many similar items to make in the "Foxfire" series of books (http://www.foxfire.org/index.html) which pertain to the old handmade trades from Georgia homesteaders.

[Popular Mechanics]

You can also get a pdf of the plans here.

[tzepeda1]

Is there any way to get a copy of the plans? Seems nobody has had any luck with getting a good copy. Thanks, tzepeda1

[Popular Mechanics]

Here is a pdf of the plans, not just the 3D picture.

Sorry to take so long. You can still make the adirondack set in time to set it all up for summer!

[The_Wizard]

I found the mistake in you link - you have: http://media.popularmechanics.com/documents/andirondack-html.pdf
instead of:
http://media.popularmechanics.com/documents/adirondack-html.pdf

However, this pdf is only 3d picture and it doesn't help a lot with the invisible sizes... The plans with the measurements are not readable and are needed for this project.

[The_Wizard]

The link for the PDF leads nowhere. The project looks nice, but the sizes and angles are invisible. That PDF will help a lot... Please, post a correct link.

[static]

If you are printing out the largest jpg available, and still can't read them, you may be forced to use some admittinly poor crutches, unless someon directs us to better plans. Windows includes a screen magnifier, but I like the one you can download from http://software.techrepublic.com.com/download.aspx?docid=181790 better. They *may* help you read the diminsions as while displayed on your monitor so you can transcribe them to paper. Good luck..

[trebuchet03]

Beautiful Work If I ever make one... it needs to have the necessary built in cup holder :) Too bad I have no room for one :P