Introduction: Plank Chair
A simple and satisfying chair made from one plank of wood.
Step 1: Get a Large Plank of Wood
The piece of wood that I used for this chair was 7 feet long, 11 inches wide and 1 3/4 inches thick. I originally used driftwood planks to make these chairs because they look nice and are free. If you choose to use found wood be careful that it has not been pressure treated.
Step 2: Cut the Plank in Two
Cut the plank into two pieces. For this chair I made one piece 40 inches long and the other 51. The dimensions can be varied to fit your preferences.
Step 3: Make the Back Leg
Cut two inches of wood off of the sides of the board starting 15 inches from one end of the plank.
Step 4: Cut a Hole in the Second Plank
Place the tapered end of the first board 15 1/2 inches from the bottom of the second board and trace around the edge. Remove enough wood to slide the first board through the hole in the second at an angle.
Step 5: Try It Out
Fit the two pieces together and try it out. If you are not satisfied with something here is your chance to fix it.
Step 6: Fine Tune the Angles
The planks will not intersect at right angles, so some wood will need to be trimmed. This picture shows the marking process for this step.
Step 7: Fine Tune Part 2
Use a saw to redefine the angles.
Step 8: Finish & Relax
I wanted to remove the glitter on the boards so I resurfaced the plank with a chisel. However the only necessary step here is to relax in your new chair.
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85 Comments
4 months ago on Step 5
How much bigger is the slot than the plank you placed threw it?
17 years ago
I have a hard time believing that this chair will hold.
Reply 17 years ago
The chair will hold. We've had three in our barn for years now, and we still use them daily. Just don't use plywood.
Reply 1 year ago
You certainly could use plywood. For adults, definitely use 3/4” Baltic Birch, as it has way more plies than regular 5 or 7 ply. If you use the latter, be sure it’s for people only up to a certain weight. What weight that is, isn’t something that ive taken the time to figure out. But knowing just how rigid baltic birch plywood is, im sure most kids up to 10-12yrs old would be ok sitting on 1/2” baltic birch. Maybe up to 75lbs-80lbs to be safe?
Reply 16 years ago on Introduction
i've made a couple of these in the past, they hold up wonderfully. nice woodshop btw :)
Reply 17 years ago
This chair will hold. The key is using strong/thick wood. My friend attempted to make one out of 1/2 ply wood that didn't last.
Question 4 years ago on Introduction
Just curious, why can't the planks be pressure treated
Question 5 years ago on Step 2
How do you get planks 40 inches long and 51 inches long from a board that is 7 feet long? Did you mean 8 feet long?
6 years ago
How unique! Beautiful!
7 years ago
very nice
7 years ago
I have never made one of these before. I have been asked to make 3 of them for my niece and 2 for my sister. I think I can get these made by her Christmas gathering so they can show them off. THANK YOU FOR THIS WONDERFUL PLAN.
13 years ago on Introduction
I used to have one of these that I made at boyscout camp. Then, three or four years later I tried sitting in it again and it broke and has been in my garage ever since.
Reply 8 years ago on Introduction
Sounds like a good excuse to make a new one.
13 years ago on Step 4
Great design and instructible. Any good angle to use? What's the most comfortable?
Reply 8 years ago on Introduction
I think the best chair angle is about 110 degrees.
8 years ago
What's the best/easiest way to cut the slot in the vertical plank?
8 years ago on Introduction
what is the issue with using pressure treated wood?
8 years ago on Introduction
These are erroneously called "Bog Chairs" or refereed to as period Viking or Saxon chairs. The earliest example of these chairs come from a 1934 Boy Scouts of America Handbook. I am not knocking the chairs themselves mind yiou, only the concept that somehow these rudimentary chairs are at the level of craftmeship that ancient woodworkers were able to prodcue. Simply look at the Glastonbury Chair or viking Box Chair as an example of "simple" chairs.
10 years ago on Introduction
This is a very cool instructable!! I LOVE IT!
been looking for plans for this chair for what seems like forever! TY for sharing this Sir. now my search is over & I can get to work making some of these to sell. :)
11 years ago on Introduction
A semi dumb question, but seeing how I never sat in one of these chairs, is it comfortable? I need a chair for a reading corner in my home.