Introduction: DIY Adirondack Chair With a Paracord Seat

About: Former NFL Offensive lineman turned Furniture maker. I am self taught and sharing my experiences with the world!

In this video I make an Adirondack Chair, and instead of the classic wooden seat. I make one with Paracord!

Check out my twist on the classic Adirondack Chair. I clean up the leg lines with some more modern styling and I add a woven paracord seat. Its big and its comfortable! Check it out here

To tackle this Adirondack Chair project I have listed the products I recommend and use in my shop! You can check out the full list here ! Woodworking Tools

DOWNLOAD THE FREE SKETCHUP MODEL HERE!

Step 1: Square Stock

Start off by breaking down the lumber. I use 2x4 cedar from my local home store. I have a free sketchup model if you would like to attempt this build and would like to use it for reference. You can download it here. Everything is milled to 1.5" thick.

Step 2: Glue Up Large Blanks

I then glue up the stock for the arm and legs, since they're wider than 2x4. I use titebond 3 for its waterproof nature, and longer work time.

Step 3: Layout Legs & Arms

  • Once out of the clamps its back to the jointer and planer to square to final thickness and dimensions
  • I then layout the angles for the leg joint on a piece of scrap plywood that is dimensioned to the overall height and width i want for the legs. I cut these on the miter saw
  • I mark out the location for some dominos which is how i join the legs together. I will cut the top and bottom angles after the glue up

Step 4: Glue Up Legs & Arms

  • Because of the angles i join everything flat on my work table with wedges.Once the legs are dry i cut the angles for the top and bottom using my track saw. Then trace the angles on the rest of the legs
  • I then move on to the arm rest. I lay out and cut everything before glue up, to avoid using any awkward angles on the bandsaw. I cut the arm angles first, then the angle on the backrest. I use two screws and a thin piece of cut off to draw my arch for this.

Step 5: Cut Seat Pan

  • For the seat pans i lay everything out first before cutting and drilling.
  • Using A ¼” forestner bit i cut he grooves for the cord straps to fit. I then clean them up with a rasp.
  • I lastly cut the curve for the front and back. I cut lap joints on the table saw so the paracord can clear the radius on the inside where they're mounted on the legs.

Step 6: Assemble Seat

  • I start by assembling the seat parts using glue and stainless steel screws. I then weave the seat using Paracord.
  • To weave the seat i measure out 24 length of the seat with and just wrap them tightly in 12 consecutive loops. For these pags it took almost 600ft of paracord each and almost 2 hours to weave. I tie them off with double hitch knots.

Step 7: Assemble Seat & Chair Base

  • I measure up where i think the seat is at a comfortable lounge height, and fasten them into the legs. Here you can see why we cut the laps in the pan sides for clearance

Step 8: Back Assembly

  • I move onto the back slats which are cut from more 2x4 stock, jointed and re-sawed. I layout the back and draw a curve along the slats and cut them on the bandsaw
  • After cutting the curve on the bandsaw i attach the slats to the base curve for the bottom of the back slats. I start in the center and use a 3/4" spacer and a single screw in the center.

Step 9: Final Assembly

  • I attach the bottom of the back slats with counter sunk screws. I then counter sink the slat backs based on where they line up with the back of the arm.
  • Then I attach the arms and the back slats. I work from the center out. Splaying them evenly by eye.
  • I cut a random curve for the arm wrests, then sand the whole chair
  • I then apply a satin spar varnish for some help against the elements outside.

Thats a Wrap !

Check out more of my projects at Johnmalecki.com

Have you seen my live edge river table build ?!?!

If not check it out here! Live Edge River Table

Woodworking Contest

Participated in the
Woodworking Contest