how to build a rocking chair

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Nothing says spring like a rocking chair on the porch. I kind of have a thing with chairs that rock… or bounce. I guess I never grew out of that stage from my years as a baby? Who knows, but there is definitely something so soothing about sitting in a rocking chair, listening to the evening sounds. It is even better in the morning, but somehow school routines and young children seem to keep this from happening during the week. A gal can dream though…

As with all of our plans, you are building at your own risk and you should have a firm understanding of building in general before you attempt many of our plans (some are perfect for beginners, others… not so much). With that, go forth, have fun, take lots of pictures and share them in a showcase or on social media with the hashtag #builtTDCtuff and we will share our faves!

 

ESTIMATED COST
$50-$100
HIDEDIMENSIONS

 

The Design Confidential Free DIY Furniture Plans How to Build a Rocking Chair

HIDETOOLS
  • Tape Measure
  • Saw – Jig Saw, Circular, Table, or Miter Saw
  • Drill
  • Countersink Drill Bit
  • Square
  • Sander
  • Kreg Jig
  • Brad Nailer
HIDELUMBER
  • 2 – 1×2 at 8’
  • 3 – 1×3 at 8’
  • 2 – 1×4 at 8’
  • 1 – 1×6 at 8’ (or use 3/4” plywood, ripped down to 5-1/2” wide)
HIDEMATERIALS
  • 1 ¼” Pocket Hole Screws
  • 1 ¼” Wood Screws
  • 20 – 1/4” 2” long bolts and 1/4″ nuts
  • 1/4″ Spade Bit
  • Clamps
  • Safety Gear
  • Wood filler
  • Wood glue
  • Sanding Supplies
  • Finishing Supplies
  • Paste Wax
HIDECUT LIST
  • 1 – 1×2 at 16” – Backrest Top Frame
  • 2 – 1×2 at 18-1/2” – Backrest Side Frames
  • 2 – 1×3 at 2-1/2” – Armrest Supports
  • 2 – 1×3 at 21” – Backrest Sides
  • 5 – 1×4 at 19” – Backrest Slats
  • 2 – 1×3 at 23” – Seat Sides
  • 2 – 1×2 at 17-1/2” – Seat Front and Seat Back
  • 5 – 1×4 at 19” – Seat Slats
  • 2 – 1×3 at 22” – Armrests
  • 2 – 1×3 at 12-1/4” – Side Frame Tops
  • 4 – 1×3 at 24-1/2” – Side Frame Sides
  • 2 – 1×2 at 19-1/2” – Side Frame Bottoms
  • 2 – 1×6 at 35” – Rockers
HIDEINSTRUCTIONS

Read through the entire set of instructions and all comments before beginning this project. If you print out or save plans, be sure to check in on my site to be sure you have the most up to date set of plans, as I occasionally update things for ease of building or buying. If you are new to building, read through the GETTING STARTED section and other articles found under the BUILD tab in the menu on my site, it has valuable information about how to get started, tools and techniques. If you are unfamiliar with the finishing process, visit my Finishing school for some tips and tricks for painting like a pro and for special finishing practices. Use glue to secure your joints and Consider Painting or Staining individual sections prior to assembling. This makes the paint application virtually flawless. Coat with a spray on Poly or Wipe on Poly to protect your finish and your piece and it will last for ages. Adhere to all safety standards and guidelines, and be sure you follow safety protocol throughout your build. If you are unsure about whether you are building safely, run a quick online search for the tool or technique you are using, or contact me via email or post to the forum before you move ahead. My contact info can be found in the menu of my site.

/ Click on Images to Enlarge

HIDESTEP 1

 

The Design Confidential Free DIY Furniture Plans How to Build a Rocking Chair

Cut the pieces for the Backrest Top Frame and Backrest Side Frames. With the Kreg jig set for 3/4” material, drill pocket holes in each end of the Backrest Top Frame. Assemble as shown with glue and 1-1/4” pocket screws.

HIDESTEP 2

 

The Design Confidential Free DIY Furniture Plans How to Build a Rocking Chair

 

The Design Confidential Free DIY Furniture Plans How to Build a Rocking Chair

 

The Design Confidential Free DIY Furniture Plans How to Build a Rocking Chair

Cut the pieces for the Armrest Supports, Backrest Sides, and Backrest Slats.

Cut the Armrest Supports as shown.

Chamfer the top back corner of the Backrest Sides at a 45-degree angle, if desired. You can also “round out” the bottoms of the Backrest Sides as shown. Attach the Backrest Sides to the Backrest Side Frame pieces as shown with glue and 1-1/4” wood screws. Attach the Armrest Supports to the Backrest Sides as shown with glue and 1-1/4” wood screws.

Attach the Backrest Slats to the Backrest Top Frame and Backrest Sides as shown with glue and 1-1/4” wood screws.

 

HIDESTEP 3

 

The Design Confidential Free DIY Furniture Plans How to Build a Rocking Chair

 

The Design Confidential Free DIY Furniture Plans How to Build a Rocking Chair

 

The Design Confidential Free DIY Furniture Plans How to Build a Rocking Chair

Cut the pieces for the Seat Sides, Seat Front, and Seat Back. Chamfer the bottom front corner of the Seat Sides at a 45-degree angle, if desired.

With the Kreg jig set for 3/4” material, drill pocket holes in each end of the Seat Front and Seat Back. Assemble as shown with glue and 1-1/4” pocket screws.

Cut the pieces for the Seat Slats. Attach the Seat Slats to the Seat Front, Seat Sides, and Seat Back as shown with glue and 1-1/4” wood screws.

HIDESTEP 4

 

The Design Confidential Free DIY Furniture Plans How to Build a Rocking Chair

Cut the pieces for the Armrests, Side Frame Tops, Side Frame Sides, and Side Frame Bottoms. You can “round out” the outer corners of the Side Frame Sides as noted to allow for better chair movement. With the Kreg jig set for 3/4” material, drill pocket holes in each end of the Side Frame Tops and Side Frame Bottoms. Next, drill pocket holes in the top end of the Side Frame Sides. Assemble as shown with glue and 1-1/4” pocket screws. Repeat this step for the other side.

HIDESTEP 5

 

The Design Confidential Free DIY Furniture Plans How to Build a Rocking Chair

 

The Design Confidential Free DIY Furniture Plans How to Build a Rocking Chair

Cut the pieces for the Rockers. Draw out the shape as shown and cut out with your jigsaw. Make sure you draw a gentle curve. For this project, we used a radius of 62-1/2” for the Rocker curves. If desired, “round out” the end corners of the Rockers with your jigsaw or sander.

Clamp the Rockers to the Side Frame Sides as shown. Using a 1/4” spade bit, drill holes through both of the clamped pieces. Attach the Rockers to the Side Frames Sides as shown with glue and 1/4” bolts and nuts. Once assembled, you can see what part of the Side Frame Sides extend past the Rockers.  Use your jigsaw or sander to remove this excess wood. Repeat this process with the other side.

HIDESTEP 6

 

The Design Confidential Free DIY Furniture Plans How to Build a Rocking Chair

Lay one of the Side Frame assemblies on the ground or table, with the pocket holes facing up. Lay the Seat assembly on the Side Frame assembly as shown and secure with clamps. Using a 1/4” spade bit, drill holes through both of the clamped pieces. Attach the Side Frame Sides to the Seat Side as shown with glue and 1/4” bolts and nuts. Repeat this process with the second Side Frame assembly.

HIDESTEP 7

 

Just sit back, relax, and rock your worries away!

Set the Rocking Chair upright. Using clamps, position the Backrest assembly to the Side Frame assemblies as shown. The bottom corner of the Armrest should be flush with the back edge of the Backrest Side and should be set directly on the Armrest Support. Use your 1/4” spade bit to drill through both the clamped pieces where noted. Attach the Side Frame Sides to the Backrest Side as shown with glue and 1/4” bolts and nuts. Repeat this process with the other side.

Just sit back, relax, and rock your worries away!

 

 

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