How to Build a Log Chair

Sort through your logs to find the best quality. Rough cut four 25-inch long pieces approximately 3 inches in diameter. These are the legs of your chair. Also cut five 19-inch long pieces approximately 1 1/2 inches in diameter for the backing poles of the chair.

Find a log that is at least 18 inches in diameter. Cut off a piece 1 inch thick to use as the seat of your chair. You will also need a top piece that is 18 inches long and at least 4 inches in diameter. This piece should follow the curvature of the seat piece and is the top piece for the seat back.

Clamp each rough piece in the vise and use your knife to skin off the bark. If you would rather have a raw-looking chair, you may leave the bark in place.

Take your 25-inch leg pieces and use your tenon cutter to create 2-inch tenons that are 1/2 inch long at one end of each piece. A tenon is simply a peg that is carved at the end of a piece of wood and inserted into the hole made in another piece. The tenon cutter will allow you to cut these tenons with little difficulty. Follow the manufacturer's directions for using the cutter.

Make tenons on both ends of the 19-inch backing pole pieces 3/4 inch in diameter and 1/2 inch long.

You will need to make tenon holes into which the tenons can fit. Mark the positions of the legs on the underside of the seat piece. Drill tenon holes that are 1 inch from the edge of the seat and 1/2 inch deep. Consult the manufacturer's directions for the tenon cutter for the best way to drill tenon holes. Keep in mind that the tenons must fit snugly into the tenon holes, so the sizes of the holes should be nearly identical to the size of the tenons you previously cut.

Turn the seat over. Along the back of the seat make five marks evenly spaced between the leg positions. Drill five tenon holes at these marks. They should be 1 inch from the edge, 3/4 inch in diameter and 1/2 inch deep. Using these five tenon holes as a guide, drill matching tenon holes into the bottom of the top piece for the seat back.

Sand any unwanted rough areas until smooth. Pay special attention to the seat to avoid any uncomfortable slivers.

Put a dab of wood glue in the tenon holes on the underside of the seat. Insert the tenons of the legs. The fit should be very tight, so use the rubber mallet to pound the legs into place. Allow these pieces to dry according to the directions on your wood glue before turning the seat over.

Stand your chair on its legs when it has had sufficient time to dry. Put a dab of glue into each of the five tenon holes along the back edge of the chair. Insert the backing poles and pound into place with your rubber mallet.

Put a dab of glue into each of the tenon holes of the top piece for the seat back. Put it in place, using the rubber mallet to pound it in as necessary. Let the chair sit overnight to dry.

Test your chair by sitting in it. If it is wobbly you may have to trim one or more of the legs of the chair until it sits level and stable. Apply a liberal coat of varnish. Once the varnish is dry, your log chair is ready to use.