Information on a Chair Made With Wood Studs

Selecting Wood Studs

• Acquiring the wood to construct your chair is one of the first steps necessary. You can purchase 2-by-4 wood studs in your local home center or lumber yard for a very reasonable price. A higher grade of stud may have less knots or other defects, but will run a little more money. New wood studs may have a high moisture content. This is usually not a problem since wood studs are used mainly for framing a building. However, for use in constructing furniture, new studs may cause warping. A solution to this problem is to purchase the lumber well in advance so that it has a chance to dry out. Another solution is to use recycled studs. As long as it has not been exposed to the elements, used studs should have a low moisture content, making them ideal for chair projects. Used studs may be obtained from building material recycling centers or from your own remodeling projects.

Indoor Chair

• Wood studs can be used to construct a sturdy framework for a chair. The seat and the back of the chair are constructed from lighter materials -- such as plywood -- giving the chair a less heavy-looking appearance. Once assembled, sanded and finished, this type of chair may be practical for indoor use.

Outdoor Chair

• Chairs made primary with wood studs may be suited to outdoor use, as well. Wood studs that have been pressure-treated should make your chair last many years due to their weather resistance. The seat and back of the chair may withstand the weather better when made with wood studs -- which are considerably thicker than plywood--, but this may also make the chair very heavy.

Wood Chair Construction

• Finding detailed instructions for assembling a chair made from wood studs may be as simple as checking the Internet for free chair plans. Chair plans with full-sized templates may also be available at your local home center. Assembling a chair from wood studs requires a few woodworking tools. A small square used to mark the lengths of the pieces will ensure the cut ends are nice and even. A hand saw can be used to cut the pieces to length, but a power circular saw with a sharp blade will make cuts quicker and cleaner. Rust-proof wood screws to assemble the pieces are available in stainless or galvanized steel. A power drill that has a Phillips bit attachment will make quick work of driving in the screws.

Finishing Your Chair

• A light sanding will ready your chair for stain or paint. If you plan on using your chair outdoors, use outdoor latex house paint or deck stain if you prefer the look of natural wood grain. If your chair is made from pressure-treated wood studs, you may leave it unfinished, if desired.