How to Make a Ladderback Chair

A ladderback chair is a side, or arm, chair that is designed to look like a ladder. The vertical legs of the ladderback chair are connected with a series of horizontal pieces of wood to obtain this result. The overall design gives the chair several points of contact, resulting in strength through simplicity. Connecting the pieces of this chair with wood glue and allowing it to dry properly while resting in clamps will provide all of the strength needed for an occasional-use piece of furniture.

Tape measure
2 boards (2-by-2-by-25 inches)
2 boards (2-by-2-by-48 inches)
Pencil
Electric tape
Drill with 3/4-inch bit
Wooden dowels (3/4-by-24 inches)
Wood glue
Clean, dry rags
Bar clamps
10 boards (1-by-2-by-26 inches)
4d finishing nails
Hammer
Nail set
Work gloves
Safety glasses

Instructions

- 1
  Lay your two 25-inch boards side by side on a flat surface. Stretch your tape measure along each board. Make a pencil mark at 1 inch and 13 inches on one side of each board. Flip each of the boards and repeat both marks on the one perpendicular side.
- 2
  Lay your two 48-inch boards side by side on a flat surface. Make a pencil mark at 6, 12, 18, 24 and 36 inches on one side of each board. Flip both boards. Repeat the 24- and 36-inch marks on the perpendicular side.
- 3
  Wrap a piece of electric tape around the 3/4-inch bit on your drill. Place the tape exactly 1 inch from the tip of the bit. Drill into all four of your boards at each point. Drill 1 inch into each pencil spot using the tape as a depth gauge. Tap each of the boards after drilling each hole to clean out the dust and debris.
- 4
  Fill the holes in one side of each 25-inch board with wood glue. Slide one end of a dowel into each holes in one board. Slide the opposite ends of the same dowels into the matching holes in the other board. Wipe away the excess glue with a clean rag. Wrap a rag around each board. Place a bar clamp over the assembly and leave it overnight to secure the chair front assembly.
- 5
  Fill the holes in one side of each 48-inch board with wood glue. Slide one end of a dowel into each hole in one board. Slide the opposite ends of the same dowels into the matching holes in the other board. Wipe away the excess glue, wrap each board with a couple of clean rags. Clamp each end of the back of the chair assembly and let it dry overnight.
- 6
  Remove the clamps from both assemblies. Fill the remaining holes in both assemblies with wood glue. Connect the two assemblies with dowels. Wipe away any excess glue, wrap the assemblies with clean rags and clamp both sides of the chair frame. Let the glue dry overnight.
- 7
  Remove the clamps and rags from your chair frame. Lay the 26-inch boards from the 24-inch dowel on the back of the frame to the 24-inch dowel on the front of the frame. Leave a 1/8-inch gap between the boards. Drive a nail through each end of every board to attach it to both dowels. Countersink every nail with your nail set. Be careful not to damage the wood with your hammer as you complete your ladderback chair.

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