Homemade Lawn Chair

Seat

• 1

  Cut a 20-inch-long seat front piece from 1-by-4-inch pine. Cut two 19-inch-long seat side pieces from 2-by-4-inch pine.

• 2

  Set the two seat side pieces and the seat front piece narrow-sides-down. Position the two side seat pieces parallel to each other and 17 inches apart. Set the front seat piece over the two side pieces to form a squared letter "n."

• 3

  Apply a generous amount of wood glue where the wood surfaces meet. Screw the pieces together using 2 1/2-inch wood screws on each joint.

• 4

  Cut five 20-inch-long seat slats from 1-by-4-inch pine.

• 5

  Measure a half-inch back from the seat front and make a mark on the top of each side seat piece. Position the first seat slat flat at this point. Lay the next four seat slats flush against the first one on top of the seat frame. Attach the seat slats to the seat frame using two 2 1/2-inch wood screws at each joint.

Back

• 6

  Cut two 14 1/2-inch-long back supports from 2-by-4-inch pine.

• 7

  Cut five 20-inch-long back slats from 1-by-4-inch pine.

• 8

  Position the two back support pieces face-down, parallel and 13 inches apart. Place the first back slat horizontally on top of the back support pieces so that each end overhangs the back support pieces by a half-inch. Apply glue to the meeting point and attach the slat to the back support pieces using two 2 1/2-inch wood screws at each joint.

• 9

  Attach the remaining four back slats to the back support pieces using the same method as in Step 3.

Sides

• 10

  Cut two 21-inch-long arms from 1-by-4-inch pine.

• 11

  Cut four 21-inch legs from 2-by-4-inch pine.

• 12

  Place two of the leg pieces on their sides, parallel to each other and 12 inches apart.

• 13

  Lay an arm piece face-down on top of the two leg pieces so that it overhangs the leg pieces by 1 inch on either side. Join the arm piece to the leg pieces using 2 1/2-inch wood screws at each joint. Repeat this process using the other two leg pieces and the other arm piece.

• 14

  Draw a line on the inside of each leg piece that is 18 inches from the attachment of the arm piece. These lines mark the location for the seat.

• 15

  Set the seat piece between the legs so that the back of it is even with the back legs and the front extends 2 inches beyond the front legs. Once it is in position, use bar clamps to hold the assembly together.

• 16

  Drill a hole that is a bit larger than the 3 1/2-inch carriage bolt through the leg piece into the seat piece on each side. Secure the pieces together with the carriage bolts and tighten the bolts completely.

• 17

  Place the assembled back piece between the assembled sides. Tilt the back piece slightly at the top and bottom for comfort.

• 18

  Hold the back to the side with bar clamps. Screw a 2 1/2-inch wood screw through the arm support and into the back support on each side. For extra support, put a 3 1/2-inch lag screw through the arm support into the back support on both sides.

Finishing

• 19

  Fill all screw holes and cracks with wood filler.

• 20

  Sand the chair using medium-grade sandpaper. Dust the chair with a soft cloth.

• 21

  Paint or stain the chair in your desired color. Allow the paint to dry completely.

• 22

  Apply outdoor sealer, using a brush. Wipe off any excess sealer with a rag.