How to Build a Porch Glider

Rub down the bench with sandpaper and apply clear varnish to make the bench look as good as new.

Cut two hardwood planks to measure 2 inches in width and 2 inches more than the length between the hind and forelegs of the bench. Cut the dowel rods to measure a rhombus. The two vertical pieces on each side should have the same height as the handles of the standing bench. The vertical dowels should slant from the end of the hardwood planks and the horizontal dowel should be the same size and height as the handles of the bench. Hammer the vertical dowels to the horizontal dowel on the top and the plank at the bottom. Repeat the process with another plank and another set of dowels

Cut one more dowel to make a second horizontal beam about 3 inches below the dowel on the top. This dowel should meet the two vertical dowels about 2 inches below the horizontal dowel on top. Repeat the process with the other stand. Turn the two stands to their sides. Cut and hammer the third plank to the center of the two lower horizontal dowels on either side. The bench will rest on this plank. Sand and varnish the stand. Drill a hole on each top edge of the top horizontal dowel to fix the pivot hinge. Keeping the stands on their sides, push the bench till it rests on the center plank. Hammer the plank and the center of the bench seat together. Measure, cut and hammer two dowels from the center of the side planks of the stand to the center of the horizontal bench rest.

Measure and cut four dowels to be fastened to each edge of the stand to the edge of each leg of the bench. Drill each end of the dowels and the legs of the bench to fix the pivot hinges. Screw on the eight hinges tightly at each end of the dowel.

Straighten the glider and check any loose screws or unsteady dowels and fix them. Rub down rough edges with sandpaper and give it a final coat of varnish.