How to Build a Straight Back Chair

Design

• 1

  Create a design for your chair. Consider comfort when designing.

• 2

  Decide on the dimensions. Modify the suggested dimensions in this plan to suit your taste. Design your chairs to fit under desks and tables.

• 3

  Draw and cut out a template for the pieces.

Framing

• 4

  Use the table saw to cut the pieces for the front and back legs, and shape.

• 5

  Cut the three back rails and shape with a band saw to get a curve.

• 6

  Cut the lower rails with the table saw.

• 7

  Mark the locations of the slots into which the 3 back rails will fit. With a hammer and chisel, make one hole 3/4 inch deep at the top and bottom of each slot's position. Connect the pair of holes. This outlines each slot.

• 8

  Cut out the excess, leaving 3 slots in each back leg for the back pieces. Make sure the ends of each back piece will fit in its proper slot, notching the top edge.

• 9

  Use mortise and tenon joint construction to join the legs and bottom slats. This is simply a square peg in a square hole. Use a plunge router to cut the mortise. The tenon should be centered and 1/3 the thickness of the piece of wood.

Assembly

• 10

  Fit the entire chair together first and make sure that it is square. Then take it apart.

• 11

  For the mortise and tenon joints, glue and push together to fit. This will lock the joint in place. Clamp and let dry.

• 12

  Align and join the front legs to the rails. Make sure the pieces fit tightly. Glue and clamp together.

• 13

  Join the back and side rails to the back legs. Glue and clamp together.

• 14

  Put the back rails on the back legs. Glue and clamp.

Finishing

• 15

  Cut corner blocks, drill holes and attach to rails with screws.

• 16

  Use the table saw to cut the seat and shape with the router. A grinder may be used instead to create the scoop section for a comfortable seat.

• 17

  Drill holes for screws into underside of seat.

• 18

  Attach the seat by setting it on top of the legs and gluing. Turn chair over and drill at an angle to the rails and secure with screws.

• 19

  When finished and the glue is dry, sand the chair.

• 20

  Apply a sealer finish or stain according to directions on the label.