How to make a rocking chair from a chair

Comfort and coziness are an integral part of the needs of any person. On weekends, many walk in the park, attend various events, for example, the theater, and sign up for massage sessions. But it also happens that after another hard day at work you don’t want to leave the house. I want to sit in my favorite chair, read my favorite book or watch a TV series over a cup of coffee.

A rocking chair can be a replacement for an old and cozy chair. Moreover, you don’t need to spend extra money on its appearance. All you need is an old chair and a little time.

In this article, you will learn how to make a rocking chair with your own hands from an ordinary chair that will fit into your interior and provide durability and comfort.

Everyone in their home has an old chair that has long lost its purpose. Armed with a pencil, wood, a jigsaw and a couple more tools, you can give it a second life.

Types of chairs - rocking chairs

But first, let’s figure out what kind of rocking chairs exist.
The first and simplest option, which, by the way, we will discuss below, is rocking chair on runners. Most often, apart from the presence of the runners themselves, it is no different from a regular chair with a back. Therefore, the main feature of this design is the simplicity of the model.

If you are looking for something more modernized, we recommend rocking chair model glider. In such models, everything is different: the base of the chair is stationary, and the seat is movable and attached to the base. For such models, pendulum mechanisms are used. Such mechanisms consist of several strips that fasten the seat to the base.

Next comes spring rocking chair. Doing this yourself, and even at home, is not so easy, because not every master is capable of this. The base of such a model is motionless and voluminous. Above it there is a leg, inside of which there is a spring responsible for rocking.

The process of making a rocking chair from an ordinary chair.

The easiest and most optimal way to create a rocking chair from an old chair is to install runners. These are the same curved wooden parts of the chair, due to which it swings.

The main feature of the manufacture of runners is the smooth bending of the part:

• In order for the product to “float”, you need to have a full hand and be a master in this matter. But there is a second option - find a wide board (at least three cm), and according to the drawings prepared in advance, cut out the relief part using a jigsaw.
• All legs of the chair should be drilled through the sides equally, after which a narrow recess 7 cm long is made in each leg, and the width of the recess itself should be equal to the width of the runners.
• Next, place the chair on the runners so that the legs fit into the recesses until they stop.
• We take a marker or felt-tip pen, mark a line on the leg with our eye, then make marks and drill through it in the fixed places.
• As practice shows, wooden tenons are the most reliable method in the manufacture of such products. Therefore, wooden spikes, initially treated with glue, are inserted into the drilled holes.

Important: make sure that the tenon goes through the edges of the recess and the holes in the runners.

• Using wooden spikes will allow you to achieve maximum structural strength; you just need to wait until the glue dries completely.

A homemade rocking chair, made from an ordinary chair at home, can cause discomfort when sitting on it. To protect yourself from such inconvenience, you need to achieve maximum balance of the product.
If the structure leans forward very strongly, it is recommended to make cross bars in the area of ​​the runners at the front. If back - the same thing, but only from behind. This way you will protect yourself from possible injuries when falling from the chair forward or backward.

It would also be useful treat the structure with wood varnish. Take a brush and apply the first layer, then wait until the varnish is completely dry and apply the second layer, this will be enough.

A homemade rocking chair will not only add unusualness and uniqueness to your interior, but will also be a reminder of the moment of creation and wasted time. And the attention of your guests will be focused on the chair, because things made with your own hands are always very highly valued.