Adirondack chairs

[MushCreek]

I recently scored some nice cypress pretty cheap (less than **** wood at HD). Somehow, I remembered that I had downloaded some plans for Adirondack chairs from a discussion here a couple years ago. Norm Abram's design. They went together easily, and are quite comfortable. Between the cypress wood and SS fasteners, they should stand the test of time. I still haven't decided on a finish, if any.

 

[justtools]

Very nice

 

[mark-NJ]

I wouldn't finish them at all....they look great as they are.

What I WOULD do, however, is put epoxy on the end grain of the legs to eliminate rain water being drawn into them. That's where the rot on patio furniture begins...

 

[Bad Eye Bill]

I've never understood the popularity of those chairs. Probably the most uncomfortable thing I have ever sat in.

 

[Modern Garage]

There are a lot of different designs, but mostly I think it might be attitude. I have to be REALLY relaxed to sit in mine - almost to the point of falling asleep. Not a chair for a type A personality...
Joe

 

[Shiftless]

There are a lot of different designs, but mostly I think it might be attitude. I have to be REALLY relaxed to sit in mine - almost to the point of falling asleep. Not a chair for a type A personality...
Joe

I agree.
I have sat in quite a few of different size with minor variations in seat and back angle. If you find one that fits your body, it can be fantastic. The wide arms are perfect for perching your beverage in between sips.

 

[m6z]

Nice work.

 

[Jayman17]

I’ve made 2 of that same design and used 1” clear cedar. Nice job on yours.

Jay

 

[captain14]

Very nice work MC. Where do you plan on keeping them during the season? On the porch as shown or exposed more to the weather?

As mark-NJ says above, definitely seal the portions that contact the ground and absorbs the moisture .

 

[MushCreek]

I plan to use them on our back deck, which isn't covered, but is 10 feet off of the ground.

 

[sgf13]

I made three of the same from Norm's book plans thirty years ago. I even made hardboard templates of the pieces. I learned that the older I got the less I liked them. Even at 6'4" I used them a lot in the begining. Now, not so much. I suppose a chain hoist could help me stand up.

 

[bugnut]

Mush, those are some good looking chairs! And the price is right! I have a couple cushions from old patio chairs I throw on ours. A friend made them out of pt 5/4 over 20 years ago. They have sat outside by the fire ring and occasionally I have to replace a screw as galvanized were not used in the make. I have painted them 2 or 3 times I hate doing it, hell I hate painting, but great to sit in around the fire! Enjoy!

 

[sanddan]

I made three of the same from Norm's book plans thirty years ago. I even made hardboard templates of the pieces. I learned that the older I got the less I liked them. Even at 6'4" I used them a lot in the begining. Now, not so much. I suppose a chain hoist could help me stand up.

I know what you mean. I just added some spacers to my recliner chair to raise it up a bit. Easier to get out now.

 

[tarbellb]

Nice chairs

Look into the european hardening waxes like Woca, simple application of rub on buff out. Incredible durability and easy reapplication

 

[nadogail]

I wouldn't finish them at all....they look great as they are.

What I WOULD do, however, is put epoxy on the end grain of the legs to eliminate rain water being drawn into them. That's where the rot on patio furniture begins...

I have found that the "nail on" plastic glides keep wooden legs away from the water on concrete patios.

 

[nadogail]

I know what you mean. I just added some spacers to my recliner chair to raise it up a bit. Easier to get out now.

I am considering adding spacers under the sofa I use at home.

 

[fitter30]

Teak oil for a finish

 

[rayra]

There's a set of blueprints floating around the internet named 'Jake's Chair'. They're a bit more upright and not stackable. The classic adirondack layback design seems to really set off my bad back. The Jake design was a good bit more comfortable. I modified the design a bit and made the arms even wider to hold a dinner plate and added some bottle / glass holders in the arms as well.

Likewise on the pressboard templates. Makes it easy to crank out several sets.

 

[Paco Pena]

I made a couple but did not use a finish of any kind. Always seemed to get dirty fast. Ended up doing a wash of 50/50 latex paint and water in a soft gray. Much better. I would always do some form of sealant going forward.

Paco

 

[GreenIron]

Nice work on the chairs.



I built a pair about 10 years ago using Cedar. Applied a couple coats of Spar Varnish.

A few years later, I sanded them and applied oil base paint.
I gave the pair to a neighbor when we moved to our new place in 2020.


In early 2020, I built another pair using Pressure Treated Lumber.


I gave them to my son and DIL when they moved into a new house. After weathering for 6 months, he sanded, primed and applied oil base paint.