Simple Adirondack Chair

I made an outdoor adirondack chair out of cedar because I wanted to use it to go with the rest of my outdoor furniture. This is an easy way to improve and advance your woodworking and power tool skills with a fun and enjoyable project.

1. 3 - 2x4 @ 8 feet
2. 2 - 1x4 @ 8 feet
3. 3 inch screws (square head)
4. Tape measure
5. Chop saw
6. Pencil
7. Impact driver (with bit that matches screws)
8. Measuring square
9. Wood Glue

If you don't have all the materials that are listed under the supplies you will need to go and purchase them from your local hardware store: (Home Depot) See supplies list and check to see if you have any of the materials already.

These are all the different sizes of cut lengths and dimensions you will need.

Make sure you have enough wood for this project before you start.

Use a chop saw to cut them.

Cut all the pieces first and then start assembling this chair.

The more precise the cuts the easier this project will be.

1. 1 - 2x4 @ 22 inches (seat apron)
2. 2 - 2x4 @ 33-3/4 inches (seat stringers)
3. 1 - 2x4 @ 19 inches (seat back support)
4. 4 - 1x4 @ 22 inches (seat boards)
5. 2 - 2x4 @ 32 inches (back supports)
6. 5 - 1x4 @ 19 inches (back boards)
7. 2 - 2x4 @ 18-1/2 inches (front legs) Cut the top and bottom long point to short point 15 degrees from square. Each end must be parallel to each other
8. 2 - 2x4 @ 26-1/4 (arm rests)

Glue each joint before using any screws.

Attach front seat apron to the end of each seat stringer. (Use impact driver to drive in the screws)

Attach seat back support 22 inches from seat apron. (2 screws per each joint)

Glue each board before using screws.

Attach each 1x4 @22 inches to the frame. The first board must start inline with the seat apron.

Space each board by 1 inch as you go. (Use impact driver and 2 screws per joint)

Glue each joint before using screws.

Attach each 1x4 @ 19 inches to the back supports. (2x4 @ 32 inches)

Space each of the five boards 1 inch apart.

Make sure each board is in-line with the edge of the back supports. (2 screws per joint)

Glue the connection places and then use screws.

Place back support in front of the seat back support.

Attach from the backside and from the outside. (Use impact driver and 2 screws per joint)

Glue the joints first.

Then attach the legs which are cut at 15 degrees parallel from each other.

Screw them in 9 inches up from the forward facing part of the leg. (Use impact driver and 3 screws per joint) Do this to both sides.

Glue each joint then use the screws.

When attaching armrests (2x4 @ 26-1/4) make sure that the outwards facing edge of the armrests are in-line with the outside part of the front legs.

Line up the back of the armrests with the back supports. (Use impact driver and 2 screws per joint) Screw in from the top of the armrests into the front legs and from inside of the back supports.

This is the final step.

This project was a very fun, interesting and simple. I had a great time creating this and overcoming challenges that came my way, like incorrect measurements or mixing up numbers. Glueing all the joints is optional, but it gives it extra strength and will hold together for much longer than just screws. Through this project I learned that precision is everything. Because by the end of this project I had very little wood left so having extra wood may be helpful. Measure twice, cut once. Don't think that your measurements are "good enough," make sure that they are correct.