How To Make A Deckchair - Hand Tool Version
Making your own deckchair is a great DIY project. Here are instructions for a standard sized adult deckchair using mostly tools you’ll have in the shed.
What you'll need
Before we start
We bought our timber machined and then ripped it down using a table saw. A good timber yard would do this for you if you supplied the cutting list. Alternatively you could use a jigsaw. If you already have machines in your workshop, why not try our machine version of How To Make a Deckchair.
Step 1
Mark out and then cut each piece to length using a crosscut saw. We used a Japanese Crosscut Saw. Each piece should be 20mm thick.
Step 2
Rip down timber pieces to size with a rip saw. We used a Japanese Rip Saw.
Step 3
Using a hand plane clean up edges and faces of the timber.
Step 4
Then, using a crosscut saw and a bench hook, trim the pieces to length.
Top Tip!
Using a traditional push saw in conjunction with a bench hook negates the need to clamp the wood as you are always pushing the wood against the bench hook.
Step 5
Mark out holes with marking gauge to accept 20mm dowels as per drawing; use a bradawl to mark the centre.
Step 6
Using a power drill and a 20mm forstner bit, drill all the holes to half the depth of the timber.
Step 7
Mark out 6mm holes as per the drawing.
Step 8
First use a 12mm forstner bit and countersink the marked holes with a power drill to the depth of the shoulder of the drill bit.
Step 9
Replace the forstner bit with a 6mm bit and drill through.
Step 10
Using a block plane soften the edges of all pieces.
Step 11
Take the two medium lengths and mark out reclining slots - three slots at 110mm, 210mm and 310mm intervals from the end.
Step 12
Using the 20mm forstner bit, drill the beginnings of the slots.
Step 13
Then, using a protractor set at 15°, mark out the remaining parts of the slots.
Step 14
Using a fine blade Japanese saw, cut out the rest of the support notches.
Step 15
Sand back all rough edges of the slots using a piece of abrasive wrapped around a section of dowel.
Step 16
Cut all dowel to length with a saw and a bench hook.
Step 17
Next, cut dowels at 2 x 450mm, 2 x 490mm and 1 x 525mm. Then finish all parts with an outdoor finishing oil.
Step 18
Dry fit together making sure all parts fit correctly.
Step 19
Assemble deckchair frame, glue the two frames and clamp together.
Step 20
Using the dowel, stainless steel nuts, bolts and washers, assemble the frames together.
Step 21
Lay deckchair frame flat on a workbench and cut fabric to length.
Step 22
Using upholstery tacks attach the fabric to the frame.
Thank you very much :)