Child's Rocking Chair
Introduction: Child's Rocking Chair
Child Size Rocking Chair
Supplies
This Child's Rocking Chair is made from a single board of 5/4"x6"x10' (actual size 1"x 5½"x10') pressure treated decking lumber.
(20) 1¾" Wood Screws
(36) ¾" x ⅜" Crown Staples
-Wood Glue
-#40 Sanding Wheel
-#120 Grit Sandpaper
-Wood Filler
-Paint or Stain and Brush
Step 1: Safety First
Please be sure to use proper personal protective equipment, eye and hearing protection, and mask for respiratory protection from breathing saw dust.
Step 2: Plan Review
Carefully review plans.
Step 3: Cut Material to Length
Cut the 10' board into correct length pieces with circular saw or miter saw, carefully following the cut plan. If you don't follow the cut plan, you will not be able to get all the pieces from one 10' board.
Step 4: Rip Pieces to Correct Width
Use a table saw to rip all pieces to 2¾" width, then set aside the armrests, rockers, and seat rails. Rip all remaining pieces again to a 1⅜ " width. Seat slats and back slats require ripping to 1⅜ " width and ½" thickness.
Step 5: Shaping Seat Rails and Armrests
Use an old paint can as a guide, to mark cut line on armrests round ends for cutting. Cut with bandsaw or jigsaw the curved shapes of seat rails and armrests as shown in the plan. Use a grinder, with 40 grit sanding wheel, to refine final shapes of the armrests and seat rails.
Step 6: Marking and Cutting Rocker Curves
Use three screws to bend a thin board or other flexible material into curve for rocker, mark cut line, then use bandsaw or jigsaw to cut bottom rocker shape. An alternate method is to use a piece of construction paper to make template for marking cut line.
Step 7: Cutting Dado Slot in Top and Bottom Seat Back Rails
Seat back, top and bottom rails, require a dado slot ½" wide and ½" depth to accept back slats. Use table saw to cut dados. If you don't have dado blade, make multiple cuts to create slot. Use one of the back slats as a gauge to set fence width on table saw.
Step 8: Cut Seat Back Side Rails to 15 Degree Angle
Use miter saw or circular saw to cut 15 degree angle on one end of each of seat back side rails. 785
The angle cut is across the 1⅜" width. Refer to cutting plan and photos to assist with this step.
Step 9: Rounding Edges
Use a router with ½" round-over bit to round edges on all pieces, except the top edges of the seat rails.
Step 10: Sanding Pieces
Sand all pieces to prevent splitters using 120 grit paper.
Step 11: Begin Assembly
Organize all the pieces
Step 12: Assemble Legs and Seat Rails & Bottom Rockers
Drill ⅛" pilot and ⅜" counter sink holes in legs. Square the rocker and seat rails to legs, then use 1¾” wood screws to attach legs to seat rails and rocker bottom rails. Complete assemble for both sides.
Step 13: Attach Seat Slats to Each Side Assembles
Attach seat slats to sides assemblies, using #16 nail as a spacer to evenly space slats. Glue and fasten slats at each each with ¾" staple.
Step 14: Assemble Seat Back Rest
Insert back slats into dados on the top and bottom seat back rail. Use ⅛" even spacing between slats. Glue and fasten with ¾" staples.
Step 15: Attach Back Side Rails to Back Top and Bottom Rails
Drill ⅛" pilot and ⅜" counter sink holes in back side rails. Use 1¾” wood screws to attach the back side rails to top and bottom back rails. The side rails should extend 1" above the top seat back rail.
Step 16: Attach Back Assembly to Seat Assembly
Drill ⅛" pilot and ⅜" counter sink holes in the back legs. Use 1¾” wood screws on each side of back legs to attach the back assembly to seat assembly at 105 degree angle between the back and seat rails.
Step 17: Attach Armrests
Drill ⅛" pilot holes and ⅜" counter sink holes in armrests. Place armrest on top of legs and secure to legs with1¾” wood screws and glue. 785