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DIY manufacturing algorithm for different models of plywood chairs

DIY manufacturing algorithm for different models of plywood chairs

Laminated or simple plywood of the 1st and 2nd grades is widely used in the manufacture of furniture sets. It is noteworthy that a similar trend is observed not only on an industrial scale. This material is preferred by novice craftsmen for their first experience in furniture manufacturing. The best choice of product in this case is a plywood chair - this is the easiest way to learn the basics of design, especially the development of drawings, woodworking technology. And later, with the accumulation of experience, it will be possible to realize more daring design ideas.

Types and features of models

Strength characteristics of the material make it possible to make plywood chairs for adults and children, to develop a light and convenient design for a summer residence, kitchen, garage, fishing. The projects and drawings of the following models are in greatest demand:

  1. Traditional stools, which find a place in any apartment and country house. A small amount of detail, straight straight lines of individual elements make it possible to make such a chair with a minimum set of manual or power tools.
  2. A folding chair made of plywood can always be taken to the cottage or when going out into the countryside, because it does not take up much space in the trunk, and even when stored in the pantry. Compared with a stool, the design is more complex, but it can be implemented even by a novice master.
  3. Transformer chairs are multifunctional, they replace several household items, for example, a chair for feeding a child and a full chair with a separate table. They can have a folding or prefabricated design.
  4. A special direction is designer chairs, plywood chairs. They are distinguished by the presence of parts with a complex shape and bends, more advanced and expensive methods of decoration and decoration. It is recommended to undertake such projects only if you have experience, as a first work it is better to give preference to simpler options.

This is not a complete list of models, especially since many craftsmen prefer to make furniture on their own. It is worth noting that this fascinating activity has a number of advantages:

  • the ability to make a unique piece of furniture that fits all the requirements of the user;
  • cost savings, since the cost of necessary materials is much lower than the cost of finished furniture;
  • invaluable experience that is sure to come in handy in life.

An original plywood chair made by yourself can be a great gift for family members or friends.

Stool
Folding chair
Transformer
Designer chair
Armchair

Design and construction size

When choosing one or another model, you need to remember - even beautiful and unusual chairs should be comfortable and safe in the first place. Therefore, you should start with the selection of suitable materials, design dimensions. The basic rules to be followed:

  1. For the manufacture of load-bearing elements, plywood 18-24 mm thick is used, 12-16 mm is enough for backs or seats. Only in this case, the design will support the weight of an adult, for children's models the thickness can be reduced by 1-3 mm.
  2. The standard height of plywood chairs for adults varies from 42 to 48 cm, for children the value decreases to 25-35 cm, depending on age. The main selection criterion is that the legs should be at right angles and reach the support.
  3. If you plan to use the chair outdoors or in damp rooms, it is better to use moisture-proof or laminated plywood.
  4. In order to get an aesthetic appearance of a product, it is necessary to use only material of 1 or 2 grades, others will be extremely difficult to polish and paint properly.
  5. For use at home, stool chairs or designer models are more suitable, while for a garage or pantry it is better to give preference to folding or transformable products.
  6. By design, the manufactured interior item must comply with the style decision of the living room. For outbuildings and a garage, simpler models with minimal decor are suitable.

When choosing a design for future furniture, one should really assess one’s skills in working with wood and the availability of a tool, since it is not so easy to make complex shapes and curved parts as it seems.

Use plywood 18-24 mm thick for load-bearing elements, for backs or seats - 12-16 mm
Standard chair height
For aesthetic appearance of the product, use material of 1 or 2 grades
The design must match the style of the living room.

Drawing up a drawing

It is advisable to start work precisely from this stage, since when trying to make furniture immediately by eye, adjusting the dimensions in the process, the result most often does not meet expectations. Any size mismatch, improper arrangement of grooves, holes will inevitably lead to distortions or complete inability to assemble a chair. In general, project development comes down to the following steps:

  1. Drawing a sketch in compliance with the proportions and sizes.
  2. Image of the main parts from which the structure will be assembled, in the form of a diagram.
  3. Refinement of the appearance of each of them, checking the conformity of sizes, especially at the interface points.
  4. Study of a detailed drawing on graph paper. At this stage, it is necessary to consider the relative position of the elements in accordance with the dimensions of the existing plywood sheet. This will help reduce material consumption.
  5. Based on the resulting drawing, templates are cut out with the help of which the contour of the individual elements is transferred to the working material.

It is worth noting that all these works can be done with the help of free programs intended for drawing. After that, you can print the drawings in the desired format.

It is much easier to solve the design problem by searching for detailed schemes for chairs made of plywood on thematic resources. This will significantly reduce time, because drawing with your own hands drawings, even on a computer, is a rather time-consuming task.

DIY steps

In order to make a chair out of plywood with your own hands, you will need to do the following:

  1. Transfer a drawing or workflow to a sheet of material. You can even use design photographs of parts, increasing the size at the required scale.
  2. Cut workpieces with a hand or electric jigsaw, allowing you to make smooth bends and turns. For cutting in straight lines it is better to use a hand-held circular saw, in which case the edge will be more even.
  3. To process edges, and also all surface with an emery paper with a gradual decrease in granularity of an abrasive. In the simplest case, they take an ordinary whetstone or holder with an emery cloth, but it will turn out faster and better when using grinding machines.
  4. For finishing under varnish, various types of color impregnation or stain are usually used. As an option - can be painted with oil or acrylic enamels.

In fact, the work is simple, but it requires extreme accuracy and accuracy, only then the result will please.

Simple stool

The simplest option is a plywood stool. To make it, you will need a jigsaw, plywood up to 20 cm thick, three self-tapping screws and a screwdriver, emery paper with a grain size of P100-P400. The main stages of assembly:

  1. Cut 3 base plates that will act as legs, as well as a separate seat.
  2. Saw out grooves for connection with a jigsaw, process all edges with sandpaper.
  3. To connect the cut and prepared legs with each other using the existing grooves, simply inserting into each other.
  4. Secure the seat with the embedded part using ordinary self-tapping screws, the length of which should not allow plywood to be pierced through.

The preparation of all elements and the assembly of such a stool will take no more than 1-2 hours, excluding painting.

Folding chair

To travel to nature or the country, you can make a compact folding chair from plywood. When folded, it is almost flat, which allows you to place several pieces of such products in the trunk of an ordinary car for a large company. The advantage of this model is that the pattern of the main parts, there are only three of them, will require a minimum of material. This turns out due to the fact that when cutting each of them is inside the other. Such compact placement allows to avoid a large amount of waste when cutting.

To manufacture, you will need a standard set of tools: a jigsaw, a screwdriver, a drill, sandpaper. The plywood thickness is 16-20 mm, ordinary furniture hinges are used to connect the parts. The assembly is carried out according to the following algorithm:

  1. Transfer the drawing to a plywood sheet.
  2. Cut individual elements with a jigsaw.
  3. Sand the edges and surface of the parts.
  4. Mark the location of the hinges.
  5. Drill holes for screws - if this is not done, the plywood will delaminate.
  6. Screw the hinges and cover them with strips of fabric.

The most accurate pattern of parts from plywood is obtained using CNC milling machines. To this end, you will have to turn to professionals, which will increase the cost of the project.

Highchair

Such a chair is made with a back, so that the child can sit comfortably. A separate category is a high model for feeding, which, if desired, can also be made independently. To assemble the product, you will need plywood 20 mm thick, an electric jigsaw, a screwdriver with a drill and a nozzle for confirmations (furniture ties). Individual parts are best secured in this way, which ensures a reliable connection. Work takes place according to the following scheme:

  1. Templates of all individual elements (back, side table, seat, sidewalls, steps and cross members) must be transferred to a plywood sheet.
  2. Cut parts with a jigsaw precisely along the contour.
  3. Mark the joints with confirmations, drill holes for them.
  4. Sand the edges and the surface of all parts.
  5. To assemble, twisting furniture ties with utmost accuracy - do not put extra effort.

The advantage of such a chair is the ability to change the height of the seat, which makes the model "for growth", for children of different ages.

Transfer patterns of all individual elements to a plywood sheet
Cut parts
Sand the edges and surface of all parts
Assemble construction

Small fishing chair

Among the various models, the most popular plywood fishing chair in a minimalist style. In addition to a jigsaw, plywood, a piece of durable fabric (preferably canvas), you will not need anything.Usually, fishermen do not even engage in thorough grinding. How to make a product:

  1. Cut two main parts according to the pattern.
  2. Connect them together using the existing grooves.
  3. Attach the fabric to the upper edges with a stapler or self-tapping screws.

The stool is ready, and due to the special shape of the grooves it will be folded, so it will not take up much space when delivered to the river bank.

Cut two main parts from plywood and a fabric seat
Connect the legs together, attach fabric to the upper edges

Decoration options

Finishing is best done after the final adjustment of individual parts, but even before assembly. The overall appearance of the product will depend on the quality of processing. Particular attention must be paid to grinding the edges after cutting with a jigsaw. The main surface is ground with a gradual decrease in grit size of sandpaper, ideally up to P400-600.

Under the varnish, plywood is usually tinted with impregnation or stain in several layers. Stools for children are painted mainly, and the rest is coated with a medium or high hardness varnish resistant to abrasion.

Home furniture can be decorated by applying thematic patterns suitable in style to the design of the room, children's models can be decorated with drawings of characters from your favorite cartoons. In some cases, the edges of the soft seats complement the piping.

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