How to Make a Folding Chair

Enjoy fall this year, and make a folding chair you can take camping, the ballpark or tailgating.

From: Danmade

By: Dan Faires

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Materials and Tools:

outdoor fabric
(7) 2x2 pressure-treated baluster with mitered ends
straightedge
drill
wood glue
tape measure
2-1/2" wood screws
speed square
staple gun
1/2" staples
1/8" drill bit
1/4" drill bit
pencil
(2) 3" x 1/4" bolts
(4) 1/4" washers
(2) 1/4" nuts
wood filler
exterior paint
miter box and saw

Cut Balusters

Measure from the outside edge of the mitered end and mark with a pencil at 25" on four balusters. Draw a straight line on the 25" marks using a speed square and pencil. Cut all four balusters using a miter box and saw to create the chair legs.

Using a speed square and pencil, draw a straight line on the 25" marks on the four balusters.

Cut all four balusters using a miter box and saw to create the chair legs.

Draw a Line

Using a speed square and pencil, draw a straight line on the 25" marks on the four balusters.

Cut for Legs

Cut all four balusters using a miter box and saw to create the chair legs.

Cut and Dry Fit Cross Braces

Measure, mark and cut two pieces at 10", two pieces at 12-1/2" and two pieces at 14". Dry fit the pieces by placing the two 12-1/2" cross braces between two of the legs. Next, place the two 10" cross braces between two of the legs. Then, place the 14" braces at the square end of the legs. Measure 3" from the mitered end of each leg, and make a mark with a pencil.

Dan Faires measuring and marking wood pieces at 12 1/2 inches

Measure Cross Braces

Measure and mark two cut cross braces at 12 1/2".

From: Danmade

Attach Legs to Braces

Align the bottom cross braces on the 3" mark, and pre-drill a hole through the leg and into the brace with a 1/8" drill bit. Apply wood glue to each end of the cross brace, and attach the legs using wood screws. Align the top cross braces flush with the square end of the legs, and repeat steps. Fill holes with wood filler.

Apply wood glue to each end of the cross brace.

Attach the legs to the cross brace using 2 ½” wood screws.

Align the top cross braces flush with the square end of the legs.

Fill holes in wood legs with wood filler.

Drill Hole in Brace

Align the bottom cross braces on the 3” mark and pre-drill a hole through the leg and into the brace with a 1/8” drill bit.

Apply Glue to Brace

Apply wood glue to each end of the cross brace.

Attach Braces

Attach the legs to the cross brace using 2 ½” wood screws.

Attach Top Brace

Align the top cross braces flush with the square end of the legs.

Fill Holes

Fill holes in wood legs with wood filler.

Create 'X' Pattern

Measure 12" from the square end of each leg, and mark with a pencil. Use a speed square to mark the center of the leg at each 12" mark. Drill a hole in each leg on the mark using a 1/4" drill bit. Slide washers on each bolt end, and attach the legs together in an 'X' pattern with the bolts. Secure with nuts.

Drill a hole in each leg on the mark using a 1/4" drill bit.

Attach the legs together in an X pattern using a 3” x ¼” bolt with a 1/4” washer.

Measure Legs

Measure 12” from the square end of each leg, and mark with a pencil

Mark Center of Leg

Use a speed square to mark the center of the leg at each 12” mark.

Drill Holes in Legs

Drill a hole in each leg on the mark using a 1/4" drill bit.

Attach Legs in X Pattern

Attach the legs together in an X pattern using a 3” x ¼” bolt with a 1/4” washer.

Sand and Paint

Sand the piece using a 220-grit sanding block. Paint all pieces using exterior paint, and allow to dry according to label instructions.

Make Fabric Seat

Fold fabric, and wrap one 14" baluster. Secure with staples. Measure and draw a line on the fabric at 18" with a straightedge and pencil. Place the second 14" baluster on the line, and wrap the fabric around the baluster. Secure with staples. Cut off excess fabric with scissors.

Cut off the excess fabric with scissors.

Attach Fabric

Secure the fabric using 1/2” staples.

Measure Fabric

Measure and draw a line on the fabric at 18” with a straight edge and pencil.

Cut Excess Fabric

Cut off the excess fabric with scissors.

Attach Seat

Pre-drill holes in the top cross-braces using a 1/8" drill bit. Place the fabric wrapped balusters on top of the base with the staples facing down. Secure the pieces together driving wood screws through the pre-drilled holes on the underside.