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This is called, from what I've read, a Kentucky Stick Chair. I was told about it from a Lumberjock buddy, Eddie. He told me where to find the plans over at the BuildEasy website. You can view the instructions for free, or purchase a PDF copy of the plans. I suggest the purchased option. It's only five dollars and the PDF version is simply easier to carry to the shop with you to have on have to reference to.
They are surprisingly easy to build. They consist of three two by fours ripped into sticks and various hardware to hold it all together. I made two. I made one out of yellow pine that I treated with Thompson's Waterseal. Then I made one from pressure treated pine. The yellow pine one is light enough to carry anywhere. You can carry the pressure treated one, but it has a little weight to it, so it may not be suitable for you beachgoers out there.
They are surprisingly strong. They are also comfortable. When I first seen them, I must admit I was a little worried about these two things. Once constructed though, they will make great lawn chairs that everyone will like and will hold even a heavy man like myself.

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Comments

· In Loving Memory
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Very nice William, you and Eddie have cornered the market with them. How long was the build time?
 

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Thank you Rex.
I built two of them in one day.
All you do is rip up three 2×4s on the table saw to 1 1/4". After that, you cut all the lengths. Next you drill two holes into each piece. The plans tell you where to drill them. Then lay it out and put it together.
The first one, the yellow pine one, I made using all thread and nuts. I used locktight and a backer but to assure the nuts wouldn't move. The second one, the pressure treated one, I wanted to try cables and clamps. I like the all thread and nuts better. So that's how I'll be building them if I make any more.
 

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I saw one of these last week as well and liked it. Great job might have to make one.
 

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Great job as usual William. I put Eddie and jdtorque builds in my "favorites" yours is going in there too because each of you has a little different approach to building the same chair. I like your all-thread idea.
 

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If I build one with a cushion, Would it still be a Kentucky chair???
 

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Great work.
I have been building these too and also prefer all-thread over wire.
 

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Looks like a nice place to park, and sip on an ice cold, Coors Light.. Marty, I think that might be a Northern Kentucky chair… lol
 

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Nice build William.

Would it be sacrilege to use a "Kentucky" stick chair at an "Adirondack" camp???
 

· In Loving Memory (Eddie)
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William those are some great looking chairs, you and Scott are right the all treads are the way to go .i call mine Louisiana stick chairs, guess yours will be Mississippi stick chairs , Martys will be Indiana stick chairs :) great job as always my friend and thanks for the mention too.
 

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Thanks to all of you. I appreciate it.
I can't exacrtly take full credit for the all thread idea. In the plans, there's a section labeled something about alternate assembly method or something like that. It mentions threading the end of the suggested wire and adding nuts to make it stronger. In my mind, I immediately though, all thread is cheap, why not just buy all thread instead of threading wire.
 

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Those are cool looking chairs, nicely done! Your models seem to be enjoying them. I read the directions on the BuildEasy site. I can see where #6 wire would be stiff and yet still flex. Did you use 1/8" ready rod? I'm thinking a bigger size wouldn't flex enough.

I'd like to see one built of "sticks" and bailing wire.
 

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I have atually built two chairs now.
The first I built using #10 all thread. I think that is about 3/16" or less, but not sure. I just got the only size they had that was smaller than the 1/4" hole I was supposed to drill in the pieces. You are correct though, there has to be some flex to it. I am not sure how large one could go. That might take some experimentation.
The second one I built using 1/8" cable and cable clamps. I did not like this method. The chair is usable, but I am just not happy with it. In my opinion, it flexes TOO much. The outer edges of the seat sag. It's not enough sag to make it unusable, but enough to nitice if you're looking for potential problems.
As for bailing wire, I think it depends on what you call bailing wire. I have some bailing wire that, in my opinion, was too thin. I actually thought about using it. Sometime in the future, I may still use this just to see if it'll work. I fear it breaking though if someone too heavy sits in it.
 

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Now I have a good seat to sit in when I come over. Now this I like.
Well done William.
Oh a certain grandson has been using his duck stool to bush his teeth with.
 

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Thanks Dave.
You know, I'd forgetten about the little ducky stepstools. Maybe I need to make some more of those. Those were popular for a long time. Since I haven't made one in a couple of years though, maybe they could make a comeback.
I will make sure to have at least one of these chairs in the shop for you to test drive on your next visit. Think you could take one back home on your bike?
 

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These Kentucky stick chairs are becoming pretty popular.. I'm going to have to build a couple myself. I have 2×4s. Of course, then I'll need a yard to use them in.

Nice job William, and thanks for the links and telling us the details. As for the treated on, it will be lighter once it dries out. Consider you're toting probably a gallon of water in that chair.

Congrats on making it to #2 on featured projects.
 

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Very interesting. At a glance I didn't notice that it folds. All the more it got my attention. Great job! Congratulations!
 

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Saw these before but like you I was thinking it wouldn't be to good to sit in. May just give this a try later on but most likely I will build mine in Cedar. Don't think I have enough cedar that thick left from my supply.
Nice job on that chair. Went to the web site but wasnt able to download the plans but will try again later. Computer is having a bad day.
 

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Nice chair I really need to get my shop in order so I can start building some of these things.

This one is going on my TBL (To Build List)
 

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Thanks everyone.

Ted, noone said you couldn't use them in your living room.
MrTom, the material has to be 1 1/4×1 1/2". Of course you could deviate from that a little, but I wouldn't do it much because the outer ends of the seat will have weight on them. I had the same idea as you. I thought one of these would look awesome in cedar. The thickest I had in cedar though is three quarter.
 

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Hey William!! Very Nice Project Indeed! Well Done!

Rick
 
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