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Here's an adirondack chair I built last weekend. I didn't come up with this on my own, but instead used a picture from Fine Woodworking July/August 2007 to model it after. This particular chair design was entered in a design competition for adirondack chairs by a fellow named Ron Moretti who is attending the University of Indiana Pennsylvania. I didn't have any measurements except for length, depth and width, so I had to guess at some of the measurements. So, after making a rough sketch, I drew it up in AutoCad at work and plotted out full scale templates. I trasferred them to 1/4" hardboard, roughed them out on the bandsaw and then sized them with the router. I figured the first one would be sacrificial and subject to some adjustments for fit and comfort, but was pleasantly surprised when it all went together without of hitch and sat great too! So, I think I'm going to build at least 3 more along with a table and maybe a two seater also. Anyhow, it's made from select cypress and is put together with stainless steel screws and bolts. BTW, do ya'll think I can use brass screws or some other alternative instead of SS. I think I had almost 30 bucks in the hardware. Lowe's sure is proud of anything starting with stainless.

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Comments

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Great looking chair. Quite a compliment that she chose to sit in yours instead of the Dora chair. Ha. Nice job.
 

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Pretty nice!
 

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Really sweet chair, Carl. The curves and sweeping lines are a nice departure from what we are all used to with adirondack chairs. And it looks like it's already got one admirer!
 

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I like the design. Well executed construction, to boot.
 

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That is a beautiful chair! I also drew an adirondack plan in cad based on the design of the chairs at Jimmy Buffett's Margaritaville Restaurant I swiped from Citiwalk in Orlando using pics and measurements I took while embarassing my wife because of all the tourists walking by wondering why I had a tape measure at Universal Studios, but they were just so darned comfortable! However, after seeing this, I may just have to modify them! Fantastic work!
 

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Thanks for the compliments! While I really like the comfort provided by an adirondack, I always felt they were a little too angular and boxy looking. When I saw the picture of this one, I knew it was the one for me. The curves take the edge off and I really like the looks of it. Thanks again.
 

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With the guest in the middle picture It looks like you need to make a mid size also. Have your cad program make it about 50% smaller.

Great job.
 

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Thanks Karson! I think you're right, a smaller version is coming. BTW, if anyone wants the cad drawing, I'll be glad to email it to you.
 

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Great lines! I like the retro look, well done!
 

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Great project! I'll show it LOML and get a pass to buy some Cypress and get started on some Adi's for the spring! :)

I don't think there's any avoiding SS screws - brass is too soft in my opinion and all "rust resistant" deck screws are just that, resistant, not rust-proof.
 

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These look great! I agree that this design is quite nice. I have to buil 8 of these for a client this spring and am looking forward to it.
 

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Good job! I'd love to build one of these. Could I possibly get some plans please (if it is not too much trouble) ?
 

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Great work Carl. I saw this chair in the FW article also..would love to build one but am very much design challenged(no cad, etc.) and still at the intermediate level. May I please get your plans for this chair?
Dave East TN
 

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Nice Job Carl!! Can you e-mail me the cad plans? Thanks!!
 

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Very nice Carl. I considered designing and building chairs like this, but I was concerned about the cost of some weather resistant woods and it made me hesitate with experimentation. I already work with recycled wood from wine barrels and I fooled around with a chair design, but I could not get it right. Then one day I saw it at a shop in St. Helena CA and I had to build it. I snapped some pics with my cell phone camera and now I have built two. The great thing is that the wood is cheap.

I screwed on the seat slats from below to hide the screws and make it more weather resistant. Anywhere I could, I used outdoor deck screws. They are easier to use, they don't twist off, and they are cheaper. In areas that are visible, I did use stainless steel screws and carriage bolts.

I tooks some pics of my project, but the photos are too big to send from my camera phone. Don't ask me why you can take a pic on a camera phone but not be able to send it. I do have some pics of the ones I copied on my page and will get my pics up soon.

Great job.

Todd
 

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favorite listed. I'm a big fan of adirondack chairs, and have made a couple of the 'NYW' version, but I love those lines!
 

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Ned & Todd: Thanks! I get a lot of compliments on these, but I didn't design them, I just copied them.
 

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Hi Carl,
What a whirlwind you have created! I am currently building from your plans. I have narrowed the arms to 150mm mainly to fit my timber pile. I am building them out of Oregan.
I have a question. The chair tapers outwards from the back. You must have bevelled the front spacer under the seat? Regards Bill
 

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Carl,
sometimes the favorite list is just to inspire yaknow… and yours are the only ones I've seen that look like those. again, great job!
 

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Thanks Ned!

Bill: Thats right, the cross piece under the front was cut at the appropriate angle on my SCMS. This particular picture didn't have the cross piece on it. I added on the finished version after sitting in it and feeling some movement. One other thing to note is that the legs on the front sits in a slot cut out with the router, then glued and screwed. Something else I should mention is that I made several jigs to aid in construction. I'll post some pictures and maybe they will help you guys in constructing them. I didn't know I'd have this kind of interest or I would have prepared a more complete set of plans.
 
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