My first Adirondack chair

I made this last Summer as a ‘learn as I go’ project. I forgot to take a picture at the time, so asked to have this sent to me. I gave it as a gift to my children’s after school sitter. I’m glad to see it by her fire pit being used. In the picture, the back slats don’t appear to be evenly spaced. I’m hoping that it’s the camera angle.

I purchased the Veritas plans from Lee Valley, and then used thin particle board as pattern pieces.

Thankfully I chose pine, because as I learned, I had to redo several elements. The cost snuck up and up…

I made my first jig for the tapered back slats.

What I learned:
-that the instructions were not written with a newby in mind. For example “seat base assembly” was never explained. Which pieces are considered part of the seat base???
-how to countersink screws
-the importance of pre-drilling

I’m presently finishing my second chair, and while some of it was easier the second time around, I’m not sure if I’ll make this style again. The seat slats sit inside the outside leg support on a curved piece. Any slight difference between the two sides becomes very obvious very quickly. Also, the angled cuts on the table saw have been a challenge.

I’ve been eyeing the Adirondack chairs we purchased a few years ago from an older gentleman who has since passed away. The seat slats sit directly on the outside piece and the angles are done on the seat support, not the slats. Hmmmm….

I’d also like to get proficient enough that I can do one and simply stain it rather than painting. The paint helps cover some places where I used wood putty to fill in some mistakes.

-- No, I don't want to buy the pink hammer.