How to Build Your Own Rocking Chair

There are literally hundreds of plans for various types of rocking chairs from simple to complex available on line. Van Dyke's offers a good selection of rocker runners in adult and children’s sizes to suit most rocker projects. Here are a few tips to consider no matter what style rocker you have decided to build.

Decide what type of wood you want to use for making your rocking chair. Van Dyke's runners are available in oak or maple. We recommend using a hard wood instead of a soft wood like pine.
Cut out each piece of the rocker according to your plans – seat, back, legs, arms.
Cut notches as described in your project plans and be careful to follow directions carefully to make sure pieces will fit properly.

Assemble the pieces working from front to back.
Place the completed rocker on the runners before drilling holes to determine the best placement. The front of the runner should extend 1 1/2 inches to 5 inches beyond the front leg and 4 to 9 inches beyond the back legs depending on the length of the runner and the distance between your front and back posts.
Use a level to determine proper placement and mark with a pencil. Turn chair upside down and measure distance between front and back leg posts and transfer this measurement to the runner you just measured.
Once assembled, paint or stain. If it is being used outdoors, apply at least two coats or a weather-resistant coating.