PVC Pipe Rocking Chair

This is a PVC pipe rocking chair. Maybe the first ever. I thought of this idea for the PVC contest, so I googled this and haven't seen any others. It cost approximately $50 (USA) and took a bit longer than expected. This is my first instructable... so bear with me! If you like this, please vote for it in the PVC contest.

The supplies needed for this project include:

• 40 feet of 1-inch schedule 40 PVC pipe (schedule 40 is the most common).
• 6 PVC Elbows.
• 4 PVC Crosses.
• 6 PVC Tees.
• 4 PVC End Caps (Optional).
• PVC Pipe Glue.
• Propane torch, Heat gun, stovetop, or anything else that will heat PVC enough to crimp or bend.
• Sawzall to cut PVC with (A hacksaw or any saw will work).
• Vice or strong hands.
• Drill.
• Drill bit.
• 1-inch screws.
• 2 cans of spray paint.

(HINT: When you buy the PVC fittings make sure they fit the 1-inch pipe. Also, make sure they are slip-on fittings.)

The only supplies I bought was the PVC, Paint, and PVC glue. I live in a small town, so you should be able to visit a big box store and buy the supplies for cheaper.

1. We will start by cutting pipe...

2x 18-inches

4x 2-inches

2x 10 1/2-inches

2. Next, you will need to grab:

4x Elbows

4x Tees

3. Arrange the pieces and put them together as shown in the picture.

DO NOT GLUE THE PIECES YET, JUST DO A DRY FIT!

1. Start by cutting pipe...

1x 18-inches

2x 11 1/2-inches

2x 6 1/2-inches

2. Grab:

2x Elbows

2x Tees

3. Dry fit the pieces as shown in the picture.

DO NOT GLUE THE PIECES YET, JUST DO A DRY FIT!

1. You will now cut the pieces to make 2 armrests.

2x 11 3/8-inches

2x 6 1/2-inches

2. Grab:

2x Tees

3. Dry fit the pieces to create 2 armrests as shown in the picture.

1. Follow the side profile diagram picture above, and dry fit the pieces.

This may look confusing at first, but it is simple. You are just putting the two created frames together to make the outline of a basic chair without legs.

1. Put the armrests on the chair's frame as shown in the picture above.

If the chair dry fits correctly, you may now glue the joints together! If not, you will have to fix the error made.

1. Cut the PVC...

9x 22-inches

2. Grab:

Torch or whatever you are using to heat PVC

3. Heat a little over 1-inch on each end of the pipe.

4. Flatten the tip by taking a board and pushing on the end.

5. Hold the end flat until it cools flat.

Speed the hardening by dipping the pipe in cold water, rubbing with a wet rag, or do like I did and rub it with snow.

These will be the slats that you will sit on, rest on, and two of them will actually be chair supports.

Grab your drill, drill bit, and screws.

1. Pre-drill a hole in both ends of 7 slats previously made.

2. Position them as shown in the picture.

3.Pre-drill the chair frame so that the holes line up.

4.Screw the slats on with your screws! (The exact position of the slats are up to you)

1. Cut six 10-inch pieces of pipe.

2. Use your heat source to heat the whole pipe, and bend the pipe unto a wagon wheel as shown in the picture.

3. Do this to all six pipes.

You don't have to use a wagon wheel, you can use anything you want!

1. Combine three curved rockers with two tees to create the rocker pictured above.

2. Make a second rocker with the remaining tees, and with the last three mini rockers.

This is the hardest step!

1. Cut four 17-inch pipes.

2. Heat about three inches of one end on each of the legs.

3. Insert the heated end into one of the rocker tees and bend it like is shown in the pictures above.

The bending of the legs will allow them to stay vertical to fit the bottom of the chair.

4. Fit the rockers and legs into the chair.

5. If they fit, you can glue the legs and rockers to the chair!

To keep the chair from swaying you need to add the two remaining slats. Screw them on halfway up the leg. Make sure that you put two screws on each end of the slats.

You may now paint the finished rocking chair!

That concludes my first instructable! If you liked it, please vote for it in the PVC competition.

If I missed something, or if you have a question please comment below.

Thank You

smokywasp