In this project, the Woodbrew showcases how to build unique dining chairs using a surprisingly affordable material: OSB (Oriented Strand Board). This project is budget-friendly but also allows for creativity in design and execution. Below is a step-by-step guide to help you craft your own dining chairs, along with a list of materials and tools you’ll need.
Materials Needed:
- 3/4 inch OSB panel
- Wood glue
- Pin nails
- Pens or markers for tracing
- Router with a flush trim bit
- Jigsaw
- Circular saw
- Sander with 80 and 120 grit sandpaper
- Penetrating epoxy (optional)
Tools Required:
- Router
- Jigsaw
- Circular saw
- Orbital sander
Step 1: Prepare Your OSB Panel
The project kicks off with a 3/4 inch OSB panel, which is typically used for subflooring. The creator emphasizes that any type of material can be used for this project. The first task is tracing out the chair templates. The templates are designed to be user-friendly and can be ordered online or printed at home.
Step 2: Cutting the Pieces
Once the templates are traced, the next step is cutting out the pieces. The creator mentions that they were able to get about one and a half chairs from one sheet of plywood but later discovered a layout that allows for two chairs per sheet. The cutting process involves a combination of a circular saw and jigsaw for precision.
Step 3: Trimming to the Exact Dimensions
After the pieces are cut oversized, the creator uses a flush trim router bit to achieve the exact dimensions. This step ensures that all pieces fit together perfectly.
Step 4: Sanding the Surfaces
Before assembly, it’s important to sand all the surfaces. The creator starts with 80 grit sandpaper to remove high spots and then moves to a 120 grit for a smooth finish. This ensures a polished look for the chair.
Step 5: Assembling the Chair
The assembly process begins by gluing the side pieces together. Each side has an inside and outside piece, which are glued and held together using pin nails for alignment before the clamps are applied.
Step 6: Adding the Backrest and Stretcher
Next, the creator cuts out the bottom piece, back piece, and a small two-inch stretcher for added flair. The backrest is cut at an angle for added design interest.
Step 7: Final Assembly
With all pieces prepared, it’s time for the final assembly. The creator applies glue and pin nails to hold everything together. While the creator suggests this method is sufficient, they also mention that using finish head screws or dowels could add extra strength if desired.
Step 8: Sanding and Finishing Touches
After the chair is fully assembled, the creator sands down the edges and smooths the legs. A light coat of penetrating epoxy is applied, which helps lock the fibers in place and prevents fraying.
Step 9: Painting and Final Thoughts
For the finishing touch, one chair is painted white while the other is left natural. The creator expresses their indecision about which finish looks better, inviting viewers to comment on their preference.
In conclusion, this project is a fantastic way to utilize OSB in a creative and functional manner. The dining chairs turn out to be stylish, affordable, and a great addition to any dining room. For more details, including templates for the chairs, check out Woodbrew’s website.