Thread: Looking for thoughts on deck seats

Airondak chairs are extremely comfortable and practical

I agree. Don't mess around and leave that timber to someone else.
A pair of Huon and Celery Top rockers would be perfect.

I agree that an Adirondack chair design would be a great choice. There are lots of plans out there and many versions. Some have the back end of the seat too low in my opinion which makes them a struggle to get into and out of, so I recommend paying attention to that. But the curves and wide arms can be very comfortable and also attractive.

I don't know Australian timbers so can't help you there. But you mentioned "Oregon". If you mean Oregon white oak, (Quercus garryanna) it is relatively durable outdoors but I'd be surprised if you can get it in Australia since it is difficult to find even where I live in Oregon! If by "Oregon" you mean what we call the softwood Douglas Fir, (Pseudotsuga menziesii) then not so durable outdoors.

What ever timber you use the finish will need yearly replenishing

Hpf

The Adirondack is very appealing. I even bought some plans from Veritas (something I have never done before) but have not done anything with them. If you google "Australian squatters chair" and select images it may give you some inspiration. I particularly like those chairs for their swing out arm for your leg (is that an oxymoron?), but I have never built any of those either.

Some pix:

Squatters chair.jpgSquatters chair 2.pngDeck chair.jpg

Bear in mind that the Adirondacks can vary a bit. The more comfortable versions have a curved back in the vertical plane. There are also rocker versions around. This is a free site:

15 Free Adirondack Chair Plans You Can DIY Today (thesprucecrafts.com)

and another

38 Stunning DIY Adirondack Chair Plans [Free] - MyMyDIY | Inspiring DIY Projects

and

20 Best & Free Adirondack Chair Plans with Printable & Templates (diycraftsy.com)

Actually, they are everywhere. Many more too numerous to list.

The plans I obtained were from Veritas and included a foot stool as well as a rocker version. I think they also have a fold away type.

Regards
Paul

PS: Nice view

Those squatters chairs look good but the all wood adirondack would be more weather proof. I think those chairs with the foot boards were also called a tea planters chair in colonial India.
Regards
John

Originally Posted by Bushmiller

PS: Nice view

Thanks Paul, yes it is a great view. I appreciate all the links.
Adirondack is leading the field by a mile! My son made one over 15 years ago as a Y12 but I never found it comfortable. Saying that though the general thinking seems to be that there are subtle variations on the design that give different levels of comfort. Looks like I will have to go and sit on as many different ones as I can find to settle on something I like. I want to keep it all timber so I am not keen on the canvas seat style.

Originally Posted by Jim Carroll

What ever timber you use the finish will need yearly replenishing

Thanks Jim, I didn't really want to hear that but deep down knew that it was probably inevitable

If its in huon pine then it could handle the weather with no coating. Would likely weather to a shade of grey but last a thousand years. Not so for those other woods however.
Regards
John

Originally Posted by orraloon

If its in huon pine then it could handle the weather with no coating. Would likely weather to a shade of grey but last a thousand years. Not so for those other woods however.

Thanks John. I don't mind the idea of the weathered look, in fact it's probably appropriate for a coastal property. But celery not really up to it? It was quite commonly used for decking on the wooden trading ketches of the 1800's and early 1900's.

One thing you may want to consider is the weight and storage possibilities if you want to move them.
I built a rocker that works well, but it's not foldable or small to store or put out of the way.

Originally Posted by Huon pine fan

Thanks John. I don't mind the idea of the weathered look, in fact it's probably appropriate for a coastal property. But celery not really up to it? It was quite commonly used for decking on the wooden trading ketches of the 1800's and early 1900's.

HPF is quite correct. But should also have included blue gum clippers.

Prefered ship building timbers were:

• Framing - spotted gum,
• Planking - Tasmanian blue gum - E globulus,
• Decks and Spars - celery top pine.

The trading ketch, May Queen, built at Franklin in 1867, now moored in Constitution Dock in Hobart, is built from the above timbers and still afloat after 154 years. Reasonable longevity.

Contrary to popular belief, Huon pine was rarely used in ship building - perhaps a little for the bright work in the owners cabin.

Huon pine and King Billy pine were extensively used in boat building. The difference - boats are small and may be carried on a ship.

Originally Posted by GraemeCook

Prefered ship building timbers were:

• Framing - spotted gum,
• Planking - Tasmanian blue gum - E globulus,
• Decks and Spars - celery top pine.

Contrary to popular belief, Huon pine was rarely used in ship building - perhaps a little for the bright work in the owners cabin.

Huon pine and King Billy pine were extensively used in boat building. The difference - boats are small and may be carried on a ship.

Graeme is pretty much correct. Of the many cutters, ketches and schooners that my family operated as well as those built for them in Tasmania in the 19th century I don't recall any being built of Huon. However, they did have their racing yachts built from Huon!

Originally Posted by Huon pine fan

... Of the many cutters, ketches and schooners that my family operated as well as those built for them in Tasmania in the 19th century I don't recall any being built of Huon. ...

The real biggies - the blue gum clippers - such as the Harriet McGregor - also were not built from Huon. This painting depicts the Harriet McGregor overtaking a smaller coastal ketch, possibly the May Queen, near Port Arthur.

Harriet McGregor.jpg Painting by Robert Carter

Probably the largest vessels made from Huon were fishing boats. Larger c.19 rowing boats - longboats, whale boats, gigs, etc - sometimes were Huon, but King Billy was favoured because of its lightness and resilience.