How to Build Adirondack Chairs Out of Skis

How to Build Adirondack Chairs Out of Skis
If your love of skiing is combined with a desire to recycle, consider turning your old skis into an Adirondack chair. First built in the Adirondack Mountains, these outdoor chairs are not only quaint but comfortable. The simple rustic design of an Adirondack chair goes well with a cabin, lake house, chalet or anywhere you want to add a little rustic charm. By using an old Adirondack chair as the base, this project is not only eco-friendly, it's fairly easy.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:
  • Adirondack chair (new or recycled)
  • Socket wrench
  • Three pairs of old skis
  • Sandpaper
  • Paint
  • Ski wax
  • Paintbrush
  • Tape measure
  • Circular saw
  • Drill
  • Polyurethane sealer
  • Paint (optional)
Step 1
Remove the back, leg rest and seat slats of the Adirondack chair with the socket wrench. Label and save the hardware for later.
Step 2
Prepare the skis by cleaning them thoroughly, removing the bindings and touching up any blemishes by sanding and using paint and ski wax.
Step 3
With the circular saw, cut two skis to 36 inches long and two to 33 inches for the back of the seat. Cut six more ski ends 24 inches long for the seat and leg rest.
Step 4
Using the old back slats of the Adirondack chair as a template, drill holes in the skis. Repeat with the seat slats.
Step 5
Lightly sand the cut ends of the skis and seal all cut and drilled areas with polyurethane sealer. Let the pieces dry completely and coat the areas again. This will prevent the untreated areas from rotting when exposed to the elements.
Step 6
Replace the back, leg rests and seat slats of the chair with the ski pieces. Use the hardware you saved when you took the chair apart. The two shorter back slats go on the end, with the longer ones in the middle.

Tips & Warnings

 
Paint the base of the chair bight colors to match your skis for a more casual look.
 
Use the leftover pieces of skis in other projects like lamps, coat racks or tables.

Article Written By Catherine Rayburn-Trobaug

Catherine Rayburn-Trobaugh has been a writer and college writing professor since 1992. She has written for international companies, published numerous feature articles in the "Wilmington News-Journal," and won writing contests for her poetry and fiction. Rayburn-Trobaugh earned a Master of Arts in English from Wright State University.

Write for Trails.com
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