Easy-to-Build Adirondack Furniture: Storey's Country Wisdom Bulletin A-216 (Storey Country Wisdom Bulletin)

I just finished my first two chairs based on plans from this book, and for the most part am pleased. I am somewhere between a novice and intermediate carpenter, and found the book reasonably easy to use. Two chairs took about 2 weeks to finish, with an hour or so spent most nights.The good points: There is a complete materials set. The instructions are straight-forward and logical (except as noted below). The end result is a fairly good looking chair.The bad points: The directions include an option for a slightly rounded chair, rather than just a flat back which I find uncomfortable. Instead of just making this a completely new set of directions, there was a whole set of modifications to the existing instructions. They were a little confusing, and required a lot of page flipping to integrate. How much more could it have cost to just add another page or two to the book? Also, there were an option for a profiled seat, but no specifics. While it is true that this is somewhat of a personal preference item, the book only offered an instruction to figure out what was comfortable to you. There should have been a general suggestion as to a profile. If you want a rounded seat, you are on your own. Summary: I found the shortcomings above to be problematic. I bought the book because I just wanted to cut and screw together wood without a whole lot of thinking. If I wanted to design a chair, I would have done that. I ended up doing a bit of work creating a seat profile. Other than that, it was ok. It was better than some of the other books I have seen for clarity and description, and it was obvious that the author had actually built a chair from the plans. I have seen plans that were more detailed and complete for the options listed above, but this is certainly a good jumping off point. And if you are comfortable in a flat-backed non-profiled seat chair, the instructions are perfect.

I’ve not built anything yet but I think I will do just fine with these instructions. I also like that it provided pictures.

With a detailed cut list and a few recommendations for fasteners, the booklet reads like a recipe to build an Adirondack chair. Easy to use, and easy to assemble. Be sure that you read everything closely.

I got this for a few bucks and thought, "Meh, if I get some pointers out of it, it was worth it." What I got was more than just pointers. I got cutlists and instructions for chairs and tables and such, as well as instructions on what to modify should I want curved seats and rounded backs. This book doesn't bother with fluff about the history of the chair, and that is good. I can get that off wikipedia. No, it gets straight to the building and I appreciate that. And I was very surprised to see everything down with 1x wood, instead of the usual 2x4 based frames. Very sturdy, but lighter weight and better looking. Oh, and I did get some tips and techniques for designing my own two-seat Adirondack fanback "love seat".

This is my next project. Looks like all the information is in the book. Detailed parts list, material requirements and dimensions. Just another wife’s retirement item.

This one is for the home handyman who wants to have Adirondack chairs, foot stools and tables. Well done directions for anyone who has and can use simple tools. She tells you what materials and tools are needed and there are detailed directions on how to make the furniture. Well done directions to making your own great Adirondack furniture. I really love Adirondack chairs as I am sure many others do who have ever used one.

Gift

Can't wait to try it out x-ray interesting read so far

Brilliant little book - for my husband - I have no idea how to even read it. But, I have a new chair and I love it. Second chair to come, footstools and table. Just love these chairs and the book has made it happen, or at least, my husband made it.

Well set out and easy to read and build product

Clear instructions. Chair was great as was the footstool and table.Made the curved version too. Wife loves it.

Easy to follow plans a good book

great little booklet, some print on the small side but ok !