Escape your daily pressures and problems in this comfortable porch rocker. Our unique design incorporates rocker side panels that are easily cut from plywood sheets with a jig saw. Other frame components consist of solid pine dimensional lumber for simplicity of construction. Broad pine armrests are fitted onto the plywood sides and are big enough to hold a glass of lemonade on those hot summer days. The slatted seat and back provide additional comfort and support while the compact design lets our porch rocker fit nicely even in small porches, where space is at a premium.

CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS
Quantity	Lumber
1	3/4" × 4 × 8' plywood
1	1 × 2" × 3' pine
2	1 × 3" × 8' pine
2	I × 4" × 10' pine
1	1 × 6" × 4' pine

Cutting List
Key	Part	Dimension	Pcs.	Material
A	Sides	3/4 × 32 × 39 3/4"	2	Plywood
B	Back slat	3/4 × 3 1/2 × 28"	5	Pine
C	Seat slat	3/4 × 3 1/2 × 20"	4	Pine
D	Stretcher	3/4 × 2 1/2 × 20'	6	Pine
E	Arm	3/4 × 5 1/2 × 20"	2	Pine
F	Seat cleat	3/4 × 1 1/2 × 8"	2	Pine
G	Front seat cleat	3/4 × 1 1/2 × 3"	2	Pine
Tools: Circular saw, drill, jig saw, router Materials: Moisture resistant glue, wood screws (#8 × 1 1/4", #8 × 1 1/2"), finishing materials Note: Measurements reflect the actual size of dimensional lumber.

Tip

When using a gridtype pattern, enlarge the pattern on a photocopier so it is as close to actual size as possible to make it easier to transfer to the cutting stock.

CREATE THE PLYWOOD SIDES.

The sides are cut from 48 × 48" pieces of 3/4"-thick plywood. Start by using the porch rocker detail drawing to lay out the rocker sides on 3/4" plywood. Lay out the side pattern on a 48 × 48" piece of plywood. Make marks at 1 1/2" intervals along all sides, then connect the marks to create a layout grid. Use the side pattern as a reference for drawing the side shape onto the plywood. Once the sides are laid out and marked, cut out the rocker sides using a jig saw (photo A). For interior cutouts, drill out the comers with a 3/8" bit, then use a jig saw to connect the holes by cutting along the layout lines. Lay the side on another 48 × 48" piece of plywood, trace the design and proceed to cut out the other side. Use a router with a 1/4" roundover bit or a palm sander to smooth all of the edges, except those edges where the arms will be attached.

CUT THE SLATS, CLEATS AND STRETCHERS.

The slats, cleats and stretchers are very simple to make. Start by cutting the back slats (B) to length from 1 × 4 lumber. Lay out a 3"-radius contour on the top ends of the two outside slats using a compass or by simply tracing an appropriately-sized tin can, then cut the curved contours with a jig saw (photo B).Smooth out the jig saw cuts with a belt sander or a drum sander attachment on a drill. Next, cut the seat slats (C) to length from 1 × 4 lumber and the stretchers (D) to length from 1 × 3 lumber. Then cut the seat cleats (F) and (G) to length from 1 × 2 lumber.

MAKE THE ARMS.

Making the arms involves cutting tapers and radius corners, and also requires you to cut a groove with a router. Start by cutting two 24"- pieces of 1 × 6 lumber.

Tip

When using a router to cut a groove, measure the distance from the cutting edge of the router bit to the outside edge of the router base. Set your straightedge this distance from the layout marks on your workpiece to properly cut along the layout lines.

ASSEMBLE THE PORCH ROCKER.

The assembly is fairly quick and easy. On the inside surfaces of the plywood sides, lay out the locations of all stretchers according to the detail diagram. Drill pilot holes from the inside out, then on the outside surface, counterbore the pilot holes (photo D). Fill the screw holes with wood filler when assembly is complete. Next, lay out the locations for the seat cleats, then glue and screw them in place using #8 × 1 1/4" wood screws. Drive the screws through the cleats into the rocker sides. Attach the stretchers, using glue and screws, in the designated locations on both rocker sides. Start with the four corner stretchers, then the two remaining stretchers. Attach the seat slats to the seat cleats using glue and wood screws, again slightly countersinking the screws so the holes can be filled with wood filler. Complete the assembly process by attaching the back slats to the stretchers and to the rear seat slats using glue and screws (photo E). Use 3/8"-thick pieces of scrap wood for spacers between the slats to keep them properly aligned during the assembly process.

APPLY THE FINISHING TOUCHES.

Fill all open screw holes and voids in the plywood using a quality wood filler. Finish-sand the surfaces and edges of the rocker by hand or with a palm sander, generally up to 150-grit. Be sure to use a quality primer and then a quality enamel paint, designed for exterior use and greater durability. Choose a light color to reduce the heat absorption from direct sunlight.