Bending Plywood to Make a Stylish Lounge Chair

🪑Designing a lounge chair is easy once you know the critical distance measurement: the middle of your butt to the back of your knee.

🪵Hardwood plywood, 1/8 inch thick, is ideal for this project and can be cut into 18-inch wide strips.

🔪To create the desired contours, make shallow cuts in the plywood and bend it around a mold made of 3/4 inch MDF.

🩹Use wood glue to fill in the kerf cuts and strengthen the bond between the layers of plywood.

🧼Sand the chair to remove any imperfections and finish it with two coats of water-based polyurethane for protection.

What should I use to cut the plywood?

—A circular saw or jigsaw is recommended for cutting the plywood.

Can I use a different wood glue?

—While gorilla wood glue is used in this project, you can use any wood glue suitable for bending wood.

Where can I find the Rockler bentwood challenge?

—The Rockler bentwood challenge is on Instagram. Participate by sharing your project with the hashtag #RocklerBentwoodChallenge.

What is the ideal thickness of the plywood used in this project?

—1/8 inch thick plywood is ideal for bending and creating the desired contours.

Can I use a different finish for the chair?

—Yes, you can use any finish you prefer. Water-based polyurethane is recommended for its durability and protection.

00:00Introduction to the Rockler bentwood challenge and the process of creating a lounge chair by bending plywood.

02:00Cutting plywood into 18-inch wide strips and making shallow cuts for bending around a mold.

04:00Gluing the layers of plywood together and using wood glue to strengthen the bond.

06:30Trimming and sanding the chair to remove imperfections and applying a water-based polyurethane finish.

10:30Joining the Rockler bentwood challenge by sharing your own bending wood project on Instagram.