How to make the Folding Stick Chair - Easy Project

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Learn how to make this simple but very unique and attractive stick chair that folds! It's made out of 2x4 stock, wire and a few wire clamps! Pretty simple! This is not my design, I just thought people would enjoy seeing just how this unique chair is assembled before they attempt building their own.
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[@ShadowNuke]

SWEEET!!!! I had no idea what these chairs were called, and have been looking around for years for the plans to them!! I made one in grade 7 shop class!! That was 25+ years ago!!! I remember routing all the pieces to have round edges though. I will definitely go that route again when I make a set for my wife later this summer!!! Thanks for bringing back old shop class memories!

[@betolee40]

Grandioso, buen trabajo, espectacular la silla, Saludos desde Chile

[@roscommon33]

thanks for taking the time to show me and for plans. keep up the work

[@jofloresz]

Just finished the chair and your right about the clamps the wire clamps worked great! The top and bottom are tight and it almost looks great! and it only cost me 24 dollars because I went with fencing 2"x2" sticks but it looks great! Thank you so much for the video I love this chair! you rock!!!!

[@TripSmith]

Jo, glad yours turned out well! It really is a great little chair isn't it? Thanks fort the great comment man,

[@markgoebel1863]

Just finished one Thanksgiving Day. Was looking for an alternative to my store bought fabric camp chairs that seem to rot and break at the end of a year or two. Need to do some fine tuning and staining but this should work. The video helped a lot in the final assembly. Looking forward to lots of "around the campfire" times in these. Many thanks.

[@dstnvance]

that was it man! i measured from hole to hole instead of the end of the board. You're awesome for replying so quickly! bought yourself another subscriber! thanks again!!!

[@ikswerd3]

I just made this out of bamboo for a play. It looks awesome, thanks!

[@kimcuervo2905]

This is awesome. Thank you so much for sharing.

[@max3dlee]

OUTSTANDING!

[@TripSmith]

Lol, thanks Lee! Glad you like it and I appreciate your comment man.

[@Mr2at]

Coolest chair ive seen.

[@gailsteele7288]

love this chair & shall be having a go at making one tomorrow, will let you know how it goes lol

[@misshanmba4821]

i had FOUND the chair im dreaming of :D i love it soooo much!

[@MrSkeeter18]

That is so cool. Going to have to make one. Thanks

[@marcusabreu]

Congratulations on your work simply ingenious and practical.

[@TripSmith]

Thanks Marcus! Wasn't my design but it is a really cool chair! Comment appreciated.

[@TripSmith]

Sounds like a good time to me. Enjoy them!

[@TripSmith]

Wonderful! Glad you like it! It's really pretty comfortable, hope you get a chance to make one.

[@TripSmith]

Oh yeah, it really is pretty unique. Glad you liked it!

[@MichaelAgate]

Nice work. I think we may build a few of these. Thanks for the how to!

[@Doug8D3]

thank you, i think ill give a couple of these a whirl this weekend!

[@dvdcrmn]

I made the chair two weekends ago. I started with the wire, but it was wobbly and wouldn't support my weight. I used #10 threaded rod, washers and nuts instead, and also coated it with linseed oil. I took it to work to show it off and had every guy who saw it drooling for the plans. I forwarded them your link and expect to see their versions after the weekend. Thanks again for the great video and plans on your blog.

[@TripSmith]

Glad you liked it and that it turned out so well for you. Threaded rod, I guess I should give it a shot if I every try another one. Thanks for directing the guys at work this way, much appreciated. Thanks for the comment.

[@thechinadesk]

Would love to see an all thread version. Can you post pics? Thanks.

[@dvdcrmn]

@@thechinadesk You can see a bunch of the one's I've made on my Instagram - instagram.com/kentuckystickchairs/. This video is the one that got me started making these... and I estimate I've made about 950 of them in the last five years.

[@brianbingle4517]

Hi im Brian from S.A ,I love the stick chair , one problem i found out when a heavey person sit on it , it give in or go down how cane i solve that problem .

[@bravosierra1856]

great project!

[@MrSkeeter18]

Thought you were lost on the high seas. Lol glad to have you back. Bob

[@raulfabbroni6252]

Thanks for a great vid, well explained too!

[@TripSmith]

Your welcome Raul! I'm glad you liked my explanation, I really try to make things as clear as I can.

[@MrArgenon]

This thing is pure genius!

[@TripSmith]

Dániel Szilágyi It is isn't it! I wish I would have come up with it.... Lol thanks for your comment!

[@automateanything]

cool design. simple is always good!

[@luispena2403]

awesome video!! very well explained. thanks for sharing.

[@TripSmith]

You betcha Luis! Glad you found it easy to follow!

[@edwardalarcon1654]

Cool chair

[@ysh50hk]

gosh! first vid ive seen urs and ur so talented!

[@TripSmith]

Thanks Lucy! I appreciate it!

[@bilalwood]

Thank you very much

[@TripSmith]

Bambo?!?! I bet that looks amazing!

[@TripSmith]

Glad you think so!

[@kymrot121]

thanks , i,m gonna do it this weekend.

[@TripSmith]

Your welcome kymrot! Than you for the comment and I hope your chair turns out well.

[@TripSmith]

Ok great! Yea, the blog has some pretty good stuff on there. I think oak would be better for sure and would look very nice too.

[@TripSmith]

Thanks!

[@TripSmith]

Thanks! I hope it goes well for you/your son.

[@TripSmith]

Thanks for the comment Patrick. It has been on my to-get list to buy one of those mics you are talking about. Just haven't gotten around to it. It will certainly be my next purchase for my videos. I'd say I'll have one in my next couple of videos. Thanks for letting me know and for subscribing.

[@derekwalsh4583]

Very good build

[@TripSmith]

Thanks Derek!

[@johnfinnerty7087]

Cool chair, outta tuba fores. Love it,

[@TripSmith]

John Finnerty Awsome John! Glad you like it. Nothing like getting some good use out of some tuba fores!

[@charronegro67]

great!!!!!!!!

[@gailsteele7288]

well i managed 2 make 1 today & it looks pretty awesome 2 be fair lol thank u :)

[@TripSmith]

Wonderful Gail! Glad it turned out well for you. Thanks for the comment.

[@horaciocastillo3082]

very nice chair..thanks for share

[@TripSmith]

Horacio Castillo Thanks you! Glad you enjoyed it.

[@TripSmith]

Thanks! It's not my design of course but it pretty wicked. And yes, simple is always good!

[@stevenline63]

Great 'how to' video. I plan to make a few of these once the warm weather sets in. Thank you! -Steve PS..I'm also liking the workbench stool.

[@TripSmith]

Thanks Steven! Glad you like it and I hope yours turn out well. That stool is certainly cool!

[@stevenline63]

Cheers brother!

[@TripSmith]

Same to you!

[@TripSmith]

Glad you liked the video! I'm not sure what could be wrong, but I think I had a very similar problem when I first assembled one, yea I know I did... I ended up having my pieces in the wrong order. What I'd suggest is to carefully compare your chair to the layout images on my blog, just to be sure you have your pieces in the correct order. If that doesn't fix it then double check where you drilled your holes. You'll figure it out, thanks for the comment!

[@samboslc]

Built it and is sitting on my porch. Fun to build. , , ,

[@TripSmith]

Awsome Sammy! Glad you enjoyed it. Thanks for commenting and letting me know.

[@Westsidewood]

Thanks for this. I build a pair and they came out great. I used all thread rod and acorn bolts for a clean look. Keep up the great work, and thanks again.

[@thechinadesk]

All thread and acorn nuts! Just what I was thinking. Can you post pics? Thanks!

[@michaelcarman9820]

Bevin Chu You can see one's I make at www.etsy.com/listing/221841515/folding-kentucky-stick-chair?ref=sr_gallery_1&ga_search_query=kentucky+stick+chair&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery Check out the cover photo of my Etsy page to see the different kinds I make.

[@Westsidewood]

Bevin Chu you can see them on my Pintrest board. The board is called West Coast Wood. There is a section of some of the these chairs I have done.

[@thechinadesk]

1kenkelly Thanks! Will check it out.

[@GoGreenMan]

Great thx. I think I'll make some. wife wants a place to sit in the shop.

[@SparkieWaller2009]

You said your blog has the plans on it. I'll check that out and pass it over to my buddy that does a lot of woodworking too. I was also thinking of possibly using oak or another hard wood for the legs. Thanks for the great video.

[@ma5rs]

Really cool!

[@TripSmith]

Thank you! Comment appreciated.

[@ma5rs]

:)

[@TripSmith]

Lol! Glad to be back, should be popping out videos pretty frequently now. They are cool, I hope it turn out good for you.

[@yousoufdilmohamud842]

good job

[@TripSmith]

Thanks Yousouf!

[@TripSmith]

Your welcome Kev! 2x2's should be fine, I think a few people have done it that way. As for cutting the back leg at an angle, having it sit perfectly flush with the ground could pose some problems. With that point and the very back of the leg it could have a tendency to break easily. If you wanted to you could cut half of it flush with the ground making a "V" on the end of the leg. Know what I mean?

[@goodoldpatrick]

Great videos! One suggestion I would have would be a lapel microphone. It's one of those mics that clips on your shirt. It's hard to hear you in certain parts of the videos (especially this one) while just relying on the camera mic. Great work!

[@stonewilson3312]

awesome!!!

[@TripSmith]

Agreed! Pretty cool chair.....

[@stonewilson3312]

would this work with maybe some 2x2's? would love to make this but have no table saw to rip the pieces down

[@TripSmith]

I think it would, as long as they didn't have major knots in them. They would be weak spots and potentially break on you.

[@AlexandreNatalMagno]

Excelente trabalho. Gostaria de saber as medidas (tamanho) de cada madeira.

[@TripSmith]

War Eagle! I haven't finished one yet, but I have thought that when I do I would soak it down with some thompsons water seal or something. Just spray some on it I figured.... I wouldn't plan on leaving it where it might get wet anyhow.

[@tank6035able]

War Eagle!!!!! Love the Chair, what do you recommend for finishing it?

[@TripSmith]

Thats it!

[@TripSmith]

You could make the two leg pieces a little longer but then the back legs would extend out a good bit and may be to weak. You would have to use something a little beefier for the back legs to keep them from snapping.

[@dstnvance]

Trip, awesome video man, but I need a little help. I made the chair last night and triple checked every measurement, but some reason when I unfold it, it lays almost flat like a beach lounger type of chair. Any idea what i might be doing wrong?? thanks!

[@GoGreenMan]

how does this hold up over time? Just seams like the wire would stretch and it would get looses

[@TripSmith]

+GoGreenMan Holds up great Man. Haven't had any issues with the wires stretching. But if they ever did just loosen the clamps and tighten it up. Shouldn't be a problem though.

[@Doug8D3]

how many 2x4's are needed to make one of these?

[@MrAlexandreMauricio]

Good day, I am Brazilian and I'm starting in woodworking, I wonder what measures the woods used in the chair, can you help me? Thank you and congratulations for the excellent work.

[@TripSmith]

Have you visited the link in the description? It's the same as this one and should have the info you are looking for. Good luck with your chair! woodworkingtrip.blogspot.com/2012/09/how-to-build-folding-stick-chair.html

[@thechinadesk]

Very nice. Like the fact that it is "low tech" and does not require advanced wood working skills. All simple right angle saw cuts and simple perpendicular drill holes. No need for dovetails, mortise and tenon joints, or even mitered joints. By the way, did you ever make one using threaded rods instead of wire cables? If you did, how well did it work?

[@TripSmith]

Same here Bevin, simple is better! I never did make them with all thread. I can be cheap at times and I figured that all thread would be more expensive than the wire..... Thanks for the comments!

[@michaelcarman9820]

Bevin Chu The ones I make are all threaded rod. You can see a sample at www.etsy.com/listing/221841515/folding-kentucky-stick-chair?ref=sr_gallery_1&ga_search_query=kentucky+stick+chair&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery

[@thechinadesk]

Mickey Carman Great! I'll take a look.

[@frehleycomet]

Mickey Carman what size threaded rod did you use. I like that idea a lot better than using wire plus it looks better. Please let me know if you had to bend the rod as well to go along the curve of the chair. Thanks

[@andressalas4266]

Cool build! Started making one over the weekend. Will finish it up next weekend. Question. Have you ever used vinyl covered wire rope? It's very flexible and not stiff like galvanized wire. Think this will be an issue? Thanks for the plans too!

[@TripSmith]

Andres, Glad you like it! I haven't used the vinyl covered wire rope. I'm thinking that some rigidity is good to have with this chair for when it is in the folded mode. Not sure though and you wire could work well. I'd say it might be worth a try? Best of Luck!

[@andressalas4266]

SailingandSuch so here's an update. Wire rope is too flexible. Check this one off your list. What gauge wire did you use? I can only find 9 gauge at the big orange store. Seems a bit narrow to fit in the wire nut. Just curious what you found. thanks again for the plans!!

[@TripSmith]

I can't recall the gauge of the wire.... It was at the big box store though in like 50' or so rolls.

[@andressalas4266]

i'll check it out. Thanks again! Have a good one.

[@bilalwood]

Hello I am from Algeria We use the "Centimeter" meter as a unit of measurement And does not use an inch Please 1 inch with you how much equal in centimeters I tried the chair but it was not well

[@TripSmith]

Sparkie, I'm not positive. I guess you could, but then you may be risking some strength in the back legs. Since they are longer as it is the higher you raised the chair and if you kept it on an equal plumb then those legs would be pretty darn long. Then the leverage force on the leg may be to great. I guess you could make the back legs a little beefier.....

[@TripSmith]

Lol! Show it to him! Thanks for the comment!

[@walidlaid455]

can you writing us Sizes ? please Only length

[@TripSmith]

Sorry about the inches.... It's just what we use here. Thanks for helping yngwie!

[@clarkfamilyadventuretours5052]

The most amazing part of this is that supposedly someone in Kentucky came up with it. Kentucky? Horse racing and fried chicken franchises maybe...but innovative chair design? Hmmmmmmmmm......Kidding aside, this is a great video and a cool project! Thanks!

[@TripSmith]

+Clark Family Adventure Tours Ha! Thanks for the good comment Clark. Glad you enjoyed it!

[@TripSmith]

I can't recall exactly. If your careful and plan your cuts you should be able to get it out of 3 8'ers. I'd have four ready just in case.

[@SparkieWaller2009]

Trip, Can you make the legs longer to raise the height of the chair. I have really bad knees and the higher the chair the better. Thanks, Sparkie

[@TripSmith]

It really is isn't it?!?! Thanks for the comment!

[@anti2planker]

A pair of those, a case of beer and a fire...looks like it's time to hit the shop.

[@roscommon33]

how many lengths of 4x2 does it take to make chair please

[@TripSmith]

I think it was 3 boards 8' long. I'm not 100% certain though.

[@roscommon33]

thanks for that

[@TripSmith]

Your welcome.

[@raymonddurkin]

For those that don't have a table saw, to rip boards, you can purchase pressure treated deck balusters that are ready to go from your local lumber yard (Lowes or Home Depot). I just made a chair last night, using them, and they support 215 lbs easily. I highly suggest drilling the holes one size larger than the rod or getting a drill press to ensure accuracy. if they aren't aligned perfectly you will need a drill to spin the rod through. $0.98 each www.lowes.com/pd_488985-432-P42SE1T15EL___?productId=50279745&pl=1&Ntt=deck+baluster Top Choice Square Ecolife Treated Deck Baluster (Common: 2-in x 2-in x 42-in; Actual: 1.31-in x 1.31-in x 41.75-in)

[@isaachinojosa1234]

thx so much

[@brianbingle4517]

Hi its Brian from S.A I like to know why does the chair go down when heavy person sit on it please help.

[@jere7782]

any idea around recommended max weight to sit on the chair?

[@TripSmith]

I don't really know Jeremy. Maybe 215lb? It could be more....

[@jere7782]

Ok thanks

[@larrysingleton2864]

Man, I barely got by; two more pounds and I would have been s.o.o.l.

[@clarkfamilyadventuretours5052]

+Jeremy Mccain somewhere between normal and not super fat ass.

[@MrBrooklynfiend]

The directions are excellent and clear however for me as a novice woodworker I have only one confusion in terms of the cutting of the 2x4's. I know 2x4's are actually 1 1/2" x 3 1/2" so my confusion simply lies in the cutting of this board...Sorry if stupid question otherwise I understand your other directions.

[@TripSmith]

Hector, I'm glad you find my instructions clear! To help clear the confusion up, to cut the 2x4's you simply rip them to 1 1/4". So you are cutting on the 3 1/2" side and not messing with the 1 1/2" dimension. You will need to cut the 3 1/2" side twice at 1 1/4". Does that help?

[@MrBrooklynfiend]

Perfectly thank you as a newb, I find my most common mistake is sizing as I'm still learning the real dimensions of wood lol

[@TripSmith]

Hector Santiago No problem Hector. Glad we got it cleared up!

[@TripSmith]

Not real sure Seth, I've sold a few at $45....

[@TripSmith]

Wish I could say it was my idea/design but it's not. I think it originated somewhere in Central America....

[@garyspoon4049]

How do you get the plans

[@TripSmith]

Gary, I'm not sure as it's been many years.... Google the "Folding Stick Chair Plans" and see what comes up?

[@garyspoon4049]

Thank you very much

[@yngwie66]

Hi Bilal, 1 inch = 2.54 cm

[@cpt.dr.hawkeye1740]

I did this in shop class, but we had to route the pieces.

[@TripSmith]

+Jonas Nordin Awsome Jonas! Sounds like you've got a good teacher.

[@daz.j]

cool chair but those wire clamps are gonna rip somone open

[@big1finger]

if you have access to the internet then google will lead you to a massive number of websites that have conversion charts.

[@ByGraceThroughFaith777]

careful not to scratch your leg with those wire clamps though...

[@TripSmith]

Frank Hernandez Your right Frank. After I cut them I do take a file to them to smooth them out a bit. They certainly can be dangerous! Thanks for the comment!

[@krisbredwell2644]

Superior. This is our next project.

[@TripSmith]

It's pretty simple and nice chairs too....

[@jerryslayer19]

Inches what are they my metric brain cannot compute haha

[@violetspider_]

Had problems drilling all the holes to align. 🫣😭😮‍💨