How to Make an Upcycled Rocking Chair
![Upcycled Rocking Chair upcycled rocking chair](http://hgtvhome.sndimg.com/content/dam/images/hgtv/fullset/2015/9/10/1/Original_Danmade-rocking-chair-final-2.jpg.rend.hgtvcom.616.822.85.suffix/1441899761308.jpeg)
![](http://hgtvhome.sndimg.com/content/dam/images/hgtv/editorial/profiles/talent/dan-faires/hgtv-avatar-talent-dan-faires.jpg.rend.hgtvcom.91.91.85.suffix/1414011627881.jpeg)
Materials and Tools:
- wooden chair
- wood saw
- 3/4" hardwood dowel
- paintbrush
- clear satin polyurethane
- primer
- semi-gloss paint
- painter's tape
- orbital sander
- 220-grit sandpaper
- (4) 1/4" washers
- (4) 1/4" x 1-1/2" bolts
- tape measure
- drill
- 3/8" drill bit
- 3/4" spade bit
- pencil
- (2) repurposed wood rockers
Cut Dowel
Measure and mark the hardwood dowel at 1" with a pencil. Cut the dowel on the 1" mark using a hand saw. Repeat these steps to create a total of four 3/4" x 1" dowels.
![Measure and mark 3/4” hardwood dowel at 1” with a pencil.](http://hgtvhome.sndimg.com/content/dam/images/hgtv/fullset/2015/9/10/1/Original_Danmade-rocking-chair-measure-wood-dowel.jpg.rend.hgtvcom.616.462.85.suffix/1441899752509.jpeg)
![Cut the dowel on the 1” mark using a hand saw.](http://hgtvhome.sndimg.com/content/dam/images/hgtv/fullset/2015/9/10/1/Original_Danmade-rocking-chair-cut-dowel.jpg.rend.hgtvcom.616.462.85.suffix/1441899762812.jpeg)
Insert Dowels
Apply wood glue, and insert dowels to fill previous holes in reclaimed rockers. Using an orbital sander and 220-grit sandpaper, sand the dowels down flush with the wood rocker piece.
![Apply wood glue, and insert dowels to fill previous holes in reclaimed rockers.](http://hgtvhome.sndimg.com/content/dam/images/hgtv/fullset/2015/9/10/1/Original_Danmade-rocking-chair-place-dowels-in-hole.jpg.rend.hgtvcom.616.462.85.suffix/1441899802517.jpeg)
![Lightly sand the rockers with 220-grit sandpaper.](http://hgtvhome.sndimg.com/content/dam/images/hgtv/fullset/2015/9/10/1/Original_Danmade-rocking-chair-sand-dowels.jpg.rend.hgtvcom.616.462.85.suffix/1441899822417.jpeg)
Create a Countersink
Remove the feet from the chair legs. Lay the rocker and the chair sideways on a flat surface, and mark where the legs line up on the rocker with a pencil. Drill a centered hole using a 3/8” drill bit on each of the pencil marks. Flip the rockers over, and use a 3/4" spade bit to create a countersink that is approximately 1/2” deep.
![Remove the feet from the four legs of the chair.](http://hgtvhome.sndimg.com/content/dam/images/hgtv/fullset/2015/9/10/1/Original_Danmade-rocking-chair-remove-feet.jpg.rend.hgtvcom.616.462.85.suffix/1441899818124.jpeg)
![Lay the rocker and the chair sideways on a flat surface, and using a pencil mark where the legs line up on the rocker.](http://hgtvhome.sndimg.com/content/dam/images/hgtv/fullset/2015/9/10/1/Original_Danmade-rocking-chair-mark-rocker.jpg.rend.hgtvcom.616.462.85.suffix/1441899872311.jpeg)
![Drill a centered hole using a 3/8” drill bit on each of the pencil marks.](http://hgtvhome.sndimg.com/content/dam/images/hgtv/fullset/2015/9/10/1/Original_Danmade-rocking-chair-drill-holes-in-rocker.jpg.rend.hgtvcom.616.462.85.suffix/1441899753958.jpeg)
![Flip the rockers over and use a 3/4” spade bit to create a countersink that is approximately 1/2” deep.](http://hgtvhome.sndimg.com/content/dam/images/hgtv/fullset/2015/9/10/1/Original_Danmade-rocking-chair-create-countersink.jpg.rend.hgtvcom.616.462.85.suffix/1441899704361.jpeg)
Secure Legs
Insert a bolt with a washer attached into the countersink hole, and secure the legs to the rocker with a drill. Stand the rocker up, and ensure that everything works well before proceeding. Disassemble everything, separating the rockers from the legs and the seat from the legs. Note: The chair feet are threaded 1/4" bolts, so we used 1/4" bolts to secure the rockers to the legs.
![Insert 1/4” x 1 1/2” bolts with a 1/4” washer on them into each hole.](http://hgtvhome.sndimg.com/content/dam/images/hgtv/fullset/2015/9/10/1/Original_Danmade-rocking-chair-insert-bolts.jpg.rend.hgtvcom.616.462.85.suffix/1441899858538.jpeg)
![Secure the legs to the rocker using 1/4” bolts.](http://hgtvhome.sndimg.com/content/dam/images/hgtv/fullset/2015/9/10/1/Original_Danmade-rocking-chair-attach-rockers.jpg.rend.hgtvcom.616.462.85.suffix/1441899705851.jpeg)
![Disassemble everything, separating the rockers from the legs and the wooden seat from the metal legs.](http://hgtvhome.sndimg.com/content/dam/images/hgtv/fullset/2015/9/10/1/Original_Danmade-rocking-chair-dissemble-rockers.jpg.rend.hgtvcom.616.822.85.suffix/1441899854915.jpeg)
Sand and Paint Wood
Tape a stripe down one side of the wooden seat with painter's tape. Lightly sand the rockers and wooden seat (avoiding the taped area) with 220-grit sandpaper. Apply primer, and allow ample time to dry. Apply a coat of paint, and allow ample time to dry. Slowly remove painter's tape, and apply clear polyurethane to all pieces to preserve and protect the finish. Allow to dry.
![Tape a stripe on one side of the wooden seat with painter’s tape.](http://hgtvhome.sndimg.com/content/dam/images/hgtv/fullset/2015/9/10/1/Original_Danmade-rocking-chair-attach-tape.jpg.rend.hgtvcom.616.462.85.suffix/1441899704424.jpeg)
![Lightly sand the rockers and wooden seat with 220-grit sandpaper.](http://hgtvhome.sndimg.com/content/dam/images/hgtv/fullset/2015/9/10/1/Original_Danmade-rocking-chair-sand-wood.jpg.rend.hgtvcom.616.462.85.suffix/1441899809110.jpeg)
![Paint chair and rockers and let dry.](http://hgtvhome.sndimg.com/content/dam/images/hgtv/fullset/2015/9/10/1/Original_Danmade-rocking-chair-apply-paint.jpg.rend.hgtvcom.616.462.85.suffix/1441899681835.jpeg)
![Peel painter’s tape off the seat.](http://hgtvhome.sndimg.com/content/dam/images/hgtv/fullset/2015/9/10/1/Original_Danmade-rocking-chair-remove-tape.jpg.rend.hgtvcom.616.462.85.suffix/1441899830979.jpeg)
![Apply clear polyurethane to all pieces to preserve and protect the finish.](http://hgtvhome.sndimg.com/content/dam/images/hgtv/fullset/2015/9/10/1/Original_Danmade-rocking-chair-apply-polyurethane.jpg.rend.hgtvcom.616.462.85.suffix/1441899689836.jpeg)
Reassemble Chair Pieces
Assemble rocking chair pieces back together.
![Assemble all rocking chair pieces back together.](http://hgtvhome.sndimg.com/content/dam/images/hgtv/fullset/2015/9/10/1/Original_Danmade-rocking-chair-reassemble.jpg.rend.hgtvcom.616.822.85.suffix/1441899735719.jpeg)
![Make a stylish rocking chair using an old chair and a fresh coat of paint.](http://hgtvhome.sndimg.com/content/dam/images/hgtv/fullset/2015/9/10/1/Original_Danmade-rocking-chair-final-2.jpg.rend.hgtvcom.616.822.85.suffix/1441899761308.jpeg)