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A knock-down beach chair from one cedar fence picket and a couple of furring strips. The seat slides through the back to lock together — no hardware, no hinges.
| Part | Qty | T × W × L | Material | ✓ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Decking slats Pickets are nominally 5/8" thick — some run 1/2". Three slats go on the back frame, two on the seat. | 5 | 5/8" × 5 1/2" × 14 1/4" | Cedar fence picket | ☐ |
| Back frame legs | 2 | 1 1/2" × 1 1/2" × 30" | 2x2 furring | ☐ |
| Back frame supports | 2 | 3/4" × 2 1/2" × 14 1/4" | 1x3 furring | ☐ |
| Seat frame legs | 2 | 1 1/2" × 1 1/2" × 26" | 2x2 furring | ☐ |
| Seat frame support 11" long if you build the 1x2 lightweight version — the thinner legs change the inside width. | 1 | 1 1/2" × 1 1/2" × 8" | 2x2 furring | ☐ |
| Item | Qty | ✓ |
|---|---|---|
| Cedar fence picket, 5-1/2" x 72" (Cedar) Not dog-eared. All ten slats come out of this one picket — sand it with coarse paper before cutting. | 1 each | ☐ |
| 2x2 furring strip, 8 ft The stronger-version frame. For the lightweight version substitute ~12 linear feet of 1x2 and shorter screws. | 2 each | ☐ |
| 1x3 furring strip Back frame supports — 30" total, scrap works. | 3 linear ft | ☐ |
| Exterior screws, #8 x 1-3/4", self-tapping, star drive Use 1-1/4" if building the 1x2 lightweight version. | 30 each | ☐ |
| Wood glue Exterior-rated — this lives outside and gets wet. | 4 oz | ☐ |
Overall cost: $. Lumber varies by region, species, and season, so we give a band rather than a figure.
Tools: Drill / Driver, Pencil, Tape Measure. Materials: Cedar fence picket, 5-1/2" x 72", 2x2 furring strip, 8 ft, Exterior screws, #8 x 1-3/4", self-tapping, star drive, Wood glue
Lay the two 30" back legs on a flat surface, mark the bottom support location, and attach the first slat and supports with glue and ONE screw per corner.
Work fast here — the single screws are pivots for squaring in the next step, and you want to be done adjusting before the glue tacks up.
Tools: Drill / Driver, Drill Bit Set, Tape Measure. Materials: Exterior screws, #8 x 1-3/4", self-tapping, star drive
Measure both diagonals of the back frame. If one is longer, push those two corners toward each other and re-measure until the diagonals match — that's what square means, no protractor required.
Then add the remaining screws. If you're building the 1x2 lightweight version, pre-drill every one of them; a split leg at this stage means starting over.
Tools: Drill / Driver. Materials: Cedar fence picket, 5-1/2" x 72", Exterior screws, #8 x 1-3/4", self-tapping, star drive
Screw the remaining back slats to the frame, keeping the gaps even. Even gaps are the difference between 'handmade' and 'homemade' on a piece this simple.
Tools: Drill / Driver. Materials: 1x3 furring strip, Exterior screws, #8 x 1-3/4", self-tapping, star drive
Flip the assembly and attach the 1x3 back support across the rear face. This closes out the back frame — the slot the seat slides through now exists.
Tools: Random Orbit Sander, Tape Measure. Materials: 2x2 furring strip, 8 ft
Slide the two 26" seat legs through the back frame opening. This is a FIT step, not a measure step: you want roughly 1/8" of play beside each leg. Too snug? Rotate the 2x2s a quarter turn (they're rarely perfectly square), or round the corners and sand until they slide.
Remember cedar swells when damp — a fit that's snug in the garage is stuck at the beach.
Tools: Drill / Driver. Materials: Cedar fence picket, 5-1/2" x 72", Exterior screws, #8 x 1-3/4", self-tapping, star drive
With the seat legs still sitting in the back frame at their working angle, lay the remaining fence picket slats on them, adjust the positions, and screw them down. Fitting the slats in-place like this guarantees the assembled chair's geometry — building the seat flat on a bench does not.
Tools: Drill / Driver. Materials: 2x2 furring strip, 8 ft, Exterior screws, #8 x 1-3/4", self-tapping, star drive
Pull the seat frame out and screw the short support between the legs on the inside — 8" for the 2x2 build, 11" for the 1x2 build.
Reassemble and sit down, gently the first time. The joint tightens under load; if anything creaks, find it now on the driveway rather than later on the sand.