Category: Designed by Gerrit Rietveld

Crate Chair

Gerrit Rietveld

Crate Chair DIY by Gerrit Rietveld
Crate Chair

Designed by Gerrit Rietveld
Published in Fall 2019

Rietveld’s Crate Chair (1934) was designed with a particular interest in using recycled materials. Building instructions for most of Rietveld’s designs have since been published in the 1986 book How to Construct Rietveld Furniture. Because this chair was originally produced, and it was not designed specifically as a DIY chair, it does require quite a lot of wood and more time spent with a saw. Assembly time is about 3 hours and the average cost is under 50 USD.

Crate Chair DIY by Gerrit Rietveld
Crate Chair DIY by Gerrit Rietveld
Assembly

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1     Using a square tool and tape measure, measure and mark these lengths of wood: 3 pieces 19.75in (500mm) long, 6 pieces 15.75in (400mm) long, 4 pieces 24.25in (620mm) long, 1 piece 17in (450mm) long, 1 piece 18.5in (491mm) long.
1     Using a square tool and tape measure, measure and mark these lengths of wood: 3 pieces 19.75in (500mm) long, 6 pieces 15.75in (400mm) long, 4 pieces 24.25in (620mm) long, 1 piece 17in (450mm) long, 1 piece 18.5in (491mm) long.
2     Elevate the wood above the table and make cuts according to your measurements with the hand saw.
2     Elevate the wood above the table and make cuts according to your measurements with the hand saw.
3     Saw the 17in (450mm) long and 18.5in (491mm) long pieces in half lengthwise. Then saw one of the 19.75in (500mm) long pieces lengthwise, making 2 pieces 2.25in (54mm) wide. Sand the rough edges. It is easiest to have steps 1-3 done for you at the wood store.
3     Saw the 17in (450mm) long and 18.5in (491mm) long pieces in half lengthwise. Then saw one of the 19.75in (500mm) long pieces lengthwise, making 2 pieces 2.25in (54mm) wide. Sand the rough edges. It is easiest to have steps 1-3 done for you at the wood store.
4     Position a 19.75in (500mm) piece on top of and 5.5in (140mm) from the top edge of the 24.25in (620mm) piece. Use your square tool to check the angle is 90 degrees.
4     Position a 19.75in (500mm) piece on top of and 5.5in (140mm) from the top edge of the 24.25in (620mm) piece. Use your square tool to check the angle is 90 degrees.
5     Drill and countersink 4 holes, each 1in (25mm) from the corners where the wood pieces overlap. Be careful not to drill through the entire bottom piece.
5     Drill and countersink 4 holes, each 1in (25mm) from the corners where the wood pieces overlap. Be careful not to drill through the entire bottom piece.
6     Screw 4 screws into the holes you made in step 5.
6     Screw 4 screws into the holes you made in step 5.
7     Place a 24.25in (620mm) piece on top of the opposite end of the 19.75in (500mm) piece. The top edge should be 5.5in (140mm) from the top side of the 19.75in (500mm) piece. Repeat the same process to join the pieces as in steps 4-6.
7     Place a 24.25in (620mm) piece on top of the opposite end of the 19.75in (500mm) piece. The top edge should be 5.5in (140mm) from the top side of the 19.75in (500mm) piece. Repeat the same process to join the pieces as in steps 4-6.
8     Stand the piece from steps 4-7 on its end, with the 19.75in (500mm) piece nearest to the top. Align one 2.25in (54mm) wide piece directly on top, flush with both ends. Drill and countersink 2 holes and add 2 screws to secure one end in place.
8     Stand the piece from steps 4-7 on its end, with the 19.75in (500mm) piece nearest to the top. Align one 2.25in (54mm) wide piece directly on top, flush with both ends. Drill and countersink 2 holes and add 2 screws to secure one end in place.
9     Add 2 more screws on the other side of the 2.25in (54mm) wide piece, repeating the process from step 8.
9     Add 2 more screws on the other side of the 2.25in (54mm) wide piece, repeating the process from step 8.
10     Make a mirror image of the piece you just assembled, using a similar method to steps 4-9.
10     Make a mirror image of the piece you just assembled, using a similar method to steps 4-9.
11     Place two 15.75in (400mm) long pieces below and aligned with the ends of the two 18.5in (491mm) long pieces you made in step 3.
11     Place two 15.75in (400mm) long pieces below and aligned with the ends of the two 18.5in (491mm) long pieces you made in step 3.
12     Drill and countersink 2 holes and add 2 screws to secure the 15.75in (400mm) piece to the 18.5in (491mm) piece.
12     Drill and countersink 2 holes and add 2 screws to secure the 15.75in (400mm) piece to the 18.5in (491mm) piece.
13     Repeat the process in step 12, securing the rest of the pieces together with 6 more screws.
13     Repeat the process in step 12, securing the rest of the pieces together with 6 more screws.
14     Slide a 15.75in (400mm) piece in the gap, exactly in between the two other 15.75in (400mm) pieces. Secure in place, as in steps 12 and 13, with 4 screws.
14     Slide a 15.75in (400mm) piece in the gap, exactly in between the two other 15.75in (400mm) pieces. Secure in place, as in steps 12 and 13, with 4 screws.
15     Place two 15.75in (400mm) long pieces below and aligned with the ends of the two 17in (450mm) long pieces you made in step 3.
15     Place two 15.75in (400mm) long pieces below and aligned with the ends of the two 17in (450mm) long pieces you made in step 3.
16     Using the same process as in steps 12-14, secure the pieces together.
16     Using the same process as in steps 12-14, secure the pieces together.
17     Lay down one of your pieces from step 10, with the screws facing upwards. Disconnect the lowest 24.25in (620mm) piece. Make a mark 2in (50mm) from the top of the open end of the 19.75in (500mm) piece, and another 2.5in (65mm) from the top of the end that meets the 24.25in (620mm) piece. Draw a line connecting the marks.
17     Lay down one of your pieces from step 10, with the screws facing upwards. Disconnect the lowest 24.25in (620mm) piece. Make a mark 2in (50mm) from the top of the open end of the 19.75in (500mm) piece, and another 2.5in (65mm) from the top of the end that meets the 24.25in (620mm) piece. Draw a line connecting the marks.
18     Drill 5 perfectly equidistant holes along the line, starting 1in (25mm) from the beginning of the line and ending 1in (25mm) from the end.
18     Drill 5 perfectly equidistant holes along the line, starting 1in (25mm) from the beginning of the line and ending 1in (25mm) from the end.
19     Make a mark 1in (25mm) from the top corner of the 24.25in (620mm) piece. Make another mark 2.5in (63mm) from the outside edge of the 24.25in (620mm) piece and aligned with the top edge of the 19.75in (500mm) piece. Draw a line connecting those marks.
19     Make a mark 1in (25mm) from the top corner of the 24.25in (620mm) piece. Make another mark 2.5in (63mm) from the outside edge of the 24.25in (620mm) piece and aligned with the top edge of the 19.75in (500mm) piece. Draw a line connecting those marks.
20     Drill 3 holes along the line: one 1/2in (15mm), one 2in (50mm), and one 5in (130mm) from the top of the line.
20     Drill 3 holes along the line: one 1/2in (15mm), one 2in (50mm), and one 5in (130mm) from the top of the line.
21     Repeat a mirror image of the process in steps 17-20 to the other piece from step 10.
21     Repeat a mirror image of the process in steps 17-20 to the other piece from step 10.
22     Place the piece from step 14 on its side, draw a line down the middle of the 15.75in (400mm) piece. Starting 3/4in (18mm) from one side, drill 5 equidistant holes mirroring the same positioning as in step 18. Flip the piece over, and drill 5 more holes mirroring the positioning on the other side of the piece.
22     Place the piece from step 14 on its side, draw a line down the middle of the 15.75in (400mm) piece. Starting 3/4in (18mm) from one side, drill 5 equidistant holes mirroring the same positioning as in step 18. Flip the piece over, and drill 5 more holes mirroring the positioning on the other side of the piece.
23     Place the piece from step 16 on its side, draw a 6.5in (165mm) line down the middle of the 15.75in (400mm) piece. Starting at the end of the line, drill 3 holes mirroring the same positioning as in step 20. Flip the piece over, and drill 3 more holes mirroring the positioning on the other side of the piece.
23     Place the piece from step 16 on its side, draw a 6.5in (165mm) line down the middle of the 15.75in (400mm) piece. Starting at the end of the line, drill 3 holes mirroring the same positioning as in step 20. Flip the piece over, and drill 3 more holes mirroring the positioning on the other side of the piece.
24     With the piece from step 22 on its side, place the arm rest piece that aligns with your holes on top. Countersink the 5 holes and add screws.
24     With the piece from step 22 on its side, place the arm rest piece that aligns with your holes on top. Countersink the 5 holes and add screws.
25     Repeat the process from step 24, but with the other arm rest.
25     Repeat the process from step 24, but with the other arm rest.
26     Re-attach the 24.25in (620mm) pieces you took off in steps 17 and 21.
26     Re-attach the 24.25in (620mm) pieces you took off in steps 17 and 21.
27     Align the piece from step 23 with it's holes on the arm rests. Countersink and screw in the 6 screws to join the pieces.
27     Align the piece from step 23 with it's holes on the arm rests. Countersink and screw in the 6 screws to join the pieces.
Index
Parts
Smooth Planed Pine Wood, 1in x 6in (20.5mm x 144mm)
*Any popular softwood can also be used, like Redwood. Metric measurements above are actual, not nominal, and availability may vary by location. 18mm x 144mm wood can also be used, though arm and back rest measurements will need to be adjusted.
 
Quantity required: 3 pieces 19.75in (500mm) long, 6 pieces 15.75in (400mm) long, 4 pieces 24.25in (620mm) long, 1 piece 17in (450mm) long, 1 piece 18.5in (491mm) long
Flat Head Wood Screws, #6 x 1-1/2in (4 x 35mm)
 
Quantity required: 64
Tools
Hand Saw
Power Drill
Drill Bits
Ruler or Tape Measure
Screwdriver
Square (or flat object with 90 degree angle)
Sandpaper, 180 Grit
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