Two by Two Chair

Ian Anderson

Two by Two DIY Chair by Ian Anderson
Two by Two DIY Chair by Ian Anderson
Two by Two Chair

Design and photography by Ian Anderson
Published in Fall 2019

The Two by Two Chair ambitiously utilizes a webbing system to form its seating surfaces. The builder is required to stretch and nail in each strap so that there is no slack when the chair is complete. Its shape is reminiscent of Rietveld chair designs, but it makes some ergonomic concessions learned from more modern chairs, where the back support cradles ones lower back with minimal pressure. The full assembly process takes a little over 3 hours to complete and the parts cost 50 USD on average.

Two by Two DIY Chair by Ian Anderson
Two by Two DIY Chair by Ian Anderson
Two by Two DIY Chair by Ian Anderson
Two by Two DIY Chair by Ian Anderson
Assembly

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1     Using a square tool and tape measure, measure and mark these lengths of wood: 2 pieces 29.5in (75cm) long, 4 pieces 18in (46cm) long, 3 pieces 19in (48cm) long, 1 piece 16in (39cm) long.
1     Using a square tool and tape measure, measure and mark these lengths of wood: 2 pieces 29.5in (75cm) long, 4 pieces 18in (46cm) long, 3 pieces 19in (48cm) long, 1 piece 16in (39cm) long.
2     Elevate the wood above the table and make cuts according to your measurements with the hand saw. Sand any rough edges of the wood after.
2     Elevate the wood above the table and make cuts according to your measurements with the hand saw. Sand any rough edges of the wood after.
3     Arrange two 19in (48cm) long pieces horizontally and two 18in (46cm) long pieces vertically on top.
3     Arrange two 19in (48cm) long pieces horizontally and two 18in (46cm) long pieces vertically on top.
4     Using a spare piece of wood as a spacer, make sure the 19in (48cm) long pieces extend under the 18in (46cm) long pieces by one full width of wood. Also, the 18in (46cm) long pieces should hang over the 19in (48cm) long pieces on the top corners.
4     Using a spare piece of wood as a spacer, make sure the 19in (48cm) long pieces extend under the 18in (46cm) long pieces by one full width of wood. Also, the 18in (46cm) long pieces should hang over the 19in (48cm) long pieces on the top corners.
5     In the upper corner, using the square tool, confirm the pieces form a 90 degree angle, and drill two diagonal holes where they overlap. Drill countersink holes, wide enough the screw can be embedded in them, about 1/2in (1.5cm) deep.
5     In the upper corner, using the square tool, confirm the pieces form a 90 degree angle, and drill two diagonal holes where they overlap. Drill countersink holes, wide enough the screw can be embedded in them, about 1/2in (1.5cm) deep.
6     Twist in two screws to join the pieces.
6     Twist in two screws to join the pieces.
7     Repeat steps 5-6 on the other upper corner.
7     Repeat steps 5-6 on the other upper corner.
8     On the bottom 2 corners, repeat the process in step 5, drilling and countersinking holes.
8     On the bottom 2 corners, repeat the process in step 5, drilling and countersinking holes.
9     Cut (and seal the ends with a lighter) a 22.5in (57cm) length of polyester webbing. Fold one end under itself and nail that end down over the holes of the still unattached 19in (48cm) long piece from step 8.
9     Cut (and seal the ends with a lighter) a 22.5in (57cm) length of polyester webbing. Fold one end under itself and nail that end down over the holes of the still unattached 19in (48cm) long piece from step 8.
10     Repeat step 9 on the other end of the 19in (48cm) long piece. Place the previously assembled pieces back in place, and while placing a lot of pressure on where the pieces overlap, add 4 screws into the previously drilled holes, through the webbing, and into the holes on the 19in (48cm) long piece.
10     Repeat step 9 on the other end of the 19in (48cm) long piece. Place the previously assembled pieces back in place, and while placing a lot of pressure on where the pieces overlap, add 4 screws into the previously drilled holes, through the webbing, and into the holes on the 19in (48cm) long piece.
11     Stretch the webbing across the frame, fold the other end of the webbing underneath itself, push a nail through the end, and prepare to drive the nail in. The strap must be very tight on the frame, so use the nail to lever the strap tighter before driving it in.
11     Stretch the webbing across the frame, fold the other end of the webbing underneath itself, push a nail through the end, and prepare to drive the nail in. The strap must be very tight on the frame, so use the nail to lever the strap tighter before driving it in.
12     Drive the nail in.
12     Drive the nail in.
13     Add 4 more nails, and repeat the process in steps 11-13 to secure the other strap.
13     Add 4 more nails, and repeat the process in steps 11-13 to secure the other strap.
14     Position two 18in (46cm) long pieces vertically at the lower corners of the frame.
14     Position two 18in (46cm) long pieces vertically at the lower corners of the frame.
15     Drill two diagonal holes, countersink, and add two screws to join the pieces. Repeat on the other 18in (46cm) long piece.
15     Drill two diagonal holes, countersink, and add two screws to join the pieces. Repeat on the other 18in (46cm) long piece.
16     Repeat the process in step 15, but on the inside of the frame. The 18in (46cm) long pieces should each be secured to the frame by 2 pieces of wood and 4 screws.
16     Repeat the process in step 15, but on the inside of the frame. The 18in (46cm) long pieces should each be secured to the frame by 2 pieces of wood and 4 screws.
17     Lay down 29.5in (75cm) long pieces vertically and one 16in (39cm) long piece horizontally between them.
17     Lay down 29.5in (75cm) long pieces vertically and one 16in (39cm) long piece horizontally between them.
18     Join each 29.5in (75cm) long piece to the 16in (39cm) long piece with 2 screws each.
18     Join each 29.5in (75cm) long piece to the 16in (39cm) long piece with 2 screws each.
19     Place a 19in (48cm) long piece 4.5in (12cm) from the top of the top of the piece in step 18.
19     Place a 19in (48cm) long piece 4.5in (12cm) from the top of the top of the piece in step 18.
20     Drill 2 holes, countersink, and add 2 screws on each end to secure the 19in (48cm) long piece 4.5in (12cm) from the top of the top of the piece in step 18.
20     Drill 2 holes, countersink, and add 2 screws on each end to secure the 19in (48cm) long piece 4.5in (12cm) from the top of the top of the piece in step 18.
21     Cut (and seal the ends with a lighter) nine 16.5in (41cm) lengths of polyester webbing. Nail one end of each of the 9 straps, evenly spaced, to the 16in (39cm) long piece. If you are using 2in (51mm) wide straps, you only need 7 straps.
21     Cut (and seal the ends with a lighter) nine 16.5in (41cm) lengths of polyester webbing. Nail one end of each of the 9 straps, evenly spaced, to the 16in (39cm) long piece. If you are using 2in (51mm) wide straps, you only need 7 straps.
22     Stretch the straps across the frame, and secure them in place using the method from step 11.
22     Stretch the straps across the frame, and secure them in place using the method from step 11.
23     Position the frame from the previous step so that the top of the seat measures 18in (46cm) from the bottom of the 29.5in (75cm) long pieces.
23     Position the frame from the previous step so that the top of the seat measures 18in (46cm) from the bottom of the 29.5in (75cm) long pieces.
24     Drill two diagonal holes, countersink, and add two screws to secure the 29.5in (75cm) piece to the 19in (48cm) piece on the seat frame. Repeat on the other side.
24     Drill two diagonal holes, countersink, and add two screws to secure the 29.5in (75cm) piece to the 19in (48cm) piece on the seat frame. Repeat on the other side.
25     Drill two more diagonal holes, countersink, and add two more screws to secure the 29.5in (75cm) piece to the 18in (46cm) piece on the seat frame. Repeat on the other side.
25     Drill two more diagonal holes, countersink, and add two more screws to secure the 29.5in (75cm) piece to the 18in (46cm) piece on the seat frame. Repeat on the other side.
26     Using the method from steps 11-13, add 7 more 25in (64cm) straps parallel to the existing 2 on the seat. Then, thread two 26in (66cm) straps across the 9 seat straps. If you are using 2in (51mm) wide straps, you only need to add 5 straps parallel to the 2 existing on the seat.
26     Using the method from steps 11-13, add 7 more 25in (64cm) straps parallel to the existing 2 on the seat. Then, thread two 26in (66cm) straps across the 9 seat straps. If you are using 2in (51mm) wide straps, you only need to add 5 straps parallel to the 2 existing on the seat.
27     Tighten the 26in (66cm) straps and nail to the underside of the seat at each end.
27     Tighten the 26in (66cm) straps and nail to the underside of the seat at each end.
Index
Parts
Smooth Planed Pine Wood, 2in x 2in (44mm x 44mm)
*Any popular softwood can also be used, like Redwood. Metric measurements above are actual, not nominal, and availability may vary by location.
 
Quantity required: 2 pieces 29.5in (75cm) long, 4 pieces 18in (46cm) long, 3 pieces 19in (48cm) long, 1 piece 16in (39cm) long
Flat Head Wood Screws, #6 x 2in (4 x 50mm)
 
Quantity required: 32
Polyester Webbing, 1.5in (38mm) Wide
Quantity required: 41ft (12.5m)
Wide Head Wire Nail, 3/4in (roughly 20mm) Length
 
Quantity required: 200
Tools
Hand Saw
Power Drill
Drill Bits
Ruler or Tape Measure
Screwdriver
Hammer
Square (or flat object with 90 degree angle)
Alternative Parts
Polyester Seatbelt Webbing, 2in (51mm) Wide
Quantity required: 36ft (11m)
Replaces: Polyester Webbing, 1.5in (38mm) Wide
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