Replies

1. 
   jackplane | Jan 06, 2004 05:19pm | #1

   Yes, redwood is a fine choice for that application. In California, it's used extensively outside,unpainted,because of its superior weather resistance(doors,trim, etc.)

1. 
   mwinkle | Jan 06, 2004 08:05pm | #2

   Thanks for the  response.

1. 
   SBerruezo | Jan 09, 2004 09:36am | #8

   I made a few Redwood adirondack chairs 4-5 years ago...They are holding up great...

   Try to get the wood from a good dealer...My local HD supply is #$%@.  I used gold screws, and they streaked, so I would recommend the SS or possibly even the Deck screws coated in whatever they use...like Deckmate.  I am in CA.  If you don't want it to change into the silvery gray, you will have to stain it or treat it somehow.  Lot of people like the change though.  Wouldn't recommend varnish, it will crack and require sanding and retreating every few years.Young, poor, and eager to learn

2. 
   HeavyD | Jan 06, 2004 09:12pm | #4

   jackplane,

   If you have a supply of cheap Redwood use it but if you are paying for it I might look into cypress. The stuff is almost bulletproof. I know of a picnic table that is 50 years old, no lie or exaggeration

2. 
   JohnWW | Jan 06, 2004 08:44pm | #3

   Redwood will work well for the chairs.  Note that only the dark colored heart wood is weather resistant, the light sapwood isn't.  All of the hardware should be stainless steel to prevent dark stains from forming around the screw heads.

   John W.

1. 
   Elcoholic | Jan 06, 2004 11:54pm | #7

   Epoxy coated deck screws are also a good choice besides SS.John O'Connell - JKO Handcrafted Woodworking

   Life is tough.  It's tougher if you're stupid - John Wayne

3. 
   Strongbow | Jan 06, 2004 10:52pm | #5

   Make sure you sight the chairs on a concrete or similar base, or give some protection to the wood, to ensure moisture doesnt hold round the leg bases and cause rot over time.

   I made several chairs and left the end grain open, without protection and put them on a gravel area, and after every down pour the water held under the gravel and was sucked up by those end grain straws .

   You live and learn

   Good luck

   Mike

4. 
   user-5880422 | Jan 06, 2004 11:49pm | #6

   I've made adirondack chairs out of redwood and have been really pleased with it. The only issue is that it's getting really hard to find good redwood these days. If you check around you can find salvaged wood from old houses/barns/commercial buildings. Old growth redwood is just the thing for a Adirondack chair project

5. 
   Steinmetz | Jan 10, 2004 10:46am | #9

   MWink, Don't sit on redwood without some clothing Redwood splinters are the 'Pits' (Hard to remove and they fester)

   Years ago a friend made his little kids a redwood sand box and half the kids on the block got nasty splinters

   The local cats, however loved it.  Stein.