I’m building a chair and instead of a slip seat I want to use slats (same wood as chair) to support cushions for the seat and the back. I figure that the seat slats can be 1/2 inch thick and be strong enough but I don’t know what spacing I should use so it doesn’t feel like you’re sitting on a hard surface (even though the cushion will be 3 inches thick with medium density foam). When I’ve made slip seats out of plywood, I’ve routed 5/8″ slots every 2 inches and that provides a little “give” but if I copy that approach I’ll have too many slats to make. So what suggestions does anyone have on the maximum spacing for 2″ slats so the cushion doesn’t fall through but the support is there?
Related question: should the slats go side to side or front to back? Does it matter?
Replies
slat spacing
1/2 to 5/8 would be the space that I would use. I have made many chairs with slat seats and this spacing has always worked for me. Any wider and your cushion will want to go through and will make ridges. Be sure to knock off the sharp edge of the slats, but don't round them over that will cause ridges also. Side to side or front to back doesn't matter just depends on the style of the chair.
ZABO
slat spacing
Thanks for the quick response. For a 19" wide seat and such small spacing, that's a lot of 2" slats. I was planning to use m&t to attach them but that becomes a lot of work. Any suggestions on a simpler (faster) way to attach all these slats that still provides adequate strength?
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