Woodworker: Michael C. FortuneMichael Fortune says the most important criterion for an outdoor chair is that it be comfortable for relaxing, reading, and conversing in a garden setting. He’s not big on copying, so he introduced some playful curves while increasing the comfort. Most traditional Adirondack seats are around 14 in. high and sit rather low at the back. To make this version easier to get in and out of, he made the seat 16 in. high at the front and made the back of the seat a bit taller. The wide curved arms make strong visual statements, reflecting the natural shapes found in gardens, and they provide structural integrity. Each arm is made from eight, 1/8-in.-thick laminations, assembled on a bending form using Titebond III, which is highly water resistant. The legs appear to angle inward toward the back, but the side assembly is an easy-to-make flat plane. The illusion makes the chair more interesting from all angles. All of the joints are assembled using stainless-steel bolts and decking screws. To notch the arms for the legs, he used a couple of quick jigs to guide the router: one for the right assembly and one for the left. Michael makes these chairs in a variety of woods suitable for outdoor use, such as cedar, larch, and mahogany. He then applies a clear penetrating finish, like Watco exterior.