The Evolution of the Skiadirondack

Version 1.0: The first ski adirondack I made. The frame was originally from an all cedar chair built in 2000. The boards were 1/2" and even though it has held up pretty well it is ready to be dis-assembled and recycled.

This frame has been the basis for the templates used in making all of the newer versions that followed. The proportions and angles seem to be just about perfect. In fact, I always test Adirondack chairs when I come across them and have yet to find one that sits as well.









Version Plywood: An experiment when the plywood scraps had piled up in the shop and winter was getting long. If was an effort to speed up the coming of Spring.

Plywood in this case did not hold screws, did not look good, just plain did not work. The skis were also from manufacturers I had never heard of.

This chair was never given a chance to be good. It had bad karma and will be burnt this Winter.










Version 2.0: The first truly successful chair in that it now used 3/4" Cedar, along with being both glued and screwed. This is a solid performer. The upgrade in thickness really made for a more substantial chair

We (with this version Marlys has taken over sanding and finishing) built 3 of these.

They sat well, and I am in the process of updating then to Version 2.5 spec's, due to a design flaw, namely the even number of skis used on the back. This flaw is obvious to the those with an artistic eye (my son), but I totally missed it. You will see in Version 2.5 that is does make a real difference, but burns through the ski inventory a little faster.





Version XC: If you recall last year Marlys picked up a bunch of skis at garage sales on Fridays. Some of these were cross country skis. This was the first use of the odd number ski back, not due to better design, but just to fill it in a little better.

These are not bad chairs, but I think they need to have at least 7 skis on the back to work visually. Maybe they will get an updated spec someday too.

We made two of these and they are still in use today.









Version Low Rider: This was another late Winter, lets try and rush Spring chair, actually a love seat. Its back angle is slightly more relaxed, hence the low rider moniker.


It used the thicker lumber spec'd since the V2.0 release, along with a third set of legs in the middle to support two people. The back spreader was also beefed up to handle the span.


The skis and board were not really matched very well (this has become more important as more chairs are made visually). It even used three pairs of children skis. It does though add color to the front of the shop.


Version 2.5: This particular chair is a beauty. The stainless steel Volant skis really make this chair. The 5 ski back is the major change from the V2.0's.


I am in the process of updating V2.0's as mention above. Part of this up date will be to better match the skis used both in looks, but also in era. The age of the skis and the technology used in building them has become more critical, because of its impact on the upper edge type, finish and color.


Even though these Volants match well on this chair you can see there are from three different eras (beyond their sidecut) by the typeface used in the name and the color usage and patterns.


So far there is only one V2.5.


Version 3.0: This is a major step up in materials. After watching these chairs in the elements for a number of years now, this version uses only pressure treated 5/4" lumber. Since the lumber is still fairly moist when being assembled
Gorilla Glue is used.


The chair feels strong and heavier then previous versions as expected and with the 5 ski back looks great.

The deck stain that Marlys uses makes the treated wood look as good if not better then the cedar and pine used in the earlier chairs.


There is another change which was a move from 7" to 6" wide arms because of the treated lumber width. It is pretty hard to tell the different when looking at them side by side.

We have built two of these so far.




Version X.0: Marlys wants to try some painted frames to match/compliment the ski color, I want to look at hidden decking fasteners for attaching the seat slats, but I have logs to saw for the dresser Marlys has moved up on my priority list and a hot tub pergola to finish first.