Make a Sun Lounger

This stylish sun lounger and table combo is perfect for long summer days around the pool, and when the cold weather hits, it stacks neatly against a wall.

After a really chilly winter the team has its heart set on long, languid weekends mooching around the pool; so what better DIY project than a sun lounger and matching low table for a magazine, sunnies and an ice-cold drink? We made our lounger and table out of pine and then painted it, but you can use a good wood like Meranti and then seal it with a wax sealer for a more natural look.

Materials
Cutting List : Lounger
• 4 leg pieces 96 x 300 x 22mm
• 2 long support beams 96 x 1300 x 22mm
• 2 end beams 96 x 600 x 22mm
• 2 back rest support beams 96 x 670 x 22mm
• 2 sub beams 96 x 560 x 22mm
• 1 adjusting sub beam 96 x 435 x 22mm
• 3 fixing blocks 96 x 22 x 22mm
• 2 support struts 96 x 280 x 22mm
• 1 support strut 96 x 430 x 22mm
• 12 slats 96 x 600 x 22mm
Cutting List : Table
• 4 leg pieces 300 x 96 x 22mm
• 2 long support beams 96 x 670 x 22mm
• 2 end beams 96 x 600 x 22mm
• 6 slats 96 x 600 x 22mm

Tools and Extras
• 12 cup square bolts, 6 x 50mm
• 12 washers, 6mm
• 12 bolts, 6mm
• 8 dowel sticks, 8 x 60mm
• 8 small round handles
• 1 bag 4mm cut screws (full thread)
• Jig saw
• Electric Drill
• Electric Sander
• 4mm, 6mm, 8mm and 9mm drill bits
• Counter sinking drill bit
• Tape measure
• Paint brush and sponge roller
• Dulux Super Grip all-purpose Primer
• Dulux Pearlglo water based paint in
• Pebble Black

To Make The Table

Step 1: Cut all timber according to the cutting list.

Step 2: Round the ends of the legs and long support beams as shown using a jig saw.

Step 3: Find the centre of the rounded ends where the legs join the long support beams and drill a 6mm hole through both to accommodate the bolt. Place a washer between the two pieces before securing the together. This will allow free movement.   

Step 4: Attach the end beams to the outside of the legs making sure that the unit is square, and screw into place.

Step 5: Place 6 slats on the top of the unit and secure them into place using the screws. Keep an even spacing of 5mm between slats. Remember to pre-drill; and counter sink all the screws. 

 To Make The Sun Lounger

Step 6: Follow steps 1-4 using the 96 x 1300 x 22 mm long support beams to construct the frame for the lounger.

Step 7: Starting at the front, or the foot of the bench, attach 6 slats to the frame with a 5mm gap between slats finishing at a point 640mm from the foot of the long support beam.

Step 8: Attach the 2 sub beams to the bottom of the framework at the head of the bench in the open space. Secure the adjusting sub beam to the top of the sub beams and then attach the 3 fixing blocks to the adjusting beam with a 60mm gap between them.

Step 9: Construct the back rest by securing 6 slats to the back rest support beams starting 80mm from the bottom of the back rest support beams. Make sure that the backrest support beams are no more then 470mm apart.

Step 10: Find the centre of the curve at the bottom of the backrest support beams and drill a 6mm hole. Secure the backrest to the base using the bolts with a washer between the two beams to allow free movement.

Step 11: Construct the support bracket using the two 280mm support struts (rounded on one end) and the 430mm support strut as illustrated.

Step 12: Secure the support bracket 370mm from the top of the backrest using the bolts through the backrest support beams. Be sure to countersink the bolt so the backrest can lie flat.

Step 13: To create the locking pins, drill an 8mm hole in the base of the handles, 10mm deep, and secure the cut dowel sticks into them with wood glue.

Step 14: To accommodate the locking pins, square all the legs to 90 degrees to the bench and table and drill a 9mm hole through both the leg and the support beams for all 8 legs.

Step 15: Fill all the screw holes with wood filler then round and sand all edges with a sanding machine. Once the timber has been primed with the primer, apply 2-3 coats of paint allowing sufficient drying time between coats.