Okay, so I wanted to make a lifeguard chair, you know, the tall ones you see at the pool or beach. I figured it would be a fun project and actually pretty useful for my backyard pool.
Getting Started
First, I gathered some wood. I just used some leftover lumber I had in the garage. Nothing fancy, just regular 2x4s and some wider planks for the seat and platform. I grabbed my saw, a drill, some screws, and a measuring tape. I didn’t really have a plan, just a picture in my head of what I wanted.
Building the Base
I started by building the base. I made two A-frames for the sides, kind of like a ladder, but angled outwards. I cut the 2x4s to the lengths I thought looked right, and then screwed them together. It was a bit wobbly at first, so I added some cross braces to make it more sturdy. I was kind of making it up as I went along, to be honest.
Raising it Up
Then I had to connect the two A-frames. I used some more 2x4s to build a boxy shape, kind of like a little platform, that the two A-frames would sit on. So I was screwing and drilling, and I guess figuring out angles as I go.
I screwed that onto the top of the A-frames, trying to make sure everything was level. It wasn’t perfect, but it was good enough. It’s a lifeguard chair, not a spaceship.
The Seat and Platform
Next, I worked on the seat and the platform. I used the wider planks for these. I cut them to size and screwed them onto the frame. I made sure to leave some space between the planks on the seat for water to drain. I also added a backrest to the seat, just a couple of planks screwed on at an angle.
- Cut the wood
- Screwed all together
- Added a backrest
Finishing Touches
Finally, I added some steps to make it easier to climb up. I just used some scrap pieces of 2×4 and screwed them onto the A-frame. I also sanded down any rough edges to avoid splinters. I didn’t bother painting it, I kind of like the rustic look.
It’s not the prettiest thing in the world, but it works! My kids love it, and it’s actually pretty comfortable to sit up there and watch them swim. It was a fun, simple project, and I’m pretty proud of how it turned out, even though I totally winged it.
