Summertime is coming, and my project ideas are heating up! I saw some plans for a porch glider, and it looks pretty nice -plus not overly difficult. Have any of you out there built a glider like this before? Here is the description…

Comfortable, beautiful, and designed to last for generations. Easy to follow plans guarantee success in the shop. Bench moves smoothly on eight pivot hinges, providing a unique gliding sensation. Measures 59-3/4” long X 36-1/2” High X 30” Deep when finished.

This porch glider uses pivot hinges, which is kind of interesting.

Pivot hinges Combines the pivoting feature of a roto hinge with the strength of a hex head bolt. An industrial coating offers rust resistance approaching stainless steel. Excellent for use in porch gliders, swings, gliding rockers and foot rests. Installing pivot hinges simply requires boring holes in two mating sections. Also features a nylon, self-lubricating bushing.

Here are the tech specs on the pivot hinges.

The plans have gotten some good reviews…

This is my first attempt at building the Glider. After purchasing the plans I purchased the white oak. I used the hinges from Rockler. It took me approximately 60 hours to do the first one including four hours of cutting patterns. I intend to build at least two more.

A tip to pass on. Make sure the plugs for the hinges touch the nut so that the nut does not work itself loose.

And another…

I bought the plans and hardware several years ago, but just got around to building it. I made it from mahogany. It is a very nice piece of furniture.
I also made the bench 2 inches deeper to accomodate a normal size person. I think that the dimensions in the plan are for a person less than 5′5″.

Editor’s note: plan dimensions are for a average size person. Seat is 18″ deep.