Norm's adirondack chairs - dimension question

[Bob Riefer]

Anyone that's built Norm's "adirondack trio" I seemingly found a discrepancy in the dimensions while making my templates last night. For the arm rest, the dimension is listed as 27 and 9/16" long... but if you count the squares in the grid on the plans, it shows it as 26 and 9/16" long. I made a template both ways, but before I actually cut the real arms for this, do you know which measurement is correct? If not, I'll just use my template to assemble the chair before I cut the real thing.

Thanks!

[Ray Chalenski]

Bob I've made several of them and the length of my arm rest are all 27 9/16"

[Bob Riefer]

Thanks Ray!! Much appreciated!

[Mike Harrison]

I think the arms are a bit narrow so I made mine 7 inches wide, easier for paper plates.

[Frank Swierz]

Definitely 27 9/16. I've made two and I'm happy with the length, but if I were to adjust them, I'd add an inch before going shorter. They only stick out about half an inch in front of the arm supports as it is.

[Charles Lent]

One more improvement suggestion over Norm's design - The rear legs are not very stable and can flex sideways. I added a cross piece between the legs, just below the seat back. It made a huge improvement in the chair's strength and long term stability. About 10 years ago I built 6 chairs based on Norm's design. The fiirst 2 didn't have this leg brace and they are now falling apart. The other 4, with the added brace, are still holding up well.

Charley

[Bob Riefer]

Great suggestion, I actually noticed on some adirondack chairs at a local park that they DO have this brace that you mention, whereas Norm's plans do not call for that brace. I have enough white oak left to add this into my first chair and will plan on it for future chairs going forward as well. Thanks for the tip!