When I boiled down the design of the rocker box I realized two attributes were important. The box must be accurately made, the four elevation pads held squarely to the lower surface, and the assembly must be very stiff.

This takes care in planning how to fabricate each piece. With an eye to the order of operations and very careful measurement.

In the photo to the right you can see the elevation bearings being routed into the sidewalls. Note the biscuit slots ready to receive the bottom and sides.

The sides of the rocker are two layers of 5/8" appleply, the end pieces a single thickness. The bottom of the box is double thickness 1/2" baltic birch.

To the right is the fully assembled rocker box with the last coat of polyurethane drying on the patio.

After many attempts to get a satisfactory finish with a brush applied polyurethane I tried a spray-on version. Somewhat more expensive, but it left a highly attractive satin finish with NO DRIPS. An unexpected benefit was that the surface was lightly textured, forming a "non skid" texture that is perfect for parts meant to be handled and carried.

Warm Arizona spring days made for quick drying times of the thin sprayed coats.

The sides of the rocker are two layers of 5/8" appleply, the end pieces a single thickness. The bottom of the box is double thickness 1/2" baltic birch.

To the right is the fully assembled rocker box with the last coat of polyurethane drying on the patio.

After many attempts to get a satisfactory finish with a brush applied polyurethane I tried a spray-on version. Somewhat more expensive, but it left a highly attractive satin finish with NO DRIPS. An unexpected benefit was that the surface was lightly textured, forming a "non skid" texture that is perfect for parts meant to be handled and carried.

Warm Arizona spring days made for quick drying times of the thin sprayed coats.