How to Make a Hardwood Chair Mat

Decorate your office and protect your carpet using a hardwood chair mat. Chair mats in general make it easier for swivel chairs to roll on carpet. They also protect the carpet from being snagged by the chair's wheels. Build a char mat out of hardwood using thin boards and plywood. A hardwood chair mat like this will give you the sensation of a hardwood floor under your feet and it won't be more than a 1/4-inch thick.

Tape measure
Plywood, 1/8-inch, 48-by-48 inches
8 oak boards, 1/8-by-6-by-48 inches
Wood glue
Putty knife
Sand paper, medium-grade, fine-grade
Tack cloth
Stain brush
Wood stain

Instructions

- 1
  Lay your plywood flat and set each board on top of the plywood so the ends and edges are flush. Observe the grain pattern on the boards. Arrange them according to your liking. This is called dry-fitting your boards.
- 2
  Glue the boards to the plywood. Use two wide beads of glue for each board. Push the edges of the board against each other so there are no gaps. Let the glue dry according the instructions found on the bottle.
- 3
  Scrape away any excess glue from the top or edges hardwood chair mat. Scrap in a motion that is parallel with the grain.
- 4
  Sand the entire chair mat using your medium-grade and then fine-grade sand paper. Sand in a motion that is parallel with the grain of the wood. Apply your wood stain evenly over the boards and let the stain dry according to instructions.

How to Measure the Area for Earthbag Dome Bags

Wood Trusses to Wood Beam Techniques

Home Building