Learn how to build a Bailey Chair for dogs suffering from Megaesophagus (an enlargement of the esophagus).

Hello everyone, today I’m sharing details on something I built recently: a Bailey Chair for dogs suffering from Megaesophagus.

Dogs with megaesophagus have an enlarged esophagus. This makes swallowing food difficult. Eating while in an upright position helps and the task of keeping the dog vertical is easier when the dog is sitting in a Bailey chair.

This blog post is less of a detailed how to and more of showing in progress photos. Adam, over at Lazy Guy DIY, has put together a great tutorial on how to build the Bailey Dog Chair. I followed his instructions with very few modifications.

(For sneak peeks on upcoming projects follow me on Instagram!)

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links.  That means if you purchase an item via one of these links, I’ll receive a small commission at no added cost to you.  This helps keep the content on the site free and I appreciate the support! :o)

Tools and Supplies

The following items are some of the tools and supplies I gathered to build the Bailey Dog Chair.

Tools

• Table saw
• Bandsaw (optional)
• Router with flush cutting bit (for rounded corners)
• Corner radius template
• Router circle cutting jig (or a jig saw)
• Orbital sander
  
• Pocket hole jig
• Drill / Driver
• Silhouette (for optional name customization)

Supplies

• 3/4″ plywood
• 6″ stainless steel bowl
• 1 1/4″ pocket hole screws
• A pair of door hinges
• 1 square of EVA foam flooring (used this as cushion in the interior of the chair)
• Clear gloss spray can
• 1 sheet of black cardstock (for optional name customization)
• Spray adhesive (for optional name customization)

How to build a Bailey Dog Chair

To build the chair, I just followed Adam’s instructions. The dog’s measurements were taken and I adjusted the plans to match.

3D Printed Router Corner Radius Guide

I added a corner radius to a few of the corners. I used my router paired with a corner radius guide. This was a neat tool that I 3D printed.

Watch the Instagram video below to see it in action:

View this post on Instagram

Here’s a quick video of the 3D printed corner radius template in action. Super handy! (If you missed my previous post I found the model for these on @thingiverse.) I think these will work better on a router table but using it with a handheld router worked pretty well. Clamps got in the way so I used some double sided tape from @xfastenbrand to keep the template in place. My corners are a match so I am really happy with that. . #3dprintedtools #woodworker #woodwork #thingiverse #mfpbehindthescenes #3dprint #cornerradius #plywood #makitarouter

A post shared by Ashley Grenon | Geeky Maker (@handmadewithashley) on Dec 22, 2018 at 5:09pm PST

Pocket Hole Joinery

I used pocket hole joints to assemble the chair. This was a really quick build.

Name Customization

I thought adding the dog’s name would be a really nice touch to the Bailey Chair. I used my Silhouette Portrait to cut the dog’s name, Chewewee, out of black card stock.

I used sprayed adhesive to attach it to the door of the Bailey chair.

DIY Bailey Dog Chair

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