DIY Garage Stool

[KwikFab]

You were warned:



Obviously, only half the concept. Could work like this or inverted. Add your fancy cut-outs and match the angles to the legs.

I'll cut something like that out tomorrow.

But adding a flat edge to the top to better match the angles used - I'm using 32.2 degrees for the top and 15.1 degrees for the bottom.

 

[KwikFab]

The round tube wasn't done yesterday.

All I can do is just normal weekend **** like other people I guess!

 

[KwikFab]

Here you go, not sure if it’s big enough for your needs. I can always bore it out on my lathe if need be, but I’m pretty leery of trying to cut an id acme thread

Oh shoot I didn't even see this.

Man, that'd be awesome but yeah not having the acme threads wouldn't work.

I appreciate you even bothering to grab it and checking.

 

[SilverJimmy]

Did you notice McMaster-Carr sells what you need!

McMaster-Carr

McMaster-Carr is the complete source for your plant with over 595,000 products. 98% of products ordered ship from stock and deliver same or next day.

www.mcmaster.com

Might be the easy cheap way to skin this cat!

 

[KwikFab]

Did you notice McMaster-Carr sells what you need!

McMaster-Carr

McMaster-Carr is the complete source for your plant with over 595,000 products. 98% of products ordered ship from stock and deliver same or next day.

www.mcmaster.com

Might be the easy cheap way to skin this cat!

Yeah I posted that one

DIY Garage Stool

Just sayin', if I were to buy one of those stools, complete, from you, I'd sure as hell expect to pay more than $700! And I'd probably feel like I stole it! ;) The local machine shop where we used to get a lot of small jobs done, quite reasonably, has passed on to the next generation and is now...

www.garagejournal.com

I didn't want to spend anymore!

Maybe just need to make a few goodies to make some money back from all this.

 

[KwikFab]

Vyper backrest pad arrived!

Unfortunately, I never grabbed hardware as I didn't want to assume the standard 1/4 - 20 was used. Well, it's here and it uses 1/4 - 20 x 1" hardware.

Not worth taking the trip to Home Depot for it so I ordered some online.

With that said, the pad looks good but feels light and cheap. Especially for $75.



The textured vinyl and backplate will really match up with the paint I used on the chair's spline.



If the pad feels comfortable, I'll leave it.

If once it's on and I feel like it can be improved, I'll return it and make my own. The thin plastic backplate was the real surprise here.



I know people rave about these chairs, but at $700+ they could really up the quality in a few areas.

The t nuts inside look thin, the plastic feels cheap, and the vinyl isn't as soft but backrests aren't normally as soft as bottom cushions anyway.

 

[KwikFab]

Ok you know what, I may have judged too harshly.

It actually feels comfortable and supportive for a small pad.





That doesn't mean I won't have a replacement backrest pad in the works. Maybe going a little wider could help just for the heck of it.

Just waiting on that call for my footrest.

And for those wondering, the goal for the sit height range was 22" to 29". Measured and got just about 22.5" up to 30".

 

[KwikFab]

Damn, already posting another update

UPS came by, late but early.

No more of this...



And instead, this!



Yep, I said **** it and bought it

I'm still well below the budget of a new Vyper, but I do have time invested in it so I figured why not just make it how I would want it since I'm already there anyway.

 

[Meursault74]

Damn, already posting another update

UPS came by, late but early.

No more of this...



And instead, this!



Yep, I said **** it and bought it

I'm still well below the budget of a new Vyper, but I do have time invested in it so I figured why not just make it how I would want it since I'm already there anyway.

wondering if you could have welded some "wings" on that original nut. You obviously have excellent welding skills

 

[KwikFab]

wondering if you could have welded some "wings" on that original nut. You obviously have excellent welding skills

Appreciate the kind words!

The thought occurred I think on page 2, and then I figured I'd use something like the handle I just installed.

@Beerhippie and I revisited the idea and really I could've cut the parts out within a few seconds. But, I don't think the 5/8" rod I have is "big" enough to really feel like a handle and with me not wanting to go out and buy larger solid rod, I dumped the idea altogether.

Though now with the nut removed, it doesn't mean I can't still entertain the idea. At least now the nut is removed and it's much easier to mock up.

Who knows, I might still make something from it!

 

[Skyman]

That's looking really nice. Beware of backing the spine of that backrest into a parked car!

 

[KwikFab]

That's looking really nice. Beware of backing the spine of that backrest into a parked car!

You're not wrong about that.

I need to get some sort of rubber strip to get on there but not sure what to use exactly.

I'd like it to be thick.

Maybe something like this -

https://www.amazon.com/Rubber-Protector-Weather-Resistance-Channel/dp/B0B5DLLWN2/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[bonneyman]

But no wood anything here, I refuse to do any sort of woodworking at all

Nice stool! And I'm with you - wood *****! It hates me so much I'll get splinters jumping to me if I walk too close!

 

[got2boostit2]

Since I just got home, I thought I'd roll it about and it seems to sit on all 5 casters everywhere I'll be using it.



Just need to hit it with my crimped wire wheel on my angle grinder to get any weld spatter off.

Quite the setup.

 

[KwikFab]

Nice stool! And I'm with you - wood *****! It hates me so much I'll get splinters jumping to me if I walk too close!

I just can't!

Whether it's the dust, the chips, and oh god the splinters!

I really wish I had a neighbor woodworker, we'd make a killing collaborating.

 

[Jayman17]

Great job on that shop stool! That looks like a quality build.

 

[Skyman]

You're not wrong about that.

I need to get some sort of rubber strip to get on there but not sure what to use exactly.

I'd like it to be thick.

Maybe something like this -

https://www.amazon.com/Rubber-Protector-Weather-Resistance-Channel/dp/B0B5DLLWN2/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Looks like a good choice. Being black, it'll not jump out at you visually.

 

[KwikFab]

Looks like a good choice. Being black, it'll not jump out at you visually.

Definitely was a good choice!

 

[ssjones]

Epic!

 

[zmotorsports]

Great job. Looks amazing.

 

[KwikFab]

A better pic of the backrest setup.



Still two steps away from being finished so I'll still be here to annoy you guys for a little bit.

 

[got2boostit2]

So you are not interested in providing cut pieces for cash, right?

 

[KwikFab]

So you are not interested in providing cut pieces for cash, right?

I've got no issue with that!

I sold some parts to @sqznby and would love to hear how the project is coming together.

Although I'd be limited to the number of parts I could send due to shipping size/limitations.

The parts would simply be the bottom seat mount, the five legs, the jig for the legs, and that's it. It'll all fit a medium flat rate box.

It's only because of how basic the parts were, I didn't want to "push" selling them as really the expense would be the steel cost itself. I use 3/16" mild.

If you're serious do let me know. I'd just have to go out and buy some more since I ran out.

 

[got2boostit2]

I've got no issue with that!

I sold some parts to @sqznby and would love to hear how the project is coming together.

Although I'd be limited to the number of parts I could send due to shipping size/limitations.

The parts would simply be the bottom seat mount, the five legs, the jig for the legs, and that's it. It'll all fit a medium flat rate box.

It's only because of how basic the parts were, I didn't want to "push" selling them as really the expense would be the steel cost itself. I use 3/16" mild.

If you're serious do let me know. I'd just have to go out and buy some more since I ran out.

Private message sent.

 

[sqznby]

I've got no issue with that!

I sold some parts to @sqznby and would love to hear how the project is coming together.

Although I'd be limited to the number of parts I could send due to shipping size/limitations.

The parts would simply be the bottom seat mount, the five legs, the jig for the legs, and that's it. It'll all fit a medium flat rate box.

It's only because of how basic the parts were, I didn't want to "push" selling them as really the expense would be the steel cost itself. I use 3/16" mild.

If you're serious do let me know. I'd just have to go out and buy some more since I ran out.

Parts are top notch and came in quickly. I wouldn't hesitate and won't hesitate to buy more.
Unfortunately, I have a bit on my plate and will not be able to hop on this for a couple of weeks.
Trying to get the kids in here has posed to be more of a challenge than I anticipated haha.
As soon as I make some progress, I will for sure be posting.

 

[Fixr]

A better pic of the backrest setup.



Still two steps away from being finished so I'll still be here to annoy you guys for a little bit.

Man, I hope you are going to replace the backrest pad soon. The materials and construction don't measure up to the rest of the stool,the corner radii are too tight, and the logo is completely out of place.

 

[KwikFab]

Man, I hope you are going to replace the backrest pad soon. The materials and construction don't measure up to the rest of the stool,the corner radii are too tight, and the logo is completely out of place.

But but but...Vyper is a high-end, top of the line product and probably doubled the value of my stool the moment I put it on

Yes, rest assured a replacement pad is in the works!

 

[Beerhippie]

But but but...Vyper is a high-end, top of the line product and probably doubled the value of my stool the moment I put it on

Yes, rest assured a replacement pad is in the works!

You got that backwards....

 

[MileHighRover]

Glad to hear a backrest is in the works. I wouldn't keep it just because the mismatching grain between the backrest and the seat bottom would drive me nuts. Plus the high quality leather vs the vinyl isn't cool. Any why would you want the Vyper logo on YOUR custom made chair?

 

[KwikFab]

Glad to hear a backrest is in the works. I wouldn't keep it just because the mismatching grain between the backrest and the seat bottom would drive me nuts. Plus the high quality leather vs the vinyl isn't cool. Any why would you want the Vyper logo on YOUR custom made chair?

From the moment I ordered it, I knew it was just going to act like a placeholder.

When I made my stool, all I had to compare it to were with the custom ones in the kitchen for my island, or the Harbor Freight version in the garage.





Comfort and durability are my top two priorities, with budget (below Vyper) being a close second.

I'll keep y'all up to date on the backrest pad and everything else.

 

[fishwatcher]

Awesome project! Looking forward to seeing more of this and also @sqznby’s build too!

 

[MileHighRover]

Bar stools are top notch. You're a skilled fabricator. No doubt the finished product will be just as nice.

 

[KwikFab]

Well **** me, called the local shop and they haven't even started my paid job.

Two rolled tubes, 1" diameter with a wall thickness larger than 1/16", at an 18" diameter.

Two because it was suggested to be easier/better than a single rolled tube.

Job was turned in on Wednesday afternoon, so Thursday morning of last week and nothing.

I'm close to heading to HF today or tomorrow and just buying the tube roller myself and rolling some tube if I can make it to a metal shop. Most are closed on weekends except one shop but I won't know what they have in stock.

 

[SilverJimmy]

If you want something now and done right, who better than yourself to do it. And if not right you can scream at that loser personally right now!
Besides, nothing is more irritating than someone holding you hostage over something that you probably can do better than they can!

 

[KwikFab]

If you want something now and done right, who better than yourself to do it. And if not right you can scream at that loser personally right now!
Besides, nothing is more irritating than someone holding you hostage over something that you probably can do better than they can!

That's a big reason for having the tools I do - I don't like outsourcing, I don't like waiting, and I hate overpaying.

With that said, I will admit these tubes lay perfectly flat on top of eachother so it was done on an automated setup ensuring it rolled nice and even.



And in keeping with the "overbuilt" theme, this was done out of 0.12" wall.



You won't be able to crush this tube if you tried.

 

[KwikFab]

Also should add, they covered my 18" requirement diameter perfectly.



The right end is the "straight" edge that's considered scrap and where I'll cut from.

Then onto the same for the second part to complete a full circle before welding it together.

 

[KwikFab]

Who doesn't like updates huh?



Mind you, I have not welded anything round since 2022 and that was when I qualified on SMAW for 3G and 4G.

Had to jig it up using tools for square parts.



Once welded and blended was the final step to ensure it sits flat and center on the base.





Base is done!



Just need to let it cool then onto paint.

 

[KwikFab]

Man, I will be lying if I said I wasn't stoked like a MFer.



Doing three coats, 5 minutes in between, and running a heatgun evenly over the whole thing was probably an hour long ordeal.

But worth it.



We're 95% done!





Over the next 24 hours, the paint should dry and lighten up in color a bit to match the backrest.

Just glad I was able to get such an even texture throughout. I'm horrible at painting, and lack the patience for it, so painting this awkward thing really sucked.

 

[KwikFab]

And if you're wondering why I said 95%....well, as promised



Per request, my buddy made me a backrest panel so I can get my own pad made.

Rather than the light, cheap feeling particle board or whatever Vyper uses, we're going with ash hardwood once again.

Opted for something larger at 7" x 9" as opposed to the 6" x 8" pad. The smaller pad was actually comfortable so I won't knock them there, but it'll be nice to have a bit more surface area.

Not to mention, using that left over leather so it not only matches the seat, but is a step up from the vinyl.

 

[MileHighRover]

Damn fine job.