How I Made This Shop Chair Using Chain and Scrapwood

I made a one-of-a-kind industrial shop chair using Chain link and scrap wood. I welded the legs and backrest of the chair with my tig welder. I wanted to make sure the seat swiveled, as it is a necessity in my shop. To do this, I added a Large bolt with matching nut. For the seat, I took a "chaotic cutting board" style approach. I used Walnut, Ipe, White oak and Redwood. I love builds like this because I get to incorporate my metalworking and woodworking skills into once piece. The chair is now a center point in my shop and will be used day in and day out. Let me know what you think!

First, you have to find un-galvanized/ zinc coated chain. I was lucky enough to find raw steel chain at my local Tractor supply store. Next, use a template to hang the chain on so you can use gravity to an advantage for welding. I used my existing shop stool as a template to hang my chain over, creating the four leg portions of the chair.

Using the same technique, I welded the circular leg support as well as the backrest. At this point, I only tack welded everything together. That way if I need to manipulate the legs I can easily break/bend the chain. I used a Large Nut in the center of my 4 leg connection points. I will be adding the matching bolt to the seat, that way I have a swivel seat. Once all the tacks are complete and everything is flush and how you want, finish the welds and make sure to cover all sides of the chainlink.

I used Walnut, Ipe, White Oak and Redwood scraps to create this seat. I first ripped them all to the same dimension, and did two separate glue ups creating two pieces of the same size.

I proceeded to cut one of the two pieces into random lengths, then rotating them around and re-gluing. This gives you this design you see in the first picture. Once dry, I then glued one piece directly on top of the other and ran it through my bandsaw with a random design. Once cut, separate the two pieces and you will have multiple "book matched" ends to play around with. I then wanted even more of a chaotic design so I cut both panels in half creating 4 different squares. I can then arrange the squares in a aesthetically pleasing orientation before gluing up one final time.

Using a Jasper circle router jig, I cut out a perfect circle.

I added a 1/8" metal border around my wooden seat. In order to do this, I cut out another slightly smaller circle and glued it directly to the bottom of the seat. I then used brute strength to bend the 1/8" steel bar around the plywood. This took a lot of hammering/ clamping to get right. Once it was fit appropriately I welded the ends together creating the perfect metal circle.

I welded on the matching bolt to a 1/8" thick flat iron. This flat iron was welded to the circular steel on the bottom of the seat, and anchored by 8 wood screws. Next I tested the bolt and screw to make sure it swiveled appropriately.

I welded on the backrest directly to the circular 1/8" steel. I then finish sanded the seat and gave it its final finish.

Thanks for reading / watching my instructable!