How I Made This Shop Chair Using Chain and Scrapwood
by BMsculptures in Workshop > Metalworking
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How I Made This Shop Chair Using Chain and Scrapwood
![shop chair 2.jpg](/proxy/?url=https://content.instructables.com/FHI/7MM5/KO1GYES1/FHI7MM5KO1GYES1.jpg&filename=shop chair 2.jpg)
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!
Check Out the Full in Depth Build!
![How I made this shop chair using CHAIN & SCRAPWOOD](/proxy/?url=https://content.instructables.com/FPC/PIOI/KO1GYH2I/FPCPIOIKO1GYH2I.jpg&filename=How I made this shop chair using CHAIN & SCRAPWOOD)
Weld Together Chainlink.
![Screen Shot 2021-04-28 at 12.22.10 PM.png](/proxy/?url=https://content.instructables.com/FMZ/T6B1/KO1GYEN3/FMZT6B1KO1GYEN3.png&filename=Screen Shot 2021-04-28 at 12.22.10 PM.png)
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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.
Weld Support Circle / Backrest and Finish All the Welds.
![Screen Shot 2021-04-28 at 12.22.50 PM.png](/proxy/?url=https://content.instructables.com/FFT/ZOVO/KO1GYEPF/FFTZOVOKO1GYEPF.png&filename=Screen Shot 2021-04-28 at 12.22.50 PM.png)
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![IMG_9022.jpg](/proxy/?url=https://content.instructables.com/FMG/P8AS/KO1GYES3/FMGP8ASKO1GYES3.jpg&filename=IMG_9022.jpg)
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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.
Chaotic Cutting Board Style Seat
![Screen Shot 2021-04-28 at 12.24.10 PM.png](/proxy/?url=https://content.instructables.com/F7Y/3G2R/KO1GYERS/F7Y3G2RKO1GYERS.png&filename=Screen Shot 2021-04-28 at 12.24.10 PM.png)
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.
Woodworking
![Screen Shot 2021-04-28 at 12.24.20 PM.png](/proxy/?url=https://content.instructables.com/FFF/KRUZ/KO1GYERW/FFFKRUZKO1GYERW.png&filename=Screen Shot 2021-04-28 at 12.24.20 PM.png)
![Screen Shot 2021-04-28 at 12.24.37 PM.png](/proxy/?url=https://content.instructables.com/FD9/3L06/KO1GYERY/FD93L06KO1GYERY.png&filename=Screen Shot 2021-04-28 at 12.24.37 PM.png)
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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.
Cut Out the Circle
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![Screen Shot 2021-04-28 at 12.25.47 PM.png](/proxy/?url=https://content.instructables.com/FJ2/IX4Y/KO1GYERQ/FJ2IX4YKO1GYERQ.png&filename=Screen Shot 2021-04-28 at 12.25.47 PM.png)
Using a Jasper circle router jig, I cut out a perfect circle.
Add Metal Border Around Seat
![Screen Shot 2021-04-28 at 12.26.04 PM.png](/proxy/?url=https://content.instructables.com/FER/5FK0/KO1GYERT/FER5FK0KO1GYERT.png&filename=Screen Shot 2021-04-28 at 12.26.04 PM.png)
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![Screen Shot 2021-04-28 at 12.26.52 PM.png](/proxy/?url=https://content.instructables.com/FHC/3RZG/KO1GYES0/FHC3RZGKO1GYES0.png&filename=Screen Shot 2021-04-28 at 12.26.52 PM.png)
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.
Swivel Seat
![Screen Shot 2021-04-28 at 12.27.23 PM.png](/proxy/?url=https://content.instructables.com/F2Y/HYXZ/KO1GYEN6/F2YHYXZKO1GYEN6.png&filename=Screen Shot 2021-04-28 at 12.27.23 PM.png)
![Screen Shot 2021-04-28 at 12.27.06 PM.png](/proxy/?url=https://content.instructables.com/F8U/QCZH/KO1GYEN1/F8UQCZHKO1GYEN1.png&filename=Screen Shot 2021-04-28 at 12.27.06 PM.png)
![Screen Shot 2021-04-28 at 12.27.34 PM.png](/proxy/?url=https://content.instructables.com/FHO/7G67/KO1GYERO/FHO7G67KO1GYERO.png&filename=Screen Shot 2021-04-28 at 12.27.34 PM.png)
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.
Weld on the Backrest and Apply Finish
![Screen Shot 2021-04-28 at 12.27.51 PM.png](/proxy/?url=https://content.instructables.com/F4S/43HI/KO1GYERR/F4S43HIKO1GYERR.png&filename=Screen Shot 2021-04-28 at 12.27.51 PM.png)
![Screen Shot 2021-04-28 at 12.28.09 PM.png](/proxy/?url=https://content.instructables.com/FER/6E6O/KO1GYERU/FER6E6OKO1GYERU.png&filename=Screen Shot 2021-04-28 at 12.28.09 PM.png)
I welded on the backrest directly to the circular 1/8" steel. I then finish sanded the seat and gave it its final finish.
Check Out the Full Video for the Full in Depth Build!
![How I made this shop chair using CHAIN & SCRAPWOOD](/proxy/?url=https://content.instructables.com/FB8/AE38/KO1GYH71/FB8AE38KO1GYH71.jpg&filename=How I made this shop chair using CHAIN & SCRAPWOOD)
Thanks for reading / watching my instructable!