How to Make a Space Chair

So you want to make a space chair? This design is made from 1/4 plate steel so be prepared to invest a fair amount of time. This version was made with bloodwood. All pieces are designed to fit snugly and are fabricated with a plasma cutter. The end result is rock solid and the coolest chair you will ever own. All pieces are interlocking to form extremely strong joints. Minimal welding locks joints into place with no visible welds for a clean futuristic look. A custom seat cushion in black naugahid is optional.

1/4 inch plate steel

Exotic wood of your choice

Various button cap hex fasteners

Mig welder

Plasma cutter

Here are the interlocking pieces that make up 1 foot.

Here is the leg assembly before stacking. The cutouts not only look good but help to keep the weight down.

Here the foot pieces are assembled and ready for the leg assembly.

Here is the leg assembly prior to inserting through the foot. The long stem is welded from underneath the foot. That's it! One hidden weld and the foot/leg assembly is finished.

One hidden weld and the foot/leg assembly is complete.

10 inch diameter seat hub has 24 equally spaced slots.

24 struts are needed to complete the seat assembly. The open design saves considerable weight.

Here are the pieces needed for the center hub assembly that supports the seat.

Here the center hub assembly is complete.

Here are the 2 arm rest plates.

Here is 1 grouping of the support strut for the arm rest. 2 assemblies are needed, 1 for each arm.

Here are 2 sub struts for the arm rest.

Here are the back rest support struts. There are 2 assemblies each consisting of 2 pieces each. The 6 small tabs accept the back rest plates.

Here are the back rest plates that will accept the sculpted wood. These are welded in place with the wood pieces hiding all welds. A total of 6 are needed.

Here the rests are machined for fine threads. Bloodwood is a dense hardwood that holds up well to tapping threads.

Here the rests are sculpted and sanded smooth. Just some clear wax is buffed on to bring out the natural color. Thickness is a little over 1 inch. Button cap machine screws attach from behind to hide all welds and give a clean finished look.