Vikti Report post Posted February 21, 2009 I'm looking to make myself a stool for work when I have to work on wall plugs and I was wondering if anyone had a pattern to share or tell me the best dimensions for a stool. I know that the pockets for the legs needs to be bigger than the seat piece but by how much? Thanks all, Damon Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dags3777 Report post Posted February 22, 2009 Damon, I have made couple of these stools now, I make them 300mm/12" each side and make the leg holders 100mm/4". I use 25mm/1" or 3/4" dowel for the legs, depends on your weight. I use 1/4" stainless bolts welded in a Y configuration to fix the legs together. Cheer's Darryl Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
yotebuster1200 Report post Posted February 22, 2009 what thickness of leather do you use? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
UKRay Report post Posted February 22, 2009 I make quite a few of these stools - the picture is of the batch I finished this weekend. My legs are always 2ft long with the hole for the tri-bolt drilled halfway. I get the legs made by a wood turner which isn't cheap but they look much better than anything I can make myself. IMHO, the best way to design one of these is to built a tripod from broom handles and use it to work out how large a seat you want to make. I make the pocket pieces exactly the same size as the rest of the pattern and it works fine for me. Check out the picture. I order the tri-bolts in quantity so if anyone wants any please get in touch by PM. They are not too expensive but, being quite heavy items, shipping can add a bit. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Suze Report post Posted February 22, 2009 dumb question time - if you make them out of heavy leather - does the seat fold up with the legs or does it come off and you flold the legs up seperate from the seat? I could use one of these..... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
UKRay Report post Posted February 22, 2009 (edited) dumb question time - if you make them out of heavy leather - does the seat fold up with the legs or does it come off and you flold the legs up seperate from the seat? I could use one of these..... I generally take the seat off the legs and wrap it around them. I have been known to attach a strap to the seat to tie it all together... I even added a shoulder strap for an artist who wanted to carry it on his shoulder as his hands were full of easel and paints. I guess you just do whatever works for you. They are surprisingly comfortable though. Luke makes his stools a little taller than mine and he sews his 'pockets' on whilst I use a heavy lacing. Like I say, whatever works. Have fun. edit due to my inability to spell Edited February 22, 2009 by UKRay Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Suze Report post Posted February 22, 2009 I generally take the seat off the legs and wrap it around them. I have been known to attach a strap to the seat to tie it all together... I even added a shoulder strap for an artist who wanted to carry it on his shoulder as his hands were full of easel and paints. I guess you just do whatever works for you. They are surprisingly comfortable though. Luke makes his stools a little taller than mine and he sews his 'pockets' on whilst I use a heavy lacing. Like I say, whatever works. Have fun. edit due to my inability to spell Thanks Ray - I "think" I still have a el- cheapo nylon one around here that the top ripped on - (my big fat self wasn't too good on the cheap nylon) If It is still hanging around I might make a seat for it. Summer camping event and it would be nice to have a small stool to carry around instead of those bag chairs. I take it you punch holes for it before you start - or do you punch as you go? Even IF I never make it I like to have "knowledge" of lots of things thanks suze Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Luke Hatley Report post Posted February 22, 2009 thanks Ray. the legs on mine are 32" long and hole for the tri bolts are 12" ftom the top.you will see that i sew mine Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tonyc1 Report post Posted February 22, 2009 What diameter are the bolts? Tony. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tashabear Report post Posted February 22, 2009 I take it you punch holes for it before you start - or do you punch as you go? That depends: are you lacing or sewing? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Suze Report post Posted February 22, 2009 don't know which do you think would hold up better - I'm about 200 lbs or so...... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
UKRay Report post Posted February 22, 2009 don't know which do you think would hold up better - I'm about 200 lbs or so...... I don't think it would make much difference. A few years back I sold one of my stools to a guy who went at least 300lbs and he still uses it regularly. That one was thong laced. Luke's stitched stools are superb and I can't see anyone ever having problems with those either. If you are going to lace then IMHO you should use at least 1/4" thongs cut from the same quality leather you made the seat from - 3.5mm thick is my favorite but I can't work that out in US - can anyone help here? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Suze Report post Posted February 22, 2009 no need to "work it out" it's 3.5 mm thick You just have to go shopping with a tape measure..... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tonyc1 Report post Posted February 22, 2009 What diameter are the bolts? Tony. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Luke Hatley Report post Posted February 23, 2009 A 1/4" WAS USED ON MINE. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tonyc1 Report post Posted February 23, 2009 A 1/4" WAS USED ON MINE. Thanks, Luke. Tony. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Vikti Report post Posted February 23, 2009 What I'm going to do for holding the legs together is tap a 9/16" hex nut with a 3/8" holes on every other side and screw the bolts into the new holes on the nut. I live in an apartment so any kind of welding is a no-no. But thanks for the opinions all! Damon Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tonyc1 Report post Posted February 23, 2009 But 9/16" is larger than 3/8" so how can you tap it smaller? Tony. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wildrose Report post Posted February 23, 2009 I'm going to add my comments here: My husband and I both are well over 200 lbs, and neither of us has broken one of these chairs. They are comfortable, and I've made about a dozen of them. I first bought the kit Tandy used to sell, and when they stopped I was able to get a couple tri-bolts and made some more. With those, I used thick (shoe sole?) leather. I punched the holes with a round punch, and then stitched them with rawhide (aka latigo) lace which Tandy still sells I believe. I actually have a cut out I'd made of the pattern, if you'd like I'll trace it and (postal) mail it to you. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
McJeep Report post Posted February 23, 2009 But 9/16" is larger than 3/8" so how can you tap it smaller?Tony. He's just using the 9/16 as a hub to drill and tap to receive the 3/8 bolts He could use a 5/8 bolt if he wanted to, or bigger - he just wants something with 6 sides so he can drill/tap into 3 (every other) of the flats. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tonyc1 Report post Posted February 23, 2009 Now, that seems a great idea. Lateral thinking at it's best!!! Tony. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
McJeep Report post Posted February 23, 2009 Now, that seems a great idea. Lateral thinking at it's best!!!Tony. LOL that's what I thought too ... here I was trying to think of who I could get to machine up an overly complicated three sided hub etc etc etc Simple is goot ;0) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tazzmann Report post Posted March 22, 2009 I hope this isn't a dumb question, but is there a supplier for tri-bolts here in the US? And what is the average cost? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Janice Report post Posted April 16, 2009 I would really like to see a picture of a tri bolt if anyone has one. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RandyScott Report post Posted April 17, 2009 See post #3 for a picture of the tri-bolt in this link: http://leatherworker.net/forum/index.php?s...24&hl=stool Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
