evolution of my rolling shop stools.

admin

so, i like to hang out in the garage and need a place to sit.  I thought it would be a neat idea to make some shop stools to slide around in.  That way, the legs gets to move a little and wont stiffen up.  Also, it helps when i'm welding stuff, since i can slide quickly to another angle and what not.Here they are, in chronological order:version 1, circa April/May of 2009 (within one month of me buying a tig welder).all tubings are 16 gauge.this first version has been dubbed "The Death Trap."  It wasn't obvious to me, until i built it and used it, that the "L" shaped stool would flip over.The rollers/casters were awesome... unfortunately, I was dumb, and i welded them on, so there's no way of salvaging them.but here's a fillet and a butt weld for ya:yes, they are horrendously fugly.  Nevertheless, they held!
Reply:here's version 2.  Circa 2 days after i made version 1.I should point out that these stools were used to service motorcycles while they're on a lift.  While version 1, aka "The Death Trap" was dangerous, it proved quite useful and handy.here's a list of improvements on version 2:a.  casters are removable (however, they slide like crap, i wouldn't use them on somethin' else)b.  it is now a inverted "T" shape, and is a lot more safe.there aren't any close up shots of the welds, as they are just as poor as the ones in "The Death Trap," however, building things at this stage isn't all about pretty beads.  There are things to keep square, and a certain amount of attention has to be paid to HAZ distortion.
Reply:Here's version 3, finished today (more than a year after the first two).While the Death Trap and version 2 were in service for more than a full year.  it is time to make a new shop stool.  The first two are beginning to embarrass me when people come by to visit.2x1 1/8" walled1" round tubing 1/8" walledThe casters are the same ones from Death Trap (smooth rolling, like skateboard and turns on a dime).round tubings were bent (by me) with JD2 model 3.the beads are slightly better looking.  Penetration is a lot more consistent now.  the greasy film you see is WD40.  I wiped it down so it won't rust like the first two.  After I figure out what i want to do with the space under the seat, maybe i'll paint it or keep wiping it with wd40... haven't decided yet.
Reply:nice refinement of the skillsDynasty 200DXPassport plus w/ spoolmate 100victor 315c oxy/(act and prop)Miller digital elitemilwaukee power tools
Reply:I like the look of V3.Maybe you could add a dished tray to the bottom frame.  It would be handy to store some accessories
Reply:How about a cup (beer) holder?
Reply:kool stools....Adam MMorales Ranch
Reply:very nice ! major improvement in weld quality / bead appearance...my hat`s off 2 u, oxymoron!
Reply:How about some cotton batting and a piece of heavy leather to pad that seat with?  Also, if you wanna get real fancy, how about cutting curves in the edges of the wooden seat to better fit a person's legs?I'm inspired to throw away my $10 folding stool from Wallymart after seeing your post.  Thanks for putting up the photos.Benson's Mobile Welding - Dayton, OH metro area - AWS Certified Welding Inspector
Reply:Very nice!  I must have one of these.  How about filling in the bottom of the frame w/ light gauge CS sheet. Handy place to put stuff.Miller 211 w/ spool gunMiller Dynasty 200DXLongevity 60i IGBT plasmaO/A w/ crappy chinese torch/gaugesSouth Bend 10K latheGrizzly 4029 10x54 millGrizzly 7x12 hor bandsawangle grnders, bench grnder, bench belt sndr7.5 hp 80gal cmprsor
Reply:one more shot, a la, off road (non-suspension)
Reply:added a bottom plate (1/16") and used the wheels to pinch it in place.  didn't weld the plate on because it would be difficult to replace.painted the whole thing, rustoleum high gloss black.
Reply:Looks good, and I applaud your effort. But there is one tiny little thing (and its entirely my personality) - something inside me just groans when I see rectangular tubing on its side, in its weakest orientation (structurally).I apologize for casting a pall over your thread. It is a nice stool...XMT 350 MPA Dynasty 280DXSuitcase 8RC / OptimaSpoolmatic 30AThermco Ar / C02 mixerAssorted O/A gear
Reply:Great Stool !I just don't know how anyone can sit on WOOD!  My freakin' back would be SCUHreemin' at me after a mere 5 minutes or so...  My arse needs good padding!Cheers,/J...Miller Diversion 165120 amp Buzz BoxVictor Oxy/Ace Oxy/LPGSmith "Little" Oxy/LPGHypertherm Powermax 30Lot's of Misc. tools n' crap....
Reply:BCRD, I did not know that about the orientation of the rectangular tubing.  Now that you mentioned it, it makes sense.  But, since these rec tubes are 1/8" walled (2x1"), and the round tubing is also 1/8" walled (1" dia), I'm not too worried about it.  I will keep the orientation business in mind next time, though.  So far, with my 200lb+ frame on it, no signs of flex.Jman, as I mentioned, i'm 200lb+, i got lots of built-in padding already,  I only use these chairs when I make long, continuous weld on the bench.  The casters are glass smooth.  The chair is for long, continuous long welds, which doesn't come around too often for me.
Reply:[QUOTE=oxy moron;430048]BCRD, I did not know that about the orientation of the rectangular tubing.  My recommendation is remotely to the tube in that I think that if you were to to use either a self tap screw,tapped hole machine screw or some other means to attach the wheels that it would look better than having all those nasty lookin bolts. It is such a small framed item that they look too busy on there. Just my 2 cents worth thats all. Ps I bought one like ver 1. I agree completely. POS So perhaps I will build something like yours.It  will need to brew for a while BUT I am steeling your level mount and putting in my to build list. Thanks PeteMiller thunderbolt 250Decastar 135ERecovering tool-o-holic ESAB OAI have been interested or involved in Electrical, Fire Alarm, Auto, Marine, Welding, Electronics ETC to name a just a few. So YES you can own too many tools.
Reply:tapping threads, or self tapping bolt.....that would be a lot cleaner.. wish i had thought of it.
Reply:@ dumb as a stump - I love your handle and avatar@ oxy moron - your avatar creeps me out alittleJust sayin...JasonI know I know, some things I should just keep to myself.XMT 350 MPA Dynasty 280DXSuitcase 8RC / OptimaSpoolmatic 30AThermco Ar / C02 mixerAssorted O/A gear
Reply:Regarding the orientation of the tubing, the section modulus (typically denoted as "z") is the number of interest. An HSS properties chart shows a value of 0.184 in^3 on the flat, versus 0.280 in^3 in the vertical orientation. Which makes it > 1.5 times stronger in bending. Obviously orientation makes no difference under a compression (for example a column) or tensile load.Thought you might find that interesting for future reference. Below is a link to the chart I mentioned (note: its a pdf download). They use Sx and Sy for section modulus instead of z as I mentioned.http://www.steeltubeinstitute.org/pd...pabilities.pdfHave fun...JasonXMT 350 MPA Dynasty 280DXSuitcase 8RC / OptimaSpoolmatic 30AThermco Ar / C02 mixerAssorted O/A gear
Reply:awesome collection of photosyou've got me thinking, now I want to build a three legged stool on casters