Odd project idea

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Disclaimer:  This project may never actually take shape due to the time constraints put up by my job.  Viewer discretion is advised.OK so most of you don't really know me.  I recently started a job as a Welder II (structural certs) for Case in Fargo, ND.  So I moved here, got an apartment, and left my farm behind.I didn't bring much of anything for furniture as I'm making good money I figured I'd buy some new stuff and make some things I've always wanted to make.My apartment is on the 3rd floor.  I can't move a couch up the turns in the stair wells, and even if I could, I wouldn't be able to make the turn into my hall from the door.So here is my idea, and maybe some other views would help me get better details on the project.  I want to build a metal frame that bolts together, then get some custom cushions made for the arms, the bottom cushion and the back cushion.Now you may be saying, "isn't this just a futon".  Well it's not going to fold down into a bed, futon's are un comfortable to sit on, and the one piece "matress" always falls off when I have sat on a futon.I want to make the base a open square, and then get some webbing on there for seating with some spring in it.  Thinking like using some heavy ratchet strap material for the webbing.  The cushions I'd have made so they are a foot, foot and a half thick, and have them sew in some belting to secure them to the frame.  The disclaimer, well Case is a pretty demanding place, and after this 3 day weekend I get, (should be 4 but they twisted my arm into working Friday, want a newer pickup), we will be working 11 hour shifts instead of 10, and we already have to work Friday and Saturday, I wouldn't doubt Sunday too.  So while I could afford to build a house around a new couch, I would rather build one and stay where I'm at for now.Any thoughts or opinions on how you would go about building this?  Anything you think I should "add on".Last edited by Antibling; 08-30-2007 at 02:09 PM.
Reply:Sounds pretty ambitious to me. I think I would go look for a good quality used couch, then cut it up to get it into the room, then repair the frame once I had it in the room I wanted.If you do go ahead with the project, all the more power to you. You won't get any "spring" at all out of the ratchet strapping. That stuff has very little if any stretch. With cushions that thick, you shouldn't need any spring in the support anyway.Good luck, and have fun.-Ryan McEachern
Reply:So instead of building a basic frame that would easily disassemble with a few hand tools, and having someone make me cushions, I should:Try to find a use couch that is long enough for me and in good condition, then proceed to cut said couch in half (which would have to entail me removing all the upholstery from the couch frame), move the still large pieces up the stairs, then try to splice a wood frame back together so it holds my fat ***, and put the upholstery back on so it looks right?My idea is build a square box frame, that would bolt to two sides, and incorporate back bar that bolts on.  Put a piece of plywood on the back and have 4 cushions made, 2 for the arms, 1 for the bottom, one for the back.The heaviest thing out of the whole thing would be the rectangular base.  Another pro for this is I would have storage space underneath it.
Reply:I like your idea and have thought of making my own furniture some day too. I was thinking 2x2 or 3x3 sq stainless vertical posts at the four corners connected by 1 1/2x 1 1/2 horizontal beams. It would be really expensive though.
Reply:I have a really cool chair that just hangs a sheet of leather between some metal bars to form a seat.  It's kinda like a hammock, but more stationary.  It would be easy to make so it could be assembled and disassembled...and, you could make is as wide or narrow as you like.  The first one looks alot like mine...but, newer.  The others might be good for ideas.http://www.home-theater-stars.com/large-al-WAS-K.htmhttp://www.leatherchairstore.com/Cor...ise-Lounge.htmhttp://www.leatherchairstore.com/ste...k-loveseat.htmSmithboy...if it ain't broke, you ain't tryin'.
Reply:Not trying to discourage you from building your own, but have you looked at what used to be "crate" furniture.Was originally built with materials salvaged from packing crates.  That was, until the demand exceeded the supply.  Anyway, the furniture (rather substantial and quality cushions) comes disassembled already.The reason it comes to mind is because, when I was in the military (many moons ago) I had a set (sofa, loveseat, 2 chairs, coffee table, 2 end tables).  It "traveled" very well through multiple moves.Just a thought.Syncro 250 DX Dynasty 200 DXMM 251 w/30A SG XMT 304 w/714 Feeder & Optima PulserHH187Dialarc 250 AC/DCHypertherm PM 1250Smith, Harris, Victor O/ASmith and Thermco Gas MixersAccess to a full fab shop with CNC Plasma, Water Jet, etc.
Reply:I lived on the 4th floor of an apartment with stairs just like yours, it's hard, but you can get anything up there with a couple people and some maneuvering.
Reply:I could make it up the stairs, but it is absolutely impossible for me to get the couch in the hallway.  A love seat, yes, a couch, no.  Although I could figure out a crane and lift it up and in my balcony.  Hmmm.Smithboy, that 3rd link was very interesting.  Got some ideas from that.Sundown, I googled crate furniture, and that's about what my original idea was for what I'm building, only instead of a frame of wood, it would be metal.  As far as it being expensive, metal is all sitting out at my farm.  When you have uncles and a grandpa that never hauled scrap in, you got plenty of source material.  Not to mention the grain bin full of scrap metal (metal left over after a run) I accumulated from my last job, I think I got it covered.
Reply:You might be surprised about what you can get through some awkward spaces, but I understand that sometimes, it just won't fit---As for building a frame, have you considered using a steel bedframe as a starting point? the drop-in ends require no tools; shorten the head and foot, drop one side a tad to be the back side, and make up a socket to support the back of the sofa. speaking about building a house around the couch, I once lived in a place like that. They did. I moved in, and the landlord said the previous tenants were getting new furniture, so they left the couch if i wanted it. If not, just drag it to the curb. Big, ugly thing, and I had a real nice sleeper. Tried to get the sleeper in, and it wouldn't fit. No way, no how. So I looked at the thing that was in there. No way to get it out. No even removing the window and shoving it through the hole. Gave away the sleeper, got a bed, and lived with the ugly uncomfortable thing in the living room. About a year after I moved in, I saw, in the back of a closet, with a wall that backs up to another apartment, where there had been once cut a couch sized hole than repaneled and the closet rebuilt. Someone REALLY wanted that thing.
Reply:Originally Posted by Antibling[SIZE="1"]Any thoughts or opinions on how you would go about building this?  Anything you think I should "add on".
Reply:Originally Posted by 69 chevyEver heard of IKEA?  It's Swedish furniture that comes completely knocked down--you assemble it following the included instructions.  It's how I managed to get an executive sized desk up one flight of enclosed stairs--in pieces, then assembled right in the room where it is to stay.
Reply:My niece has a few IKEA items in her house.  I would say that their emphasis is not on their items lasting too long but more oriented toward image ease of assembly for appartment dwellers.  Her desk was made from what appeared to be the same stuff hollow-core doors are and her shelves were not much heavier.  Easy to knock down and re-assemble...easy to carry...but, I bet none of the stuff she has would last if it were to be treated at all roughly.  However, it has worked for her.  I am sure there are varying levels of quality, because the prices vary quite a bit on thier stuff.  My niece is just transitioning from student life into real-world life.  If she ends up having kids like mine, the desk and shelves will be sawdust in no time.Last edited by smithboy; 08-31-2007 at 12:51 PM.Smithboy...if it ain't broke, you ain't tryin'.
Reply:Originally Posted by AntiblingHow is it for quality?  Is it like the wally world furniture that disassembles and is flimsy?  Or does it use actual screws and bolts to hold it together?
Reply:I am pretty sure the stuff my niece has is bottom-end IKEA stuff...I should point that out.  I have seen, but never used, their commerical office furniture...very sleek and looks to be very functional.  I wasn't trying to disparage the brand, just point out that some of their stuff is lighter (very likely on purpose because of its intended market) and probably not as durable as other stuff they make.Smithboy...if it ain't broke, you ain't tryin'.