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Author Topic:  Homemade Pac-a-Seat
Scott Duckworth


From:
Etowah, TN Western Foothills of the Smokies
Post  Posted 11 May 2013 6:17 am    
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Here's my idea to build a pac-a-seat. Comments welcome.


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Jack Stoner


From:
Kansas City, MO
Post  Posted 11 May 2013 7:05 am    
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I've built about a dozen seats. I found 2" foam isn't enough, even the heavy green "superfoam". The last one I built (last year) I used heavy weight (green) 3" foam mounted on a 3/4" plywood lid.

The legs I used were from a walker that I bought at a good will store and cut down to size, as I have no way of bending aluminum pipe. I have used 3/4" conduit that was cut (mitered) and welded to make the U shaped legs.

I also have backs on my seats, I wouldn't have or build one without it anymore. Boat seat hinges work good for steel seat backs (I think what one of the steel seat companies use).
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Dale Rottacker


From:
Walla Walla Washington, USA
Post  Posted 11 May 2013 7:20 am    
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Jack Stoner wrote:
I've built about a dozen seats. I found 2" foam isn't enough, even the heavy green "superfoam". The last one I built (last year) I used heavy weight (green) 3" foam mounted on a 3/4" plywood lid.

The legs I used were from a walker that I bought at a good will store and cut down to size, as I have no way of bending aluminum pipe. I have used 3/4" conduit that was cut (mitered) and welded to make the U shaped legs.

I also have backs on my seats, I wouldn't have or build one without it anymore. Boat seat hinges work good for steel seat backs (I think what one of the steel seat companies use).


Jack, I've learned a couple of things from you in the last couple of days...First I was looking at audio interface for recording, or attempting to record, and found, right on the first page a comment you made on another forum, where they compared Focusrite to Line6...I got the Focusrite 2i4, thanks...then I look at this thread and see what you said about foam...I have an OLD Cush Seat I've had for maybe 25 years, and my big Hiddy Hoe is wearing it out...There never has seemed to be enough, or dense enough padding on it, and rather then buy a new seat or try and build one, (BTW, Scott your plans look really nice, I'd love to know how you made the drawing) I thought about reupholstering it, and wondered if about using a really dense memory foam...Any thoughts on that?

Dale
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Dick Sexton


From:
Greenville, Ohio
Post  Posted 11 May 2013 8:16 am     22" High 12" Front to Back
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Scott, I would think that 12" front to back(your legs will be even closer then that because of the floor flanges), would lend itself to being pretty unstable. I have two seats, legs are 10 inches center to center, front to back. I would think you would want that as a minimum for leg spacing. I've seen guys roll off backwards, and it ain't a pretty sight. Just saying. I do like the idea of doing it yourself. Nice drawings!
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Scott Duckworth


From:
Etowah, TN Western Foothills of the Smokies
Post  Posted 11 May 2013 9:05 am    
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Couple more thoughts.... as for the foam, I was thinking about using heavy weight carpet pad, stacked to get the 2". And for the legs, I may go 3/4", with the pipe flanges right in the corners. And it wouldn't be a problem to go 14" front to back.
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Jack Stoner


From:
Kansas City, MO
Post  Posted 11 May 2013 9:26 am    
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I haven't tried memory foam.

The last one I built, I used 3" Lux foam from Foam Factory www.foambymail.com

Quote:
Lux Foam - High Quality
Firm foam for regular or heavy use. Lux Foam-HQ is a high quality foam suggested for seats, chairs, cushions, benches and mattresses. It has a typical life of 16 years.
(2.8LB /ft3 density with a 55LB ILD)

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Bill Ford


From:
Graniteville SC Aiken
Post  Posted 11 May 2013 10:10 am    
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Scott,
This is the way I did the legs..cut 45deg, and welded,also how I did the backrest, as Jack said, a lifesaver.

BF




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Pete Nicholls


From:
Macon, Georgia, USA
Post  Posted 11 May 2013 10:32 am    
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For the foam, you should investigate seat cushions for pilots. That's what I use for my home made seat and it works as good as the best, and better than the rest! I don't remember all the details from when I investigated the foam for pilot seat cushions, but do a google search and I'm sure you'll find all the info that I did about a year ago.

Cheers,
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Scott Duckworth


From:
Etowah, TN Western Foothills of the Smokies
Post  Posted 11 May 2013 11:08 am    
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Thanks for the tips guys. Pete, thanks for the tip on the pilot cushion. I didn't find any posts about your seat, so I'll just ask here, does the cushion just sit on your box or what ever?

Also, what is the "normal" front to back dimension of a steels seat?
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Pete Nicholls


From:
Macon, Georgia, USA
Post  Posted 11 May 2013 11:25 am    
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Scott Duckworth wrote:
Thanks for the tips guys. does the cushion just sit on your box or what ever?


I just used the foam for the pilot's seat. I used the 4" foam and it is holding up real well, and very comfortable. If you don't find it, let me know and I'll see if I can re-incarnate it!

pete
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Last edited by Pete Nicholls on 11 May 2013 11:30 am; edited 1 time in total
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Pete Nicholls


From:
Macon, Georgia, USA
Post  Posted 11 May 2013 11:30 am     Found the info on the pilot's foam
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http://www.aviationsupplyonline.com/custom.em?pid=548924

It comes in different densities, see the table below. Mine is 4 inches thick, but don't know the configuration. Prices are kinda high!

http://www.aviationsupplyonline.com/category_browse.em?category_id=244006

Type Texture Application
CF-NT Extra Soft Seats for infants, cover for stiffer material, bedding applications
CF-40 Very Soft Seats for children, cover for stiffer material
CF-42 Soft Seats for 115 lb. person 3"-4" seat pad
CF-45 Firm Seats for 170 lb. person 3"-4" seat pad
CF-47 Very Firm Seats for 200+ lb. person, or seat in hot-humid environment for 170 lb. person.
* This table should be used only for reference and does not represent all applications possible. For more detailed material information, refer to E-A-R’s Technical Data Sheet TDS-13 or contact the Applications Engineering Department.

You may be interested in reading this pdf document:

http://www.earsc.com/pdfs/engineering/Seating.pdf

I should add that the home=made seat I have was given to me, but was told that the foam was designed for a pilot's seat. As it was already assembled, I don't know what the laminate construction is, whether it is 3 + 1, or 2 + 2, but it is 4"
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Scott Duckworth


From:
Etowah, TN Western Foothills of the Smokies
Post  Posted 11 May 2013 11:53 am    
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Thanks Pete. I was looking at actual cushions, not the foam.... Whoa!
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Sonny Jenkins


From:
Texas Masonic Retirement Center,,,Arlington Tx
Post  Posted 11 May 2013 3:17 pm    
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W.C.Edgar made my seat,,,,don't know if he still makes them or not. He told me he used Motorcycle seat foam,,,had it 10+ years,,,still looks and feels new!!!
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Bobby D. Jones

 

From:
West Virginia, USA
Post  Posted 11 May 2013 6:59 pm     Home made Pack a Seat
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A good place to look for good foam is the Health Services and rental facilities. They handle pads and foam for wheel chairs. This has to be good foam when the person may have to spend 16 hours a day on it for months at a time. May be another source to look at. I have a seat from a wheel chair here waiting for one of my steel seats to come home to replace the pad with.
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Scott Duckworth


From:
Etowah, TN Western Foothills of the Smokies
Post  Posted 12 May 2013 3:13 am    
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I agree on the wheelchair seat pad. I used to work in a nursing home. Of course the only problem is, anything tied to healthcare if 4 times actual cost...
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I may, in fact, be nuts. However, I am screwed onto the right bolt... Jesus!
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Bob Hickish


From:
Port Ludlow, Washington, USA, R.I.P.
Post  Posted 12 May 2013 5:53 am    
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this might make a good seat to add to Scott’s design

http://shop.sportsmansguide.com/net/cb/wise-low-back-fold-down-boat-seat.aspx?a=196631
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Jack Stoner


From:
Kansas City, MO
Post  Posted 12 May 2013 5:56 am    
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The link to the aircraft seat foam looks like the same as what I linked, except probably higher in price because of the specialty application (just like the medical stuff).

I'm 208lbs and the 3" foam holds up for me.

I don't know what Steeler's Choice or SteelSeat uses for their seat material.
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Johan Jansen


From:
Europe
Post  Posted 12 May 2013 9:20 am    
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Why not making it 19" ? Gives the possibillity to howl 19" stuff around.... Smile Otherwise, very good concept!
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Scott Duckworth


From:
Etowah, TN Western Foothills of the Smokies
Post  Posted 16 May 2013 11:38 am    
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I think I have found a seat... a little hard, but functional... Laughing



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Amateur Radio Operator NA4IT (Extra)
http://www.qsl.net/na4it

I may, in fact, be nuts. However, I am screwed onto the right bolt... Jesus!
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Mike Wheeler


From:
Delaware, Ohio, USA
Post  Posted 17 May 2013 6:11 am    
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Laughing Laughing Laughing

Even has a "sidecar"! Laughing Laughing
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Mule Ferguson


From:
N Wilkesboro NC,
Post  Posted 17 May 2013 7:59 am    
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That would make a nice Dobro.

HeHaw
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Gene Jones

 

From:
Oklahoma City, OK USA, (deceased)
Post  Posted 17 May 2013 8:24 am    
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Any of the above is better than the original.....an empty beer case on a folding chair. Laughing
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Scott Duckworth


From:
Etowah, TN Western Foothills of the Smokies
Post  Posted 6 Jun 2013 11:26 am    
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Well, got-er-done. Not as nice as "store bought" but functional...



Box is made from 7/16" Avantech. Legs are 3/4" black steel pipe, into floor flanges on the bottom. Cushion is a PFD cushion for a boat from Walmart for $9. Around $100 total.
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Amateur Radio Operator NA4IT (Extra)
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I may, in fact, be nuts. However, I am screwed onto the right bolt... Jesus!
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Tyler Mechem

 

From:
South Carolina, USA
Post  Posted 7 Jun 2013 12:27 pm     More pictures?
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Scott,
Do you have any pictures of the inside and bottom? I'm considering building one and would love to see more of what you did.
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Scott Duckworth


From:
Etowah, TN Western Foothills of the Smokies
Post  Posted 7 Jun 2013 1:24 pm    
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I don't have the inside partitioned yet, but in lew of carpet or some other material, I used the rubber coating spray advertised in TV. It dries completely dry in a day, seals what ever is sprayed, and seems to be pretty scratch resistant. I also sprayed to bottom of the lid, and bottom of the box with it.

I plan to have two - three partitions, according to equipment, and may pad the bottom with some foam. I also have two handles for the sides, but didn't have the right screws to mount them yet.

I may have to adjust the leg height as I just sold my Marlen, and am in process of buying another steel (hopefully tomorrow!)
_________________
Amateur Radio Operator NA4IT (Extra)
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I may, in fact, be nuts. However, I am screwed onto the right bolt... Jesus!
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