hack car seat for PC/office use :o)

asteroid · 02-27-2004, 08:53 AM

this might sound a bit insane,

my office chair for my PC is looking tatty, theres a hole on the seat fabric, Ive snapped off one of the arms off and the back is coming away.

Idea:

The metal base of my office chair (I got it from a local tax office who were throwing a load of them out) is quite sturdy, and has the usual hydraulic lever thing.

is it possible I could get a nice quality leather chair from a car from a scrap yard and bolt it onto the base of my office chair?

Im guessing theres probably not much demand for car seats in scrapyards and it should be quite cheap to get good used one.

has anyone ever done this?

any experienced scrapyard scavangers here, can suggest how easy this would be to do, or if some metal bracket would have to be fabricated in between.

mp3z24 · 02-27-2004, 09:07 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by asteroid

this might sound a bit insane,

my office chair for my PC is looking tatty, theres a hole on the seat fabric, Ive snapped off one of the arms off and the back is coming away.

Idea:

The metal base of my office chair (I got it from a local tax office who were throwing a load of them out) is quite sturdy, and has the usual hydraulic lever thing.

is it possible I could get a nice quality leather chair from a car from a scrap yard and bolt it onto the base of my office chair?

Im guessing theres probably not much demand for car seats in scrapyards and it should be quite cheap to get good used one.

has anyone ever done this?

any experienced scrapyard scavangers here, can suggest how easy this would be to do, or if some metal bracket would have to be fabricated in between.

yes... this has been done before... not exactly the same... but close
http://www.robotics.com/chair/

~mike

Confused · 02-27-2004, 09:13 AM

Nice link, mike!!

I think I might have to do that at some stage

I was considering that a couple of years ago with a steering wheel/pedals...i think it's time for me to get my force-feedback wheel for the PC and do it!

Garry

e_fractal · 02-27-2004, 09:19 AM

http://hardforum.com/showthread.php?threadid=733716

Ive been thinking about doing the same thing for awhile now. I got a set of buckets for $20 at a U-pull-it type scrap yard. It should be simple enough to weld/fabricate an adapter to an office chair base. Im just worried they will be too top-heavy, because I like to lean back alot

Just make sure your base will fit the seat. If its really tall + heavy you will need a larger base, or keep it a lowrider depending on your desk situation.

I am planning something different now. A big comfy lazy boy. It will probably require some work on my desk, but its doable. Just need to figure out how to make the left armrest fold down so you can get in the seat without moving it, then fold back up when you want up.

I havnt looked into how they work yet, but you know that lever on the side you use to recline? Well, I think that will be what drops the armrest down. Either that or voice activated relay + some solenoids = l33t

Filip · 02-27-2004, 05:42 PM

I would rather like something like this - although maybe without using a Recaro:
http://store3.yimg.com/I/soloracerdotcom_1778_1731414

Bobby Digital · 02-27-2004, 06:07 PM

so instead of bringing the PC to the car like most of us on here are doing, you're bringing the car to your PC

Good luck!

robiewp · 02-27-2004, 08:51 PM

where on earth did you find a you-pull it scrap yard? I haven't been able to find any the last couple of years. All of the scrap yards are intereconnected now, and charge a premium for a part!

e_fractal · 02-27-2004, 08:59 PM

We have two here in So. Oregon within 10 miles of each other. I get parts from them all the time for my stupid little projects

nolmscheid · 02-27-2004, 11:03 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by e_fractal

We have two here in So. Oregon within 10 miles of each other. I get parts from them all the time for my stupid little projects

We have some U-Pull it Parts places in MN too

aleromaster · 02-28-2004, 12:22 AM

Before I moved I had a 2000 Vette seat for a comp chair. Got the seat out of my niegbors toltaled Vette before the insurance company took it. Man I loved that chair but had no room for it in the move

nadir_s · 02-28-2004, 03:41 AM

man that is sooooooooooooooooooooo ghetto haha

http://www.slickdeals.net

just look for a good deal on office chairs! 40 bucks after rebate usually.. .save yourself the hassle!

jusatry · 02-28-2004, 03:50 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by robiewp

where on earth did you find a you-pull it scrap yard? I haven't been able to find any the last couple of years. All of the scrap yards are intereconnected now, and charge a premium for a part!

there are a few in the valley here in LA.

Sun valley specifically.

deadweasel · 02-28-2004, 04:20 AM

Back in Flint, Dort Highway is known as the local "Strip". It's where all the nudie clubs were built, but a little farther north is redneck junkyard friggin heaven. There are like 20 yards at least within a 5-7 mile stretch. Dead cars for miles and miles, and parts just ripe for pickin.

I still visit up there for parts for my Cavalier, since I can't resist attempting to mod (and subsequently breaking) critical parts of my interior.

Filip · 03-04-2004, 02:09 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by nadir_s

man that is sooooooooooooooooooooo ghetto haha

http://www.slickdeals.net

just look for a good deal on office chairs! 40 bucks after rebate usually.. .save yourself the hassle!

Actually, I don't know anyone else's motives, but I'm going to make one for the comfort and not b/c of the cost savings. Racing seats are made to be sat in for long periods of time. I won't be the special seats that are hard to get in/out of (drag race style). It's not the cost since I'm actually going to pay more than the $40-50 ones found on the Net. Besides, I already have one of those aend I know what a POS chair it is. The foam gets permanently deformed after awhile. It comforms to your rear and you end up with a bolt up your butt because the cushion was reduced to 1/2" thick at that point. Plus I'll have something most people don't - a Sparco reclining office chair

00CericaRuss · 03-04-2004, 01:26 PM

heh.. i have some fake sparco torino's that i was thinkin about replacing my aeron office chair with since it's way more comfortable

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