I need some help in the design and manufacture of this chair. I wanted to design a “cute” chair and this is the result. As you can see this is a cardboard model. As you look at the model, envision that the only parts made of wood would be the seat and the chair back. The U shaped leg/arm assembly would be metal tubing. I am thinking a brushed aluminum or copper. Also the part that holds up the back would be metal tubing. I am wondering about bracing. I think I would need to put a metal bar or tube from one front leg to the other sides rear leg right under the chairs seat. By doing this to both sides an X would be right under the chair seat. I would be able to attach the chair seat to this X. Beside the X, I was thinking of putting two horizontal tubes, one slightly above the other between the rear legs. These would be just under the height of the seat. They probably wouldn’t be seen from the front of the chair. The other concern is that as the model is now, it is too small for an adult to sit in. One needs to have rather narrow hips to fit between the arms. Another problem area is the tube that holds up the back. How shall I attach it so that it is strong enough? I thought that I could drill a large hole in the chair seat, large enough for the tube to fit through. If the tube had a flange on the bottom I could attach the flange to the bottom of the seat. I was thinking that a better solution might be to remove the tube as shown in the photo and have a horizontal tube that goes from one rear leg to the other, than I could attach the back to this tube. But this may destroy the look of the chair. Or drop the tube all the way down to the horizontal tubes that go from one back leg to the other and attach it there. Hmmm….
Also I need to figure out the metal work or somehow find someone to do it. How do I find someone who does this kind of work? I am sure that I am missing something here. If you have any thoughts on how to improve the look of the chair or how to make it, I would really appreciate your thoughts. I can also see that if I make the chair tall I would have a bar stool.
Also I must thank John Miliunas for his always generous and freely given assistance with the photo help.
I look forward to any comments, good or bad that you might have.