Observing chairs revisited..

[barees63]

Hi All, I need an observing chair.. what I really want is a "catsperch" chair but I suspect it's beyond my meagre woodworking skills (and the kit would cost more than my scope!) so I'm looking at the Denver chair, I have read the posts (and article) here about chairs and was just wondering what the current thinking is.. have you made a Denver chair? do you still like it? Any tips? I have seen various websites where they suggest ditching the stair tread material, has anyone made one without a non-slip surface (Ving?) does it work ok? TIA!

[Thiink]

I made one (well, my dad made it...). They are great little devices the Denver chairs, really help save your legs/back. I used the non-slip material so cant help you with the no non-slip question.

We also added a cushion to the seat that was stapled on (helps save the bum). Works great!

[norm]

Hi,

Check out the DIY section in the Site Menu. ICEMAN has made one and it includes instructions etc.

[barees63]

Thanks Simon and Norm, I did read Iceman's article and was really just wondering whether time and experience usng these chairs (and others) had generated any new thoughts before I launch into making one myself..

[ving]

people mentioning my name again!!!! :eek:

hi bruce, you seen my seat or a pic of it? oh well here it is in all its glory

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v46/ving68/th_2b556a83.jpg (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v46/ving68/2b556a83.jpg)

was dead easy to make, i have no skills and few tools :)

[barees63]

Thanks Ving! Your chair looks very.... unique ;)

I assume not using the grip material hasn't caused any problems? I ask because a couple of websites I looked at claimed it ripped straight away and Iceman mentioned it cost him 30 bucks.. (yeah I'm cheap!)

[ving]

i am useing a grip material.
mos people get a long piece of say rubber and put it (glue, staple, whatever) down the front face... I knew that if i did this it would just rip off, so i got a small piece and put it on the seat where it contacts with the fron beam instead. works fine and inthe same fashion. I have yet to have problems with it coming off, tho admittedly i am a light weight. :)

[astronut]

Bruce, I have a denver chair, and they are truly a back saver.
Here is a picture of it. Cheers, John.

[g__day]

I use a bar stool - that rises about 2.5 feet - from Officeworks about $120

[acropolite]

Here's an alternative. http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/showthread.php?t=3320&highlight=catsperch but they are probably no better than the Denver chair.

[RAJAH235]

Or something like mine. Bit more work involved tho.. :D L.

[RapidEye]

Here is the "World's Simplest Observing Chair":
http://home.earthlink.net/~celstark/id13.html

Its called a "LYBAR" chair. I won't tell you what it stands for (you need to visit the site to see) =-)

I built one using scrap wood down in the shed and it took about 30 minutes for complete assembly. It works like a champ!

[RAJAH235]

That is a very well thought out and designed 'book shelf' that just happens to double as an observing chair. I like it. Does it fold up tho? No. Ain't got a lot of room in the car boot for it @ those dimensions. Can see 'scope', (pun intentional), for improvement in adding a 'locking type' cross member here or there + hinges. Nice 'n simple. :D L.

[barees63]

Thanks guys, John.. that's a really nice job, Rajah.. a work of art but probably beyond my resources.. The catsperch is a really nice chair and you can buy kits for only USD188 plus shipping (!) The LYBAR chair certainly appeals to my inate laziness (and lack of workshop facilities) but I think I'll have a go at making the Denver chair.. I'll post a picture if and when I get it done. Thanks again.

[RAJAH235]

np. :2thumbs: Glad to be of some help. :D L.
ps. Chicken. :P

[acropolite]

Interestingly the old PMG / Telecom / Telstra had a technicians stool exactly the same as the Lybar for sitting or standing at various heights to work on communications equipment..

[barees63]

Well, I finally got around to it.. here's my newly finished Denver chair, I got some 3M anti-slip tape from the bargain bin at my local hardware but haven't used it yet since it seems to work fine without it, just need to add a velcro strap to hold it all together when folded and a carry-handle..

http://www.zitafarm.com/astro/Chair2.jpg

[ving]

wheres the cow print cover? ;)

look pretty swish! :)

[casstony]

One suggestion I have for anyone building a denver chair is to use thinner wood for the uprights. The original design is unneccesarily heavy. 90x35mm is plenty strong for the upright that the seat slides on and you could go even thinner on the rear support, providing you don't use wood with knots in it.

-Tony

[barees63]

:D actually, I think I will be padding the seat, I didn't round the corners enough and the seat is a tad uncomfortable (although I haven't used it for real yet so may not notice once I have stars to take my mind off it..)



Yes, the original design is pretty much over-engineered.. I would also suggest adding self-adhesive felt to the inside surfaces of the side pieces of the seat, especially if you paint it as I've found mine is removing the paint on the sides of the uprights - and don't forget the cardboard shim.. it's not very well explained in the original instructions but if you don't use it the seat won't slide once you've painted it (don't ask how I know this, I fixed it now), also try to find a hardwood, I used wood called "radiata clear" which is pine with no knots but I think it's a bit soft as the seat bolt is denting the back of the front upright.

but all things considered I'm pretty happy with it :)

[RAJAH235]

Nice job Bruce. & I see it's painted in the shade of "Trip Over Black". :P :D L.