Workshop Progress

Using my 1:1 drawings of the chair and the mock-up frame i welded earlier in the semester i cut out a jig template to use as a guide for cutting the steel rods that make up the 'seat' of my chair. The jig was machine cut (saw) and sanded to achieve a smooth, curve profile.

The jog was clamped to the workbench and the rods cut to about 1200mm lenghts. We worked out a bending system of firstly creating the hook curve of the seats back. This was created using a combination of sheer manual hand-bending, roller-bending, banging and lots and lots of hand manipulation.

The bending of the steel took an enormous amount of time and energy, 4 full-days for 8 lenghts of steel in fact. Because of the lenghty process i decided i would have to make do with the 8 and difference in thickness by increasing the spacings and contour of the curve. By tacking the steel to the frame i decided on having 6mm rod on the outer-side and the remainder 4mm steel to the centre for a harmonious and even composition. 

With some assistance i tack welded (mig) the steel to the steel frame having grinded off the temporary legs.