UPCYCLED BICYCLE FRAME STOOLS

I've had this idea brewing for a little while and recently had the opportunity to get it into a more realised form.  The combination of bicycle rims and frame tubes seemed to make a good set of materials from which to make a stool.  I was especially keen to try and develop a design that revolved around 3 legs so that a complete stool could be built from one frame.  This would be pragmatic but also offer the chance to really retain the identity of a bike.

These stools use a 20" rim and are about 330mm high.  I also made a couple of more table like versions that use a 27" and a 26" rim, respectively.

 

BICYCLE STOOLS : JIG TIME

Making a good jig to hold things in place whilst they are tacked together or generally worked on is always a satisfying thing.  Here are a few process shots of some of the steps for making the recycled bicycle frame stools that needed jig action.

 Step 1 involves holding the rim in a centred position with a suitable frame that can have other bits clamped to and around it.

Step 2 requires holding tabs in place, butted against the rim whilst being able to rotate the whole assembly and make some discreet tack welds.

A couple of steps on and it needed a bunch more clamping, positioning and manouvring potential.

A couple of other jigs for this project included a kind of resting jig that holds the finally assembled parts in place an allows access for welding inside.  I also finally got around to making a simple circle cutting jig for my router - pretty much shed techniques 101 - but I haven't done it before.