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j-michael — Tank Chair Number 2
Published: 2007-05-25 03:30:55 +0000 UTC; Views: 16856; Favourites: 300; Downloads: 576
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Description
The second version of my tank chair. Probably the last version too. This piece has over 300 hours in it. It is made from steam bent maple, painted steel, cast iron and urethane rubber.Photo Credit: Ryan P
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Comments: 78
That's really cool! The wheels look like something you can buy off the robotmarketplace.com.
Myself, I'd stain or paint the wooden track a dark color to look more like a tank tread, but I suppose it depends on the look you're going for. Regardless, it's an excellent piece of work. Very clever design.
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I hate staining, I don't do it. Especially on this piece, the amount of wear and tear on the track scratches would show up too easily with anything but just a clear coat. Paint would be sacrilege.
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This is an incredible design. Combines the tank feel with a subtle suggestion of victorian steamtech. Best of all, it looks unbelievably comfortable. I would be proud to own something like this as a chaise or a fainting couch.
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dude this is amazing!!!
im doing design and technology for my last 2 years of school and for my major project ive made a chair...nothin like this but its a chair...and so is this...and they are all designy like...
there a pic of it in my gallery but its not painted, im doin that this week sumtime...
i rekon u appreciate the design aspect more when it's something u have built with your own hands.
once again...wow
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This is a really awesome piece.
What is the material used for connecting the slats of wood, I don't see a mention of it (though I might've missed it) I would think that something with a little stretch/give to it would make it more comfortable, as it forms to the body, but also the slat'd pinch and then it may also not hold up over time as well as something flexible, but not elastic.
Also, why spend so much time and work molding rubber to form the wheels and such? Those look like some pretty basic wheels that you could probably get from any catalog or some of the more major hardware supply stores. Just a time/cost saver suggestion if you go about making multiples.
Awesome piece though, very creative and QUITE well executed over the previous one.
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The slat's are connected with aircraft cable and have rubber spacers. I molded the wheels based on aesthetics and price. The majority of the wheels available with cast tires are brightly colored plastic wheels with another bright color for the tires. In addition the cost of rubber, cast iron wheels, and mold making supplies is less than half the cost of commercially available wheels with tires.
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dang... cool beans then. Thanks for the info!
Interesting, to say the least.
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I included it here too [link] I hope that many more people can enjoy it
Keep up the lovely work
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How big is it size wise? looks super cool! well done for putting so much work and love into it!
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Probably the coolest sitting facility that i have ever seen. is it comfortable? looks to be so.
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Woah, that looks fantastic, and very fun. I don't think I'd be able to sit on it without adding my own tank sound effects.
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you have an amazing imagination
I would definitley like to sit on that.
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I wish I knew something about carpentry and furniture design so I could say something intelligent here, but all i can think of is how I wish I had loads of money so I could commission you to make all my furniture!
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Alot of work was put into this, well worth it work. Even looks really comfortable to sit in the rolling part is still a kickass concept. LIked the first tankchair, really like this one.
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What kind of finish did you use on the maple?
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I don't remember exactly what the finish is. It's a two part lacquer. You mix in a small amount of hardener before putting it into the sprayer. My old boss let me toss them in with a bunch of other stuff we were finishing that day. It's basically just clear lacquer but it's remarkably hard, and you can spray it on really thick without any ill effects. Theres only two coats and it been holding up really well for the year that it's been done. Especially considering the fact that it all moves.
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Each of the 60 wood slats is actually 3 pieces that were steamed and laminated. So starting from rough lumber I cut it down to rough size then planed them to finish size. Then I would steam them for about an hour then I had about 60 seconds to get them glued and in the mold. After that I had to cut them to finish size drill them, sand and finish them. All in all I'd say each wood slat take about two hours. The steel frame took a good amount of time to get smooth. Also I cast the tires from liquid rubber and making the molds for those was a little time consuming. I could make another chair in a lot less time as I already have all the necessary molds made.
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wow that's impressive! and it looks comfy too.
it's interesting to see you use a material so natural for a seat themed on a machine so destructive.
can't resist the
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As much as I liked the original version of this, I've gotta say that I like this one much more.
The chair seems to flow better with the bent wood, and the look still just astounds me.
How long did the wood bending process take out of that 300 hours? Seems to me like that would be the longest part of the process.
Simply beautiful, I'd pay good money to see one of these sitting in my living room.
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That looks absolutely amazing. I love how the wood (or the way the wood is bent) acts like a comfortability groove on the outside and as tracks for the wheels on the inside.
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Thats cool, perfect design for re-adjusting your position if your on a patio or something. Does moveing it scuff the wood?
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