Topic: 1960's fiberglass chair cut for seat pan

[547]

so my wife wont let me spend any more money on my sons bike cause he can't ride it for another 5 years.
she doesn't understand the process will never end for any of the bikes we have so 5years is nothing in the grand scheme of things.
anyhow, my boys '69 cb160 needs a lower profile seat than the stock seat. I came up with the idea of taking an old trashed Herman miller fiberglass chair(old and trashed only - Herman Miller is like Honda to me, bulletproof quality and timeless style- if you can't restore it then use whatever you can)
anyhow again, I have an old Herman Miller fiberglass chair from the '60's and I want to cut it to use for a seat pan
that I will pad and wrap in leather.

My question is can a piece of fiber glass that old and thick be cut successfully? If so then what kind of cutting tool can be used and what would the process be?

So whoever knows their fiberglass I could use the input

[OakBehringer]

How thick?

[Retro Rocket]

I use a 4 inch grinder with a diamond tip cutting wheel, cuts it easily.

Mick

[moham]

I want to see a picture of the chair you're using and how you end up. If you please. I'm trying to cook up something similar.

[547]

the chair is between 1/4 and 1/8 in. thick.
i will be cutting the frame back to the shock mounts and then i will determine which portion of the chair will cover the area.
the shape of the seat will be oblong. here are some photos of the chair and the project bike the finished seat will go on.
the last photo is not a mock-up
it's just for giggles

[Retro Rocket]

You should be able to get a good shape for your seat from that chair, great idea. 

Mick

[Sporkfly]

Heck, just bolt the whole thing on! Looks like a comfy ride 

Really though, a cutting wheel on a grinder should go through that like butter.

[547]

i can get a diamond tip cutting wheel at home depot or the local hardware right?
yeah i showed that photo to my son and told him that was his new seat, the look on his face was priceless.

how do i finish the cut edges?

[moham]

So, my next question is: how will you fasten the covered seat to the frame? Can you bolt into that Fiberglas? 

[754]

Can be cut with Bandsaw or hacksaw as well , any cut off wheel might woork too.

why not save the chair and make an aluminum pan?

[Mach-5(50)]

how about using strips of fiberglass and resin to cover the edges? should be easy enough even without experience. even easier if you do.

later,

ryan

[FunJimmy]

why not save the chair and make an aluminum pan?

+1

Making a dedicated seat from other materials is a better option. IMHO.

Cheers
FJ

[Soos]

If you don't want the wife to know how much you have spent, save up your change, and go to a re-cycle place.

You can get aluminum plate for CHEAP.
Or go to places like salvation army(or the like) and look for something cheap that has thick enough plate to make a seatpan out of.


l8r

[547]

well i figured that i already have the chair here and no aluminum. it might make more sense to use aluminum and i may consider that. for some reason this fiberglass just seems more sturdy. Besides, I have a surplus of usable chairs, Herman Miller, American of Martinsville, Arne Jacobsen, Thonet, Heywood Wakefield, etc... so I can part with this one since I can't use it otherwise.
The material feels better in my hands than metal and more like I could work with it easier. That might not be the reality of it but that is what I am comfortable with.
What is the process for cutting aluminum anyhow?

 As far as attaching the fiberglass seat, I haven't thought that far ahead. I will most likely use bolts but I am considering using my experience as a leather worker to make some straps and strapping it up tight to the frame. I have successfully used leather straps for things like attaching side covers and replacing tank stays and holding batteries and wire harnesses in place. I'll have to see how I am going to do that.

What would be better about using aluminum? I might be missing something when it comes to that.

[FunJimmy]

What is the process for cutting aluminum anyhow?
What would be better about using aluminum? I might be missing something when it comes to that.

Aluminum is a very soft material and is very easy to cut, shape, form, rivit and weld if nessesary.
Cutting can be done with most wood saws including table saw, circular saw, band saw and hack saw.
It is easy to bend and form with simple hammers and clamps too.

Check out the many build forums for applications and ideas.

FJ

[754]

Can be cut with tin snips , and DOES NOT ITCH

 Also can be POLISHED..!!

& does not ITCH!!



 Oh, And did I mention it does not ITCH..





You can probably make a very strong seat pan out of NO ITCH  .080 or .090 thick, try that with glass..

[FunJimmy]

Oh, And did I mention it does not ITCH..

+1  Very good point!

[547]

you are right about the itch. i put an 1/8 inch cut in that chair and realized i was getting into a mess that i just didn't want to deal with. i am going to go with aluminum. thanks for the input.
i might give that chair to my Mod Hillbilly brother-in-law so he can build a VW trike around it.