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With a road sign and some geometric shenanigans, the Nine Square Chair was born on a garage floor in Baltimore in early March. After making the Four Square Chair (http://www.instructables.com/you?show=INSTRUCTABLES&sort=ADDED&limit=10&offset=10) and the Flagman Table (http://www.instructables.com/id/Flagman-Table/), I thought of a way to combine the two.
The Flagman Table is made of a sign on a frame, which is a little bit cheap -- it avoids the challenge of using the sign structurally, and doesn't have the purity of concept that something made only from the sign would have. The Four Square Chair was based on a geometry of four squares, as the title suggests. Classical architecture, especially in plan, was derived, generally speaking, from a four-square grid: bilateral symmetry. Modern architecture was/is derived, generally speaking, from a nine-square grid, which allows for asymmetry.
A road sign 48" to a side breaks down neatly into a nine-square grid of 16" squares. Seat height for side chairs is usually in the 16"-17" range. I made a bunch of 1" to 12" scale models out of cereal box cardboard before I settled on a form that would turn into a chair without the need to add anything for bracing or stiffness -- purity of concept. I made a full-size mock-up out of cardboard to make sure of all the dimensions and folding sequence, then worked on the sign.
This bad boy is 100% recycled except for fasteners, and is virtually waste-free in its construction. Later in the instructable there is a picture of all the waste generated win the process, and it was only one dustpan full of aluminum shavings, which are recyclable.
For sale here: http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=22009253
The Flagman Table is made of a sign on a frame, which is a little bit cheap -- it avoids the challenge of using the sign structurally, and doesn't have the purity of concept that something made only from the sign would have. The Four Square Chair was based on a geometry of four squares, as the title suggests. Classical architecture, especially in plan, was derived, generally speaking, from a four-square grid: bilateral symmetry. Modern architecture was/is derived, generally speaking, from a nine-square grid, which allows for asymmetry.
A road sign 48" to a side breaks down neatly into a nine-square grid of 16" squares. Seat height for side chairs is usually in the 16"-17" range. I made a bunch of 1" to 12" scale models out of cereal box cardboard before I settled on a form that would turn into a chair without the need to add anything for bracing or stiffness -- purity of concept. I made a full-size mock-up out of cardboard to make sure of all the dimensions and folding sequence, then worked on the sign.
This bad boy is 100% recycled except for fasteners, and is virtually waste-free in its construction. Later in the instructable there is a picture of all the waste generated win the process, and it was only one dustpan full of aluminum shavings, which are recyclable.
For sale here: http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=22009253
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Signing UpStep 1Mock-Up
This sequence of steps shows the general layout and folding sequence of a cardboard mock-up. Lay out with a marker or pencil, starting with a grid of nine 16" squares. Number the grid to keep track of pieces as you begin to fold.
To hold the chair together, triangular fins are positioned such that adjoining squares will have overlapping fins, which can be through-bolted to hold it. For the model, use brads or stapels. This folding scheme is one of many possibilities using this general geometry and working method, so you may want to explore other designs.
Cut slits where appropriate, and perforate the seams that need to be folded. Then, fold squares seven, eight, and nine under squares four, five, and six. Pin seven to four, eight to five, and five to six. Fold 7/4 and 5/6 up ninety degrees from 8/5. Bend out the triangular fins from seven, eight, and nine, and they should overlap. Pin through them to secure the legs.
Flip the chair over and bend up the back and pin it by joining the fins from squares two and five.
To hold the chair together, triangular fins are positioned such that adjoining squares will have overlapping fins, which can be through-bolted to hold it. For the model, use brads or stapels. This folding scheme is one of many possibilities using this general geometry and working method, so you may want to explore other designs.
Cut slits where appropriate, and perforate the seams that need to be folded. Then, fold squares seven, eight, and nine under squares four, five, and six. Pin seven to four, eight to five, and five to six. Fold 7/4 and 5/6 up ninety degrees from 8/5. Bend out the triangular fins from seven, eight, and nine, and they should overlap. Pin through them to secure the legs.
Flip the chair over and bend up the back and pin it by joining the fins from squares two and five.
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you should try to roll the edges