gmjhowe's Manager's Command and Control Seat of Righteousness (Captain Kirk's Chair)

 by caitlinsdad
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Red alert, arm photon torpedoes, yes, you can command anything from the seat of your mundane office cubicle by modding your chair to be Captain KirK's command chair from the bridge of the Enterprise. Make a cardboard skin to accessorize your chair. The best part is that you can easily remove it to engage it's cloaking shield so that the boss doesn't see.

For those that want the command chair from a Klingon Bird of Prey, get a life. 1

This instructable is for anyone that dreams of being a starship captain one day, to boldy go where no cardboard has gone before. Aptly named for the Lord of Cardstock, Instructables member gmjhowe. Tweak his shields if you want to ask him about time travel.

1 Only kidding, words from the evil Captain Kirk from episode 37, "The Enemy Within". It's not like anyone wants to make the cockpit chair of the Millenium Falcon. Really.

Please make a log entry below, a channel is open on the subspace standard hailing frequency.
 
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Step 1: Aye, you need stuff...

DSCF3219.JPG
Okay, I am stuck here on Rigel VII for the summer, really me mum's house, so I had to scavenge some things to make this instructable. I did not have access to to my usual spiffy designer materials so I made this with minimal materials on hand. I even had to raid Caitlin's art supplies to color this thing in.

Materials:

Dilithium Crystals - not really needed here but find some to build the ship.
Lithium Rain - not really needed here either but will be around whether you like it or not.

Your old dusty office chair. Hopefully it has a set of armrests. If not, barge into your boss's office and demand to get armrests on your chair and while you are at it, ask for a raise.

Don't worry too much if it is not black leather or is a high-back chair. Once you sit in the finished chair you can stun all the non-believers. The real office chair that the original Captain's chair is modeled after is no longer made and is sought after on Ebay.

cardboard
more cardboard or cardstock for details
glue, lots of glue

utility knife or big scissors to cut and shape cardboard

stuff to decorate your command console:
magic markers
construction paper
paint
tape

helpful if you have them for decorations:
label maker
LEDs and old-time retro rocker switches
a few floppy disks for memory chip props

Due to time constraints, and inability to go warp 10 to time travel, this version is not electrified for lights and sounds. There is plenty of room to add in these components such as real buttons to activate sound chips and lights. Even hook this up to your house intercom system to talk to Engineering or make a ship-wide announcement.
Pixie Puddle says: Aug 12, 2012. 5:52 PM
I just found this, its wicked, I can just see my bro sitting in it, one hand on his chin, looking as thoughtful as he can manage, it really is awesome, :) x
caitlinsdad (author) in reply to Pixie PuddleAug 13, 2012. 11:55 AM
Aye, Then the young lad should be outfitted for a red shirt.
Pixie Puddle in reply to caitlinsdadAug 15, 2012. 5:39 PM
I would have my self one of those, red is best, not to mention how cool it is :) but alas in our house my children follow star wars, but I am sure gmjhowe will try at some point to educate his neice and nephew in the ways of star trek, I proffer star trek my self, but time will tell on that battle, :)
tinker234 says: Jun 3, 2011. 6:51 PM
wow if i added a leather chaiar did it in sheet metal it be coole but nice for cardboard
caitlinsdad (author) in reply to tinker234Jun 3, 2011. 7:19 PM
steampunk star trek?
tinker234 in reply to caitlinsdadJun 4, 2011. 5:27 AM
star trex card board isnt sturday hey a cap-tin kirk seampunk would be coool
jonnybo111 says: Feb 20, 2011. 11:13 AM
beep boop beep
ejsilver26 says: Sep 3, 2009. 3:04 PM
Ok. I think I'll talk to work about Halloween. I'll dress up like Capaint Kirk, and get some of the other people in my section to dress as various characters as well. Would be a hoot. "Ohura! I think the aliens are trying to communicate, put it through the translator!"
jyhash in reply to ejsilver26Feb 25, 2010. 6:52 PM
Grammar/Trek Nazi: It's spelled "Uhura".
caitlinsdad (author) in reply to ejsilver26Sep 3, 2009. 3:33 PM
It would be great for this year's Halloween contest in some way. Good luck.
Asmodeous says: Aug 3, 2010. 12:32 PM
Well Done!
tuckerton296 says: Sep 13, 2009. 4:32 PM
klingons are on the starbord bow
Mirime in reply to tuckerton296Mar 20, 2010. 12:41 PM
Scrape 'em off Jim! ;D

-
Dr. Demento 25th anv. cd the firm
on you tube there is a video of them singing this song under Star Trekin'- the firm
caitlinsdad (author) in reply to tuckerton296Sep 13, 2009. 4:42 PM
Red Alert!
Lithium Rain in reply to caitlinsdadOct 27, 2009. 3:23 PM
Battle Stations.
caitlinsdad (author) in reply to Lithium RainOct 27, 2009. 3:35 PM
Banhammers on stun, Mister. And be careful of using ad hominems lest you be reduced to a cubeoctahedron of 17 essential vitamins and minerals.
Lithium Rain in reply to caitlinsdadOct 28, 2009. 3:25 PM
No flaming, cuz I won't hesitate for one second to throw you into The Brig.
bendog38 in reply to Lithium RainApr 16, 2011. 10:14 AM
You people are having too much fun with this.
keikothemeowmeow says: Feb 24, 2010. 7:24 PM
THIS...IS...AWESOME!

Someone with some tech skills could certainly integrate the tv remote into a wooden one :) or simple wasd and a keypad or something .
geekdude says: Aug 27, 2009. 4:08 PM
weak i want one that is made out of wood or metal, and has real buttons. and isnt kurks chair a lowback lether chair? if you wanted to do picards chair from TNG you could take a 1990 somthin ford tunderbird front seat and add those armrests and a swivel base and you would be allmost there
caitlinsdad (author) in reply to geekdudeAug 27, 2009. 6:07 PM
Sorry, but the replicator seems to be malfunctioning...

If you care to carefully read the text, the premise of this project was to take any ordinary office chair, doesn't matter what type, shape, or form, and add appendages to make it similar to the original Captain Kirk's chair. Yes, the original was based on a 1960's "Madison" lowback leather fixed chair no longer in production.

If you have any understanding of "art", I am capable of building a scale replica of the chair including the entire bridge if needed so I will temper your comment and issue you the challenge to build one and show us.
abadfart in reply to caitlinsdadDec 27, 2009. 9:18 PM
 i got a chair that will work well from a collage surplus shop 
caitlinsdad (author) in reply to caitlinsdadAug 27, 2009. 6:33 PM
Oh, KIRK, James Tiberius Kirk, FTW!
Derin in reply to caitlinsdadDec 10, 2009. 8:59 AM
well,james SR did not want tiberius on his son's name :P
jyhash in reply to DerinFeb 25, 2010. 6:51 PM
Only in a terrible alternate reality...
erosser says: Nov 13, 2009. 12:15 PM
 Nice idea!  I would have really gone to town, gutted some old electronics, and gizmo-ed the heck out of those arms, but you include the necessary functions...:)

Excellent work! 
mr monoply33 says: Oct 24, 2009. 9:43 PM
but Kirk's chair is black leather!!...

Nice work-just like the original props, built form garbage, I may have to do this with my chair, only, interface it with my computer, throw in some real buttons and switches.
gustavo.leal says: Oct 14, 2009. 7:36 PM
It looks like a printer =]
lol!
KentsOkay says: Sep 1, 2009. 1:16 PM
Win :D
robotguy4 says: Aug 28, 2009. 7:26 AM
Good idea, however, on closer inspection, the buttons and switches look like... Well... Sliver gumdrops... Other than that, great Instructable! Maybe you should try to get some real switches and buttons and try to find some floppies (Zip Disks would do in a pinch.)
caitlinsdad (author) in reply to robotguy4Aug 28, 2009. 8:17 AM
hmm, I suppose you could make the instrument panels entirely out of candy, carved up gummy bears, licorice, mints, etc. It would make an ultimate snack/couch potato chair though.
robotguy4 in reply to caitlinsdadAug 31, 2009. 10:25 AM
BRILLIANT! A gingerbread Captain's Chair!
vestie in reply to caitlinsdadAug 28, 2009. 8:24 AM
Ha. I'm hungry : (
lemonie says: Aug 22, 2009. 12:26 AM
Wow. Cardboard, swivel chair - you're giving me ideas.... L
caitlinsdad (author) in reply to lemonieAug 22, 2009. 7:08 AM
I don't think one can make one to fit the royal throne.
lemonie in reply to caitlinsdadAug 22, 2009. 8:12 AM
You want me to prove that wrong?! L
caitlinsdad (author) in reply to lemonieAug 22, 2009. 8:27 AM
We need to clarify which "royal throne" we are talking about...
lemonie in reply to caitlinsdadAug 22, 2009. 10:03 AM
OK then - you mentioned it - what are we talking about?

L
caitlinsdad (author) in reply to lemonieAug 22, 2009. 10:34 AM
Here across the pond, the "royal throne" means the best seat in the house, the toilet, where you are king or queen of all you survey.
lemonie in reply to caitlinsdadAug 22, 2009. 10:55 AM
Yes it means the same to me. Project on the shelf to be picked up at some point. I've got a printing calculator, I like the idea of turning that into a TP dispenser... L
Robotika in reply to lemonieAug 27, 2009. 1:05 PM
This idea amuses me. Especially so if you do make Captain Kirk's chair as part of the toilet. Would you update with comments about your "captain's log"? I really couldn't help asking this, so please forgive me. ;)
caitlinsdad (author) in reply to RobotikaAug 27, 2009. 6:14 PM
Look, there seems to be a wormhole that appears periodically to engulf matter and anti-matter...
Derin in reply to caitlinsdadAug 29, 2009. 11:09 PM
*BOOM* captains log:The wormhole that we harnessed as a "toilet" device seems to backfire with antimatter.My rear burns.
Robotika in reply to DerinAug 30, 2009. 5:09 PM
HAH! Both hilarious. One would hope that backfiring would never occur. Poor bottom.
Lithium Rain says: Aug 22, 2009. 11:09 AM
:O

That's awesome! I think I have to make this.

And you're right, you're stuck with me whether or not you like it. :D
caitlinsdad (author) in reply to Lithium RainAug 22, 2009. 12:03 PM
IIRC, there are female Admirals in Starfleet.
static in reply to caitlinsdadAug 29, 2009. 8:03 PM
Then I guess if Lemonie's version does make it into the throne room the male users will have to remember to put the seat down or the Admiral may have them walk the plank.
caitlinsdad (author) in reply to staticAug 30, 2009. 10:28 AM
Aye Captain, if ya left the seat up agin, I dun't think I have a miracle left in my back pocket to help pull ya out of this one. Ya on yer own.
Lithium Rain in reply to caitlinsdadAug 22, 2009. 6:49 PM
Admiral Janeway FTW!
aidoggy says: Aug 29, 2009. 12:51 PM
this is my favorite instructables yet I love this
Nameless37 says: Aug 28, 2009. 8:14 PM
You could use this as a cool computer chair, install a trackball in the side with some keys to increase/decrease volume and such.
pjamestx says: Aug 27, 2009. 9:58 PM
Groovy!
bpod says: Aug 27, 2009. 7:26 PM
You rock just for making this out of whatever was on hand. I could never do that. I'd spend too much time searching for plastic from the 1960s. ROCK ON, MY MAN!
bpod in reply to bpodAug 27, 2009. 7:28 PM
Oh, BTW, I'm waiting for that Instructable you just "promised" -- the one showing a scale model of the bridge. Please use cardboard. I live near a big-box home store and can probably get fridge boxes. :)
caitlinsdad (author) in reply to bpodAug 27, 2009. 8:05 PM
I'm afraid my holodeck is not sufficient to contain those parameters yet. Thanks anyway.
kcli says: Aug 27, 2009. 5:56 PM
I know what I'm making my husband for Festivus!
caitlinsdad (author) in reply to kcliAug 27, 2009. 6:21 PM
ah, but you have to sew him a regulation Starfleet Captain's shirt to go along with it. Lucky ~~geek~~ guy.
Templarix47 says: Aug 26, 2009. 4:42 PM
I dont get it
caitlinsdad (author) in reply to Templarix47Aug 26, 2009. 5:30 PM
Quite illogical, which part failed comprehension or is that human nature?
Templarix47 in reply to caitlinsdadAug 26, 2009. 6:08 PM
Yes.
p0g068 says: Aug 25, 2009. 2:05 AM
excellent Instructable ,live long and prosper thank you!
zitz says: Aug 24, 2009. 6:21 PM
you can time travel at any warp speed and you need an unlimited amount of power to reach warp 10
greeenpro says: Aug 24, 2009. 5:40 PM
This is a genius idea. Thanks!
capricorn says: Aug 24, 2009. 8:16 AM
I am So tempted to make one for myself and make it live adding a mouse pad a Keyboarda and an MP3 player :) Nice work mate, happy you had fun during your holidays :)
caitlinsdad (author) in reply to capricornAug 24, 2009. 11:30 AM
haha, I don't think touchscreens were used until Star Trek, The Next Generation.
porcupinemamma says: Aug 24, 2009. 2:40 AM
Lots of fun! Live long and prosper!
PyroMonger says: Aug 22, 2009. 6:05 AM
all that work and the buttons aren't even real...but its re-inspired my idea of doing this but my buttons and switches will function...for what it is, nice ible I guess
caitlinsdad (author) in reply to PyroMongerAug 22, 2009. 7:22 AM
b uuu ttt...Star Trek is not real...... This was more of a creative exercise in what the imagination is capable of. Good luck.
yokozuna in reply to caitlinsdadAug 23, 2009. 5:48 PM
pfft... speak for your OWN timeline. Also, if you want to make it more authentic, feel free to borrow my actual starship command chair, just remember I need it back before the launch date and in working order.
caitlinsdad (author) in reply to yokozunaAug 23, 2009. 5:56 PM
thanks to my favorite martian...
valhallas_end in reply to caitlinsdadAug 22, 2009. 9:58 AM
The buttons on the set chair were hooked up to an electronics panel, simply so the film crew could cue various effects when pressed. In the earlier episodes, it was all visual, but that became a headache quick, so they fixed it.
Interestingly, there's a ridiculously expensive retail version online.
jeff-o in reply to valhallas_endAug 22, 2009. 9:45 PM
Hey, I'd be perfectly happy if all the buttons did was make lights blink and sounds beep.
caitlinsdad (author) in reply to valhallas_endAug 22, 2009. 10:41 AM
That is sold until they run out of all the 1701 units made. Add shipping and handling for the pre-order, well, better make it yourself.
valhallas_end in reply to caitlinsdadAug 22, 2009. 11:28 AM
Yup, hence the ridiculously expensive part. Why buy a licensed replica when DIY works?
gmjhowe says: Aug 22, 2009. 1:59 AM
It's amazing... I really am proud to have my name affiliated with this. 1, because I love card. 2, because I love star trek.
caitlinsdad (author) in reply to gmjhoweAug 22, 2009. 9:39 PM
It's interesting how they blurbed it on google search:
gmjhowe's Manager's Command and Control Seat of Righteousness ...Aug 21, 2009 ... So there you have it, a manly chair. Captain Kirk's chair. Remember, doing the procedure will add at least 12" inches to the width of your ...

gmjhowe in reply to caitlinsdadAug 23, 2009. 1:40 AM
hahaha thats hilarious!
caitlinsdad (author) in reply to gmjhoweAug 23, 2009. 7:52 AM
They might call this a geek enhancement product and tax it as such.
caitlinsdad (author) in reply to gmjhoweAug 22, 2009. 7:02 AM
Epic is, as epic does.
Whales in reply to gmjhoweAug 22, 2009. 6:09 AM
I think we figured that card part... I thought this was by you, but apparently not. Still Cool, maybe I'll make one..
caitlinsdad (author) in reply to WhalesAug 22, 2009. 7:17 AM
This is a fan-ible. The binomial nomenclature of the instructable generic species honorific naming goes to distinguished and/or respected colleagues. And maybe something to fan the flames.
Warlrosity says: Aug 23, 2009. 12:14 AM
OMG THANK YOU, you have inspired me
cowscankill says: Aug 22, 2009. 10:28 AM
Yes, with functioning buttons, this would be incredible. You could embed a universal remote for TV's, stereos, etc. I wonder what else you could put...
caitlinsdad (author) in reply to cowscankillAug 22, 2009. 10:47 AM
The side consoles can be quite large. Make the buttons control your wii or playstation or any other video game, rig up a hidden pop-out keyboard/touchpad...you might never leave your command chair.
moesboy says: Aug 22, 2009. 4:26 AM
i am going put real buttons and swithches on mine (they might even do something too) also i might make it out of wood so it lasts longer, awsome build im givin you 5 stars
caitlinsdad (author) in reply to moesboyAug 22, 2009. 7:20 AM
You will need to scavenge some pretty big switches and lights. Build it and post some pics. Good luck.
amakerguy says: Aug 22, 2009. 5:02 AM
shouldn't this be entered in the cardboard contest??? i would vote
caitlinsdad (author) in reply to amakerguyAug 22, 2009. 7:06 AM
Union rules prohibit work on weekends, only kitesurfing is allowed. Staff will eventually get around to putting this in the contest. Entry deadline is still a week away, after then is it opened up for judging and voting. Waiting to see a few more ibles from you.
stephenniall says: Aug 22, 2009. 6:56 AM
Hmm i mgiht do this out of mdf and push switches to do certain things Like set of a 100 db Alarm
caitlinsdad (author) in reply to stephenniallAug 22, 2009. 7:01 AM
Get a klaxon alarm, they do the submarine dive - red alert oooga oooga oooga sound.
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