Leaning Stool / Human Kickstand / Wobble Chair

Intro: Leaning Stool / Human Kickstand / Wobble Chair

Now that sitting has become as vilified as smoking, there is a huge movement toward standing desks and leaning stools. I'm fortunate that my desk at work is powered and raises and lowers for sitting or standing positions. I found that standing for long periods can get uncomfortable. I searched for a leaning stool online and they can run from hundreds of dollars into the thousands.

Since I wasn't even sure I would like leaning for part or all of a workday, I wasn't willing to shell out large sums of cash. There are some interesting homebrewed versions, but I didn't want to get into casting concrete, or again shelling out big $$.

What follows is my solution, which took about 15 minutes to complete.

STEP 1: Gather Your Gear

You will need the following. I've listed what worked for me, but feel free to use your own selections.

1 - A hacksaw bladed for cutting metal

2 - An adjustable wrench

3 - An adjustable aluminum cane, 3/4" tube (you can find used ones at goodwill store for very little $.)

4 - A wide base cane tip (I used the Hugo Mobility Quadpod Ultra Stable Cane Tip with Compact Quad Design)

5 - A bicycle seat with no horn or nose (Mine is a Schwinn No Pressure Bicycle Seat)

Since I already had the cane, wrench, and hacksaw, my only purchases were the cane tip and the seat. I tried using the cane tip that was already on the cane, but it was too small for stability. The Quadpod is well constructed and the seat stands up on its own.

I made my purchases from Amazon to a grand total of $31.63 with free shipping.

STEP 2: Cut Your Cane

Use the hacksaw to cut the hook handle from the rest of the cane. You want to make sure that you have a straight tube.

As an option, if you have a metal file, you may wish to file down any burrs and jagged edges from the cut area. Since the cut area is tucked up under the seat, I did not do this myself.

STEP 3: Attach the Seat to the Cane

If you've purchased the same seat as me, all you need to do is slide the seat over the area that you cut, and tighten it down with an adjustable wrench. Tighten until it's well attached and quite snug, but don't overtighten. You don't want to crush the cane tube. Bike seats generally will allow you to choose an angle of lean to the seat. You may have to experiment to find the best angle for you. Mine in set at the default neutral angle.

STEP 4: Tip Your Cane (optional)

Remove the old cane tip, and install the new and improved one. If you choose to use the tip that came with the cane, be wary as it may tear depending on your weight. I find the Quadpod very stable and it grips well.

Attention:

No matter what tip you use, be careful if you are using the seat on a smooth, waxed, or wet surface as the stool could slip out from under you. Mine works well on carpet and hardwood. Be careful in slippery conditions.

STEP 5: Lean Back and Work

Adjust the height of the stool so that it's comfortable. Remember, you aren't trying to sit on it, you're trying to lean and take some of your weight off of your legs.

This seat is very portable and you can use it almost anywhere. Great at concerts, parades, or what have you.

Enjoy!

Comments

[seamster]

This is a great project.

I'm incredibly jealous of that powered desk. That's gotta be really nice!

[CP26]

To answer my own question for anyone reading. I was able to easily get the original existing foot off the cane without damage by putting the lower fat part of the rubber tip loosely in a vise. Then rocking the cane shaft one way, shooting WD-40 into the crack that opened up between the shaft and the rubber. Then rocking it back the other way, shooting more WD-40 and repeating 2 to 4 more times around the inside of the rubber foot until there was oil all around inside. It easily twisted off after that.

I went with a polished silver cane industrial look (was cheapest) with Hugo quad foot for stand-up convenience and the Schwinn Deluxe seat from Walmart.

[CP26]

How the heck did you guys remove the original rubber cane tip without damaging the tip or the cane? The shaft is thin walled aluminum so I don't want to damage or mar it. I tried dish soap and water and yanking it off with a bench vise. No luck yet. What did you guys do?

[saeledbetts]

Nice and easy. I would recommend a wide at though.

[myers186]

Help--can someone tell me what chair is pictured above??? It would be much appreciate--glad I found this forum!

[Jonathan.R.M.Webb]

Looks great! Happy leaning!

[jrivenba]

I just made one and it's working great. Excellent design and easy to make. Thank you!

[Indy V Dual]

I just made one with the Hurrycane. Don't use the Hurrycane unless you are over 6 foot. It was a lot of work cutting it down to size.

However, my ending product seems to be pretty nice so far.

[Kithplana]

I just made this using the bicycle seat you recommended and the "As Seen On TV" Trusty Cane (which has a wide, flexible tip). It cost me about $30 on Amazon. I like the range of motion I get with the flexible tip and I thought it might be less prone to sliding around, or weird balance issues, than a fixed tip. So far, so good. Thanks for the great project!

[Nishidake]

I've been thinking I'd like to make one with the similar HurryCane and it sounds like it's been working well for you. Are you using it on carpet or a hard surface?

[Kithplana]

I'm using it on carpet and it stays put.

[Nishidake]

So. Making. This. Just genius. Has anyone tried building this with a Hurrycane like this one pictured? It's supposed to have a pivoting foot joint so I wonder if it would provide more mobility and better "lean angle".

[thepracticalcyclist]

Great idea. Doesn't look like it stands up on it's own.

How solid is the quad-tip thing? If you mounted it to a platform base, would it hold screws coming from below? Would it be sturdy enough to hold up the heavy seat?

[Jonathan.R.M.Webb]

Mine stands up on its own. The cane tip if quite solid and it's holding up very well. The bicycle seat is not very heavy, so I don't think you'd need to use screws.

[hi808]

wonderful and very cheap

[JayW1]

Follow-up, as a public service. I'm returning the bicycle seat and sticking with the Mogo chair. I think the concept of this DYI is great and it will no doubt work for some, but for me The Schwinn No Pressure bicycle seat was just too narrow for my bum. A wider bike seat would work great. For now, I've folded a towel on the Mogo human kickstand for added padding and it's working fine.

[JayW1]

I made this....super easy to build and works well! I've also used the Mogo kickstand by Focal Upright Furniture for 2 weeks, which sells for $125, and I can vouch that this is at least as good, the seat is much softer. I am looking for a wider seat however - if anyone has a line on a wider seat with little or no horn/nose, please post on here. Thanks!

[JayW1]

Jonathan,

The seat seems a bit narrow, around 10" if I'm right (because it's a bicycle seat). Does that present any issues at all? Also, will that base provide enough friction for this to be used on a hard floor? Thx!

[Jonathan.R.M.Webb]

The seat fits me fine. I do believe it's a 10 inch wide seat. I know there are wider out there. Since you're not actually sitting on it, I don't find any issues. Also the lack of a horn on the seat doesn't cause any stress issues on the crotch area.

[JayW1]

I see now you stated it works fine on hardwood. I would be using mine on a vinyl floor sometimes.