VW CAR SEAT = DIY OFFICE CHAIR

Since I am writing this for the Remix contest, let's first find out where did I got the idea for this project.
I could simply say from here: https://www.instructables.com/Convert-a-Car-Seat-...

But the truth is, the project in the link above is made by my friend, so I
was following his work way before he published this instructable. As he bought 2 same car chairs I decided to buy one from him and make the same cool office chair for me. But... not by copying his work. I wanted to make it my way. Meaning as simple and professional at the same time as possible. With one exception (one part is laser cut steel plate) using only basic tools.

Why? I don't have a welding machine and a turn mill in my workshop. His way was just too complicated for me to make and not challenging. Thinking how to make thinks better is the fun part of such work.

So simplifying his project into mine was a pleasant engineering work that ended up with a result I am verry happy with and also use on a daily basis.

I am actually writing this sitting on the chair I am just gonna show you :) Follow the steps, watch the video, build yours, comment, like and ask anything!

Step 1: Safety First!

Let's get to work. The seat is from a VW Golf Mk7 Comfortline model. It has an integrated airbag. Woops, that might be dangerous! I really do not want it to explode by some electrostatic spark or whatever coincidence.

Getting it out is not an easy job I have to say. It took me quite some hours to figure out how. You basically need to remove a big part of the seat's skin to get to it. Slowly unclipping all the metal rings that hold the skin in place was tricky, but I made it. After you get to the airbag there is just a screw that holds it in place. Unscrew it, pull it out and replace it with a piece of foam, so the side of the chair does not feel "empty" by touch.

Look at the pictures how I did it, sorry I forgot to film this step. I was able to remove it and not do any damage to the chair, so it is possible. But you really need to be careful not to damage any part, especially the skin.

Step 2: Parts Needed

From a local online chair supplier I managed to buy a few essential parts. Being the bottom wheels on a metal chair base. The top metal chair holder with a height adjusting handle. And the right air lift cylinder that matches the holes of the bottom and top metal holders. Cylinders come in different heights. I bought the smallest one possible and it happened to be the right decision, as the car chair itself is quite high with all its mechanisms at the bottom.

As simple as that.. the only part missing was something to connect the purchased metal office chair base plate with the original car seat base. I decided to use technology in this case. Measured all holes and designed a metal plate that will do the job. Sent it to a local sheet metal factory for laser cutting. It is 6mm steel and it cost me 20€ (about 25$) to make. I am verry satisfied with it, as it gives the final product the professional look.

I am sharing the dxf file with you, as reference, but will only fit if you have the exact same sit and exact same chair base plate which is a verry low chance. But maybe it will help someone someday.

Painted the plate in black.. and it wes ready to be installed.

Step 3: Getting the Seat Ready for Office Use

Getting the seat ready for office use means cutting away all parts that are sticking out of it and you don't need.

this included cutting away the excess parts of the seat's railing system that I kept, but had it's unused parts sticking out too much. I kept the centre part that acts as a railing system intact and it still works. I actually need it to set the right centre of gravity of the chair, so it does not turn over if you sit at the verry front edge of it or if you lay all the way back. If set right it will not turn over in any of this situation, which made me verry satisfied. It is impressively stable.

Next part I shortened was the railing system handle. It was sticking out too far.

I painted all the parts I was cutting to prevent rust.

Step 4: Almost Forgot

I forgot to present the basic tools I mentioned before. Except from the metal laser cutter that you probably need to use at some external source as I also did, all the rest is simple:

-angle grinder with thin cutting and sanding disk
-a standard set of screwdrivers, hex keys and wrenches
-black spray paint
-5min epoxy glue
-battery drill, bits and chamfers
-some screws, washers and nuts
-a nice workplace (not needed, but the outdoor workplace with nice weather and a view definitely makes the work more pleasant)

Step 5: Assembly

All that was left was to put this things together. I used metric M8 and M6 screws, washers and locknuts. Screwed both metal plates together and to the original holes of the seat railing system that were used to fix the seat to the car's floor.

The cylinder is just inserted between the top and bottom part. No need to fix it as it fits perfectly.

The whole assembly is well documented in the video and easier to understand while watching. So I think the video will answer all of your questions if my description was not clear enough.

Step 6: Final Result

I couldn’t be more happy with it. After setting up the centre of gravity, checking height range and sitting on it for the first time I can only say I am very satisfied with how it came out. Simple and great just as I wanted it. No need to complicate your life with the process in the reference project link, as I assure you this way is better.

Sitting on it for months now, I wouldn't change it. Comfort and style. At the end it also did not cost too much. actually less than a middle range gaming or whatever fancy office chair.

The video says it all.. this is really the chair i needed, but why Bojack in the video? Because I just like him as a character and because I am shy and hate to show myself. Also, because the costume I made turned out verry nice, but this I can present next time in another instructable. It also makes the video funnier :)