Tarted up Aldi Bar Stool

**FenceFurniture** · 8th February 2014, 10:39 AM

A couple of years or so ago I purchased a $30 Bar Stool from Aldi to use in the shed. It's been getting a bit too rocky lately and the culprit was the tack welds and miserably thin plate in the base to hold it together. Failures all over the place (although they put up a fight against the Dremel).

After removing the busted base and filing the column more or less round I made a new base from Spotted Gum (one of my favourite species - strong and handsome) and epoxied the column into it. Fortunately I have lost none of the functionality (spinning and lifting).

I glued a carpet tile underneath so I can slide it around.

It was interesting to note that when I applied the Danish Oil cut with Gum Turps that it sat on top of the timber far more than when I oiled the Jarrah Drill Deck (that was really thirsty). I imagine that the Spotty is a much tighter grain than Jarrah, and also has that slightly waxy feel to it.

The top faces were rounded over and grooved with a router as you would expect, but the radiused corners had the waste sawn off and then were done with a couple of tenon floats which were just the right tools for the job. When going 45° across the grain they leave a really nice smooth surface that doesn't need any sanding (except to remove the odd tiny bump).

These Spotty planks were also used for my previous Drill Deck, and even though those Gum Veins look fragile they have been remarkably stable. All part of the strength of Spotty I suppose.

**chambezio** · 8th February 2014, 11:02 AM

Brett, yet another well finished piece of work. And to boot, you have resurrected a chair that may have otherwise been destined for the skip. I like to "bring things back from death" it gives me a warm glow. (Or I am easily entertained)

**FenceFurniture** · 8th February 2014, 12:27 PM

Thanks again Rod. Yes, it bugs me having to throw things away just because one lousy part has failed.

Just using it in the last hour, and the additional weight from the Spotty is really good - doesn't have the tendency to be too easily moved, as it did.

**aldav** · 8th February 2014, 05:10 PM

Only problem now is that it looks way too good for the shed! Don't let the wife see it.

**FenceFurniture** · 8th February 2014, 06:50 PM

Originally Posted by aldav

Only problem now is that it looks way too good for the shed! Don't let the wife see it.

Nah, if it's good enough for the house then it may be good enough for the shed. A man has to have his priorities right!

**crowie** · 8th February 2014, 06:55 PM

Originally Posted by aldav

Only problem now is that it looks way too good for the shed! Don't let the wife see it.

Not in Brett's ''polished wood cave''.....

**Rod Gilbert** · 8th February 2014, 08:20 PM

Well done,
Where ever it spends it's time a job well done I also have a strong aversion to throwing out something that has simply had one component fail as it must (until we get hold of it) and change it into something that lasts for many years to come and look fantastic at the same time. Again well done.
Regards Rod.

**pjt** · 8th February 2014, 10:13 PM

Good job Brett, bookmatching looks good, the cat has a smug look as if to say yeh I did that!!

Pete

**FenceFurniture** · 8th February 2014, 11:20 PM

Thanks Pete. The funny thing is - they weren't bookmatched - two consecutive lengths off the same 6x2.

**Christos** · 9th February 2014, 07:55 AM

What was the original looking like? Very interesting piece.

**FenceFurniture** · 9th February 2014, 08:48 AM

Just a chrome plated circular base.

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