Anyone Make High Back Swivel Bar Stools

[Mike Goetzke]

This might be too much of a challenge but our kitchen island chairs need replacement and was wondering if I should try to make them myself. Went with my wife to a few places in town and halfway decent wood chairs are in the $400+ range and I need 6 chairs (4 bar height and 2 counter height)  [eek]. I do have a 20" swing lathe so was thinking for the seat, lower leg support ring, and top of the back I could segment and turn round. Plus she wants padded seats and backs so that would be another learning experience.

Anyone ever make these or something similar - is it worth it?

Oh, maybe I should have first asked if anyone knew a decent source to buy the chairs at a reasonable price?

Thanks
Mike

 

[Peter_C]

Only thing I can say is I have one of those $400 "Billiard Chairs" in my garage (Wife calls it my throne) and it is falling apart constantly with screws coming loose, yet it isn't very old. Fortunately I only paid $100 for it brand new from CL and it still had the plastic on it.

If you can find an older set of Midcentury or the like they can be refinished and upholstered. Still the chairs are $400+. My wife is mid project for re-upholstering my parents living room teak chairs they bought in 1962, to fit with our decorum.
Midcentury modern photos

Building 6 chairs would be quite the project, but you get exactly what you want. You could pay someone to make you seat cushions. Sewing leather takes a fairly HD walking foot sewing machine.

 

[Crazyraceguy]

Nope. I have made some "shop stools" with no swivel or back.
Interested to see where this goes though.

 

[derekcohen]

Mike, have you considered stools instead of chairs? I do not see the attraction of a high back - unless you prefer the look - when sitting at an island, where one is inclined to lean forward.

I designed and built these stools, preferring their simplicity.

Not necessarily your taste, but I am curious about why backs to stools?

Regards from Perth

Derek