[Wolfy100]

Howdy everyone, this is my first time posting, in fact it's my first time on this site, but I've been reading around and it seems like a nice community.

So, I needed a new project and after much deliberation I've decided I'm going to construct my own Eames style lounge chair. But so far I only have a couple of solid measurements to go off of, and it would make the process a heck of a lot easier if I could get a some accurate measurements from someone who actually owns an Eames lounge chair, I know it's a bit of an odd request but it would really help me out.

Below is a picture detailing exactly what I need, I've numbered it so it'll be easier to respond with the measurement (just put the number and then the measurement next to it) (inches, centemeters, millimeters, whatever is fine).

I realize this is a bit of a stretch but I'm not sure where else to get the information and I don't think eyeballing it would be the most effective way to go about it.

Also I'm wondering if anyone has any experience with steam bending plywood, there isn't /too/ much of a bend on the Eames chair so I'm hoping it won't be all that problematic. Or if anyone has any advice on thin strip lamination including where to get large sheets of thin wood that would also be really helpful.

Anyway, thanks in advance to anyone who can help me out, I'm looking forward to getting to know some people around here and hopefully learning a lot!

I'll be sure to make another topic and update it with pictures of my process/progress once I get to that point.

EDIT: picture appears too small so here's a link so that you can actually read it: http://i.imgur.com/hAPMa0E.png

 

[Waldo88]

Not a lot of people own Eames Louges, chairs that run in the $3K+ range aren't exactly popular.

Cool though, would love to see the process if you build one.

I'm building a copy of a Selig Z Chair. What I did is to draw it perfectly to scale; I found a side view and found the height online, then I used an engineers scale on a computer monitor to work out all the measurements.

 

[BonPacific]

Herman Miller offers free 3d cad models of all their chairs, including the Eames. You can find them here.

Older versions of sketchup are free, so you should be able to find an old installer, and then you can use the model to reference dimensions. As long as you have one good known dimension, you should be able to extrapolate the others.

Good luck.

 

[Wolfy100]

Not a lot of people own Eames Louges, chairs that run in the $3K+ range aren t exactly popular.

Cool though, would love to see the process if you build one.

I m building a copy of a Selig Z Chair. What I did is to draw it perfectly to scale; I found a side view and found the height online, then I used an engineers scale on a computer monitor to work out all the measurements.

- Waldo88

Yeah I was thinking it was kind of a long shot because of the price. Maybe I'll give your process a shot, I don't neccessarily trust my measurement taking skills, but that's a great plan B, thanks for the suggestion!

And I'd love to see how far you've gotten on that Selig Z chair, sounds like a great project

 

[Wolfy100]

Herman Miller offers free 3d cad models of all their chairs, including the Eames. You can find them here.

Older versions of sketchup are free, so you should be able to find an old installer, and then you can use the model to reference dimensions. As long as you have one good known dimension, you should be able to extrapolate the others.

Good luck.

- BonPacific

Wow that's exactly what I needed! I didn't even consider using a 3D model, thanks man!

 

[bearkatwood]

You can also find it in the sketchup library downloads.
https://3dwarehouse.sketchup.com/model.html?id=f8ff0363f398236aecd9bf37f57791ad

 

[Wolfy100]

You can also find it in the sketchup library downloads.
https://3dwarehouse.sketchup.com/model.html?id=f8ff0363f398236aecd9bf37f57791ad

- bearkatwood

Thank you this is also very helpful, surprisingly the model on the Herman Miller website had slightly different dimensions than the actual chair in some minor areas (or so it seems), so it'll be good to have a few versions to compare. I've also found some other models online, so now I have a lot of nice references to go off of.

Thanks for your help everyone, now comes testing different methods of bending/shaping plywood!

 

[BonPacific]

I'd be interested to hear how this goes Wolfy, you should do some "in process" posts.

 

[Wolfy100]

I d be interested to hear how this goes Wolfy, you should do some "in process" posts.

- BonPacific

Yeah I'll definitely make sure to record my progress, gotta do some planning before I start though

 

[Waldo88]

Not a lot of people own Eames Louges, chairs that run in the $3K+ range aren t exactly popular.

Cool though, would love to see the process if you build one.

I m building a copy of a Selig Z Chair. What I did is to draw it perfectly to scale; I found a side view and found the height online, then I used an engineers scale on a computer monitor to work out all the measurements.

- Waldo88

Yeah I was thinking it was kind of a long shot because of the price. Maybe I ll give your process a shot, I don t neccessarily trust my measurement taking skills, but that s a great plan B, thanks for the suggestion!

And I d love to see how far you ve gotten on that Selig Z chair, sounds like a great project

- Wolfy100

Well this is about how far I am. Making it out of quartersawn cherry. One side is complete, the other is half done. Then I need to work on the pieces to connect the two sides and hold the seat.

 

[Wolfy100]

Well this is about how far I am. Making it out of quartersawn cherry. One side is complete, the other is half done. Then I need to work on the pieces to connect the two sides and hold the seat.

- Waldo88

Wow that's looking really nice, can't wait to see how it turns out!
Do you have any plans for upholstering the cushions?

 

[Waldo88]

The cushions are one of the reasons I picked the Z chair. They are just stupidly simple box cushions.

I'm gonna buy a sewing machine (the wife has wanted one anyway), look up a few guides, and make 'em myself. Box cushions are about the most simple type of upholstery.

 

[Wolfy100]

The cushions are one of the reasons I picked the Z chair. They are just stupidly simple box cushions.

I m gonna buy a sewing machine (the wife has wanted one anyway), look up a few guides, and make em myself. Box cushions are about the most simple type of upholstery.

- Waldo88

Ah smart thinking, I on the other hand am for some insane reason compelled to change up the classic black leather Eames style and have decided to pleat the cushions like an old style hotrod seat and use some nice wine colored leather instead. If I'm going to build this thing might as well go all out right?

I spent last night drawing up some different concepts until I finally decided on this one (I even colored it and everything) Thoughts on the look?: