Replies

1. 
   Tinkerer3 | Dec 13, 2009 07:44am | #1

   I have a couple office chairs that I scavenged from landlording for students days.  I don't have a particular problem but I sure like to sit in my latter days.

   
   

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   Edited 12/13/2009 9:31 pm ET by Tinkerer3

2. 
   RalphBarker | Dec 13, 2009 08:51pm | #2

   FWIW, I think a lot depends on how much room you have, and what sort of work you do. My shop space is really tight, so I've been trying to use a wooden stool (no back rest) for occasional relief. That stool is not really an adequate solution. For better quality, stability, and support, I'd suggest looking at stools targeted at the drafting trade - assuming you have room for the larger bases these stools typically have.

   But, I don't have a "real" woodworker's bench. I use an old 36"x72" wooden office desk as my main bench, and have an older "secretarial" chair that provides good back support. For me, it's great for carving and other tasks where the relative elevations work.

3. 
   roc | Dec 14, 2009 06:58am | #3

   Not a big help but here is one I been thinking I would make one day, see pics.

   It is from this book

   http://www.amazon.com/Complete-Book-Workshops-David-Manners/dp/B000OKWLJE/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1260762063&sr=1-2

   Nice old style book from the sixties. Leave it To Beaver days.

   At the drafting table I have a drafting stool pretty much like this one. Mine goes low enough to sit at a normal low desk.

   http://www.overstock.com/Office-Furniture/Boss-Deluxe-Drafting-Stool/2339542/product.html?cid=123620&fp=F&ci_src=14110944&ci_sku=10580820

   When I really need it I haul it into the shop. Cloth seat really collects saw dust and dirt. Never had a problem with the hight adjust/air suspension. The seat tilt stops holding about every five years or so and needs attention. I have had it for roughly twenty years. Cost a couple of hundred back then so may be worth putting in that much or more now. $85 may be too cheep to last.

   The rest of the time I sit on that stump with a hunk of cork on top. I have a metal stool with a back but it is uncomfortable and in the way too often so he is in the crawl space. I use the stump for pounding stuff on so it is a permanent shop fixture.

   roc

   Give me six hours to chop down a tree and I will spend the first four sharpening the axe. Abraham Lincoln ( 54° shaves )

   Edited 12/13/2009 11:08 pm by roc <!-- ROC2013 -->

   
   

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   Edited 12/13/2009 11:20 pm by roc

   
4. 
   blewcrowe | Dec 14, 2009 04:27pm | #4

   I"ve got a couple of those scoot-a-longs they use in a mechanics shop. Handy.

    

   Denny

5. 
   zolton | Dec 14, 2009 07:40pm | #5

   Gary,

   It occurred to me that a barstool might be something to look into. There are about a million designs, and many come with a back. I'm not sure how much you need the seat to move up and down though, so that might be a deal-killer. If you wanted one to roll around you could attach casters to the bottoms of the legs.

   And a barstool could come in very handy at the end of the day when you get ready to put the tools away and crack open a cold one.

   Zolton

   If you see a possum running around in here, kill it. It's not a pet. - Jackie Moon

6. 
   dboetb | Dec 14, 2009 08:32pm | #6

   Gary,

   I’ve made stools for clients through the years and I’ve long though of making one with a back rest for myself since I haven’t had any success finding a comfortable commercial one of any value.  The things I look for are adjustability of height, and back angle with arms that swing back out of the way or of half lengths and a rung to mount ones’ foot and without wheels of course, since my shop floor slopes toward the drain.  I remember when they made such a stool but that was back when green metal desks were still popular.

   You might look at used office furniture stores.

    

   Don

    

    

1. 
   Shoemaker1 | Dec 15, 2009 01:04am | #7

   As I read your post I thought of those chairs for fishing.
   Some of them are fancy adjustable and arms fold out. Or a chair off a medi scooter. Make/adapt a base.

1. 
   dboetb | Dec 15, 2009 06:07am | #8

   That sounds even better.

   <!----><!----> <!---->

   Don

7. 
   RalphBarker | Dec 20, 2009 07:54pm | #9

   Gary, if you get one with arms, be sure it includes a beverage holder, too. ;-)

8. 
   PaulMassachusetts | Dec 25, 2009 06:22pm | #10

   I built a stool from the plans in an issue of Shopnotes magazine. It has a piano stool mechanism that raises if you want it higher. It was a great project and you can not find one like that for sale anywhee. The mechanism cost about $55 from Lee Valley. There was some router technique involved. I used rock maple and the thing will last forever.

9. 
   Taigert | Dec 25, 2009 10:51pm | #11

   Gary
   Try this link to Granger
   Gary

   Try this link to Granger that is where my drafting chair is from.

   Pricey, yes

   Comfortable, yes

   10 years old and I'm a fairly good sized guy. It has held up well. And I would buy another from them if I had to replace my chair for some reason. I think with this kind of furniture it is true that you get what you pay for.

   Good luck, I know how miserable a sore back can be, I have the same problem.

   Taigert

   http://www.grainger.com/Grainger/wwg/search.shtml?op=search&N=12992&Ne=10071&in_dim_search=1

10. 
    CloudyDay | Dec 04, 2010 07:21pm | #12

    Best stools for back pain?

    I am looking for a christmas gift for my husband who wants to spend time in his shop but can't, these days, due to back pain. I think a chair/stool might be the ticket. Any recent suggestions for what has worked best?  The Grainger link referenced way back in this chain is out of date - they have a lot of drafing chairs, but I don't know where to begin.  Any suggestions appreciated.

1. 
   RalphBarker | Dec 05, 2010 12:15am | #13

   my thoughts

   My suggestion would be to find one that has both adjustable height (sufficient for the height of his workbench), an adjustment on the angle of the seat, and a ring-style footrest. The angle of the seat can make a huge difference in the comfort level for someone with back problems (L4-L5 squooshed, mal-aligned disk here). Considering how expensive they are, it might be best to have him try it, rather than trying to surprise him.

11. 
    birchwoodguy | Dec 07, 2010 06:31pm | #14

    sore back

    I was having the same problem in the shop.  I got myself some good shop shoes and  bunch of antifatigue matts and now I can work a lot longer without suffering.  One note: use double sided tape to hold the matt in front of the table saw, otherwise when  you lean forward your going to find yourself heading for the blade face first.

    Robert.