Denver chair

[Richard Navarrete]

Today’s project.

Richard

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[Rajah]

Looks great, nice idea. How is the piece of wood on the perpendicular part of the triangle secured?

On Mon, Mar 23, 2026 at 5:20 PM 'Richard Navarrete' via The Astronomy Connection (TAC) <sf-ba...@googlegroups.com> wrote:

Today’s project.

Richard

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[Richard Navarrete]

Glue and 2 big screws.

Richard

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[David Kirjassoff]

Excellent.  Looks solid and comfy.  Begs for a nice seat cushion. 

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On Mar 23, 2026, at 5:20 PM, 'Richard Navarrete' via The Astronomy Connection (TAC) <sf-ba...@googlegroups.com> wrote:

 Today’s project.

<IMG_6325.jpeg>

Richard

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<IMG_6325.jpeg>

[Richard Navarrete]

Thanks, David. It still needs some varathane or paint, and I should round off some of the edges on the seat. I may try and add some padding at some point. 

Richard

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[David Staples]

I built one many years ago and I used lag screws for the cross piece.  I eventually ended up drilling all the way through both pieces and using lag bolts and nuts when the screws pulled out over time.  Mine looks nearly identical except I used an aluminum bar for the brace instead of wood.

Dave S.

On Mar 23, 2026, at 18:48, 'Richard Navarrete' via The Astronomy Connection (TAC) <sf-ba...@googlegroups.com> wrote:

 Thanks, David. It still needs some varathane or paint, and I should round off some of the edges on the seat. I may try and add some padding at some point. 

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[Richard Navarrete]

The aluminum bar was $20 at Ace! I decided to try a piece of wood first before spending the big bucks. 😆 I used lag screws as well. I’ll probably switch to bolts.

Richard

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[Akarsh Simha]

Very nice work. Ace is the most expensive place to buy metal. If you can afford the driving time, Industrial Metal Supply Company is a favorite amongst hobbyists and has a large remnant section with very good prices.

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[Philip Manela]

While I agree that Ace generally has higher prices, I make a point of shopping at my local Ace regularly for small items.

It is just SO convenient, having a hardware store within walking distance.   I was really sad when my local OSH shut down years ago.

Now that an Ace has moved into the neighborhood, I’m motivated to help ensure they succeed.

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[Richard Navarrete]

Hey Akarsh,

Wood is expensive at ACE as well. You pay for convenience. Luckily I had scrap wood from an old redwood deck.

Richard

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[Ted Hauter]

My concern on these styles is the wood side supporting the bolt in back and how it presses on the wood over time.

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[Richard Navarrete]

Time will tell!

Richard

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[Ted Hauter]

I wish you all the best Richard. Our equipment is already sacred.  When someone makes anything for the hobby it is one most important things a person can do.

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[Mark Wagner]

Nice work Richard!   Can't wait to see it next time out.  I think I might like some sort of cushion, as mentioned before.  I'll ask how it fells the morning after, I'd think that's the test. :-)

[Richard Navarrete]

Turns out I had a kneeling pad the right size. I cut it to fit the seat and used it last night. Very comfy. I suppose I’ll bring it out observing, but I really made it to keep in the backyard. It was a pain digging out the Starbound chair.

Richard

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[Mark Wagner]

I've never really liked the design of the Starbound model (I own one). The securing round bar and need to install with knobs is a bit klutzy.  The Denver design solves this I think - the entire seat mechanism looks removeable and easy to put on.

[Mark Wagner]

On Tuesday, March 24, 2026 at 1:18:40 PM UTC-7 Edward Binohandle.com wrote:

When someone makes anything for the hobby it is one most important things a person can do.

One of the most astute remarks I've seen here.  Yes Ted, everyone get the benefit.  Thanks.

 

[Peter Santangeli]

I have the 'ergonomic worker's seat' chair - which has been sold at stupid markups by various astronomy dealer for years.

They work... but the number of times I've managed to pinch my fingers in the mechanism over the years makes me avoid taking it out.

pete

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[Richard Navarrete]

Not really . It’s attached with a bolt and lock nut so you need two wrenches . However, the whole chair folds up flat very easily .

Richard

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[Ted Hauter]

You're welcome Mark. 

Richard you can put wheels on it in the front with some mods in the future. My starbound with front wheels I put is a great way to haul stuff around on the seat plus can skooch forward sitting. The problem is the cost of the mod is very high and starbound chairs are already sky high. Great job 👏 

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[Richard Navarrete]

I’m not interested in wheels. I can still carry what I need. 💪

I ended up getting a piece of aluminum for the bottom brace.

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[Alex]

Looks lovely, Richard. Congrats!
I feel I must post my over a decade old similar friction principle solution for the 12" Zhummel here too. Just to give DIY folks a few nicely worked for over a decade ideas. The chair "mode" was a bit flexy as I was gaining my body weight with age :))), but I had no issues using it in the field for about a decade (all the way to selling it a few years back along with the Zhummell itself, which that gag fits naturally). It was published in 3 parts as it was evolving (Part1, Part2, Part3). Sorry for my basic English back then, but there are plenty of well annotated images

[Richard Navarrete]

Thanks, Alex! Your chair is an advanced version. Beautiful work.

Richard

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