Discussion
I want a cool sofa, with useful storage space and lots of space to chill out, and even useable as a spare bed. I found it really hard to find something that's not retailing at over a grand, so I am seriously considering building my own. Has anyone ever done that? Any tips?
I think I have the wood worked out, I will use 2x1 timber for a basic frame, reinforced with planks from pallets (all sanded and treated of course). I'm unsure as to what foam to use though, but I was thinking something firmish covered in a layer of softer foam, altogether 5"thick.
Any tips on where to find cheap foam and fabric? Ebay has given the best results so far, but most of it is pre cut and too small for what I had in mind.
Also, I love a project and even though I have never used a sewing machine yet, the "manufacturing" side of things does not worry me a single bit...
I think I have the wood worked out, I will use 2x1 timber for a basic frame, reinforced with planks from pallets (all sanded and treated of course). I'm unsure as to what foam to use though, but I was thinking something firmish covered in a layer of softer foam, altogether 5"thick.
Any tips on where to find cheap foam and fabric? Ebay has given the best results so far, but most of it is pre cut and too small for what I had in mind.
Also, I love a project and even though I have never used a sewing machine yet, the "manufacturing" side of things does not worry me a single bit...
Well I made a bed once.........
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
Still going strong........
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
Still going strong........
randlemarcus said:
Planks and foam will be somewhat on the firm side. Sprung sofa's dont have storage underneath because that's where the springs that make it comfy are.
Actually there will be no planks under the seats, those will be used to make up the "box", but I will try to use springs for the seats. our Ikea sofa uses flat springs that do not use any of the space under the seat (depending on how big a lunch I had 
), I was thinking of replicating that.If I can't find springs, I thought I might be able to use something like a clothes line, wrapped between two timbers... I'll have to make a prototype.
Alex@POD said:
If I can't find springs, I thought I might be able to use something like a clothes line, wrapped between two timbers... I'll have to make a prototype.
You can get the correct stuff from any upholsterers' supplier, it's like a stretch webbing that you weave across the void. You need decent strength in the horizontal frame that it's attached to.I made a sofa for my first house.
I used MDF to make a box into which I put a hatch so that the inside of the sofa was usable as storage. I made the arms hinged so that they could be folded out flat to make it into a bed.
The back was again MDF with 2 supports from the base to the back again in MDF. The base and back could be seperated to make getting it from garage to my living room possible.
I think the company I used for the foam and covering material were foam for comfort or something like that.
I used MDF to make a box into which I put a hatch so that the inside of the sofa was usable as storage. I made the arms hinged so that they could be folded out flat to make it into a bed.
The back was again MDF with 2 supports from the base to the back again in MDF. The base and back could be seperated to make getting it from garage to my living room possible.
I think the company I used for the foam and covering material were foam for comfort or something like that.
Smart roadster said:
I made a sofa for my first house.
I used MDF to make a box into which I put a hatch so that the inside of the sofa was usable as storage. I made the arms hinged so that they could be folded out flat to make it into a bed.
The back was again MDF with 2 supports from the base to the back again in MDF. The base and back could be seperated to make getting it from garage to my living room possible.
I think the company I used for the foam and covering material were foam for comfort or something like that.
Sounds good! I used MDF to make a box into which I put a hatch so that the inside of the sofa was usable as storage. I made the arms hinged so that they could be folded out flat to make it into a bed.
The back was again MDF with 2 supports from the base to the back again in MDF. The base and back could be seperated to make getting it from garage to my living room possible.
I think the company I used for the foam and covering material were foam for comfort or something like that.
I'm undecided about how I want the storage space to be accessible... Either lifting the seats up, or opening the front somehow. I want to use planks from pallets as we get loads at work, so will be free.
I did also plan to make the back removeable easily, it's hard enough moving house with a small sofa!
Stevenj214 said:
Sorry for potentially ruining a great thread but would this meet your needs?
Yes it would, but when I said they're all more than a grand, I was generalising a bit... I can't really afford more than £250-300!Also building one myself will be much more fun! I like building stuff...
Beware: I like building stuff as well, but the costs of the materials can mount up fearsomely. I'm making some (built-in) wardrobes at the moment and the cost of the wood, fittings (hinges) and fittings aren't going to leave much change from £300. OK, that's for two wardrobes, and it's nice wood and will be well finished, but still not cheap.
Oli.
Oli.
Alex@POD said:
If I use springs like these, how many am I likely to need?
They are the right thing to use, you need to space them about 4" apart but bear in mind, to give a decent sit without sinking too much you have to get them under a fair bit of tension. Imagine putting your knee against something and pulling with both hands, that will be about right. As someone mentioned above, the rails that you attach them to will have to be very strong. You will also need some spring clip which fastens to the wooden rail.I part own the upholstery company in my profile, let me know if I can help.
ETA, I see you're in North Yorkshire, my factory is in Keighley, come down and I'll sort you out with some springs, clip etc.
Edited by TrophyMax on Friday 27th May 22:50
TrophyMax said:
They are the right thing to use, you need to space them about 4" apart but bear in mind, to give a decent sit without sinking too much you have to get them under a fair bit of tension. Imagine putting your knee against something and pulling with both hands, that will be about right. As someone mentioned above, the rails that you attach them to will have to be very strong. You will also need some spring clip which fastens to the wooden rail.
I part own the upholstery company in my profile, let me know if I can help.
ETA, I see you're in North Yorkshire, my factory is in Keighley, come down and I'll sort you out with some springs, clip etc.
Thanks, that would be awesome! I part own the upholstery company in my profile, let me know if I can help.
ETA, I see you're in North Yorkshire, my factory is in Keighley, come down and I'll sort you out with some springs, clip etc.
Edited by TrophyMax on Friday 27th May 22:50
How low can I expect the springs to be (compared to the frame they sit on) once someone is sat in the couch?
If the springs are under the correct tension they will only give about 4 or 5 inches downwards, but it depends how heavy the person is that's sitting on them.
A solid base would be fine if you get good quality foam cushions. Foam is rated at density per cubic metre, the higher the density the better the sit and resilience.
We also do sofabeds so I could sort you out with a mecanism that sits under your seat cushions, the mechanism acts as a seat base and it also gives a bit. The downside to this is you will lose your storage.
Hope all that makes sense as I've had a few
I can get you you everything you would need, drop me a PM if you're near the keighley area.
A solid base would be fine if you get good quality foam cushions. Foam is rated at density per cubic metre, the higher the density the better the sit and resilience.
We also do sofabeds so I could sort you out with a mecanism that sits under your seat cushions, the mechanism acts as a seat base and it also gives a bit. The downside to this is you will lose your storage.
Hope all that makes sense as I've had a few
I can get you you everything you would need, drop me a PM if you're near the keighley area.
Gassing Station | Homes, Gardens and DIY | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff