<html> <body> With permission from Jim on the CAUT list, I'm posting this for anyone who might profit from it. Avery ========================== ========================== ==================== Hi Jim, I've compiled the posts about this. I really like the idea and our scene shop tech is a very good welder. Hmmmmmm......... >:-} Would you have any objection to me posting this on the pianotech list? Some of those might have use of this idea also. Thanks. Avery ========================== ========================== =========================    FWIW, here at BYU we have replaced all wood benches (with the exception of the concert benches) with sturdy metal benches made by one of our shops for about $50.00. We keep the wooden benches in the box, in storage for when we sell the pianos when they get about 20 years old (Grands much older). We had an incident where a bench broke and a student was hurt, so we went to these. You could drive a car over these benches, and the padded seat is quite comfortable. Works for us. Jim Busby BYU ========================== ========================== =========================<= br> A disclaimer first... I've got a couple of students here that can break most anything! That being said, the frame is welded steel with a seat of wafer board covered with a fairly durable fabric and foam rubber. The fabric needs to be replaced about every 3-5 years. It just tacks on with a staple gun and is reattached to the metal frame with 4 screws. If you were to put a hard top on instead of padding you wouldn't need to bother with anything for years, but my butt liked the cushy seat so that’s what we went with. ======================== ========= Our scene shop guys make them when they have extra time. Most of the material is "recycled" from sets they tear down after a production. The steel is 1½" square material for the legs and 2" x 1" for the frame that the top attaches to. Students working in the scene shop weld it together into a traditional sized bench. (I can't remember the dimensions, but they just took a standard bench and used those measurements.) We have an upholstery shop that covers the tops with foam and a durable material. The latest ones also have a fabric on the underside to make it look nicer. (not shown in the pictures.) Regards, Jim Busby BYU Photos at: <a href="http://tinyurl.com/6g2js">http://tinyurl.com/6g2js</a> <a href="http://tinyurl.com/5g8bv" eudora="autourl"> http://tinyurl.com/5g8bv</a> Direct ptg.org URLs: <a href="https://www.moypiano.com/ptg/files/attachments/89/f7/ce/5a/P10100= 08.JPG"> https://www.moypiano.com/ptg/files/attachments/89/f7/ce/5a/P1010008.JPG</a> <a= href="https://www.moypiano.com/ptg/files/attachments/f2/1b/b1/4d/P1010009= .JPG" eudora="autourl"> https://www.moypiano.com/ptg/files/attachments/f2/1b/b1/4d/P1010009.JPG</a>  ======================== ============= No plans, really. (It ain't rocket science.) Just make sure you know what the finished dimensions will be and a good shop man will build a prototype. Our metal frame is 1 1/2" square metal tubing (I don't know the gauge of metal) for the legs and 2" x 1" for the part where the seat attaches. The plastic inserts for the feet we had to buy by the thousand, but they were only a few cents each. The metal frame outside dimensions are 17 ½"  high (Finished height with top is 19 ½") x 13 wide x 31 long. The cushioned seat is ½" wafer board with foam rubber, then Naugahyde or some durable fabric and it overhangs the sides by 2". If you talk heights, etc. no one seems to agree, but we haven't had one complaint about these. Since they were made from materials that the scene shop had (recycled) we were charged mainly for the labor and the tops. Our students paint them (we have access to a booth near our piano shop) and attach the tops as they return from the upholstery shop. Eldridge Travis, RPT, makes them for customers and I think he sells them for around $80 - $100, depending on what you want. Hope that helps. Jim Busby </body> </html>