This was going to be an easy, straight forward project: upcycle a big tin into a stool on wheels with storage, combining modern and vintage elements. Simple, no? well, it ended being what I intended it to be but, as it often happens, I had to alter the original plan along the way... here is the story, step by step:
-THE MAKING
1/ I had all the parts ready: the cute red big tin salvaged from a thrift store -with handle and the words 'Archive' and 'Archivo' stenciled on each side, the seat of a mid-century stool (nice wood covered with horrendous dark brown melamine) with the exact diameter as the tin, three new white casts and the top surface of a small round side table, slightly smaller than the diameter of the seat -those two were perfect to make the lid of the stool!
2/ For the lower part of the lid: dismantle the little side table and sand the wooden surface
3/ For the top part of the lid -first, scrape off the horrid dark melamine- then, sand the wood thoroughly
4/ Fill in the gaps and nooks with wood paste. Sand again.
5/ Several coats of clear water based varnish. I used one intended for floors, incredibly resistant and with a gorgeous shine. Glue both round surfaces. Lid done, except from painting!
6/ Next then, drill the holes for the casts on the bottom of the tin.
7/ Mount the wheels with screws, washers and strong, thick rubber rings to elevate the casts and avoid the lower brim of the tin.
& 8/ Put it straight, put the lid on, give it a try..... FAIL.
The bottom of that tin was not strong enough to support the weight when used as a stool, because it tended to bend due to the three casts!
So.. time to rethink the 'design' and find a way to make that flimsy bottom firm!
9/ The think and search in my stock of 'weird wooden parts' got me this: a ring mold rescued from a local closing workshop... of a tambourine maker! Perfect diameter, perfect strenght (DMF fiberwood), cute wooden rim -Just needed a bit of sanding and trimming: bingo!
10/ Paint the lower part of the lid and the bottom-reinforcement. Then, use the holes on the tin, plus mounting adhesive, to secure the ring. Screw the casts to the ring.
&
finally 11/ Put it straight, put the lid on, give it a try..... PERFECT. Cute and sturdy as it should be! *Enormous grin of satisfaction -and a sigh*
-THE STOOL
This useful, funky stool measures 43cm high, 32cm diameter -and has a large storage capacity!
Some details of the casts, the original from the 50s (and partially cracked or missing) white melamine trimming and the gorgeous wooden surface of the lid.
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