: I would like to build a cedar-strip seat similar to the one detailed in
: Nick's article dated Thursday 20th August. How do you generate the pattern
: for the internal form? I have thought of a few options but they all
: involve sitting in something sticky thick and wet and waiting for it all
: to go hard! What about builders plaster in a thick polythene bag? You
: could make up a strong wooden frame, place the bag and plaster inside the
: frame, change into a pair of tight fitting underpants or swimming trunks
: and, with a good explanation for those close to you of what you are trying
: to achieve, and the help of a good long book, some good music, some beer
: or wine, something good to eat, a charged mobile and a few very good
: prepared reasons as to why you are presently unobtainable, sit on the bag
: with knees slightly raised and wait without the expectation of an
: exothermic setting reaction, for it all to go hard! How long would you
: have to wait? Quick setting cement may be another option but probably the
: most hazardous! Plaster of Paris may be a bit safer if the bag should
: burst! Once the form has "set", a profile copier made up with
: wooden dowel rods in a support strip could be used to copy the profile
: onto strips that would form the seat. Any other options? A
: three-dimensional digital copying unit? Perhaps I should stop thinking
: like this!

It would be more expensive way, but you could always just carve a minicell seat like we normally do then cut it into sections to get the shape for the wood seat.

You "might" be able to do this method with building insulation, but it's not as easy to carve as minicell is. Would be considerably cheaper though and it would already be in sections, lamiminate (without glue) 1 1/2" or 2" styrofoam pieces into a seat blank. I'd just build a temporary wood box to contain the foam so you could carve it. Don't know if you'd crush the material sitting on it or not, but think it'd be ok. You have to sit on it to see if it's comfy.

Bill H.