There seems to be some interest in swivel seat bases so I figured I'd do a write up on how to make one.
First of all you need to get your hands on some steel.
I used steel disks because I had these laying around but you could use squares as well, when using squares you need to notch the corners for the lockpin and NOT the sides otherwise it won't turn!
This is rougly what you need:
- 8 inch steel disks or squares 1/4 inch thick
- 6 inches of steel strip about 3/4 wide and 1/8 thick
- 9 inches square steel tube 1/2 by 3/8
- 5/8 lock nut and bolt 2 inch long
- 2 washers
- 2 spring washers
- 1/4 lock nut and bolt 1 inch long
- small spring 1.5 inch long
- 2 1/4 bolts 3/8 long
(Sizes may vary due to use of different sized materials)
I started out with two 8 inch diameter round disks 1/4 inch thick
Marked the center of the disks and drilled a hole where the centerbolt will go.
I used a couple of C clamps to clamp both disks together to get both holes the same.
Notched both disks, I wanted a 180 degree turn so I notched them in 2 places opposite each other.
I did this with both plates still clamped together to get the notches exactly the same. (sorry not picture of this)
After notching them I unclamped them and rotated the upper plate 180 degrees to see if the notches would line up.
They didn't exactly line up so I used a file to get them to line up properly.
You can add one or two notches if you want more positions on the swivel.
Just make sure all notches line up with each other.
Next I mounted the lock bar.
I angled the bar slighty so that it wouldn't stick out.
Reinforced the hinge point for the bar.
Fitted the actual locking piece.
I used the bolt to line both plates up before I tacked it in place.
Welded on two bolts to be able to fit the spring on the lock bar.
This is the bolt I used as a centerbolt It's a 18mm fine threaded 10.9 (grade 8) bolt.
You can use just about any boltover 5/8 diameter I had this one laying around.
And here is the finished swivel piece.
Be sure to put some grease between the plates before assembling them.
Other side.
Just for size reference a lighter on top.
You can weld on a frame to fit the floor and seat.
If there are any questions feel free to ask!
First of all you need to get your hands on some steel.
I used steel disks because I had these laying around but you could use squares as well, when using squares you need to notch the corners for the lockpin and NOT the sides otherwise it won't turn!
This is rougly what you need:
- 8 inch steel disks or squares 1/4 inch thick
- 6 inches of steel strip about 3/4 wide and 1/8 thick
- 9 inches square steel tube 1/2 by 3/8
- 5/8 lock nut and bolt 2 inch long
- 2 washers
- 2 spring washers
- 1/4 lock nut and bolt 1 inch long
- small spring 1.5 inch long
- 2 1/4 bolts 3/8 long
(Sizes may vary due to use of different sized materials)
I started out with two 8 inch diameter round disks 1/4 inch thick
Marked the center of the disks and drilled a hole where the centerbolt will go.
I used a couple of C clamps to clamp both disks together to get both holes the same.
Notched both disks, I wanted a 180 degree turn so I notched them in 2 places opposite each other.
I did this with both plates still clamped together to get the notches exactly the same. (sorry not picture of this)
After notching them I unclamped them and rotated the upper plate 180 degrees to see if the notches would line up.
They didn't exactly line up so I used a file to get them to line up properly.
You can add one or two notches if you want more positions on the swivel.
Just make sure all notches line up with each other.
Next I mounted the lock bar.
I angled the bar slighty so that it wouldn't stick out.
Reinforced the hinge point for the bar.
Fitted the actual locking piece.
I used the bolt to line both plates up before I tacked it in place.
Welded on two bolts to be able to fit the spring on the lock bar.
This is the bolt I used as a centerbolt It's a 18mm fine threaded 10.9 (grade 8) bolt.
You can use just about any boltover 5/8 diameter I had this one laying around.
And here is the finished swivel piece.
Be sure to put some grease between the plates before assembling them.
Other side.
Just for size reference a lighter on top.
You can weld on a frame to fit the floor and seat.
If there are any questions feel free to ask!