wearenotborg
04-19-2004, 5:06 PM
Today I had the great idea of making myself a new toy - so where does one go and find something as exotic as a fully functional, padded SmotherBox that can double as a toilet box? Why Wal-Mart, of course!
And it cost me just $33 - and I am no master with the tools, either - but anyway, here goes. Just a list of some of the stuff I bought:
*first you need a suitable furniture item - I was lucky enough to find a small 'shelving' unit called 'the cube' also available at Target stores, for about $12. This is sturdy 3/4 inch wood, 14"x14"x14" enclosed on all sides except one - perfect!
*some foam - you can buy the 72"x20" blue foam pads in the sporting goods/camping section - 2-4 layers of that will make anything feel really soft. And it's very easy to manipulate. $5
*vinyl - about a square yard. $3 - once you have the upholstering technique down, you can go buy some more expensive black leather.
*a couple of hinges - mine were gold plated color, very nice contrast on the mahogany box - $3
*a couple of fish-eye bolts to put on the side of the box for hand restraints - $1.50
*a couple of c-clips (threaded) for secure locking onto the fish-eye bolts - $2.50
The box itself comes with one shelf in the middle, which is perfect because that allows you to place it higher or lower within the box, and that is what your head rests onto.
First, assemble the box as it was originally intended...then remove the top. Look at your face in the mirror - measure the top to bottom & side to side distances of your face. Add 2 inches all the way around, and you have a stencil now for cutting the hole. A simple jig saw will do the job perfectly - drill a hole first along your stencil line so you can insert the jig saw blade.
Once the hole is cut, you're pretty much done with all the sweaty stuff. Take your foam, and start practicing your upholstery by padding the shelf first (your head rest) because it's nice & flat. Cut 2-3 layers of the foam to size (no overhang) and lay them on the shelf - then lay the vinyl over the top, flip the whole thing over, and use a staple gun to tighten the vinyl around the shelf (not too tight, or you'll shear the vinyl). Use a hammer to flatten all staples. Do sides in opposite fashion. Once you did 2 sides, then fold the corners of the vinyl before you do the last 2, so you can have a clean look - if you can wrap Xmas presents, you already have it down.
Once that's done, have a beer - you deserve it for all the hard work, and you're more than halfway done. If you're into GS as well, give your missus one, too - she'll have an excuse to 'go' later :D
Next do the top part, the actual 'seat' - now this is part that I am still learning, so no real help here. Cut the foam in the exact shape of the top, with the hole in the middle. For the vinyl lay, what I did is I repeated the procedure as for the shelf, then made a slit over the middle (where the hole is) and then 4 more diagonal slits from the ends of that one so the vinyl could hang into the hole, then flipped the seat over, and wrapped the overhang tightly underneath. Not perfect, but it covers all the sharp edges and is VERY comfortable to sit on. For a typical woman of 5'7", when she sits on that, her thighs are paralles to the ground, so it is a very natural position, which means she can do it for a lot longer and it will save her knees.
Almost done! Next take the finished wrapped top, and add 2 hinges on one side, so that you may squeeze in and out quickly and comfortably. To add some structural integrity, place a locking hinge on the opposite side of the swing hinges. You now have a very naturally sturdy cube that can support an average woman with no problems.
Please note that the above is intended as a guide only, and you are solely responsible for making sure your toys are safe and sturdy, and TEST them first.
Now you and the lady can have the times of your lives, and she can no longer throw out the very tiring "my legs hurt" mood killer :)
Enjoy!
And it cost me just $33 - and I am no master with the tools, either - but anyway, here goes. Just a list of some of the stuff I bought:
*first you need a suitable furniture item - I was lucky enough to find a small 'shelving' unit called 'the cube' also available at Target stores, for about $12. This is sturdy 3/4 inch wood, 14"x14"x14" enclosed on all sides except one - perfect!
*some foam - you can buy the 72"x20" blue foam pads in the sporting goods/camping section - 2-4 layers of that will make anything feel really soft. And it's very easy to manipulate. $5
*vinyl - about a square yard. $3 - once you have the upholstering technique down, you can go buy some more expensive black leather.
*a couple of hinges - mine were gold plated color, very nice contrast on the mahogany box - $3
*a couple of fish-eye bolts to put on the side of the box for hand restraints - $1.50
*a couple of c-clips (threaded) for secure locking onto the fish-eye bolts - $2.50
The box itself comes with one shelf in the middle, which is perfect because that allows you to place it higher or lower within the box, and that is what your head rests onto.
First, assemble the box as it was originally intended...then remove the top. Look at your face in the mirror - measure the top to bottom & side to side distances of your face. Add 2 inches all the way around, and you have a stencil now for cutting the hole. A simple jig saw will do the job perfectly - drill a hole first along your stencil line so you can insert the jig saw blade.
Once the hole is cut, you're pretty much done with all the sweaty stuff. Take your foam, and start practicing your upholstery by padding the shelf first (your head rest) because it's nice & flat. Cut 2-3 layers of the foam to size (no overhang) and lay them on the shelf - then lay the vinyl over the top, flip the whole thing over, and use a staple gun to tighten the vinyl around the shelf (not too tight, or you'll shear the vinyl). Use a hammer to flatten all staples. Do sides in opposite fashion. Once you did 2 sides, then fold the corners of the vinyl before you do the last 2, so you can have a clean look - if you can wrap Xmas presents, you already have it down.
Once that's done, have a beer - you deserve it for all the hard work, and you're more than halfway done. If you're into GS as well, give your missus one, too - she'll have an excuse to 'go' later :D
Next do the top part, the actual 'seat' - now this is part that I am still learning, so no real help here. Cut the foam in the exact shape of the top, with the hole in the middle. For the vinyl lay, what I did is I repeated the procedure as for the shelf, then made a slit over the middle (where the hole is) and then 4 more diagonal slits from the ends of that one so the vinyl could hang into the hole, then flipped the seat over, and wrapped the overhang tightly underneath. Not perfect, but it covers all the sharp edges and is VERY comfortable to sit on. For a typical woman of 5'7", when she sits on that, her thighs are paralles to the ground, so it is a very natural position, which means she can do it for a lot longer and it will save her knees.
Almost done! Next take the finished wrapped top, and add 2 hinges on one side, so that you may squeeze in and out quickly and comfortably. To add some structural integrity, place a locking hinge on the opposite side of the swing hinges. You now have a very naturally sturdy cube that can support an average woman with no problems.
Please note that the above is intended as a guide only, and you are solely responsible for making sure your toys are safe and sturdy, and TEST them first.
Now you and the lady can have the times of your lives, and she can no longer throw out the very tiring "my legs hurt" mood killer :)
Enjoy!