17 replies to this topic

[six-five-two]

Okay I want to put a small 2 person couch in my room, the problem is that I don't have the money for one! So I was thinking of making one out of cardboard.. except I don't know how to make it support 200+ lbs! Any ideas?

[Out To Lunch]

In the bottom part of the couch, put in lots of criss-crossing sheets of corrugated board, all vertical. The "grain" should also be running vertical. If you don't understand what I mean, I could provide an illustration.

[six-five-two]

How do I crisscross the cardboard though? I think I know what you are talking about though.. Somewhat like this?
http://archone.tamu....rdbS05/pg1.html

[Out To Lunch]

That's pretty much what I had in mind, except having the criss-crossed boards reach the ground rather than sit atop two columns.

To accomplish this, just cut each sheet so that there are several slots going half-way through. Then other pieces that have been notched in the same way can be inserted into these slots.

Edited by Out_To_Lunch, 02 March 2007 - 11:10 PM.

[six-five-two]

I kind of understand. But will this be able to support 250+lbs?

[Uncle Hammer]

Balsa wood can support 250 pounds, I know cardboard can. It's all about distributing the weight. I suggest using an arch type structure or lots of trusses(triangles) on the bottom foundation. It's very possible if you do it right. I had a 8 ounce balsa bridge that held 45 pounds.

[PiMpDaDdY]

Why don't you buy one of those cool inflatable couches that are probably more comfortable than a cardboard couch. But if you really want to make one outta cardboard definatly need lots of distribution of weight on the bottom of the couch.

[six-five-two]

Why don't you buy one of those cool inflatable couches that are probably more comfortable than a cardboard couch. But if you really want to make one outta cardboard definatly need lots of distribution of weight on the bottom of the couch.

My brother had one of those, a seethrough blue armchair.... Well it leaked air like crazy... Other than that it was comfortable. Unless if you yourself owns one.. then you can tell me which one you got that doesn't leak.

[Carbon]

Definitely possible. Check out FexExFurniture.com.

[TheVeg]

Get a cheap inflatable couch and cover it in Duct tape. Or you could get a couch off the street and cover it in duct tape as they did here. Use 3M duct tape, its the stickiest. But if you are really low on cash, just buy an inflatable couch and just patch the holes with duct tape. However, covering it beforehand would be better because there would be no leaks at all. Just remember to not cover the valve...

Good Luck.

-TheVeg

[Richomundo]

I had a buddy who was an architecture major build a chair out of the cardboard thats not corrugated, and it held about 300 lbs.

it was setup like those 3d puzzles, you have slats about 1/2" apart from eachother all standing perfectly straight, supported by cross beams that are perpendicular, going through with their own holes cut to hold the slats up.

so essentially you have the slats sticking straight up like |||||| and then other cardboard cut to drop down on top of it, adding support and forming the chair. it isn't impossible.

[Flaming Hilt]

Well, I want everyone here to know I've been inspired to build my desk out of cardboard. Granted, it will be internally supported by PVC. But you won't know that... it's internal. Anyways, it's only going to have to hold a 20-ish lb writing board, my computer, and textbooks and homework on occasion. So it doesn't have to be too strong.

Pics when I'm done if ya'll want, should be in a few weeks (cardboard is in the mail). Hopefully this will inspire whoever started the topic...

[LastManAlive]

Oh come on. This one is easy. Keep It Simple Stupid. Don't think smart, think easy. Must I continue?

Pile a ton of cardbourd up and get some larger boxes to make the actual outline of the couch with. The piled up, and somewhat compressed pile under the top cover will hold up quite a bit. Just go outback some stores like Dollar General and stuff. They toss cardbourd boxes out back there all the time. Just remember to pick a dry to do so.

[Prometheus]

The architecture is not near as much a problem as ergonomics. Do you want this to be comfortable, because although cardboard is cheap, it may not be the most comfy thing to sit on... unless you sit on a rock all the time.

[Pineapple]

Did you try;

--Salvation Army

--Goodwill

--Thrift Stores

--craigslist.com


For a NORMAL sofa or loveseat for cheap or free?

Or are you just too lazy to go and get someone's old hulk of a sofa and lug it to your dorm/ apartment room?

I can't understand why anyone would want to spend money (or not) for a CARDBOARD sofa made of boxes. It won't be comfortable, it won't hold much weight for most of the designs out there (unless you carefully engineer the thing), it definitely won't impress the ladies (unless they're into that sort of thing; and you can't get your moves on lest you collapse the cardboard), and mostly, corrugated cardboard generates a lot of DUST as it sits there. Trust me, I changed all my cardboard storage boxes to Rubbermaid ActionPackers after a couple of years.

But, whatever floats your boat. When I was out of the house and in college, I got lots of hand-me-down furniture and made them cool with spraypaint and e-tape (paint and stripes). I still recycle old used things and clean them up. It takes a little work, but the results are extremely cool. No photos, since they'd all be from the black-and-white photo days.

If I went the cardboard route, I'd look at the FedEx site and try my hand at that. Good luck.


-Piney-

[Flaming Hilt]

I have to somewhat agree with Pineapple. My sister furnished her whole apartment with $20 from Goodwill. I will probably follow suit when I move out.

On the other hand, I still think it's fun to engineer this stuff. I'm going to go ahead with my desk, just because I think it's cool. If you were to build a couch out of cardboard, at least you could spray paint it the color you wanted. XD

[LastManAlive]

You might want to try auctions near you too. I participate as well as help run a local auction near me and have bought some pretty nice stuff. Mostly collectables, but they have a good bit of furniture as well.

Look for an auction near you at www.autionzip.com.

[six-five-two]

Did you try;

--Salvation Army

--Goodwill

--Thrift Stores

--craigslist.com


For a NORMAL sofa or loveseat for cheap or free?

Or are you just too lazy to go and get someone's old hulk of a sofa and lug it to your dorm/ apartment room?

I can't understand why anyone would want to spend money (or not) for a CARDBOARD sofa made of boxes. It won't be comfortable, it won't hold much weight for most of the designs out there (unless you carefully engineer the thing), it definitely won't impress the ladies (unless they're into that sort of thing; and you can't get your moves on lest you collapse the cardboard), and mostly, corrugated cardboard generates a lot of DUST as it sits there. Trust me, I changed all my cardboard storage boxes to Rubbermaid ActionPackers after a couple of years.

But, whatever floats your boat. When I was out of the house and in college, I got lots of hand-me-down furniture and made them cool with spraypaint and e-tape (paint and stripes). I still recycle old used things and clean them up. It takes a little work, but the results are extremely cool. No photos, since they'd all be from the black-and-white photo days.

If I went the cardboard route, I'd look at the FedEx site and try my hand at that. Good luck.


-Piney-

I don't really want an auction one or one of those free ones because they could have mold or something like that... And too lazy to bring it up the stairs. Don't care about impressing anyone. I am only 13.

I don't even know if there will be enough space left in my room to put a 2 person couch... I think I actually won't make one so I have more space.