Taking the back out of a steel chair

by Steve O'Connor

A steel chair is a very useful prop for the practice of certain poses in Iyengar yoga. For example, Viparita Dandasana is often practised in the chair.

Unfortunately, the steel chairs that one can buy in stores usually have a back that is too large. This article describes two methods of taking away the back of a steel chair in order to make it more suitable as a prop for practising.

Two methods

1. Hand tool method
   tools needed: cold chisel, hammer, file
2. Power tool method
   tools needed: jigsaw, vise grips, grinder

Tools

The following picture shows the various tools that are used in removing the back from the steel chair.

(Click on image to view larger version)

Make sure the jigsaw blade is long enough to cut without skipping on the sheet metal back. A sawzall can be used but it's a little hard to turn in the corners.

WARNING: please use gloves, eye and ear protection as there are some sharp edges.

Acknowledgments

We would like to thank Steve O'Connor for submitting the article. Steve can be reached at soconnor@national.ballet.ca