Sit on This, Geeks: Giant 555 Timer

Craft & Design Furniture & Lighting Technology Woodworking
Sit on This, Geeks: Giant 555 Timer
555-timer stool
555-timer stool

The 555-timer integrated circuit is one of the most famous and popular chips ever invented. Created in 1971, it’s got a near cult following with books, blogs, newsletters, and devoted fans even today. That’s why Imgur user “surfacetension” built this amazing stool in the form of a giant 555 chip!

The real 555 timer packs in more than 28 individual components into its small plastic shell, but this inspired stool is conveniently hollow for storage.

Base assembly
Base assembly

Unlike the version made in 2011 by EMSL, this one has usable storage space. Using a Kreg pocket hole jig, surfacetension was able to conceal the screw heads on the interior of the IC body — this will become the seat of the stool.

Ready for primer
Ready for primer

Once the woodworking was complete, the lid was sanded and prepared for a coat of primer.

12mm aluminium leg bracket
12mm aluminium leg bracket

The legs are built from 12mm aluminium stock, which was originally laser cut, then formed and anodised. Since the aluminium legs will be load bearing, surfacetension wisely drilled a ton of holes to secure the aluminium to the bench seat.

And if you want more specifics on the process, you’re not alone, so do we! And we’re working to track them down for you.

Completed IC structure, ready for paint
Completed IC structure, ready for paint

Those familiar with electronic parts will surely appreciate the attention to detail with the IC body, note the notch to indicate the location of the chip’s pin 1!

Notched case indicates the location of pin 1 on an integrated circuit
Notched case indicates the location of pin 1 on an integrated circuit

If all that weren’t enough already, surfacetension added the part number and other identifying marks to the top of the stool.

Lettering applied
Lettering applied
Great finishing touches
Great finishing touches

If you’re interested in the electrical version of the 555 timer, built with discreet components, check out the kit from our friends at Evil Mad Scientist Labs For a deep dive into the theory and application of the 555 timer, Charles Platt’s electronics books are indispensable references.

 

 

2 thoughts on “Sit on This, Geeks: Giant 555 Timer

  1. DreadPirateZed says:

    “Aluminium”, “anodised”… you ain’t from around these parts, is ya?
    =D

    1. ZZMike says:

      It does have “UK” on the top…..

      1. DreadPirateZed says:

        Indeed it does! And I guess the “ST” is for “surfacetension”…?

        1. ZZMike says:

          “Super Timer”????

    2. Paul Burns says:

      The language is called English for a reason. not ‘Murican.

  2. ZZMike says:

    “discrete” components.

  3. Julian Richardson says:

    Please tell me this works (electronically, I mean).

  4. Mitch Bayersdorfer says:

    That’s awesome – would a 556 be a love seat? :-)

  5. Kim says:

    This makes me weep with joy.

    (Well, except for the mixup of “discreet” and “discrete” … those words mean two very different things ;) Components are discrete, unless they’re whispering.)

  6. ABDELATI ZELBANE says:

    Reblogged this on Abdelati Zelbane.

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I love to tinker and write about electronics. My days are spent building projects and working as a Technical Editor for MAKE.

View more articles by David Scheltema

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