Tiger Stadium seat restoration project.

[John Pollman]

I've got a lot of work ahead of me.
These seats came out of Navin Field, aka Briggs Stadium, and then Tiger Stadium, in Detroit, MI. I have probably seven or eight of them. Some assembled plus a few extra castings to make more. They belong to a buddy and he wants me to restore them. I've had them sitting in the basement for a long time. I think it's time to take a close look at the stuff and formulate a game plan. It's NOT a weekend project, but it may not be too bad. I have some ideas and if they work out, these are gonna be sweet!

 

[Ryan Mooney]

I'm curious if you're planning to retain some of the historic look or if you're going for a full restore?

Either way

 

[John Pollman]

I'm curious if you're planning to retain some of the historic look or if you're going for a full restore?

Either way

He wants them restored. These are over a hundred years old and the wood is unsalvageable. I'm going to recreate the wood slats, strip, and paint the cast iron, and reassemble them.

 

[Vaughn McMillan]

Cool project...I'm looking forward to watching this one. I know the back slats are curved, but looking at the second photo in particular, it looks like the seat itself is sculpted a bit too. Any idea yet how you'll do that part?

 

[John Pollman]

Cool project...I'm looking forward to watching this one. I know the back slats are curved, but looking at the second photo in particular, it looks like the seat itself is sculpted a bit too. Any idea yet how you'll do that part?

They are flat slats, but the front and back ones are slightly sculpted. They bolt to a bracket/hinge. That's where you get the curve.

 

[steve ramsey]

I remember seats similar to these in the old Bush Stadium in St. Louis.

 

[Jonathan Shively]

John, what makes the wood junk? I see the one is missing the top board of the backrest and the front board of the seat has a big sliver hanging from it. From the pictures it doesn't look rotten, just wondering.