Reworking plastic seat tray?

[pattomike]

I have been enjoying my scooter since I have taken off the seat cover, and removed the foam. Doing so has expanded my saddle area. I sit on an "egg sitter" cushion, which is a gel pad. While this has improved my enjoyment, I still wish I could get that plastic hump off my tray. It bumps up against my tail bone, and is very annoying. Structurally, I cannot simply cut it out. Does anyone have ideas of what type of craftsman might be able to rework the plastic tray so that the hump is removed? I don't think an upholstery shop would be a good choice because mainly they work with foam and covers. I want the whole area above where I sit to be smoothed out.

[you you]

Dremel or pad saw it out and pop rivet some alloy sheet in the void.

[pattomike]

Dremel or pad saw it out and pop rivet some alloy sheet in the void.

that's what I'm talking about, thanks. I didn't know what language to use since I am not familiar with hand tools, etc. Do you know what kind of shop might do this rivot and alloy sheets you talked about? I know from experience, I don't have the aptitude to it myself. I would just end up taking a blow torch to it.

[you you]

Dremel or pad saw it out and pop rivet some alloy sheet in the void.

that's what I'm talking about, thanks. I didn't know what language to use since I am not familiar with hand tools, etc. Do you know what kind of shop might do this rivot and alloy sheets you talked about? I know from experience, I don't have the aptitude to it myself. I would just end up taking a blow torch to it.

The upholsterers should be able to to it or any back street mechanics.

A soldering iron would do it but a blow torch is right out.

[NADman]

Like this.
1 inch aluminum flat bar and some pop rivets.

[pattomike]

Like this.
1 inch aluminum flat bar and some pop rivets.

That's really helpful to see what it looks like to have that hump removed. I was worried that cutting it out might severely weaken the integrity of the seat. It doesn't appear that it would, judging by your image, even without the aluminum bars or pop rivets. I would like to ask you a question. Where do I get aluminum flat bars, and do I need a special tool to use pop rivets? I do not know what pop rivets are. The only thing that comes to mind is those rivets that some people put on their clothing, such as jean jackets, etc.

[Mel46]

Do you have a Home Depot or an ACE Hardware store near you? They sell the kit.

As far as the aluminum, I am sure that at least Home Depot has the strips.

Too bad there isn't an aircraft manufacturer near you. They throw away tons of aluminum... well, not really throw it away. They now recycle it, but they do a lot of training with it and throw those pieces in the recycle bin. If you knew someone there they could get you some discarded pieces.

[NADman]

Even with doing some of the 'dirty work' myself it still took a Pro 2-3 hrs. to come up with my finished
and extremely comfortable seat.
You say "$200 bucks"???
I say "Priceless."

I don't know them but try: http://www.andrewsupholsteryidaho.com/

[pattomike]

thanks, Nadman. I was looking for the other pic you shared, the one without the aluminum strips on it. I can't find it now. I asked my neighbor to cut the hump out for me. He has lots of tools. I said I'd give him $20 if he'd do it for me. I wanted to see your hole again. You know, the hole in your seat. The bike seat.

[pattomike]

Do you have a Home Depot or an ACE Hardware store near you? They sell the kit.

As far as the aluminum, I am sure that at least Home Depot has the strips.

Too bad there isn't an aircraft manufacturer near you. They throw away tons of aluminum... well, not really throw it away. They now recycle it, but they do a lot of training with it and throw those pieces in the recycle bin. If you knew someone there they could get you some discarded pieces.

Thanks, Mel. I will go to the Home Depot and ask for a rivet kit, and hopefully they will know what I want. I don't envision aluminum strips being difficult to find.

[pattomike]

I want to cut out my hump so that it is flush with the seat pan. I see yours isn't flush. I just need a couple more inches of saddle room because right now my tail bone bumps up against the hump. Just a little more room, and I can lay that "egg sitter" cushion flat.

[NADman]

thanks, Nadman. I was looking for the other pic you shared, the one without the aluminum strips on it. I can't find it now. I asked my neighbor to cut the hump out for me. He has lots of tools. I said I'd give him $20 if he'd do it for me. I wanted to see your hole again. You know, the hole in your seat. The bike seat.

Ouch. Maybe count to 10 before you hit post.

[pattomike]

I'm just trying to be funny. It sounded funny in my head, at the time.

[Mel46]

Make sure that you look under the seat area you want to remove. I know that there is a small 'shelf' in the storage bin in that area, so before you cover the hole with straps make sure the repair won't have any interference caused by the storage bin. Others have been successful so I expect that you will be as well, but most of the others have worked on seats as a living. Just be mindful and all will be well. Buddha Butt has spoken.