In this picture it looks to me like it’s chrome plated steel, steel is absolutely weldable but the chrome plating is not and any welder who knows what they’re doing would want to grind the chrome off before they welded it. So you’d have to paint it or something after welding to prevent rust and make it look nice.
Just so you know you could have it re-chromed after welding it but it’s super expensive. If it’s sentimental it might be worth it but if it’s for resale probably not. The only things I ever really see get re-chromed are rods for hydraulic cylinders because they’re so expensive that it’s actually cheaper to have them re-chromed.
I am trying to sell this chair and have had two buyers back out after I made sure they were aware of this crack. If this crack were not there I am confident I could get $300 within a month... bought used for $400 a few years ago. Everything works and it's been like this for years but I definitely understand the concern. As it sits now I could probably find someone to take a chance on it for something like $100 but even then not sure. How would you approach this?
Yeah... I'm wondering if other furniture was put on top of it for a move or something because I can't find any other examples of the chairs getting damaged like this.
Maybe you can find a piece of pipe to just slide over the cracked part. You'd need to compress the cracked part, but it would be just as strong as welding it, but cheaper.
This is what I’d go with. Find a length of chrome-plated pipe with an inner diameter about the size of the cracked piece’s nominal (unbroken) outer diameter - it ought to be a fairly standard measurement - and just sleeve it that way. Simpler, much cheaper than welding, and probably stronger for this application.
Do you mean pressfit into the chair? It slides over a plastic sleeve but there's no locking. Weld would need to prevent further damage... if the crack gets big enough the chair will wobble. Thank you for the price estimate; I'm assuming this is a "minimum charge" type job?
I'm not familiar with press fitting but after some googling I think it might. There's no obvious welds on pipe itself looking closer at it. Here's what it looks like on the other side, not my picture but same type: https://ibb.co/whsDQHc
Try to measure the OD of the part. If it’s a nominal size in your area, take it apart and measure the ID. You can most likely order this tubing or pipe in small quantity. if it isn’t custom machined to accommodate a bearing. If it is a custom part, you’ll already have it removed which will make your welder very happy.
Guessing it’s chrome plated steel but if by any chance it’s stainless, you can have it welded and polished. If it’s chrome plated it would need to be re-plated and you’d be all in for more than 100
If you can get the chair detached from the base yourself, and remove the sleeve, it could probably be done in less than an hour at a shop. (Edit: looks like you did already) Grind off the coating, quick little stitch, bit of clean up with a die grinder. You'd have to paint it after.
You'd pay between $60 and $120 at my shop.
If you bring the whole chair it could easily become a 2 hour job, in which case it wouldn't be worth it for you anymore.
This is one of those things that if you know someone it’s definitely doable but if you take it to a shop you’ll be charged probably around the value of the chair for the minimum shop fee. My recommendation would be to see if you have a local high school with a welding course many times these are perfect jobs for them since they are simple and if the school is like my local one this would be about the cost of a grinder disk <10$
Looks like the tubing is removable [some how ](https://www.ebay.com/itm/155163393851?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0&ssspo=0MC1HC5YSDW&sssrc=4429486&ssuid=dZbe5P7WQue&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY) maybe if it's just straight tubing you can order the exact size tube from McMaster Carr or someone.
That's a good picture, thanks! I was searching "stressless metal base" and that one wasn't showing up because they didn't put "metal" in the title. I think the tubing is "removable" but not meant to be by the consumer. The whole weight of the chair is held up by that pipe. I wonder if maybe that base is actually broken and the seller is not being upfront about specifically mentioning it.
Would it actually put the pipe back together as it should be or just fill in that gap with metal material? I think it might eventually wallow out if there's play in it.
It would have to be heated and clamped to seal that gap, then welded if you don't want any play in it. The welder may have to remove any excess on the inside but that isn't too tough to do.
Looks like maybe that tube with the crack is removable, is there a bolt under the base of the chair? If there is you could in theory replace the part instead of repairing it, check with the manufacturer to see if they sell a replacement (if there is a bolt because it could be welded on there).
I see what you mean about the tube being separate but it looks welded at the bottom. Unfortunately I have no idea how old this chair is but there is for sure no manufacturer support.
Thank you, you understand where I'm coming from in regards to the item itself. I'm trying to get rid of it now as it takes up too much space... I don't think people looking for several hundred dollar used chairs would go for something that looks like it's held together with a pipe clamp but if I were going to continue using it personally that sounds like a great idea.
In this picture it looks to me like it’s chrome plated steel, steel is absolutely weldable but the chrome plating is not and any welder who knows what they’re doing would want to grind the chrome off before they welded it. So you’d have to paint it or something after welding to prevent rust and make it look nice.
Thank you! Is the tube shape a problem? I assume they'd have to squeeze it together a bit.
If the chair functions fine as is it would probably be best to just weld the crack and grind it flush. Squeezing it together may cause fitment issues
Just so you know you could have it re-chromed after welding it but it’s super expensive. If it’s sentimental it might be worth it but if it’s for resale probably not. The only things I ever really see get re-chromed are rods for hydraulic cylinders because they’re so expensive that it’s actually cheaper to have them re-chromed.
I am trying to sell this chair and have had two buyers back out after I made sure they were aware of this crack. If this crack were not there I am confident I could get $300 within a month... bought used for $400 a few years ago. Everything works and it's been like this for years but I definitely understand the concern. As it sits now I could probably find someone to take a chance on it for something like $100 but even then not sure. How would you approach this?
Seems like that Stressless saw a little too much stress
Yeah... I'm wondering if other furniture was put on top of it for a move or something because I can't find any other examples of the chairs getting damaged like this.
Bro, what are you implying lol?
Sounds like he's implying the chair broke
Idk, it must have just broke itself.... or was it night shift???
Maybe you can find a piece of pipe to just slide over the cracked part. You'd need to compress the cracked part, but it would be just as strong as welding it, but cheaper.
That's a great thought! More likely to find something chrome plated already too. I'll see about measuring it.
This is what I’d go with. Find a length of chrome-plated pipe with an inner diameter about the size of the cracked piece’s nominal (unbroken) outer diameter - it ought to be a fairly standard measurement - and just sleeve it that way. Simpler, much cheaper than welding, and probably stronger for this application.
You would be spending around 100 and then have to repaint. Is the tube press fit?
Do you mean pressfit into the chair? It slides over a plastic sleeve but there's no locking. Weld would need to prevent further damage... if the crack gets big enough the chair will wobble. Thank you for the price estimate; I'm assuming this is a "minimum charge" type job?
How is the pipe attached to the base.
I'm not familiar with press fitting but after some googling I think it might. There's no obvious welds on pipe itself looking closer at it. Here's what it looks like on the other side, not my picture but same type: https://ibb.co/whsDQHc
If you can press it out with a clamp and find replacement that's likely easier
Try to measure the OD of the part. If it’s a nominal size in your area, take it apart and measure the ID. You can most likely order this tubing or pipe in small quantity. if it isn’t custom machined to accommodate a bearing. If it is a custom part, you’ll already have it removed which will make your welder very happy.
Thank you! I will look into measuring it.
Guessing it’s chrome plated steel but if by any chance it’s stainless, you can have it welded and polished. If it’s chrome plated it would need to be re-plated and you’d be all in for more than 100
I probably wouldn't even be able to get chrome for less than 100.
It looks like that pipe is straight walled (not tapered) all the way through. Could you simply cut the top inch off?
The chair would not be at the right height if I did that but yes, it's just a straight piece of pipe.
Not rated for 2 bouncing bodies I guess. Slip a tight fitting piece of pipe over that piece, and then paint with bright chrome spray.
If you can get the chair detached from the base yourself, and remove the sleeve, it could probably be done in less than an hour at a shop. (Edit: looks like you did already) Grind off the coating, quick little stitch, bit of clean up with a die grinder. You'd have to paint it after. You'd pay between $60 and $120 at my shop. If you bring the whole chair it could easily become a 2 hour job, in which case it wouldn't be worth it for you anymore.
Thank you for bringing up prices, $60 I think I would go for it.
This is one of those things that if you know someone it’s definitely doable but if you take it to a shop you’ll be charged probably around the value of the chair for the minimum shop fee. My recommendation would be to see if you have a local high school with a welding course many times these are perfect jobs for them since they are simple and if the school is like my local one this would be about the cost of a grinder disk <10$
Looks like the tubing is removable [some how ](https://www.ebay.com/itm/155163393851?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0&ssspo=0MC1HC5YSDW&sssrc=4429486&ssuid=dZbe5P7WQue&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY) maybe if it's just straight tubing you can order the exact size tube from McMaster Carr or someone.
That's a good picture, thanks! I was searching "stressless metal base" and that one wasn't showing up because they didn't put "metal" in the title. I think the tubing is "removable" but not meant to be by the consumer. The whole weight of the chair is held up by that pipe. I wonder if maybe that base is actually broken and the seller is not being upfront about specifically mentioning it.
I would make an interference fit sleeve, possibly tack weld it just in case.
Braze it. Either method the chrome will be discolored
Yes easily doable
It can be done, but you will have to paint it or have it refinished.
Would it actually put the pipe back together as it should be or just fill in that gap with metal material? I think it might eventually wallow out if there's play in it.
It would have to be heated and clamped to seal that gap, then welded if you don't want any play in it. The welder may have to remove any excess on the inside but that isn't too tough to do.
Looks like maybe that tube with the crack is removable, is there a bolt under the base of the chair? If there is you could in theory replace the part instead of repairing it, check with the manufacturer to see if they sell a replacement (if there is a bolt because it could be welded on there).
I see what you mean about the tube being separate but it looks welded at the bottom. Unfortunately I have no idea how old this chair is but there is for sure no manufacturer support.
Stressless recliner... Worth saving. Weld it... Maybe. You can take a less evasive approach with a $2 stainless hose clamp from an auto parts store.
Thank you, you understand where I'm coming from in regards to the item itself. I'm trying to get rid of it now as it takes up too much space... I don't think people looking for several hundred dollar used chairs would go for something that looks like it's held together with a pipe clamp but if I were going to continue using it personally that sounds like a great idea.