Two chairs to refurbishThese two old chairs are my next restoration project. I will post some pics as I progress with the work.
I have completely pulled one of them apart and removed the remnants of the old rattan cane from the seat. The underneath side of the seat which has a groove around the line of holes will be filled with a suitable two pack adhesive mixed with sawdust that closely matches the colour of the timber of the chair. The top side then needs a groove routed in that to take the new rattan seat that will be installed in a one piece sheet instead of woven. Had to use a fine blade in the angle grinder to remove the very rusted on nuts and bolts. Still deciding whether to use bolts or plug the holes and then use screws as they would have in the original chairs.
Hi @Newqlder,
Many thanks for the update on your project. I trust our members will be looking forward to seeing some images of the progress.
Please keep the updates coming and let us know if you need any assistance.
Mitchell
Certainly will Mitchell.
I have been having troubles posting some text with pics. Tells me I have to review and remove.
Is is the only way to continue to add to the post is to reply to my original post?
Any updates to your project would be best added in a reply to your original post. You can then add new images and text.
Please feel free to private message @Jason and I next time you are having issues and we will assist.
The chair ring has been filled around the underneath groove that was used previously for the rattan cane weaving. All parts now presanded and ready to fill the holes in the top of the seat ring before routing the groove for new rattan cane.Presanded partsBottom groove filled with two pack blended with sawdustHard to get slotted screws but found two brass ones for this piece.
Don't use sheet cane. It destroys the chair and doesn't last.
Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community @EdwardJ. It's terrific to have you join us, and many thanks for jumping into the discussion.
Despite this being a discussion from quite some time ago, I'm sure anyone who comes across it would love to hear your recommendations on alternate ways to go about this project. I'm not particularly familiar with the restoration of cane chairs. Would the alternative to a sheet cane be weaving it yourself with strands? I'd imagine that would be quite the process. Is it something achievable as a D.I.Y. project?
Looking forward to hearing your advice.Mitchell
Yes, Weaving it yourself. Getting the materials is harder now. I used to take 3-4 hours though I'm sure most could get it done in a day or two.Happy to show anyone who wants to do it themselves.
Can any offer any advice on replacing the ply seat on these bentwood chairs? I have some I want to restore, they seem to be made of 3 layers of veneer each about 1.5mm and have a shallow bowl shape formed into them. If possible I would like to duplicate this form but haven't had any experience forming ply, and seems like a concave bowl would be especially difficult.
Found this interesting video on the tube, but doesn't have details on the timber used. No heating or steaming, just pressed, but what kind of timber would be best for this?
Hello @Dura
Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community. It's sensational to have you join us.
I suspect that it could be very thin pieces of plywood that was used, which makes it soft and pliable, able to be pressed into shape. The technique shown on the video you linked to shows timber adhesive being spread on the pieces before being put together and pressed into shape. No heat or moisture would be required as the glue would hold the timber shape in place. To semi-recreate this effect, I suggest using pine panels and sanding the surface to get the shallow bowl shape you're after.
Let me call on our experienced members @Dave-1, @Nailbag, @TedBear and @JoeAzza for their recommendations regarding this restoration.
If you have any other questions we can help with, please let us know.
Eric
Evening @Dura
First up Id like to offer a warm welcom to the community 🙂 Its a good place to figure out these types of questions.
Do you have a photo of the chairs that you are wanting to work with? The only ply seats I have worked with was repairing some old school style chairs with the curved edges. I used builders bog to smooth out the flaking and removed any that had been seperated before sanding and painting.
For you question about forming the ply, thats a lot harder to do. @EricL's suggestion of sanding a piece of pine to give the contour you want would work.
With Ply being formed and moulded I have seen a frame made up and a steam box used. layering it as it goes. I am not sure how to go with a curved edge but a sheet of ply could be contoured as well, not sure how sanding the dip would be smooth. I figure it would be a little rough?
Dave
Hi @Dura @During the recent Olympics I was curious on how skateboards were made, they started as layers of plywood glued together , then pressed into a form mould shaped as required, you could apply the same technique to your bowl shape in the seat, I have attached a link of how it’s done, hope this will at least give you some inspiration on how to complete your project.
https://youtu.be/qk-JDGQZ0LQ?si=blT941Ou_OZmd_JN
Evening @JoeAzza
Now that is interesting! 🙂
Thanks @JoeAzza that is the sort of process I'm thinking of, the skate decks have a concave shape around the wheel which is even tighter than I need. My seat bowl shape will be about 20mm over a 200mm diameter (will get some photos uploaded tmrw)
The price of veneer is a challenge...😏 https://australianpremierveneers.au/shop/product/maple-timber-veneer-25/
Was also looking at very thin ply, much cheaper but maybe going to split when formed https://kadmium.com.au/birchwood-ply-sheet-457mm-x-915mm-x-1-5mm-1/?srsltid=AfmBOoo0rLM8IK6pN470J5N2XTKHxdZWRBdtGVraK7KONr3fHxxuzb-n
