Replacing the Folding Chairs?
Question by Jimmy W: Replacing the Folding Chairs?
(I know this is a stupid question.)
I’ve got these folding chairs. There are 2 rods that meet to form the back of the chair. When unfolded, these 2 rods rest on these 2 plastic parts that are screwed by hand into 2 hollow tubes. The hollow tubes are the top of the chair’s back legs.
Through regular use, a person leans back in the chair. This action gently sands down the screw-like section of the plastic parts as it rubs against the hollow tube. Eventually, the screw-section is gone, the plastic part stops working and the chair is no longer safe for use.
Where can I buy these plastic parts? Do these things have names?
And why can’t I just buy new chairs?
See, they were a gift, sentimental value, mostly brand new, and I don’t want the giver to get offended that I threw them out. So, fixing them is the best idea.
Best answer:
Answer by Paul in San Diego
Unfortunately, we live in a throw-away society where, if something breaks, we just replace it rather than fixing it. So, replacement parts for things like that are hard to come by.
Is there any indication of the manufacturer on the back or bottom of the chairs? If so, see if you can contact them for the replacement parts. If not, you might have to buy new chairs with that same kind of part and cannibalize the new chairs to fix the old ones.
Give your answer to this question below!
September 6th, 2010 at 12:20 am
While I understand the sentimental attachment and not wanting to offend the person who gave it to you, it would be very difficult to find replacement plastic parts for plastic chairs. Even if you could, most likely (since the parts are plastic), they would wear out again quickly.
Options? (1) Take the part to a hardware store and ask them if they have a more durable replacement part that could be used. (2) If you have a handy man friend, see if they can fabricate something that would work in a more durable material. (3) If you really, really want to keep it and repair it and know the name of the company that manufactures it, Google the company and see if they have a website where you can order replacement parts.
Otherwise, for safety reasons, you probably should consider replacing the chair with something more durable. Most people are understanding about things wearing out and needing replacement. Unless it’s an antique (probably not an issue with a plastic folding chair), getting rid of the chair is not getting rid of the person.
February 16th, 2011 at 7:43 am
This stuff is fantastic. Really glad I found your post as I was just surfing the internet and stumbled across this. It’s not something you’d normally find, so I’ll show it to my friends. Thanks!