Eames Lounge Chair Replacement Shock Mounts Comparison  

Scotchweld 1838L epoxy adhesive
I too recently suffered adhesive failure on my 670 purchased new in 2000.
I wanted to use the 3M product and eventually tracked down a supplier who sells the 2oz. kit @ $40.51 delivered.
West Side Industrial Supply INC. http://westsidedelivers.com/item.asp?PID=719
I have no connection with this company other than as a customer.
As regards my repair; so far, so good.
http://westsidedelivers.com/item.asp?PID=719

Special K mount comments and questions
I just received my mounts and adhesive. The mounts are extremely well made, however...I was fully expecting them to be made of neoprene and steel.
My lounge chair is 40 years old, but both mounts broke ten years ago (I weigh 150 lbs.). One mount took a small bit of veneer with it, the other completely took all of the veneer underneath + an additional section. My thinking was that the neoprene had hardened over the years - no longer having any 'give' - and was the reason they broke. I bought two large slabs of neoprene of different thicknesses. Laboriously removed the rubber from one of the mounts down to the raised area where the screws mount - then ran out of steam.
As of now I plan on using these new mounts, but have some overall concerns - regluing the veneer (which glue?); getting the mounts lined up correctly; getting the exact amount of glue on so that there is enough to hold well, but not so much it makes a huge edge around the mounts; being able to get both mounts attached and clamped in five minutes.
Unless I hear different, I'm planning on using a much smaller (Avery) round label over the screw holes. The labels that came with the mounts seem to encroach far too much on the mounting surface - which needs all the surface it can get.
I know this is a totally different topic, but I need to have the leather replaced on the ottoman and am concerned about matching the leather to the rest and finding a shop that can stitch through the thick base material. I have Veteran Co's. automotive book with leather and associated materials should they be a source.
Biba

LCW LOZENGE SHOCKMOUNT
Any thoughts on how to clamp a shockmount on an LCW chairback? I have been trying to configure a way using some wood and packing foam along with my clamps, but am stumped on how to line it up. Most clamps on the market are very limited in their reach. I have c clamps and 2 wood block clamps.
If anyone has had success or has ideas I would appreciate your sharing.
Thanks!

BibaResto's Special K mount comments and questions
Biba, you can cut down or replace the Avery round sticker if you like but it is unnecessary. This sticker is only there to block the adhesive from going into the screw hole.
We don't know if you purchased the adhesive from us, but if you read up a few threads you will see that we have tested a few adhesives and all three seem to hold up, We do recommend using the PC-7 which also has a longer working time (several hours).
Hopefully you have some reference on at least one side where the mounts were positioned, maybe you can make a template for the position and transfer it to the opposite side. Then position the chair together in a dry run to make sure the components align before adhering the mounts.
You may want to use a thinner 5 minute epoxy to re-attach the veneer and let cure then sand smooth, prior to adhering the mounts.
You may also note that in our adhesive test we used very little clamping pressure applying a thin layer of adhesive to both surfaces then apply pressure together by hand with 10 lbs of force or use a small spring pinch clamp.
You can then wipe excess adhesive off at this time using a small amount of solvent, such as acetone on a rag.
Enjoy!
SKP

Khus LCW LOZENGE SHOCKMOUNT question
Khus,
Having the right tools help, but if you are not doing this on as a routine, sometimes you need to improvise.
For adhering and clamping the LCW and DCW Lozenge mounts we have a pair of Vise-grip locking clamps with a 10 reach, but these are not cheap.
You can improvise by using 1 each 1/4" thick material that will bend over the mount and reach far enough to clamp on each side. A wooden yardstick and 2 Quick clamps or C-clamps or large pinch clamps will work fine. Duct tape will also help with side to side movement. Again not a lot of force is needed when using epoxy adhesives. Don't forget to pad the clamps so you do not damage the wood.
Let us know what you come up with.
SKP

mouse trap
Thanks Special K for the helpful info. I did not think to look at specialty vise grips.
I did come up with a solution, however, and hope to try it tonight on one of the two chairs that I have repaired.
I bought 3 foot long 1/4" threadstock, washers and wingnuts. I cut and drilled 2 boards and lined them with some packing foam to protect the chair parts. I created them to fit the long way so that I could leave the shockmount mounted on the upright in order to keep the shockmount curved appropriately. The chair back is sandwiched along with the shockmount and upright. It is very light and seems to hang on the chair well.
I will use light pressure as you mentioned.
Thanks for the help and for the great shockmounts!

glue
I have written about numerous restoration issues in a variety of threads regarding a pair of drilled LCW backs.
I glued one shockmount a week ago and it looks great. Glued the 2nd one last night. This has been a 2 year process.
Thanks again to any that have added expertise and insight into my plight. I am happy with the outcome with the exception of matching the stain(pretty close) and the patina(impossible-will throw some sand at them or something). I will add a photo or 2 sometime soon.

btw
by the way-was not clear, but this was the last step in finishing these chairs. What will I labor over next?

Some days old this thread, but...
...this may be useful for some of you:
We made a short video again, this time Lounge Chair shock mount replacement.
Please follow the link below and enjoy
http://youtu.be/V4D1-SVQWyk?hd=1

I have been recommended Loctite 3090 for bonding the shockmounts
Hi everybody,
I'm just about to bond a new shock mount I have ordered via ebay (from a seller called "depury") from US. It is said to be "Cast polyurethane rubber with inserts", and the seller writes "just purchase any Epoxy 2-component glue at your local hardware store for a few bucks (this is no rocket science...)." I have asked the seller twice, but he would not answer which glue is recommendable.
The shock mounts have rubber at both sides, just as the thread starter describes the ones from Hume. The backside is somewhat rough.
As far as I understand, PC-7 is only recommended for the Special K shock mounts whose back consists of the proper metal plate. I.e. glueing metal to wood.
Asking for suggestions which glue to use for my PU rubber shock mounts, customer service at Henkel (Pattex, Loctite etc.) told me that they normally do not recommend 2K epoxys for glueing rubber to wood, but to use instantaneous glues like Loctite 454 or Loctite 3090 instead.
No I'm a bit unsure which glue I should use - any suggestion is greatly appreciated.
Regards from Germany
Martin

Hi downsitter,
I don't...
Hi downsitter,
I don't have an answer to your question, but I'd add that whatever adhesive you end up choosing, when you clamp the wood shell and mount together, remember not to use too much pressure. Some have reported failure due to too much clamping pressure. Good luck with it!!!

Hi,
as there was no answer...
Hi,
as there was no answer neither here nor from the vendor of the shock mounts, I ended up using "UHU endfest300" 2K epoxy ( http://www.supermagnete.de/docs/uhu_plus_endfest_300_eng.pdf). I did'nt use any clamps, but I used a halogen lamp to heat up the area - this multiplies tension and shear resistance.
Up to now everything is fine 😉

I hope this is relevant. I...
.

exactly
I had Herman Miller repair one of my lounge chairs a few years ago and that is exactly how they did the repair, using both epoxy and wood screws.

shock mount failure
my shockmount from special k just failed after 2 years. see my message above May 2010. the glue is still holding but the bolts on all the shockmounts were all bent so I tried to straighten them but in doing so, one of the bolts snapped off the shockmount, it appears they were welded onto a steel embeded inside the rubber. i emailed special k about it and asked if they have improved their product, if so i might ask if they have replacement warranty. If they're still the same quality, I would go with hume modern or other product out there. I would need some advise. thanks.