This is a Design Addict public service announcement for you would-be repairers of the Eames Lounge shock mount ...DO NOT TRY THIS AT HOME!!! I'm telling you-this is one tough project!! Leave this stuff for Alfie at Hume Modern or whomever that does it on a day to day basis.
Easy enough to remove the cusions,and the arm rest screws.After that,it's an absoulute battle.The armrest is just about glued in place and you need to wrench it loose.I already nicked the previously pristine lobes of the rosewood backrest trying to pry it free with a screwdriver,not to mention the metal edge of the backing plate that its screwed into,and also to which the shockmounts are mounted.
Anyhow,the shockmount is stuck to this plate,and I cannot budge the phillips head screws!!!I'm wringing wet from sweat,cursing,and about to give up in exasperation.I think the only thing I'm going to be able to do is reglue this thing,which is a bear to position and clamp with the weight of the backrest and all.If I don't further damage or get glue all over the rosewood, it'll be a miracle!
Otherwise,'Ill ship the whole dang thing to Alfie,IF I can ever remove the rest of it-the other mounts seem to be holding strong.Anyhow,gentlemen,I implore you-leave this project to a professional.(Unless,of course you're a masochist!!!) Anybody who's performed this hellish task successfully,I'd appreciate any tips you can pass on!! 🙂
Yo need to add MAY CAUSE SEVERE PSYCHOLOGICAL TRAUMATA!
Seriously, I hear you. I started the torture some weeks ago and every step has been as exhausting and problematic as possible (Like the mounts that were embed into the first two layers of wood and had to be sawn apart, then I used a chisel to get the rest out millimeter for millimeter).
I striped the veneer, buffed and oiled it ? very much the only satisfying thing to do.
Oh yeah-bring on the pain!
Yep,thought it would be easy,but noooo...The screws that hold the headrest on are seemingly welded,they're so tight.I put burrs on them when the screwdriver skipped.I consider myself adept at working with my hands,I'm an artist,but,man!!I am freaking out,it's so problematic.
Kudos to anybody who has performed this successfully.I need guidance,dammit!
Right.
Phillips comes in sizes: most common by far is #2, but small is #1 and larger screws (car door hinges, for instance) use #3. And don't get me started on the difference between Phillips and Pozidrive (common on European cabinet hardware).
Here is a randomly chosen google entry:
http://www.telemarktalk.com/phpBB/viewtopic.php?t=30965&highlight=
Well,she's all finally clamped up and curing!-Whew!
No Small task,as I opted to re-glue the original shockmount instead of disassembling the entire darned chair.I sanded both wood and shockmount with 80 grit sand paper to remove any remnants of glue/oxidation.Then wiped with acetone to clean the surfaces(rubber glove is a must!)
After extensive research,I decided to use PC-7 Epoxy Paste,and the rep at PC adhesives emailed and gave me a tip.He said to mix 1.5 parts Black to 1 part Gray for optimal adhesion and a bit of "give" or flex.
I tell you,an indispensable tool is a large wood clamp,sold at Home Depot for $19.00.The real heavy duty 10" model with the two adjustable handles.It makes the join so much easier.Anyhow,after applying approximately a 1mm thickness of epoxy,I clamped,exercising utmost caution,using heavy cardboard against the wood,so as not to mar the Rosewood veneer.I then smoothed out and blended the ooze around the edges of the shock mount with a wet finger and q-tip.
Well,I guess we'll wait and see until full cure takes place...Will report back.
Thanks LRF-Will do
It does seem to get stronger as the days go by.I actually neatly put an additional bead of PC-7 around the shock mount to further seal it in,but I do not intend to reassemble it for another 10 days to 2 weeks.I will be cleaning the cushions,replacing a leather button amd welding the small splits in the polypropylene backing plate,where the clips slide in.Kind of fun and educational,really.
If you need any help, please contact us at – info@designaddict.com