Parker Knoll bentwood open armchair repair.

Hi guys.
I bought this oak open armchair at auction some time ago with a plan to replace the poorly made cover at some point. Didn't realise it was a Parker Knoll until i had to strip it down due to the tension spring mounts failing. I attempted to repair the issue with the spring plates made of steel that are recommended but due to the bentwood design these have not worked out. I am trying to find some fabric to keep the repair sympathetic to the design but having no luck. I have read a lot about repairing Parker Knoll and it seems to be accepted that the webbing is no longer available anywhere although I did come across a youtube video of a company using what appears to be polypropylene webbing but they are apparently no longer in business.



I'm prepared to put the rivets in myself as I doubt I will find any pre-riveted to spec but am at a loss to the properties of various webbing I have cut a cross section of the failed webbing used originally and it is reinforced with string throughout, (picture below) would value any assistance anyone could offer, we use this chair for feeding time for our baby daughter and I would like to get it repaired asap. Thanks in advance.

 

Just to add. The steel repair plates didn't work as they had to be bent to fit which added tension and they only allow for 1 tack per spring where 3 were used originally on the fabric. I am sure I could use screws instead but I am loathe to do this, the frame is delicate and I would prefer to keep it as close to original as possible.

 

Hi. I was hoping to find you something by doing some research. Perhaps from a different angle. I know nothing about chair repair.
Here is a company that appears to have the tension springs -

https://swupholstery.co.uk/parker-knoll-upholstery-service/

https://www.upholsterywarehouse.co.uk/acatalog/Tension_Springs.html
​

And this google search produces some leads to replacement webbing

parker knoll replacement webbing

Maye you've seen all these before and it's not what you are looking for.

 

I bought webbing for Ercol chairs from these people: https://ercolstraps.co.uk/

I realise yours is Parker Knoll, but they were incredibly helpful.

 

Cheers Kiko, I should have mentioned, the springs are all intact. The reinforced fabric is tacked along the left and right seat rails and right up the back and the springs hook into the rivets mounted within the fabric. I have been through many searches and read much about the different types of webbing but so far have not come across anything like this reinforced jute. The video I posted seems to be using some type of nylon strap, almost like the material used in ratchet straps but I have no idea how this would act under load laterally as it is designed to take load along its length afaik. I appreciate your input, having spent hours researching this it is always helpful to have another pair of eyes maybe seeing things from a different perspective.

 

Cheers ownedbybear,
I had a quick look at the webbing they are offering and it all appears to be rubberised and designed to take load lengthways to support coil springs. Hopefully they can offer some insight into something. I have sent them an email asking for advice.

 

Some more pictures, this is the overall layout. You can see all the tension is lateral across the two rails.



This is how it is supposed to look, the back is fine due to ne real weight on it.



This is how it has failed after the weight of many bottoms over the years.

 

What about removing it and having a new piece of reinforcement sewn to the back (maybe the front too) of the existing fabric? Would think a shoe repair place could do this if you provide the materials. Would think that seat belt swebbing would be plenty strong enough and is readily available.

 

Not really a good design - built in obsolescence.

 

I didn't think of reinforcing it. It might work. I did condider making some kind of layered composite with nylon and jute. I will look again at it and see if there is enought to stitch to. Thanks.

 

Ha! It is not great that they no longer manufacture this. However, I am rarely beaten. Am planning to knock the chair apart and re-glue the joints then give it a wirewooling and some new wax. One of these days I will get around to it, when i have a solution to the spring mounts.

 

Oh, I wasn't suggesting it couldn't be fixed, I'm sure you can - I was just commenting on the way the thing was constructed in the first place - and by a top flight and loudly quality-bragging manufacturer!

 

If you want to continue to use the original springs, you could use eye bolts to replace each of the grommets. Maybe leave the webbing on the top that is still intact, and cut off the torn webbing and replace that portion with eye bolts - that would require fewer bolts and less rework. Either screw in bolts or machine bolts with nuts if you can drill through the wood piece. Go to your hardware store and see what would work best.

You also might be able to make Elasbelt webbing work, run cross-wise, each strap stapled on left and right to replace the original springs. This stuff works well, and I've used it to replace failed straps in mid century chairs that had a good surface to staple into. But you'll need to make sure you get a firm attachment for it.

 

Thanks Jeff, a lot of good ideas there, I was watching that video I posted last night and went trawling ebay to see if I could find anything similar. Now, that company is no longer in business and I hope it is not due to people falling through their renovated chairs as I have opted to get crafty with this and do a full restoration. I'm trying to keep it as close to original as possible so I'm going with this stuff.



Hopefully it will take the weight. I need to place grommets in it so ended up buying one of these things.



I'm investigating if I can get a fabric button die to fit the press to make my own buttons and I'm going to borrow my mothers sewing machine and learn how to use it. Hopefully by the end my chair will look similar to this restored one I found online.



Ours has to have a pattern though, (wifes orders) so I am currently having lots of mini heart attacks while looking at prices for decent fabrics. I will keep this updated with my progress. Thanks everyone for all your input. I'll likely be back with more questions as I delve deeper into the rabbit hole.

 

Hello,

I have just taken on the exact same project for a client and was wondering if you have had any success replacing the webbing?

Your posts have already been hugely beneficial as a previous upholsterer had completely removed the original tension tape so I had nothing to refer to!

Thanks

 

This thread is from April-May 2020. Not sure if this member is around any more.

 

if yer gonna reply to an older thread......at least add some new information....

 

Hi

I've just inherited one of these but can't seem to find the model number. It looks like some work has been done on in the past and it's been removed. I'd be grateful if anyone could let me know what it is.

Thanks

 

Sorry guys, I lost this chair in 2020 along with everything else I owned in a separation with said ex.
I did see she had it repaired with massive screws which ruined it forever.
Men with taste should avoid having wives
This is the second time..........