I own a very archaic hand-me-down recliner chair. Seriously, this thing is probably old enough to drink.
But, the price was right (free) and being desperate for furniture at the time of moving into my apartment (and a being a cheapskate), I could not turn it down.
A couple months ago, I noticed that when I went to recline, the foot rest did not raise up as high as it used to, and that the chain tended to angle downward when I used it.
Last night I finally had enough.
I flipped the thing on its side and inspected the reclining mechanism. I promptly found a bolt, nut and spacer (I don’t care if I have the vernacular incorrect, deal with it) laying on the floor. Closer inspection showed me that the bolt had fallen out of the front end of the mechanism, and therefore it was no longer properly attached to the frame.
After a few tests of the lever on the side of the chair, I realized as well that the mechanism that rose the foot rest, had moved too far forward. It was on the other side of a bar running through the middle of the chair. This is what had caused the chair to angle downward when activating the foot rest (and also created the loud, odd creaking sounds when the chair was rocked).
The rear of the mechanism had also lost its bolt, which I could not find (this could have happened any number of years ago). The stress of not having both bolts likely worked the other loose–as well as pushing down on the foot rest instead of using the lever (kids, use the lever).
I had a plan of attack.
I took my great-grandfather’s hammer (circa early 1900s, built to last) and pounded the heck out of the mechanism until I got it back to where it was suppose to be. Then, I replaced the bolt on the front end. But I added some insurance. I used super glue all over it. Then, I packed putty around it (in hopes of minimizing its moving around). Lastly, I wrapped the whole section in Gorilla Tape (love that stuff). Sure, it didn’t look pretty, but it is the bottom of the chair, and it worked.
Then came the rear of the mechanism and my lack of a proper bolt. I thought about it and tried to think of something I could cannibalize.
Now, you’re probably thinking “Why didn’t you take the bolt from the front to the hardware store and buy one just like it?”
A. Shut up. It was late.
B. I was in the zone and I was going to solve this, by hook or crook.
B. Shut up. Seriously.
I improvised. <that’s what she said>I had a long screw that would fit through the holes, but it wasn’t thick enough to hold everything together.</that’s what she said>
I came across one of those metal-ball-chain things they have for dog tags (the kind for soldiers, not for dogs) and used the screw to push the chain through the hole. I wrapped the thing around the frame a few times and latched the chain (with the screw in the hole as well). I essentially “tied” the pieces together with this metal chain. The screw at least kept something everything from sliding around too much.
Once again, I applied putty around both ends of the screw and covered the whole mess with Gorilla Tape.
After my MacGyver-ing was finished, I sprayed WD-40 on all of the mechanisms moving parts.
The chair back to its old self once again.
I like fixing things like this and the problem solving/thinking on my feet aspect. It is a good mental exercise. Keep in mind, because I do not live in/own a house, I don’t own a large amount of tools and/or supplies. I have to make due. My two main tools are the aforementioned hammer and my Gerber multi-tool (related story: I found out the knife is still sharp while clearing the super glue tube free of blockage. That was fun). I’m just doin’ what I can with what I got.
And I’m glad I fixed this sucker–the NHL playoffs start today.
