Can Outdoor Wrought Iron Rocking Chairs Be Repaired?

Anything can be repaired.

You don't say where you are.

Google, "wrought iron repair" and talk to a local shop.

Good luck!

Searching for blacksmiths might work, too.

A better question would be "How much will it cost?"

....or you might have a spring plate type of mechanism....

...these are fiberglass plates that can be replaced....

http://www.patioproducts.com/rockerspringplates.asp

http://www.patioproducts.com/30918.asp

Yes that is what I have.

Wonderful! an OP that actually engagges....thanks.

So it looks like a bit of DIY Bspannering and some shopping for a replacement fibreglass leaf spring (quill?) will have it sorted.

I've seen these types of fibreglass springs used in industrial applications. I have seen failure's of these occur too, apparently they do that.

As mentioned they are readily (depending where you are) available, I would recommend going for a thicker replacement or consider doubling up. The doubling fault control method was used at the place I witnessed to provide a bit of redundant suspension in the event of a failure. Seemed to work fine, an individual leaf would still fatigue and fail but didn't stop things catastrophically.

Even if they don't fit your specific case, Solar Eagle's ideas are one sort of thing to look for: mechanical features that may have deteriorated or even broken. Scope out your own furniture to see what the original design was. It can probably be restored.

As others have said anything can be repaired.

Any independent blacksmith, fabrication facility, or properly equipped handy person could do it.

They may not want to.......

Contact you local chapter of the Men's Sheds movement The link here is for Oz but there are similar around the world where you will find men willing to take on the job just for something to do....it's a health thing.

Are you a DIY person? If yes, evaluate which chair needs which repair and add some metal to effect this.

I do believe (no expert!) that you can stick weld wrought iron quite easily, if not then add strips of metal, either gluing or screwing them in place. Holding them in place till you have achieved your goal. Recess the screw heads....

The blacksmith idea, though fully and completely correct in many ways, will probably prove more expensive than buying new chairs of the same type....eg. simply not worth it....but if there is no other way, get a fixed price quote, including taxes......

Best of luck and send some photos before and after......

Wrought iron can also be MIG welded, or TIG welded. A blacksmith or local machine shop, if they have some older people like me, can do the repair, but, cost will be an issue. I agree that, unless you absolutely want to "restore" the chairs, you may be able to get new ones at less cost, but they will likely not be the same quality of your chairs is they are very old.

I didn't know that, many thanks for the explanation.

Are there special "wires" for MIG welding, or do you use standard steel wire for welding wrought iron?

Thanks for your answer......

No "special" wires, just have to have one with a higher strength than the steel being welded.

I will remember that, thanks.

Fix stainless steel rod at the bottom of curved portion across the width of chair, after ascertaining the maximum rocking position. Fix it by drilling hole instead of welding wrought iron.

Thread resurrected! I have a problem with my patio chairs as well. They have a similar appearance and mechanism to the one pictured above that had fallen over backwards broken - only mine are not broken. My problem is that they swivel too freely. They are on the slightest of slightest angles and gravity just spins them. They have a screw at the bottom of the rotating tube and i thought that might tighten them down but it doesn't seem to be doing anything. Is there anyway to stop them from spinning so freely? Thanks!

How about some pictures? Then I don't have to polish my crystal ball!!

I will try to ressurect this thread, I just got second hand some rocking chairs, but found that 3 of them go back too far. They have 2 plates for the rocker, where can I find a replacement?

I would place some heavy rubber blocks on the bar at the back that should limit the amount of movement. One on each side. Or between the rocker and the bit it appears to "roll" on....

Bits cut from a tyre (tire in the USA), a strip, wrapped around maybe? Glued on (after cleaning both sides with alcohol or similar?

I feel that it should not be a hard substance, that would make a stop both loud and sudden....

First identify just how thick it should be.....and where....

Or even a pair of small hydraulic dampers?

Let us know how you get on, OK?