Antique Koch Barber Chair Reclining Won't Lock Upright

Google: Koch Barber Chair Forums

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Antique Barber Chairs

Barber Chair Restoration Solutions

Good luck.

Thanks for the reply lyn, I looked thru both of those sites already and could not locate any helpful posts.

First I would search this site....

http://cr4.globalspec.com/search/sitesearch?do=show&order=asc&sort=textmatchrank&srch=barber%20chair

Can you post pictures of the chair and reclining mechanism...that would help...

You can try these guys for info.....

http://www.barberchairexperts.com/

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Theo-A-Kochs-Antique-Barber-Chair-Parts-Tensioner-Recliner-Assy-As-Pictured-/271277221606

Here are the images. Thanks all for your help.

That is a real beauty. Does the worm system normally do the inclination? Do you hear cracking sounds or does the worm spin slowly?

Is it a continuous movement without shocks?

In the first case, it needs perhaps adjustment or replacement. When it spins backwards, read the same or try to make some coupling to "brake" the spindle, so that it requires more force to spin it?

Hey Solar Eagle their website does not let you "contact them" you get an error message. It looks like I am running out of options. I posted pictures of the chair.

http://www.barberchairexperts.com/

1951 Grand Ave
Baldwin, NY 11510
Neighborhood: Town of Hempstead
(516) 405-0889

barberchairexperts.com

Try Rick, he has been restoring these tings forever. You have to go through Ally

She screens all his emails. Good luck, he would be your answer.

ally@ricksrestorations.com

Now you guys know that I'm a designer, not an engineer, but I'm married to a mechanical engineer. Too bad he's on a business trip, or I'd ask him, B. Foster. I can't resist this little scolding here! This guy comes in here to get some ideas on how to fix a chair that was designed 100 years ago and you all "gots notin", lol? Is this problem too complex for you guys?? Come on now! Even I would say that a gear might be slipping or a cog in the wheel is broken or it needs a new spring or SOMETHING, lol! Surely someone can venture a guess.

I found an old thread that may help you. It is full of information and pics. In it, Herr Heitman (CR4 associate) says that he used to make his living in Denver repairing these old chairs - maybe you could contact him? Here is the link to the 2009 thread:

cr4.globalspec.com/thread/34792/Antique-Koken-Barber-Chair-Repair

Hope this helps!

I would say the holes in the rectangular peices are rounded out from wear, and perhaps the inner spring is not strong enough to lock them on the shaft any more. You can try stretching the spring out a bit.

You may also want to remove any grease from the shaft and locks and replace it with a light oil instead.

Deer burger, thanks. I tried to stretch the spring and removed all the lube from all the parts to see if I can get more friction/tension but it still slips. I did notice that when the "cover" is off the chair locks as it should. If the cover is off (to reinstall the cover) the two metal squares are compressed to place the lid on, and when it's sealed up it does not lock, the cover keeps them semi compressed. The spring did seem weak but it needs to be compressed between the to metal blocks and then the rod runs thru them. I did get some good posts from all thank you. Next I'm going to remove it from the chair and see if a local metal fab place can measure and rebuild the parts; I'm thinking the two metal blocks, spring and possibly the rod. I will let you know, in the meantime if anyone has any other ideas that would be great. Out here in Montana help is far away, thank you all.

"when the "cover" is off the chair locks as it should."

Then, can you shim the cover to raise it away from the lock mechanism?

The outer cover has a lip on the inside that the metal bars match up too. With the cover off the chair locks upright but will not recline.

Can you show a good closeup picture of the cover?

Update: I had a new reclining rod manufactured and I installed it. The chair works like it should. Thank you for your suggestions.