"Don't Throw That Away!" Project with Students

In January 2019, I turned my classroom into a workshop for a week. Ten students participated in a project to restore chairs--all donated, mostly via requests to neighbors on NextDoor. 

A few "before photos" of some of the donated furniture

Our converted classroom

Some shots of the work in progress

The finished products

Round 2--Davis Chairs

Four Dining Room Chairs that need Seats Recovered:

Part I--Taking it Apart

 First time I've worked on a factory built chair seat and seen this kind of pressed wood frame and rubber webbing.

I was surprised that there was no muslin or dacron over the foam and underneath the fabric.

The problem with this webbing is that it stretched out at every staple. I think the doubled over jute webbing will stay more firm.

Until I saw the fabric off the chair, I didn't realize how worn it was.

Part II: Reconstruction

New webbing

 Added a layer of dacron

Covered in muslin

One done, three to go...

  

Last two--woohoo!

Finished August 21, 2018

Debbie and Vinnie's Rocking Chair Repair

A rocking chair project...

...ripped fabric, broken down seat, and loose joints

I was surprised to find only one webbing strip on the back.

Lots of difficult nails to pull!

The webbing was shot, and the padding worn down.

Hammered loose joint apart, and re-glued. 

Also had to fix a bolted side piece.

Some light sanding and a few coats of walnut Restor-a-Finish 

Now it's time to rebuild the seat and back.

 Love my staple gun system! 
(Porter-Cable US58 1/4-Inch to 5/8-Inch 22-Gauge C-Crown Upholstery Stapler and DEWALT 6 Gal. 165 PSI Electric Pancake Air Compressor )

Finished on Sunday, April 22, 2018