Not an upholsterer -- what is this called and where can I find it?

[jenfarley]

Hello,

I just inherited my grandmother's chair.  The original cushion support in the seat was replaced at some point with plywood.  The plywood makes the chair very uncomfortable, and I would like to recreate the original support.  I have searched the internet, but can't find any examples of this type of support. 
Can anyone tell me what this is called and where I can find the supplies for my chair?

To describe it, metal strips were woven, and connected to the chair frame with springs.  The eyes that the springs hook onto are still in the chair frame. 

Or, for an illustration of this...(I couldn't find a picture online, so unfortunately we only have my bad drawing skills to go by): http://s1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd429/jenfarley2001/

Thank you all so much!

[sofadoc]

Don't know where to find those metal bands. You might have to improvise with metal strapping, like this:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000CO8ZOM/ref=asc_df_B000CO8ZOM1820927?smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&tag=pg-67-86-20&linkCode=asn&creative=395097&creativeASIN=B000CO8ZOM
You can double it if it's too thin. If you can't find any short springs, I can send you some.

There are other ways to recreate the comfort of the spring bands, such as jute, or elastic webbing stapled to the frame.

BTW, don't be so hard on your drawing skills. Looks pretty good to me.

[kodydog]

Which part of the unit needs to be replaced? If its the straps, Sofas idea should work. If its the eyes Lowes may have what your looking for. If its the springs, Most upholstery shops have an assortment of different size springs.

Otherwise Sofas suggestion of using the elastic webbing should give you many years of comfort. Only problem is you'll need to take the chair apart to attach the webbing to the top of the rail. In that case you may as well reupholster it. That is if it needs it.

[sofadoc]

Zoom in on page 37 here:
http://www.pageturnpro.com/Progress-Printing/26266-DLT-Supply-Catalog/index.html#/36

You will see some modern day options, such as the Seat-a-lator, or Dymetrol, as well as the helical springs that you need. But installing these products requires a certain level of expertise. Elastic webbing would be the easiest fix for you.

I'm picturing just a wood frame with maybe a deck pad over the metal bands that you drew. Right? If so, you should have no trouble attaching webbing.

[jenfarley]

Thank you so much!  I was looking for the metal strapping, so I think I'll try the improvisation that Sofadoc recommended.  If that doesn't work, I think I'll let a professional handle it!  :D

I'm not sure what a deck pad is, but the seat cushion sits directly on top of the strapping.

[JuneC]

I've bought that metal strapping at Home Depot before - for construction, not upholstery.  But, you can probably find it in the building materials section of any hardware store.

http://www.homedepot.com/Building-Materials/h_d1/N-5yc1vZaqns/R-100396917/h_d2/ProductDisplay?langId=-1&storeId=10051&catalogId=10053

June

[byhammerandhand]

I've seen that sort of perforated soft metal strapping on new furniture before, on a high-end piece that sort of surprised me.   I was there because the roofing nails holding it in place all popped out. (sigh, I get that is what you get on a $12K sofa  :o )

Most of the straps that I've seen have spring steel in them that seems to be a little more functional in that it will hold its shape.

As far as the springs go, my local hardware store (Do-It-Best) carries a selection of tension springs and I can get ship-to-store for free for anything they do carry, but don't inventory in the store.    I've found much more variety of stuff there that I don't find at the big box stores.  They call them "extension springs":
http://www.doitbest.com/Door+springs-Century+Spring+Corp-model-C-163-doitbest-sku-748677.dib

[kodydog]

I'm not sure what a deck pad is, but the seat cushion sits directly on top of the strapping.

Your going to want some kind of padding and fabric (decking) over the straps to protect the cushion fabric.

Is this chair mostly wood with cushions that sit on the wood? If that's the case elastic straps would be an easy fix.