Sofa frames

[MinUph]

Hey guys and gals,
  I am about to start a new sectional for a customer. Frame build and upholstery. I've done these before and always on the fly so to speak. Does anyone have any pics of bare frames? It might make it less time consuming if I have pictures. I do rough drawings but have to work in all the pieces as I go. I've never found decent pictures. Well not since computers anyway.
  If you have some please let me know.
  Thanks.

[gene]

google.com

click on: Images

type in: upholstery furniture frames

I also remember, vaguely, seeing, maybe on this forum, a web site for a company that made furniture frames.

That sounds like a fun project. I'd love to see pics of your progress if possible.

gene

[MinUph]

I've done google searches and did see many images but not exactly what I was looking for. More of an up close and defined picture. But thats fine. I have the first or the three sections almost done. I'll try to remember to take some pictures tomorrow and post progress shots here.
  Thanks Gene.
  It is a fun project. I enjoy building things the most of anything.

[bobslost]

Check Frank Chevron. com

[jojo]

Yes, this is very interesting. I've always wanted to try it, but don't know where to begin.
I like mid-century style sofas like these:



How hard do you think it would be to build the green one?

[MinUph]

jojo,
  These are fairly simple frames to build. Green would just be made out of either recycled materials, (flake board, Particle board) or a fast growing wood. Or if you just meen green in color its even easier.

[beauxdara]

Just bumping this thread. I'm curious if you got any pics of your sectional, or had any advice on building a frame. For some reason I have this nagging need to build my own sofa. Maybe it's because I can't find anything I like! Thanks in advance!

[MinUph]

I do have some pics that I will post tonight when I have more time.

[kodydog]

     

I built this for the folks I worked for last year. Sorry I can't be much help except to say they had the frame shipped from NC.

[byhammerandhand]

Check out http://www.chervan.com/


I would think sofa frames are a lot like chairs (to a woodworker).    Nothing is square, complicating joinery.  Only some things are straight.   And there is a low material-to-stress ratio (i.e., little bit of frame and lots of stress)  Not only do you have springs and webbing constantly pulling on the frame, you have to account for non-standard use (teenagers sitting on the arms, overweight people dropping themselves down on the seat, kids using like a trampoline or landing pad, etc.)

[MinUph]

I guess I don't have any pics of the process of building this built in sectional. Sorry bout that but the next one I will document better. I built this to fit into an area for a customer. There was also a pillar in the corner I had to build around. It worked out perfectly. We first made a floor pattern so I would get the fit just right. The frame was basically made from 1x4 stock. On this one I used rubber webbing no springs.
Here is a picture of the finished product anyway.

http://www.minichillosupholstery.com/images/produced/2012-08-23_11-18-14_504.jpg

[bobbin]

One of the very first things I learned about furniture is that its relative value is largely determined by the quality of the frame.  I called a guy to reupholster a piece I'd pulled off the side of the road, he said, "maybe".   I put in the truck, and he looked it over carefully, picked it up, jiggled it back and forth, and then peeled back the cambric and had a "look under the hood".  "It's a good one".  Then he explained about framing. 

I have a sofa (early/mid 1950s) and the back is sprung as well as the deck.  Is that common on upholstery of the period? or is springing used on backs when you're looking for a more rounded, curved look (is it a tool to achieve a shape)? when did the use of back springing go the way of the buggy whip?  If you don't use springs on a back, what do you use instead and how much of it do you have to use to get a nice, smooth, firm back that is comfortable and durable?

As usual, I am blown away by how really beautiful your work is, you guys.  How long did does it take you to spring and tie something the size of the pcs. you've both shared? (do your hands feel as though they're going to fall off when you're finished with that phase of construction??)

[MinUph]

Springs in backs basically are long gone. This is due mainly to the foam industry offering all types of foam. A back can be made out of foam and achieve the same if not better feel. Really the same goes with seats although I still like a hand tied coil spring base for the support of it. The sectional I posted had no springs in the seats or backs just rubber webbing. But when tying a sofa sectional my hands do get tired. By the end of the first sofa I have 4 or 5 fingers wrapped with mashing tape to keep the blisters at bay.
Some commercial customers till want springs in backs for high end booth work but they spec ziggers not coils.
We can get foam shaped to any configuration no a days and that certainly helps with backs but most are just blocks made to work.

[bobbin]

Thanks for the good answer, Paul.  You really need to teach upholstery; wish I were closer!

[byhammerandhand]

AKA "Good Bones"

One of the very first things I learned about furniture is that its relative value is largely determined by the quality of the frame.