Emil J. Paidar Barber Chair

[kodydog]

Need some help on this one. Went to an old customers house today. They want this vintage barber chair recovered.



For the life of me I cannot figure out how to get the back and footrest off.

This is the back. It looks like it should just pop out but it will not budge. The only thing I can figure is maybe the screws that hold the arm to the back also hold the back in place. There are no other screws on the back.  We were only there for an estimate so I didn't want to start taking it apart without knowing what I'm doing.


https://photos.app.goo.gl/EwD1TWQGHUGVgczc2


https://photos.app.goo.gl/gLMUx0CJ30tvrNj52


https://photos.app.goo.gl/1Su2FLxiBZQxBpuo1


Same thing with this foot rest. No screws to hold it in place. I did pry on it a little to see if it would pop out but it would not budge.


https://photos.app.goo.gl/4GMBvRC8CJbwcj4g1


I spent an hour watching YouTube videos showing the restoration process of these chairs but they all skip the part where they disassemble the upholstery from the metal frame. Frustrating for sure. Any help would be greatly appreciated.


PS, Photobucket no longer lets me upload pictures.
 

[MinUph]

Kody,
  You may have something with the back and arm screws it looks like the back frame wood might just be thick and shaped to right through the frame and could be held by these screws. You will just have to try when you get the chair in the shop or on-site if that's the case. I'm sure that chair is heavier than a sofabed. As for the footrest, it is hard to tell only have the front view. Good luck.

[gene]

I don't know so I'll take a guess. I'll bet $1.27 that both the inside back and the foot rest pop off by tapping them upward on the bottom of both panels. Unscrew the back and set it flat on a table and have the top of the metal against something so the metal part will not move, and tap the bottom of the black panel. My bet says it will slide up and then be detached.

You can see a space above the footrest that would allow the footrest to move upward about 2 inches or so if you were to tap on the bottom of the footrest.

It would be great if you could take the back, seat, front panel, and foot rest only with you to your shop.

gene

[kodydog]

You can see a space above the footrest that would allow the footrest to move upward about 2 inches or so if you were to tap on the bottom of the footrest.

It would be great if you could take the back, seat, front panel, and foot rest only with you to your shop.

gene

Yes, the top of the footrest slides under the metal frame. Like you I thought maybe it just slides out. Here is the thing though, the foot rest pivots upside down so the metal side faces up. Apparently when you are sitting in the chair getting a haircut your feet rest in the metal side of the footrest. When the chair is in the reclined position for shaving, the upholstered side is facing up and the calves of your legs rest on it. This makes me believe there has got to be something that holds it in place to keep it from falling out when the upholstered side is facing down.


Another interesting thing is the seat is not attached to the frame. It just sits in there loose. When I lifted it to look underneath I expected to see holes in the metal frame and in the seat where screws may have been attached at one time. There were no holes. I thought this was odd.


My intention was to remove the panels at their house. It would be an easy job if I could figure out how to get it apart. I sure don't feel like lugging that thing to my shop. I was hoping someone had done one before. Its weird that all those videos on YouTube and not one shows how to get the upholstered panels off. Trade secret I guess. I'll keep looking.

[65Buick]

I can't add anything. I just have a question: do you know what they want to do with it? I've seen a few of these at antique stores with BIG price tags.

[kodydog]

There are a lot for sale on the internet. $1000 and up depending how much work was done. Some have new nickel plate, some re-chromed and some with a new porcelain finish. I guess the biggest repairs are the mechanics and in particular the hydraulic lift.


These folks have had this one for many years and use it everyday to sit and watch TV. Like a recliner I guess.

[RiCat]

A barber chair needs to be with a pool table

[SteveA]

can you just cut through the leather and see if it reveals any clues how to disassemble ?
SA

[kodydog]

Ya know, that may be a good last resort.

[baileyuph]

The backrest brackets must play a part in the upholstered pad assembly.  Remove those related
screws then the entire backrest assembly comes off (has to there is nothing else holding/connecting the
backrest assembly to the chair).

That said, once removed the screws holding the upholstered unit in place will have to show up.

So, your intuition suspecting the backrest brackets play a role in this, seems right on target.

Doyle

[65Buick]

I think it was pressed on, like with a hydraulic press.
I do not believe the brackets do anything.

That said, it's in good shape. Tell them you don't need the learning experience and you'll do the seat for them.

[kodydog]

Ha, that's funny 65. And that was kinda their attitude. I told them I have never done a barber chair before. They thought this will be fun, a challenge, a whole new experience.

[kodydog]

Rose found a place in Atlanta who restores barber chairs. She asked me if she should call them and ask some questions. I said I wouldn't but you can do whatever you want. And of course she did. And of course the man there told her she should take it to someone who knows what they are doing. Hmmm.

[baileyuph]

A place who restores antique barber chairs doesn't say:

They are experienced on Emil J chairs.

????

Probably not enough around to find someone doing even several in a career?

[Mojo]

Rose found a place in Atlanta who restores barber chairs. She asked me if she should call them and ask some questions. I said I wouldn't but you can do whatever you want. And of course she did. And of course the man there told her she should take it to someone who knows what they are doing. Hmmm.

I would try someone else who specializes in barber chairs but make sure they are out west and way out of your area ( competition ).

I would think Atlanta is far enough from you so as not to be a worry for them but then maybe they are just jerks.

Mojo