Repairing and Improving of the Legs of a Chair: Increased Footprint

Intro: Repairing and Improving of the Legs of a Chair: Increased Footprint

I have two high chairs at my computer, bought several years ago. The chairs feet were little harsh to the floor and ind the end the plastic protectors at the feet broke.

The original floor protectors were semicircular (ball shaped) plastic feet at the end of the tube leg. I decided to fix the chairs and to make them more "floor friendly". I used cabinet feet instead of previous round end plugs because I wanted more even weight distribution on floor due to increased footprint. Cabinet feet are also more durable, because cabinet weighs usually more than a chair and it's user.

STEP 1: What Do You Need?

My chairs were made of 22 mm metal tube. 

From the shop:

22 mm diameter end plugs, four per chair
Cabinet feet with 10 mm thread and tilting joint, four per chair
10 mm washers, four per chair
10 mm nuts, eight per chair

This you have probably before:

9,5 mm drill 
Tool to remove the old protectors eg. pliers or a screwdriver

STEP 2: Drill Holes & Remove the Old Floor Protectors

Drill holes in each new tube cover protector, preferably in the middle. It is better to use slightly smaller drill to ensure tight fit.

Then remove the old protectors from chair feet.

STEP 3: Assemble the New Floor Protectors

First put a nut and a washer on the cabinet foot. Then put the plastic 22 mm protector and another nut. You don't need to overtighten the nuts, because all strain comes to the lower nut and the washer. The upper nut is just holding it together when you lift the chair. 

STEP 4: Install the New Feet Into the Tubes

Then just push the new feet in the tubes and you're ready!

Comments

[MikB]

"But the older feet were PIA."

Then I think you may have the chair upside down. Just saying ... :)

[saastamo]

Hehehehe... although you can see the chair upside down in some of the pictures, I used it usually other way around. I Didn't mean PIA LITTERALLY ;)

[wilgubeast]

Nice work on the feet. Up next: refinish the seat. :)

[saastamo]

Thanks. Probably later... ... I have more pressing projects on schedule now. But the older feet were PIA. It was a good thing that one broke: I was forced to act.

[wilgubeast]

I look forward to seeing your future projects. This was a thoughtful response to a common problem, and I hope it helps the zillions (est.) of people with similar chair difficulties.

[saastamo]

Having about 50 viewers in first day it takes a while to reach even the first zillion ;) Thanks for encouragement.