Hello all,
We are building some folding chairs at my work and I am trying to find some hardware for them. I’ve attached two images for reference. Where the back legs meet the front on the backrest is a butt joint and is rounded like the photos.
I don’t have any idea what these types of hinges would be called or if it is more of a custom hardware situation.
Thanks
Replies
Not a word of instruction, but here's one done with just pins:
https://www.finewoodworking.com/2013/11/04/the-funeral-chair-part-seven
Rockler has a couple options that would work.
https://www.rockler.com/1-2-diameter-roto-hinge?country=US&sid=V91074&promo=shopping&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_term=&utm_content=pla&utm_campaign=PL&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAiAqNSsBhAvEiwAn_tmxawSL2arAjrxGQmJeKK1vxBEZGT6rM_F8xqpNciwU2uoWit2DzrBERoCAWYQAvD_BwE
And for heavy duty uses.
https://www.rockler.com/rockler-pivot-hinges-pair?country=US&sid=V91074&promo=shopping&adlpxid=pla;;;m;9007563;placeholder;51243;pla;local;49&gclid=CjwKCAiAqNSsBhAvEiwAn_tmxYTfL_ll6PcI011-e8Cvu7GvfaH1Z7HArIWTcdzSi7xKBE-rWiIeJxoCeroQAvD_BwE
Esch has some good suggestions for the pivot between the front legs and the seat side rails. I expect the one you're asking about needs to look something like in my sketch. I'm afraid I don't have a name or source but maybe knowing what they look like will help. My guess is that the piece is bespoke. The chair in your photos is made in Vietnam and the firm that makes them may have ordered them made specially. How many chairs are you making?
Thanks! Yes your sketch is what I was thinking for an option
I would e-mail Dave's drawing to some hardware suppliers. I have done similar with great results.
Good catch Dave, I did not pay close enough attention to the joint. You design is likely exactly what the manufacturer used and not likely something that can be source in small quantities.
I think he may be able to use a simple flat ⅛-¼" steel plate rounded on one end and drilled through for the furniture connector bolts. If this was imbedded in a tight fitting mortise with epoxy cement and bolted through the member that forms both the front leg and back support I think it would work. As always when making a new chair design stress testing a prototype is strongly recommended before large scale production.
Thanks.
I expect you're right about sourcing small quantities. Might be easier and cheaper to get something like this fabricated. There are some small run suppliers like Send Click Send out there.
Definitely stress testing.
Upon closer inspection I don't think those two pics are of the same chair. The second one appears to use the bracket you originally posted. While the first Pic appears to have a plate as I suggested, notice the additional bolt hole on the inside of the front leg member and the lack of bolt heads on the outside that are clearly visible in the second. Definitely different chairs.
Good catch. I didn't look at the first one. I just looked at the back view and did an image search for it for more images.
You'd have to have a way to cut a thin slot in the front leg for the plate in that first image.
Yes different chairs in the images. I have made 2 options with a custom spline plate like Dave's sketch and just a flat bracket from Send Cut Send that gets slotted in. Using binding barrels and flat head screws for most of it.
The custom plate looks nice since there are less screws visible on the sides but I think we are making a lot and the flat bracket and slot will be much easier if it works well.