ReUpholstery 101 Part II

As mentioned earlier today I am posting some photos of the rip-down process.

The rip-down is the first step of the re-upholstery process; during which the spent materials such as webbing, fabric, tacks, twine, etc. are removed. This enables us to get a good look at the frame and see if it needs repair.  I always flip my pieces upside down and take a look at the bottom.

Photo: SHS

Then I place the chair upside down on a set of padded work horses. 

The first items to be removed here are the metal webbing strips because they were installed over the jute webbing in lieu of replacing it when it became weak and sagged. This method of shoring up the jute webbing should be avoided at all costs. It employs a twist nail driven through the holes in the strap and into the frame.  They do a great job of holding the strap in place at a dear cost to the chair: when they are both installed and removed the twisting motion weakens the chair's frame.  

 Notice the twist of the metal on the of the nail protruding from the metal strap webbing I've removed.

Photo: SHS

Look at the head of the nail in the metal strap and notice the faint black line I drew across it. The line is vertical in this shot.

Photo: SHS

Now look at the same nail and again and notice the faint black line is at a different angle.  This corkscrew effect occurred as I pried the nail from the frame by means of a tack puller. If this were a standard tack or nail the line would have stayed in the same vertical direction it was in the previous photo

.

Photo: SHS

The twisting action grinds against the wood of the frame as it moves. We will be able to see the damage once the jute webbing is removed.


As the nail turns....

Theresa

Yummy Furniture and Design

theresamhs@sbcglobal.net

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