Add height to my 70's iron swivel chairs
by
Teresa
+19
I scored 4 of these vintage 70's swivel chairs and I want to use 2 of them at my Mexican iron and copper top table. I'm going to paint the metal to match the iron and reupholster them but I need ideas on how to make them taller. I need to add at least 3" to them. Thanks for your help!
17 answers
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Nice find. If that bottom piece comes apart perhaps a metal pipe from a plumbing supply could go into the existing metal piece.
Janet Pizaro
on Sep 02, 2015
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I second that, Janet. Looks like the base screws into the plate on the bottom. That being the case you should be able to get another piece of threaded pipe, join it to the existing base with a coupling and screw it right back in. just paint the new pipe and coupling to match the base before you reassemble, it'll be way easier that way.
Danielle
on Sep 02, 2015
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Well I do not know how to make these chairs taller but seeing the photo, I just had to comment on them. Back in 1969 when we married, we had this exact set in our first apartment in New Jersey. And the matching table with the same metal swirls for legs. Don't know where you found them, but I was stunned to recognize these in oh so many years!!! Hope you find a way to complete them for your purposes now!!
Jan Loehr
on Sep 02, 2015
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No the set was just a new set to us as newlyweds, so I cannot say if it was short or not, it just was what it was....LOL! Told my hubby about this and he actually remembered the chairs and the shape of the table, which was not square...it sort of had the corners sliced off ....we moved to Atlanta GA in 1979 and kept the set for a lot of years here before we got rid of it! Teresa, you made my day, oh My!!!
Jan Loehr
on Sep 02, 2015
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@Teresa it doesn't appear you could easily replace the center post because of the way the X feet fit into it. Depending on how the white floor protectors fit in, the only way I can think of adding height, would be if they screw in and the threading matches wood curtain rod finials. Something like these: http://www.kirsch.com/pedistal-ball-finials.html
Z
on Sep 02, 2015
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dont agree look at the bottom .there has to be a way to put a rod into the exisisting piece and guess whar someone else said the same thing.
Janet Pizaro
on Sep 02, 2015
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Maybe put casters on the bottom? They would work well on the tile and raise the seat. Good luck!
Barb
on Sep 03, 2015
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Drill holes or have them drilled and put casters.
METAMORPHICRUBBISH
on Sep 03, 2015
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Remove the upholstery and leg stands. Connect a block of wood (stained or painted) to the seats with L hooks and nuts and bolts into the area where the leg stand previously was attached. With the new block in place, attach the leg stand to the block. Then, reupholster. This will add height without being very visible.
Mir Graham
on Sep 03, 2015
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The feet and or Casters are both good ideas, but what about both? Screw on legs can be had from almost any junk store, or even WalMart for less than $1 each. Spend your money on INDUSTRIAL casters with no less than 3/8" threaded posts (the casters used on commercial kitchen equipment are best. They will not scuff floors or leave marks. Drill out the legs for the posts with the proper bit (make sure you go only as deep as the post, you do not want slack because you want the post to help hold weight and avoid cracking or breaking out the legs), then draw a line around a nut and counter sink it into the wood with a small chisel. Then glue the nut into the bottom of the leg, screw the post in until it securely rests inside the leg and tightens. If you have bigger people in the family, and are concerned about weight, use 2X4 blocks cut to the proper size or turned on their sides and run the entire length of the X brace at the bottom of the chair.
Greg Edwards
on Sep 03, 2015
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Casters or plain black feet similar to what Becky shows. The back is high and makes the bottom looks squatty. Nice find!
Grace Gleason
on Sep 03, 2015
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Thank you for all of the advice! I'm attaching more pictures so you can see better how the chair is put together. My husband doesn't really like the idea of casters - he said they would roll too much on our tile floor - but I like the idea. Keep the answers coming if you see anything else that might work after seeing these photos. Thanks again!
Teresa
on Sep 03, 2015
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I second the idea of removing the leg base from the chair, adding a block of wood and screwing the base back into the wood. That looks like it would be the most direct and stable way to add height. Good luck. Hope you let us see the finished piece!
Libby Jones
on Sep 03, 2015
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I think hubby is going to have to embrace the caster wheels, for I would be fearful of the base as is scratching the tile floor. With that said, I would add caster wheels that are designed for hard surfaces to the base, check out this link. http://shop.servicecaster.com/hardwood-floor-safe-casters-s/1833.htm
LD
on Sep 03, 2015
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Since you're in Texas, there are lots of welders here (due to welded pipe fencing). I would talk to one of them to see what they could do for you! I bet one would have an easy answer!
Cherie
on Sep 03, 2015
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I second the comment about Texas welders. I know we have some great ones in San Antonio. They've gotten pretty creative with me. About the casters compromise for the husband: you could use casters that have lock mechanisms. They're relatively cheap at Home Depot but I've found them at Habitat for Humanity also. You can choose according to weight too. Some come in black but most are silver and can be painted with color rustoleum spray paint...you can get creative with adding that tiny pop of color; tying in with your upholstery.
METAMORPHICRUBBISH
on Sep 04, 2015
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I vote for the idea of "removing the leg base from the chair, adding a block of wood and screwing the base back into the wood. That looks like it would be the most direct and stable way to add height. Good luck. Hope you let us see the finished piece!" Good luck.
Liliana Wells
on Sep 06, 2015
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