In our publication we will talk about how to repair an office chair yourself.
What is gas lift in an office chair?
The design of such furniture is multi-component and complex, so it is not recommended to do the repair of office chairs yourself without first understanding their “stuffing”. So, the main task of the backrest is to support the spine of a sitting person. Its sizes and shapes may vary, but the angle between it and the seat is always about 90 degrees, which allows you to relax your lower back when leaning back.
The seat can be of several types, they are discussed in the table.
| Type | Filler |
| Soft | Springs, foam rubber |
| Hard | Metal, wood, straw |
| Semi-soft | Polymer materials |
It is recommended to choose seats that have a rounded front edge. The width can vary from 40 to 50 cm, depth - up to 48 cm.
Armrests serve as a support for the elbows; with their help, the load is removed from the person’s spine and neck. These elements may be adjustable or non-adjustable. A piastra is a metal platform on which a lever is attached. Its function is to change the height of the seat. As for the gas lift itself, it is a steel cylinder filled with inactive gas. It adjusts the product in height, it can be long, medium and short. There is also a cross - a load-bearing component of the structure. It is a large-diameter base with rays, their optimal number is 5 pieces. It is the cross that bears the main load.
The crosspiece is made of metal or plastic - in the first version the chair itself will be heavier.
Rollers are used to move the computer chair. They are made from polymers, polyurethane or nylon. All these components are the main components of the design. In addition to them, manufacturers equip products with additional mechanisms that improve the functionality of office furniture.
Having understood the general principles of design, it is important to understand what a gas lift is in an office chair. A hydraulic cylinder, designed specifically for this type of furniture, is an elastic spring with air compressed and pumped into it. When the piston pressure is high, the structure lowers; when the piston pressure is low, vice versa . The device is located in the crosspiece and is fixed at the base of the seat.
Understanding the functions of a gas lift will help you repair a computer chair yourself:
- Absorbs shock load on the spine. The design acts as a shock absorber when a person sits down. The system springs the seat, which reduces the load on the back.
- Adjusts the sitting position. With the help of a gas lift, a person can easily adjust the height of the chair. If you press a special lever installed under the seat, you can quickly raise or lower the structure.
- Rotates furniture around its axis. A sitting person can turn around and take what he needs without getting up from his chair.
The gas cartridge system is quite simple, so repairing an office chair with gas lift is not difficult. The operating principle of the device is as follows:
- The product includes a valve and two reservoirs. When the first element is closed or opened, compressed air flows through the bypass channel from one reservoir to another.
- If the chair needs to be raised, the lever must be pressed. The valve will open, the air in it will begin to press on the piston, it will go down, and the seat will rise up.
- To fix the computer furniture, you need to release the lever. The valve will close, the piston will stop and fix the structure in this position.
- To lower the product, you need to press the lever again, the seat will lower under the weight of the sitting person.
If you need to raise the seat of an office chair, it is recommended to stand up a little before pressing the lever so as not to create resistance with your weight.
Varieties
Gas lifts for chairs are divided into types depending on the size of the structure and the strength of the steel. Before choosing a suitable modification for a computer or office chair, you should study all the nuances. The first thing you need to pay attention to is the device class, which indicates the thickness of the steel and the permissible load:
- The first is budget fittings, the metal thickness is only 1.2 mm, such a gas lift is suitable for children's models.
- The second one also belongs to the inexpensive segment, the steel thickness is 1.5 mm and will not withstand heavy loads.
- The third is a type of gas lift with a metal thickness of 2 mm, maximum load 120 kg.
- The fourth is a reinforced case with a metal thickness of 2.5 mm, permissible weight 150 kg.
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In addition to classes, gas lifts differ in body diameter. Existing sizes:
- 50 mm - used in almost all models.
- 38 mm is a rare diameter; such gas lifts are mainly installed on executive chairs with a high cross.
Another important parameter is the length of the gas lift. This indicator determines the maximum seat height:
- 20.5–28 cm. The device is designed for chairs that are used in offices with standard desks or computer desks. This gas elevator has a relatively small range of height settings.
- 24.5–31 cm. Used when you need to raise the chair more than the standard height.
- 29–41.5 cm. The longest gas lift with wide height adjustment options.
When a gas lift breaks, the user is faced with the question of how to choose a new mechanism and what to pay attention to. Even a minimal discrepancy in characteristics can lead to rapid wear of a new part, so when purchasing you need to consider the following points:
- Gas lift size - mechanisms can have different dimensions. You need to make sure that the part will fit correctly into the base of the chair.
- Cup holder size - there are only two diameter sizes, so choosing the right one will not be difficult.
- Height - it is necessary to measure the length of the old part, taking into account that part of the gas lift is inside the cross.
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You also need to pay attention to the load. The class of the mechanism is selected depending on the body weight of the owner of the chair. If the furniture is used at home, most likely, the entire household will sit on the chair. For office furniture, it is better to choose a gas lift with a maximum load.
Causes of failure
Computer chairs, when used correctly, last for many years. In the event of a manufacturing defect in the gas spring, the furniture can be replaced, especially if it has a warranty. But replacing the gas lift, either with your own hands or with the help of professionals, may also be necessary if the product is used incorrectly. Main causes of breakdowns:
- Creating an advantage. It is not recommended to sit on one side of the seat; you need to sit in the middle.
- Irregular furniture care. It is recommended to lubricate parts at the intervals specified in the instructions for use.
- Frequent placement of two people on one chair. The structure can support a weight not exceeding 120 kilograms.
It is not recommended to sit down from a jump or run, otherwise there is a high probability of the gas spring breaking, as a result, you will have to change the gas lift on the office chair, which will entail additional financial costs.
Operating principle of gas lift
Scheme of work
In an unloaded state, the central cylinder of the gas lift is located in the upper part of the structure. If a person sits on a chair and presses a lever (button), the mechanism begins to lower, pulling the seat down. After this, the cylinder returns to its original position. When you press the button without load on the seat, the air inside the gas lift pushes the rod up. At the same time, the seat begins to rise.
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Understanding how the mechanism works allows you to immediately eliminate other breakdowns of the office chair. If the gas lift fails, after pressing the lever (button), the seat does not move.
The process of dismantling a part depending on the type of base
If the structure no longer rises and locks in the desired position, it means that the gas lift on the office chair needs to be repaired. You can do this yourself. The algorithm of actions will be almost identical for both plastic and metal bases.
Plastic
Dismantling of the structure, the base of which is plastic, occurs in a certain sequence. If a person is changing a gas cartridge for the first time and does not know how to remove the gas lift from office chairs, he will need an assistant. Instructions:
- Unscrew the bolts located under the seat. Carefully remove it from the mountings.
- Stand on the crosspiece and gradually, using rocking movements, pull the chair up by the armrests. Set it aside.
- Use a rubber hammer to apply several light, precise blows to the body of the structure from the side of the cross - the gas lift should come out of the base gradually.
After this, you need to replace the part and perform the same steps in reverse order.
Unscrew the bolts under the seat
Removing the base
We insert a new gas lift and secure the crosspiece
Metal
The principle of removing a gas spring from a metal base is similar to the previous one. The only difference is that some manufacturers use fragile material in the manufacture of the structure. Therefore, it is recommended to be careful when knocking out the gas lift. The blows should be weak so that the cross does not crack .
In fact, repairing an office chair gas lift with your own hands is a simple process. If you approach the solution to the problem responsibly and study all the nuances, you can repair the furniture yourself and very quickly, rather than spending money on a new product.
Unscrew the bolts and pull the seat towards you
When knocking out the gas lift, be careful, apply weak blows
Ready
Required Tools
Most often, the crosspiece breaks in the area of \u200b\u200bthe articulation of the beams. There is no point in gluing, welding or soldering the part, because the base bears the bulk of the load, and such repairs will not save the situation. It is advisable to replace the cross with a new part. To do this, you will need the simplest tools that any home craftsman has:
- flat screwdriver;
- hammer (mallet);
- circular punch (preferably);
- adjustable wrench (for gas lift repair);
- hex keys.
If the chair is used for a long period of time, then the gas lift sits quite firmly. A special lubricant for hard-to-remove fasteners will help make the repair process easier. If this is not available, it is recommended to use:
- vinegar essence;
- kerosene or VD40;
- soap solution.
Use any of the above products to lubricate the connection, wait about 10 minutes. If the crosspiece is made of plastic, and the repair is carried out in winter, the furniture can be taken outside to cool down. As a result, the part will shrink, this should help.
The gas lift mount is standard for all office chairs, so there is no need to worry about the compatibility of new parts.
Kerosene
Preparation of soap solution
Circular punch
A set of keys
Vinegar essence
WD-40
Types of gas springs
According to the operating principle, pneumatic cylinders are divided into two types - direct and reverse action. The former by default have an extended spindle, compressed under load. They are used for chairs. For the latter, it’s the other way around - in the standard state, the spindle is recessed.
Another important division of pneumatic cylinders is by class. There are five main classes:
| Class | Wall thickness, mm | Maximum load capacity, kg |
| 1 | 1,2 | 40 |
| 2 | 1,5 | 80 |
| 3 | 2 | 120 |
| 4 | 2,5 | 160 |
| 5 | 3 | 250 |
Due to their low load capacity, first class gas lifts are not used for furniture.
