Barber chairs are essential in barber shops and salons. Without them, barbers and patrons alike will have an agonizing experience. As with any other item, barber chairs degrade over time, especially when used frequently in the day-to-day operations of a business. Normally, they can be repaired by the manufacturer. However, there are other manufacturers that cannot provide service anymore for discontinued models of their chairs. Some cheaper units don’t have labeled manufacturers at all. Replacement parts may only be found overseas and may cost more in the long run.
In cases wherein manufacturers refuse to accept barber chairs for repair, there are a handful of barber and beauty supply companies that might be able to assist you. Chances are these companies may have a list of manufacturers that can assist in locating a repair facility. There are also restoration shops that restore anything from old Coke machines to barber chairs.
Whenever you are planning to repair these antique chairs, understanding the order in which to operate is very important. Otherwise, it’s going to take a long time to fix the chair. The first thing to do is to put the chair on its back down position. This lets you work tightly on the back’s front. You then have to position the chair up and face it on the right hand portion. Do whatever it is that you have to do there. Next, operate on the front area of the chair and then on the left side. To finish off, position the chair facing all the way down. It will now be all too easy to slide the back over the edge to handle the underside. Without knowing these in order, you often find areas you had overlooked even if you have already been all over the chair.
Even though there are some projects that are easy to do on your own at home, restoring or repairing antique barber chairs may not be one of them, particularly if you have intentions to sell it in the future. This is also true for other antique items like shelves and desks. If you’re considering repairs or restoration, it would be wise to seek advice from a professional before attempting to do it yourself. Some repairs are easy to carry out as a weekend DIY project. In other instances though, your simple restoration project might turn out to be something that would be better left to an expert. This really is usually the case if you’re working on one that is rare and has a high value.
I have a 1950s Belmont chair that I stuck partly up and wont go either way . The handle doesn’t seem to go far enough to let it down . Is it seized somewhere ?
Also ready to purchase book when available . Please put me on buy list .
Got it working with some penetrating oil ,rough handling , new ‘O” ring and hydraulic oil.
Totally functional now !
I own a 1905 Hercules Eugene Berninghaus barber chair.
I was disassembling it for moving to another location when a wood block and spring fell out from (I believe) under the porcelain seat frame.
One side of the wood block has a convex trough running along its length, and the other side of that wood block has an indenture as if one end of the spring was pressing on the wood block. I am assuming somehow the wood block cradles the pump handle and the spring keeps the block in place. However, I have no clue as to how exactly it fits under the seat or its purpose. Can you please tell me the name of that part and how to replace it when Im ready to reassemble?
Ive been looking for any exploded diagrams or patent drawings to help me figure it out, but so far no luck. So I would genuinely appreciate any information or help.
Thanks,
Ron
i have an old barberchair that needs hydrolic oil can u recommend which oil to use there’s no model number on chair
My 1931 Koken uses NON detergent 30w. got it at the local auto store
I have a 1949. EMILJ.PAIDAR barber chair ,how too fix the brake on the barber chair to keep it from turning
Hello,
We have an Emil Paider Barber Chair from 1920-40. During Covid 19 closure we re did the shop.
I moved chairs with a hand truck. The Paider is stuck up on high. The arm release does not lower it.
I spoke with the operator of the chair and she says its been on and off acting up.
I see no linkage adjustments. Anyone with a solution? Or repair guy in Greater Philadelphia region.
Lastly we have a Koken we would like to move to the floor. I lost position, and it tipped for a bit bleeding oil. Best oil to use and where?
Hi who can do a repair on one of my barber chairs please
Hello, i recently purchased an antique barber chair and it needs to be put together. As far as i know it was working before it was taken apart for storage. It is together except for the legs and chair needs to be attached and tested. I live in Riverside County California Can anyone recommend someone close to here?
Hi Kathy
I also had Baber chair by Koken Barber Chair. This what looks like but not mine.
https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=p2380057.m570.l1313&_nkw=sn%23167188&_sacat=0
Mine looks a little better. I had to put my together also. I’m not sure I can help with yours what’s your make of your chair. I live river side co. also I’m in palm springs ca.
I recently bought a Koch chair originally from the Chicago and Northwestern Railway. The chair arms have detached from the chair. They are afixed to the chair with wood screws through the chrome chair brackets. The crews are supposed to through the brackets into wood underneath the chair arms. The wood has been put together several times in the past and the wood holes are so wide now that i can’t get a screw to bite into the wood. What can i use to put in the holes for a sloid fit that i can drive screws into?