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 need some help!..where does a chair brake/stopper go on a 1958 paidar barber chair. It fell off when I moved it. Its a kindy shape small metal piece..
It fits onto one of the holes in the side of the inner cylinder. It takes two people to perform this act of Fun.
Johnny v is 100% on that…I would only add that some models have a shroud that gets in way and can and should be dropped to save a little trouble..not necessarily needed but I been restoring barber chairs for25 years and if it’s easier to spend a few minutes to save my mood I do it.
Please help! All of the fluid leaked from my barber chair. I can no longer pump it up. Where do I get more from? Thank You!
More fluid?
Use motor oil.
5w-30
Been using it forever and I own a barber chair restoration biz.
25 years restoring just barber chairs talking….but if you didn’t tip it over you may have a hole that needs repaired…weld if a nice antique…do it right..if not then just get some “Water Weld”and clean hole or crack completely then follow instructions on label..(it’s a 2 part putty just cut off what you need then mix by hand and apply in a bit of a hurry…once it starts to harden your don’t and leave it alone.
25 years restoring just barber chairs talking
I have a koken presidential it’s stuck all the way up can’t get it to go down any suggestions?
Where’s your shop?@Eric
HI, where is the hole to put in the oil? Oil in my chair poured out when I tipped it over to clean…
Paidar Chair
Many thanks!
How old is the chair? If it’s an old one you may have a cracked cylinder and that can be re welded,CAST IRON,for a minimal fee.
Tell your Folk I am the only one that I know of that has the Knowledge and Know How on Antique Barbers Chairs around the North West, johnny Valentine at [email protected]
Hi
What to look for when buying a Koken barber chair? Can the chair come off from the base for shipping? How to do it? where are you located?
Thanks
Make sure all parts are present and older the better.
Check for welds in foot and legs…all over.
Take picture and look around for one like it online and check details .
A Frankenchair is nothing you want…that’s a chair made of several or couple of chairs..like wrong base etc.
The base can easily be removed.
Lift seat and there will be 4 bolts you see in center…remove those.
Behind calf is the recline calf mech it should have 3 wood screws holding it on so remove those.. Some times the recline mechanism has to be removed but use best judment.
25 years restoring just barber chairs talking..
Shipping is expensive and unless u live in middle of nowhere then buying and selling local is advised.
I have a late model belmont inperial chair and I need to add hydrolic fluid to it and I don’t know where or how to put it in. Please help.
Lift up the seat and in the center there is a small door that spins over from covering a hole. Some may have a screw cap…anyway…that is your till hole.
Don’t over till or get ready to clean the floor.
Do a little at a time and pump it up and let down and watch backflow level..to much and a pain to clean.
I have been restoring chairs for 25 years and about to publish a repair manual for all American made barber chairs. With pics and troubleshooting section.
Finslly the book I wish someone would have made when i was doing the trial and error work
Hi ! I just Both 2 barber chairs Belmont , they’ve been setting in the garage for 8 years , one doesn’t pump up no leaking , it doesn’t turn ,but reclines other one has some leaking .what do you think needs to be repaired?
Help me please
Thank you
Any chance that manual is now available for purchase? After some research I bought a Theo Koch’s chair over the weekend in what seems to be pretty good condition … everything is intact and everything works well with no cracked porcelain and no visible structural flaws. It does need some more hydraulic fluid after leaking some when it was transported sideways.
Anyway, I’d like to clean it up, reupholster all five (5) components including the headrest, backrest, seat, leg back and foot rest, but before I go un-screwing everything it would be great to have a blueprint to know exactly how to get it back together again.
Any guidance you could offer would be big help. I look forward to hearing from you very soon.
Where can I get a quote on getting a estimated 1964 Koken Antique Barber chair restored? I look forward to hearing back from someone.
Thank you!
[email protected]
Best at restoration in Texas. Cheapest ever
If chrome is still good and just polished ,recovered and hydraulics cleaned out and fluid replaced. And no parts broken..
Around $500
hello. i have a early 1900s paidar barber chair. i assume the brake mechanism is stuck because the handle wont budge and the chair wont either. i have tried to force the handle forward with all my force to no avail. anyone aware how to solve this issue?
were you ale to resolve your stuck handle issue
Kick the he’ll out of the arm.. The pin may shear but chances are the shoe is locked in cylinder and a fast kick usually does it. The screw on shoe will snap most time before to pin …take a deep breath and attack.
25 years restoring just barber chairs talking and that is what i would do when customer isn’t looking…cuz it looks rough…but gotta get on it and just kick.
Good luck
Hi my belmont apollo barber chair seems that that back support needs to be more upright position it reclines back but when comes back up it slightly leaning back is there anywhere to adjust it so it set more upright position
Anything can be fixed in a good shop. It would need to be looked at in shop. The Takara Belmonts are a nightmare and I seldom dirty a wrench on them in my shop now…they are over done and too much to do to get at what you need to and. 2 identically looking Belmonts from same month and year can be totally different under the hood so to speak..
I would guess it is either the recline mechanism is dirty and cleaned would work..
But maybe the recline bracket is bent..
Just good places to check first
I have a Koken Barber Chair and need to adjust the recliner release.
Just think opposite of what you may think…If you tighten top the bottom tightening of bottom on bottom in cycle is wrong…making the bottom loose is makes tight…
Honestly I have been restoring barber chairs for25 years and have never been able to explain that mechanism..best bet is to just play with the adjustments till it feels right…
Hi there I just finished restoring my kochs barber chair I have all the parts but the tilting lock dose not lock in place please help
The recline bar that runs through the recline mechanism is either gotten oil or the like on it causing it not to grab the 2 brake plates(it should be dry in the can)….or the rod is worn out and needs replaced or fixed.
If first thing didn’t work take the rod out and use a hammer (3lb is best) to flatten the rod from center of it to about an inch shy of where the pins go on ends or about. Try to keep the bar straight and the flattening uniformed.
If you don’t feel that brave then try dry and then use 50grit sand paper and rough up the rod as much as you can but not like u want it thinner…u don’t.
25years experience with barber chair restoration talking
Good luck
Hi..i need help i have two barber chairs one is a koch and the other one is a Belmont need brakes
Hey there. I need a bit of help if I could please ask. I have an early ‘ 60 ‘s model paidar barber chair. It’s leaking fluid on a regular basis. Not gushing but enough to warrant concern. I’m wondering if there’s a service that comes out to the shop? I need it 5 days a week so sending it out isn’t an option. I work in downtown chicago. I appreciate your help.
Looking for repair for a Koken President Barber Chair circa 1957. Problem with lift. Louisville, KY
Not enough infomation..
I have been restoring barber chairs for 25 years and can tell you what is wrong but need more information…does it make any sound when attempting to pump?
Does it go up only to fall or follow the bar back down…like a jump drop?
Does the arm feel free like not doing anything?
I’ll
[email protected]
I have a Takara No 40 Barber chair and am looking for the footplate extension. Can you help?
Peter
Get rid of the chair and get an American made barber chair…rip off the band aid fast
Not being mean…you will thank yourself if you upgrade. Takara Bellmonts are a ticking time bomb and when first fail is noticed it will not live long.
25 years restoring just barber chairs talking
I have an early 1900’s Koken Barber Chair. I am in the middle of restoring it. I just put the pump back together and the plug is weeping hydraulic fluid and the mechanism leaks down. I don’t believe the plug weeping is the cause of the pump leaking down. I think I need a seal.
How can I repair the plug to stop the leak and where can I get a seal?
Seals or rings can be found at most farm and tractor stores like Tractor Supply and the like. Any seal or plug seal should be fixed with magnum steel or water weld epoxy putty…great stuff and easy to use…stinks pretty bad but will work.
25 years restoring just barber chairs talking
I have an 1954 Theo-A-Kochs will not lock.
If it will not lock from spinning your shoe or pad is worn and either needs new one or a spacer. The spacer is easy fix and 80% of time fixes problem.
If it won’t lock in upright and or recline position then the recline mechanism bar is work and needs fixed or replaced. I usually remove the rod and bang the he’ll out of the most of the center work are avoiding the ends. Make sure you bang it along the same plane…basically you are flattening the rod a bit making it fatter so it has more resistance through the brake bars holes.
25 years restoring just barber chairs talking
1947 Paidar barber chair. The chair’s brake will not lock into a fixed position. Q: Is there any information about fixing this problem with the chair? Thanks. Jim
The brake probably fell out and needs to be out back…they are usually lost do to fact that most people don’t know to catch it ..not till to late.
The cylinda will just pop off and you can look around till you see a hole that fits the brake. If you don’t have the brake they are around and ebay is good start.
I assumed you ment the spin brake…
25 years restoring just barber chairs talking
Have a 1957 Koch barber chair. The pump handle falls forward and chair will not lock
i need that book your wrighting i just bought a old belmont char that someone has lost the break or stopper does any one know where i can find one or who can make me one thanks
I have a president Koken barber chair, when I purchased the chair the handle for hydraulics was removed and only put back in partially. I applyed bearing grease to the bearings on the base of handle and tried to reconnect but can’t get the handle to go all the way in therefore I can’t utilize the recline. Is there a best practice with reinstalling the handle
I have a 929 bemont barber chair and the long piece that looks like a cam shaft that the handle attached to is broke looks like it is made out of pot metal also the rod that goes down in the base is attached to it I have been trying to find one but must not be calling it by the right name it was broke when I got it don’t no what could break it because it is pretty heavy piece help please
I have an early 1950’s Koken and the hydraulic pump arm seems to be stuck and won’t pump up the chair. I have added more oil to the chamber and tried to work the arm free but it won’t move more than an inch.
I need the hydraulic lever/handle for an Emil Paidar chair from 20s or 30s . The current one fracture at the base of the porcelain The current one fracture at the base of the porcelain cup cover
I own a belmont barber chair serial number 676200009 and I’m it need hydraulic fluid how do it
i have an old school belmont barber chair but the handle want move so i can pump it up of down are even turn it . what can i do to get that handle release
I bought a Emil Paidar barber chair. I don’t know the year or the model no. [IF ANY]. Please advise and let me know where I can get a repair book for this chair????
Thanks \, Paul