Cabinets, Furniture, Woodworks/cane seat repair

Advertisement

Expert: - 10/7/2008


Question
I have a bentwood chair that needs a replacement cane seat.  Can I buy one (15 1/2 ") that I can replace myself?

Answer
Hi Rosalind, Yes, you and a few simple tools are quite capable of replacing your cane seat.  First, you will have to see what you are dealing with.  There are either evenly spaced holes or a groove which frames the seat area.  The groove will be fairly simple to repalce, same principle as replacing a screen window.  If it has the holes it will be a craft project where you will have to weave it.  Neither way is much more difficult although if you must reweave it will take some time but either way you will be rewarded with a bit of satisfaction that you've done it yourself and have a beautiful seat to show for it.

I have found a great tutorial for you which will go into it much more thoroughly than I can in an email.

http://www.popularmechanics.com/home_journal/woodworking/1273441.html

You may be able to find what you need locally but it is available many places through mail order.

Constantines of florida is the best in the business if you are ordering it.  Don't hesitate to call them and talk with them and they will set you up with a kit which will have everything you need.  Just have your measurements handy and know if you have a grove or holes.

http://www.constantines.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWCATS&Category=55

http://www.constantines.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWCATS&Category=56

http://www.constantines.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWCATS&Category=58

Thank you for an interesting question.  Your desire to want to repair it yourself lets me know that you will be up to the task.  It isn't hard at all once you have the right supplies.  Good luck with your project.

Cabinets, Furniture, Woodworks

All Answers

Answers by Expert:

Ask Experts

Volunteer

maura macaluso

Expertise

I can answer most questions, regarding, wood sculpture, wood carving, carving tools and accessories and different types of woods.I am not an appraiser of carvings nor an antique dealer.

Experience

I do full design work, custom carving, restoration, fabrication, repair and refinishing. I can take a piece of raw wood and turn it into a work of art and I can help you do the same. I am "the" carving instructor for the new york city parks dept. I am heavily involved in carving on the internet and belong to many, many mail lists which are quite active. I am also an international promoter of woodcarving and am affiliated with many master carvers, notably nora hall, originally from holland, now in the U.S. and kalina pavlova, a bulgarian master carver. I routinely communicate with the top names in professional woodcarving nationally and internationally.

Organizations
the national association of woodcarvers. the woodcarvers of queens NY, the staten island woodcarvers. the northeast woodcarving association. the world wide carving internet list

Publications
chip chats-the national magazine of woodcarving. also at www.carvinginnyc.com

Education/Credentials
Self taught artist and sculptor, 40 years of drawing and painting as a hobby, 5 years of serious woodsculpting. I have my own website and have written a 300 pg book on carving. I have published online tutorials and pictorial projects

Awards and Honors
many first place awards

©2012 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved.