Aeron Chair Repair

September 27, 2005 8:45 AM

I need help repairing an Aeron chair.

The set screw (nut with additional threads on the outside to grip plastic) has pulled out of the seat pan. It will cost $250 for a new seat pan. I tried JB weld to glue it, no dice. I really like the chair, but am also cheap.

posted by Classic Diner to Work & Money (4 answers total)

Epoxy sounds like it would be my first choice for this kind of repair. If done properly it should be stronger than the plastic. Could you post a pic of the damaged area? That might help.
posted by pjern at 10:22 AM on September 27, 2005

Are you saying that the set screw, or the seat pan, has stripped threads? If so you can buy a bolt at the hardware store that is slightly larger than the existing set screw, and force it into the seat pan using a ratchet wrench.

You'll want to buy an automotive-grade bolt, and don't be afraid to choose metric for that just-slightly-larger size.
posted by dhartung at 12:58 PM on September 27, 2005

Response by poster: JB weld is epoxy, it didn't bond with the plastic. I can't get a good pic of the damaged area. It is the seat pan with stripped threads. Actually I just found out the set screw is set into the seat pan while is is still hot from the mold. So it isn't really screwed in. I'm going to a hardware store and look for a larger set screw. Thanks.
posted by Classic Diner at 1:53 PM on September 27, 2005

Response by poster: Well just fixed the problem.

Epoxy didn't work, buying a larger set screw didn't work, adding screws to the sides to hold the set screw in place didn't work.

Washers worked. Three regular washers ($.05 each) keep the set screw from pulling out.
posted by Classic Diner at 10:26 AM on January 13, 2006