I had one bolt snap off in the arm of the chair, so rather than just fix that by putting one in that is the same size, I drilled and tapped it out for a bigger bolt and did the same for the rest. The arms on this chair connect the back to the seat, so are under a lot of stress. I consider the bolts they used to be grossly undersized for a connection like that. The 5/16" bolt is much stronger and should last out the lifetime of the chair. You can help support the work I do in making these videos: Plans for sale: www.ibuildit.ca/plans.html Support this channel on Patreon: www.patreon.com/user?u=865843&ty=h Did you know I have other KZfaq channels? My main channel: kzfaq.info More videos on my second woodworking channel: kzfaq.info My home reno channel: kzfaq.infoHome Website: www.ibuildit.ca/ Facebook: facebook.com/I-Build-It-258048014240900/ Instagram: instagram.com/i_build_it.ca/

How did you remove the snapped bolt?

Thanks. You make everything so interesting. You have such a wealth of practical knowledge. Geez. Thanks John.

I used to make office furniture, chairs was my division. If I remember right, all chairs like that should be rated for 300 lbs of weight pressing downward on the upright/back. We used the same size bolts on most of our arm kits, if it broke it was either a shitty screw or the assembler over torqued it and compromised it. Funny I came across this vid, just converted an office chair just like yours, into a stool for my workshop.

The use of non hardened bolts is usually caused by the bean counters never ending quest to save a penny. There is a limit to useful hardness though, I remember finding a 12mm shaft on a 1/2hp servo motor snapped clean off because it was hardened just a bit too much. They eventually issued a recall notice on those because a certain lot was found to be over hardened.

Those commercial door guys... think they know everything...

Hi John

Better check the bolts that hold the seat on the leg too. I've had those come out several times and actually fell off the leg once. I move a lot in my chair and even though I don't weigh much, they always come loose. I just glued them in now, I don't have to take it apart anymore anyway.

I have fond memories of my fathers steel office chair, it had padding and squeaked but no matter how much you would spin or rock violently it never broke. Pretty sure the padding wore out and it was then dumped in the garbage. Odd because we knew an upholsterer.

You make it look so easy. Well, I purchased my taps from harbor freight and at best I was able to get one full revolution of the tap before it shattered. And No I was not being aggressive either. My question is where do you get a good tap set for a reasonable price? Do they exist or do I need to take a mortgage loan to buy a good set for occasional use?

you crack me up. the plumber comment is so true

Love the vids John. Don't envy you trying to accomplish so many vids in such a short time.

I have the same chair, something similar happened and this was the first video recommended by google, thank you so much, I fixed it easily with your advice!

what size bolts do you need

Ha! I own the same chair and the same thing happened. They threads stripped on one end and that side has been broke for over a year. If I had the tools I would do it but I dont have a threader so CyberMonday sales =P Had to comment though finding this video on a whim - same chair, same issue.

How do you fix this if the bolt isn't what snapped, but the anchor in the chair seat?

especially the plumbers...hahaha!

All I have is a screwdriver. Hopefully just getting stronger screws will do. Buying a new chair and I know like all these desk chairs the screws will be cheap. No gonna let one snap on me this time. So my question is which type of screws are the strongest?

Had that exact same chair and... yep, same problem. Sat there googling on the intertubes when suddenly *bang* and a lot of cursing from, well, gee, I dunno any swear words so it couldn't have been me... I think they source the bolts from Crapistan where they're hand forged out of old cheese rinds. Good fix and another reason why I have *got* to get myself some taps.

John do you have any suggestions or ideas on how to remove a bolt that snapped flush with the area around it? It's one of the dials on my tripod so i can't exactly cut in or get too brutal and ruin it, but if i could get the the broken bit out i could make do with makeshift bolt or something.

I worked at staples for 4 or 5 years. Built a lot of office chairs, theyre all garbage. They had one brand that was canadian made and better then most (global furniture) but they were eventually discontinued for cheaper "staples" brand crap sold at the same price point.

@6:34 hahaha!! - ' In Joke '

Cue the plumbers.....

John, there's a kind of door I've seen a lot in buildings like schools and universities etc. which I believe is called a door and half leaf, at least here in the U.K. but it might be called something different over there. I haven't been able to find out what their purpose is compared to a double or single door and I thought you would know as a door and hardware guy?

Waiting to see what you do when the bolts holding the seat to the pedestal, break. :) Not that that has happened to me, of course. ;)

hi john, Have you lowered the audio quality on your recent videos ? I noticed a lot of digital compression noise on this one and also the fidget spinner video when your grinding, sanding or drilling.

Did you ever stop to think about the guy who had to source out the shittiest bolts in the world? What about his feelings?

This is why I refuse to buy office chairs that come with arm rests, most office chairs (at least those sold here in Australia) that are sold with arm rests have a complete reliance on the arm rest. Had one about 10yrs ago where not so much the bolt but the hole the bolt goes through on the arm rest itself snapped, the problem was though that the backrest connected to the seat by way of the armrests (pretty common theme), so with a broken armrest the backrest was gone.

Why do you sit in a chair, which is made for a boy? And, is there a bolt on the world, which holds you? Grin.