Performing Repairs on Your Office Chair Arms and Armrests

Noah Staum Avatar

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Updated Jul 5, 2023 9:47 PM

If you have a crack or break in your office chair arms, there are some simple yet effective repairs you can perform to make sure it’s giving you the proper support you need. Follow this helpful guide to find out what to do.

Key Takeaways:

  • Cracks and breaks in a chair arm can be repaired with a shortlist of common hardware store materials
  • Epoxy is an effective adhesive to use for fixing cracks
  • Duct tape helps add integrity to fixes you make

How to Repair Cracked Office Chair Arms

Difficulty: Moderate

Time Required: 30 minutes

Total Steps: 5

Tools Needed: Screwdriver, epoxy, rope, duct tape

Repairing cracked office chair arms to salvage your favorite office chair requires a simple trip to the hardware store to pick up some basic tools and materials.

Materials You Will Need

Before you begin repairing the arm of your chair, make sure that you have all the proper tools and materials to complete the job.

Screwdriver

An office chair armrest usually has two or four screws attaching it to the chair. In most cases, the screws are Phillips screws, so you will need a Phillips screwdriver of the right size.

Plastic Epoxy

Epoxy is an effective, high-strength adhesive that will strengthen any cracks in the arm of your chair. Plastic epoxy is specially formulated for bonding together plastic materials. You will need to mix the epoxy to activate it before applying it.

Rope

You’ll need rope to use as a clamp to keep the arm tight while the epoxy dries. Make sure that you get a rope that is around 3/16-inch in diameter or more so it is strong enough to hold the arm together.

Duct Tape

To further reinforce the broken area of the chair and create a secure bond, you will want to use high-strength, multi-use duct tape. Find one that is in the same color as the arm of the chair so that it blends in.

Repairing the Broken Chair Arm

Once you have assembled the right tools and materials, follow these steps to repair your chair’s armrest. Make sure you have a clear, flat workspace available.

1. Remove the Arm

To remove the arm of the chair, find the screw holes in the arm. Office chair arms are generally attached with two to four screws depending on the type of armrest. Those that are attached to the bottom of the chair have two screws on the underside of the chair. Those that are attached to the seat and back of the chair have four screws located on the side of the armrest.

2. Apply Adhesive

Once you’ve carefully removed the arm, place it on a sturdy, level surface that’s easy to work on. Clean the cracked or broken area to make sure there’s no dirt or dust. Mix the resin and hardener components of the epoxy together when you’re ready to apply it. Epoxy hardens quickly after mixing it together, so only mix it when you’re ready to apply it to the arm. Apply the adhesive generously into the cracks. When done, press the cracks together tightly.

Tip: Clean the cracked or broken area to make sure there’s no dirt or dust

3. Clamp the Arm

Now you need to use the rope to continuously apply pressure so that the glued components stay tight. Loop it around the arm in such a way that clamps the ends of the broken parts of the armrest together tightly. Wipe away excess epoxy that comes out from pressing the broken area together.

4. Reinforce

Let the arm settle for 10 to 15 minutes after applying the epoxy and clamping it with the rope. After that period of time has passed, wrap some duct tape around the affected area. The duct tape will reinforce the bond created by the epoxy. Make sure you wrap the duct tape around the arm fully at least one time around.

Tip: Let the arm settle for 10 to 15 minutes after applying the epoxy and clamping it with the rope

Warning: Make sure you wrap the duct tape around the arm fully at least one time around

5. Reassemble the Arm

Allow the epoxy to harden over a 24-hour period. After that, you can remove the rope from the arm and reinstall it onto the chair. Simply line-up the screw holes on the arm to the ones on the chair. Screw-in each bolt halfway before tightening them to make sure that the arm is properly aligned and avoids potential damage from uneven pressure. If these steps don’t produce the results you’re looking for, you may need to replace the arms on your office chair.

STAT:

A person’s arms and hands account for up to 12% of a person’s body mass and using an armrest can reduce the load on your spine by up to 10%.

*http://ergonomictrends.com/armrests-on-ergonomic-office-chairs/

Sources:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Office_chair

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swivel_chair

The Parts of a Chair (Dining, Desk and Armchair Diagrams)

*https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iGaVqi7LegU

*https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=doQeUZIinY0

*http://ergonomictrends.com/armrests-on-ergonomic-office-chairs/

Performing Repairs on Your Office Chair Arms and Armrests FAQ

How do you fix a chair armrest?

Over time, office chair arms are susceptible to cracking and breaking. Depending on how badly damaged the arm is, you can fix it by reinforcing the cracked area with epoxy and duct tape. A fix like this can take around 30 minutes in total active repair time, though you will need to let the epoxy dry and harden for a 24-hour period from the time of application.

How do you adjust the armrest on an office chair?

On most office chairs there is a knob on each arm or on the underside of the chair that allows you to adjust the height of the arms. Simply loosen the knob to adjust the arms to the preferred height and then retighten it when it is in the position you desire. Make sure you tighten everything back in place to avoid annoying popping sounds on your chair.

Where should my armrests be?

Generally, the height of the arms of your office chair should be at the same point as where you naturally bend your elbows. This position allows for the natural alignment of your joints and allows for the ideal position for your back.

Should an office chair have armrests?

Armrests are very useful for supporting our arms and taking the weight of supporting them off of our back while sitting. A person’s arms and hands account for up to 12% of a person’s body mass and using an armrest can reduce the load on your spine by up to 10%.

Should I use armrests while typing?

It is recommended to allow your arms to hang freely while typing. You can opt to use an adjustable chair that allows you to easily reposition the arms as needed if you find they get in the way while you type. Armrests are effective at supporting your weight and posture when you are not actively typing, however.

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