An office chair consists of three essential components: a five- or six-star base, a gas lift, and a seat element. The parts are usually not screwed together, as one might assume, but are simply plugged in. The assembly of an office chair is therefore a very simple undertaking and can be done by even those with little manual skill in just a few steps.
As in all things in life, the same applies here: those who proceed with caution save effort. In our video, we show two ways to assemble a new, serviced or repaired office chair. For better understanding, the following is a list and description of various components.
The seat element is decisive for determining which category the respective desk chair belongs to. Basically, an office chair is a swivel chair on castors with a backrest. To enable ergonomic work, it is height-adjustable by means of a lever. The backrest is also adjustable on many office chairs to allow for individually adapted seating. Depending on the design, a distinction is made between the following subcategories: simple office chairs, home office chairs, professional office chairs, gaming chairs, and executive chairs.
Common to all is that height adjustability is ensured by means of a gas lift, which also represents the central part of the office furniture. Its upper end is inserted into the seat element, and its lower end into the base, which is mounted on castors.
Normally, an office chair is delivered disassembled into its three main components. In most cases, the castors are already inserted into the base - if not, they must be inserted into the designated receptacles with light pressure.
ASSEMBLY OF A CHAIR BASE (VARIANT 1)
- You will need:
...a blanket or a large towel and nothing else but your hands. - Procedure:
To protect your parquet or laminate or the materials of your office chair, place a sufficiently large towel or blanket on the floor. Carefully place the seat element of your office chair on it with the front edge facing forward, so that the underside of the seat is accessible to you.
Place the pre-assembled chair base with castors on the floor as well and place the gas lift within reach. First, insert the gas lift with the thick end (cylinder) downwards vertically into the recess in the middle of the axis of the base. Since this end of the gas spring is tapered, it will fit snugly even without strong pressing, pushing or shoving. Now lift the assembled base part of your office chair, tilt it and insert it into the receptacle on the underside of the seat, which is located in the immediate vicinity of the lever valve.
When the top of the gas lift is against the stop, push it in with light force. Straighten your office chair and place it on the floor - done.
ASSEMBLY OF A CHAIR BASE (VARIANT 2)
- You will need:
...a blanket, a little more strength, and otherwise nothing but your hands. - Procedure:
To protect both the office chair and your flooring, lay out a blanket or a large bath towel. Now take the seat element of your office chair and carefully lay it "on its back," i.e., on the long back of the backrest, on the fabric. Insert the gas lift into the axis of the chair base and make sure that the piston of the pneumatic spring is firmly seated.
Make sure that the castors of the swivel base are fixed. If you have installed so-called auto-stop castors that lock your office chair as soon as you are not sitting on it, you don't need to do anything else. Otherwise, it is advisable to also place the chair base on a soft piece of fabric or block it in some other way so that it doesn't roll away from you.
Now lift not the swivel base, but the seat element with both hands, making sure to lift with your legs to protect your back. Simple office chairs are usually made of lightweight construction and are therefore not particularly heavy. Executive chairs, whose seat element may be made of chrome and leather, can weigh a few kilograms more. Carefully place the seat element on the gas lift and make sure that the valve engages in the designated receptacle. Gently turn the seat element and make sure that the bearing runs smoothly.
As with all repairs, assemblies, and disassemblies, safety comes first. Never use brute force, never use heavy tools or sharp aids that could damage your office chair. Under no circumstances try to disassemble the gas lift - this component is under enormous pressure and can cause serious injuries if opened.