Antique Koken Barber Chair won't stay elevated

[orthopt]

Hi All,

I have just acquired a Koken barber chair with a double-posted headrest (50's or 60's?) and am trying to bring it back to full function. It will pump up but not maintain height. Every time I pump it up, it slowly begins to lower to the bottom of its stoke.

I have taken the seat and piston cover off to make it easier to pull the piston higher in the cylinder. As I lift the piston and the oil drains into the cylinder below, I still cannot not see any valves. I assume the check valve that keeps the oil from flowing back into the piston chamber is either stuck open of broken off.

Is it safe to pull the piston out of the cylinder completely allowing the oil to drain into the base, or will cylinder in the base likely overflow?

Thanks for any help in advance!

-danny

[myhuskers]

The valve is at the bottom of the cyclinder. It is completely safe to pull the cyclinder out of the base. Once you pull the cyclinder completely out, carefully lay it on its side when you set it down. You don't want to damage the bottom. When you look at the bottom you will see a flat bottom guard, and then the valve with a leather seal (not rubber)...and a spring to push the valve shut. It may be the spring, or the leather seal that is causing your leak issue. I am working on my first two chairs right now...and am learning like you. I am probably about a month ahead of you in my learning curve.

When you are done you can set the cyclinder right back in the base. I have learned that with todays fluids, the right weight is a normal car 30W non-detergent oil and fill it when the cyclinder is all the way down. You fill it to about 2-3 inches below the elbow where the piston and arm connect. You should start out slow, better too have to little than too much. I hope that I am helping you....I am really new at this as well and learning from several sites.

[JOE]

HEY GUYS
i'm restoring a early 1920 koken chair and i'm am having a problem with the seat not stating up. i have replaced the o rings. the seat will rise but not say up. can someone help?

thank you in advance
joe