I very HIGHLY recommend looking at the lineup, which seems almost endless, at Global Chairs. I've had a blue cloth covered Concord from them for over 20 years in my office which is in my home as I work from home which I would say averages about 3-5 hours of my 230 lb derriere sitting in each day. It has pneumatic controls rather than those annoying levers for raising and tilting either the seat or the height adjustable backrest and you can lean back in it without tilting over so you can fall asleep in it when your too tired to go find a bed.lol.
http://www.globaltotaloffice.com/gi_2012/control.php?record_id=465
It has been repaired once when the internal back rest support bar broke when it fell down a flight of stairs costing me $75. When I brought it in I inquired about buying a new seat as the old one was still fine comfortwise, but was soiled from years of use. The fellow affirmed that my foam seat was not in need of replacement and then showed me that I can remove the fabric for the seat and backrest and wash it in my laundry machine which I was unaware I could do. I let it soak for a few days in OxyClean, then washed it in gentle cycle in the washing machine, and now the fabric looks as good as new. I'd describe the manufacture of this chair to be comparable to that of Festool when it comes to quality and durability.
Ten years ago I scooped up another one of their chairs that a business had put out to be thrown in the trash. There amongst a whole bunch of chairs that were all el cheapo chairs I spotted what I recognized as the one lone decently built one but which had the arm rests all beaten up likely by someone who was overweight constantly grinding them against the under edge of their desk for many years. There were about fifty chairs there, but I spotted the one quality one like any of us here on the FOG could spot a Festool in a heap of other tools in a pile looking down from the International Space Station. [laughing]
I asked if I could have it, and was told I could. When I brought it home, sure enough it was a Global Malaga manufactured in the 80's. I looked online what my score was and it retailed for around $700. I brought it to Global at their repair facility and inquired what new arm rests would cost. The guy looked up the serial number at which time I told him I had scored the chair for free and that I was not the original purchaser and which large conglomerate was. He said it didn't matter, and proceeded to swap out the $175 armrests for new ones saying it was covered under warranty. Needless to say, I was a happy camper, or should I say, a happy sitter. [smile]
http://www.globaltotaloffice.com/gi_2012/control.php?category=ergonomic/task&product_group=Malaga
Bob, I know you said you don't want a thousand dollar priced chair, but really now, how can you carry and extol the justification of Festool high priced products, and not do the same with something you use and rely on more-so likely than all your Festool tools you play/work with combined. To do so otherwise would be heresy! [scared]
Should you decide to go and shop for a Global chair, beware that it is not like Festool and prices vary from one place to the next. I went to their showroom to check out which one of their chairs I might like. There were hundreds to chose from, but Global does not sell their chairs directly to individuals. So I asked Global for a list of distributors in the Toronto area when I had my eye on the Concorde, and they provided me with a list but would not point me to who may have the lowest prices. I bought my Global by some hole in the wall place run by two ladies in an unfinished warehouse for around $1000 taxes in versus other places that had it as high as $1700. You custom order what you want ie; leather/cloth and which colour, short/long seat, ball scratcher etc..... [blink]
Good luck Bob! [smile]
