Lee maybe updating their construction, as they have gone from building solid hardwood frames with doweled-glued joints now to plywood frames that have overlapping notches that are glued-stapled together. Under normal use the frames should holdup, just no where near the quality heirloom piece when they first started in business. I would give them a call and ask how they build their frames and if you purchased from a dealer and if that dealer went out of business or dropped their line, would you be able to still get customer service and warranty? (828) 464-8318

I have Lee chairs from 8 years ago, I bought them bc they were made in the USA and came highly recommended as far as quality was concerned. I learned a great deal about the brand through a furniture sales guy name Ed at Crate and Barrel in Manhasset, NY. He is incredibly knowledgeable and goes above and beyond to help the customers. CB carries a lot of Lee furniture and at competitive prices. Give Ed a call. 516-365-7600

babbs50,

Did you purchase the 1296 sofa? I am considering it in leather. You chose the all down cushion? Is it comfortable for TV watching/lounging? Thanks for answering if you see this!

Lee uses a plywood frame and they cut the frames with a C and C router which is a good testament to the type of frame they use. If they say they are using hardwood it is most likely hardwood plywood. Not kiln dried hardwood as you can not have kiln dried plywood. They use three springs constructions, 8 way hand tied, a drop in spring unit and sinuous spring units. I think the bulk of the spring systems used are drop in spring units.

Hi freethinker99,

Could you tell me if the C and C router says good things about the frame? The sofa I'm thinking of getting from Lee I've been told is 8 way hand tied. Are you familiar with their construction? How would you rate it?

Thanks!

CNC router is just a machine (http://www.thermwood.com) that cuts out the plywood parts that make up an upholstered frame. Their are many types of plywood and ways to join the frame parts together. Thats what matters, not that its cut on a CNC router. Relative speaking at comparable thickness of a solid wood kiln dried poplar is stronger than a solid core poplar plywood when it comes to making upholstery frames. Because the type of joinery is one of the most critical part of a frame, as double dowelled used in most solid wood frames is a much stronger joint than the slot & tenon joints used in CNC plywood frames. Also the type of plywood, some use 3/4" pine 5 ply thats cheap and weak to some use 1 1/4" 20 ply birch thats expensive but very strong. Plywood is heavier than solid wood, so the myth that the heavier the frame the stronger it is, is completely false nowadays.