
How to Repair Chairs That Have Spindles
- 1.. Insert a 1/4-inch drill bit into a drill/driver. Hold the tip of the bit at a 30-degree angle at the point where the...
- 2.. Drill into the joint, maintaining the 30-degree angle. Drill through the penetrating end of the spindle and into the...
- 3.. Inject glue into the holes using the tip of the glue bottle.
How do you fix a loose spindle on a chair?
Drill through the penetrating end of the spindle and into the adjoining piece of wood by at least 1/2 inch. Do all of the spindles on the top and bottom of the chair. Inject glue into the holes using the tip of the glue bottle. Tap 1/4-by-1 1/2-inch dowels into the holes using a hammer. Wait overnight for the glue to dry.
Do chairs with spindles come out?
Chairs with spindles can be problematic over time. Wood contracts and expands as weather fluctuates. Glue joints loosen, and dowels and tenons that hold spindles in place become movable. They won't come out, but they revolve, squeak and allow the chair to sag or feel like it will collapse.
Can a loose leg on a wooden chair be repaired?
Loose legs, rungs, and spindles can sometimes become loose on wooden chairs that are used excessively. But those problems can often be repaired. Loose rungs or spindles -- and, where no bracing is used, loose legs -- can sometimes be mended by forcing glue into the joints. But a part mended this way may work loose again.
How do you fix a broken wood chair?
©Insert a piece of thin cardboardunder one side of an angle brace;remove the cardboard beforefinal-tightening the screws on thatside. This pulls the joint together. All types of wooden furniture have their own individual structural problems. With common sense and a few particulars, you can keep all your wooden chairs in good repair.

How do you fix a spindle on chair?
2:054:36Fixing a Broken Spindle in the back of a Chair (WnW #7) - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd then I used a quarter inch bit to go a little bit deeper same thing with the end of the dowel.MoreAnd then I used a quarter inch bit to go a little bit deeper same thing with the end of the dowel. And then I fit a little quarter inch dowel in that to join the top dowel to the spindle.
How do you fix rungs on a chair?
0:4711:18How to Repair Chair Rungs Without a Lathe - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipBecause if you have a bar that straight a rung and straight across if you put any pressure in thisMoreBecause if you have a bar that straight a rung and straight across if you put any pressure in this area it'll snap in the middle. So they make them thicker in the middle than they are at each em.
Can you replace chair spindles?
Instead of taking the chair apart to fit in a new spindle, you could make a replacement piece that's a little too long, cut it diagonally to fit one piece into the framing at the top and the other piece into the framing at the bottom, then glue them together in place in the chair.
How do you fix a spindle?
Apply wood glue to each hole and to the surface of the dowel. Line up the jagged edges of the spindle, push the dowel into one end and squeeze the other spindle piece on. Clamp the pieces together and wipe off any squeezed-out glue with a damp rag. Set the spindle aside to dry for 24 hours.
What is the best glue for furniture repair?
The Best Wood Glue for Firm, Reliable BondsGorilla Wood Glue. This glue comes out on top when considering versatility, ease of use, and cost. ... Elmer's Wood Glue. This is an economical and effective option from another reputable glue maker. ... Glue Masters Thin Instant Glue. ... J-B Weld Wood Adhesive. ... Titebond Ultimate Wood Glue.
How do you fix a split chair in rung?
Repair a Broken Chair RungStep 1: Clean the Wound. Remove the splinters at the ends of each piece. ... Step 2: Form a Tape Trough. To keep the epoxy from dripping all over the floor, use masking tape to form a trough on the underside of the rung. ... Step 3: Epoxy Time! Time to glue it down! ... Step 4: Hello Again, Chair.
How do you fix split wood?
11:0112:18How to Fix Split Wood - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipI will coat both sides with glue and put it back together with a clean joint a tight seam the properMoreI will coat both sides with glue and put it back together with a clean joint a tight seam the proper amount of glue.
How do you reinforce old wooden chairs?
4:258:26How to Repair Wobbly Chairs Properly - Furniture Restoration ...YouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipI use an artist brush when i spread glue. This allows me to get in all the nooks and crannies. AndMoreI use an artist brush when i spread glue. This allows me to get in all the nooks and crannies. And cover everything off that i need to i start by putting wood glue in the holes.
How do you repair broken wood?
No parts specified.Step 1 How to Reattach a Broken Piece of Wood. ... Check that the fragment fits well into the break in the furniture. ... Apply glue to both the fragment and the furniture. ... Insert the wood fragment into the glued spot on the furniture. ... Wipe away any excess glue using a damp rag. ... Clamp the two pieces together.
How do you fix a broken spindle on a Windsor chair?
0:4022:53Spindle Repair on a Chair Back | How To Woodworking - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThe first thing I do is turn this upside down on some padding. And Windsor chairs typically don'tMoreThe first thing I do is turn this upside down on some padding. And Windsor chairs typically don't like to sit well. So I just put some weight on the back of it to keep it in place now.
Can you glue stair spindles?
Usually a spindle that has split along the grain line can be repaired in situ. Simply apply PVA glue into the split, squeeze the wood together, and then wipe over the surface with a damp rag. Then to help the glue set, bind your spindle together with waxed string or self-adhesive tape.
What is a spindle on a chair?
A spindle, in furniture, is a cylindrically symmetric shaft, usually made of wood. A spindle is usually made of a single piece of wood and typically has decoration (also axially symmetric) fashioned by hand or with a lathe.
How do you fix a chair stretcher?
0:2918:02Chair Repair with a Replacement Chair Stretcher - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThe first step is to take the chair part I just put down some padding. Turn it upside down and thenMoreThe first step is to take the chair part I just put down some padding. Turn it upside down and then label all the parts.
How do you repair a wooden chair joint?
9:2614:40How to Repair Wooden Chair Joints - Level 1 Woodworking ... - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipYou have tight joints here so you want to use wood glue pva carpenter's glue. So typical yellow glueMoreYou have tight joints here so you want to use wood glue pva carpenter's glue. So typical yellow glue is what you want if you're working on an antique you want to use a hide glue.
How do you fix wood stools?
How to Repair Wooden Chairs and Broken StoolsRemove what remains of the old brace.Use a good woodworker's glue.Make the replacement brace.Drill pilot holes for the screws.'Countersink' the screws in the legs.Finish and stain it.
How do you fix a wooden chair arm?
2:0313:42How to Repair Loose or Broken Chair Parts (Part 1) - Renee RomeoYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo glue won't adhere to glue. So we have to take off all the old glue make it wood to wood. Now thatMoreSo glue won't adhere to glue. So we have to take off all the old glue make it wood to wood. Now that the arm is off I see you're using your l-shaped vise to hold the arm in place yeah.
How to drill a spindle in a chair?
Insert a 1/4-inch drill bit into a drill/driver. Place the tip of the bit at the point where loose spindles or back rails penetrate into chair seats or cross members at the top. Tilt the bit 30 degrees. Drill up or down through the end of the spindle or rail to at least 1 1/2 inches in depth.
How to get glue off spindle?
If clamps won't work, wrap the spindle tight with masking tape. W ipe off any wet glue with a damp cloth. Allow the glue to dry overnight and remove the tape or clamps. Scrape off dried glue using the putty knife.
How to fix a split in a car?
2. Insert the tip of a putty knife into any cracks or splits. Pry the split open as far as possible. Inject wood glue into the crack to saturate it. Remove the knife . Place clamps on the crack to compress it. If clamps won't work, wrap the spindle tight with masking tape.
How to fix a crack in a leg?
Pry apart cracks or splits as far as possible using a putty knife. Inject glue into the crack until saturated. Remove the knife. Place clamps on the leg and tighten to compress the crack.
How to get a tenon out of a mortise?
Pull the legs apart if possible. If the motion exposes do wels or tenons, apply glue to the exposed part of the tenon or dowel. Place clamps on the parts to compress the dowel or mortise back into the corresponding mortise or hole. Wipe off wet glue with a damp cloth. Allow the glue to dry overnight. Remove the clamps. Scrape off the dried glue with a putty knife.
How to cut dowels?
Cut the protruding ends of the dowels off flush using a coping saw. Sand the ends of the dowels smooth using 120-grit sandpaper. Color the ends of the dowels using a stain marker.
How to tell if a chair is a mortise?
Turn the chair upside down. Grasp the legs with your hands . Wiggle and twist them to identify loose mortises, dowels, cracks or splits.
How to trim dowels?
Trim the ends of the dowels off flush using a coping saw. Smooth the ends of the dowels off using a small file.
How to drill a 1/4 inch hole in wood?
Insert a 1/4-inch drill bit into a drill/driver. Hold the tip of the bit at a 30-degree angle at the point where the spindle penetrates into an adjoining piece of wood.
What to wear when working with wood?
Wear safety glasses when working with wood.
How to fix a broken chair?
Take the broken part and a similar undamaged part to the millwork or woodworking shop for duplication. Carefully clean the old adhesive from the joints. Then reassemble the chair with the new part, gluing each joint. Clamp the chair with strap clamps until the adhesive dries, and then refinish the chair completely.
How to reinforce a broken piece of wood?
The best reinforcement is a dowel (wooden peg) pinning the broken pieces together. Use 1/8-inch to 3/8-inch dowel, depending on how thick the broken part is; drill the dowel holes with a bit the same size.
How to cut a tenon rung?
Very loose legs or rungs can be wedged to fit if the tenon is sound. Clamp the part in a vise or have a helper hold it, then saw very carefully into the center of the tenon end. The cut must be square and centered, roughly the depth of the part that fits into the socket -- about 3/4 inch. For small parts, use a hacksaw or a coping saw to make the cut; for thicker parts, use a backsaw or combination saw.
How to fix loose rungs?
Loose rungs or spindles -- and, where no bracing is used, loose legs -- can sometimes be mended by forcing glue into the joints. But a part mended this way may work loose again. For a more permanent repair, carefully separate the part from the frame. If both ends are loose, remove the entire piece. For very stubborn joints, twist the part slightly to break the glue bond; if necessary, use self-locking pliers. Pad the part to prevent damage to the wood from the pliers.
How to fix a cracked tenon?
If the tenon end is cracked, you'll have to reinforce it. Apply a thin coat of glue to the tenon, and wrap it tightly with silk thread. If necessary, apply more glue and cover the tenon with another layer of thread. Let the threaded tenon dry for a day, and then glue the reinforced end firmly into the socket.
How to test a tenon wedge?
To test the wedge, insert the end of it into the saw cut and tap it down with a screwdriver handle. If you see the wood on both sides of the cut start to spread, the wedge is too wide. Finally, apply glue and reassemble the joint as above. ©If the tenon is very loose, enlarge it with a small wedge.
What to do if you catch a loose joint?
If you catch a loose joint in time, repair it with glue. If the joint is broken, you'll have to disassemble it and replace the dowels. The triangular glue blocks will probably be glued and screwed to the frame, and the dowel joint might even be supported with hidden nail or screw fasteners.
