Fixing Old Wooden Chairs

by Lee Bowman

If you have some old chairs that have broken or missing rungs or posts. Don’t throw away the chairs, repair them.

If you know what the wood is in the chair such as Oak, Maple or Pine, buy some 2” x 2” lengths in the same kind of wood to be turned on a lathe. Cut the 2 x 2s , 1” longer than the post to be replaced in the chair back. Better too long than too short.

Turn the 2x2s down to match the posts left in the chair, when you have enough for the back of the chair, then cut the posts to the right lengths according to the height needed for each.

Next if you need to replace rungs between the legs, you will need to turn them to match ones that remain in the chair. If you can get one of the good rungs out, match the new rung to the old one for length and design. If you need to cut any off the new one, cut the same amount off both ends of the new rung so the design remains centered when placed.

Now we are ready to glue the rungs in place. The glue I like is called Titebond ®. The glue is clear and waterproof when it dries. I do not use clamps to hold the chair together when I glue it.

Go to a tire place and see if you can get an old inner tube without too many patches. Cut the tube so you have one long piece, then cut 1” to 1 1/2” wide strips the length of the tube. Now when you glue the rungs between the legs wrap the rubber strips around all four legs and tie off. That will hold the rungs in tight.

Now for the back of the chair, put the glue where you need it, then set the posts or slats in place. Now take a strip of the rubber tube, leaving six inches or more on top of the back of the chair to tie to, go under the seat and up the front of the chair, pull the tube tight and tie it on the top of the back, this will hold the back down to the seat.

By using the rubber tubes instead of clamps you will not have to sand out any dents that the clamps will make. When the glue dries remove the rubber, then finish the chair however you like.

© copyright 2005 by Lee Bowman

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