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Hello. Our lovely new oak dining table arrived during the week & it has a significant split at one end. Long story as to why it’s not being replaced….
I love the table so would really like to repair it. I’ve done some searching on the internet but thought I’d check in here to see if the gluing & clamping/ratchet strap technique is the best option. There are a few glue options available, I’m wondering if one is better than the other.
I have attached a photo of the upper & underside. We have not put the legs on the table yet but I assume that’s ok to do?
Any advice would be greatly appreciated!
Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community @kwalker. It's sensational to have you join us, and many thanks for your question about repairing a tabletop.
The ratchet strap technique sounds like it might be an option. Could you take an image from further back, so we can see how the top is constructed?
If the table has not received any damage, then this appears to be a stress crack. This is the point of failure where that stress has been released. Your glue will not only have to hold the timber together, but it will need to overpower the stresses involved. Please be aware that if this is a stress crack, then forcibly closing it could result in another opening up.
I'd advise you to use a high-strength glue like Sika 125g Sikabond Techgrip High Strength Multi-Purpose Polyurethane Adhesive. You should be able to pull the crack back together mechanically, but just make sure you place a buffer under the ratchet handle, so it doesn't mark or dent the table. Once you have the table clamped and glued, it would help if you added a couple of mending plates over the crack on the underside of the table. These will assist the glue and combat any force in the timber still trying to open the gap.
If the crack is still visible after this process, you could use some Waxstix Touch-to Crayons to fill and blend it in.
Please let me know if you have any questions.
Mitchell
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