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In 2011, I built this lovely Santa throne from plans bought from the USA. The majority of the timber came from Bunnings Parafield. Since then it has stood me in good stead over successive Christmas events (this is my 21st year as a Santa and yes, I have been Santa for many of Bunnings SA Stores).
Last year I found that white ants had worked their way up a crack in my shed floor and attacked the nearest leg they could find. I killed them off with poison spray but now I need to do a makeover to clean up the mess and get it ready for use over the next few weeks.
The first step - I think - is to take a 45-degree cut to remove as much as I can of the damage at the same time retaining maximum strength because I have some pretty hefty folks sitting on it at times.
It has been suggested that I then putty it to fill any remaining holes and possibly put a curve on the edge to make it look better.
Then it is time for the Paint shop to get Brunswick Green enamel to put 2 coats on the whole surface area. I will have to cut back the surface with my sander, advice on grit please.
Your suggestions are welcomed.
Well I tookanother slice off, making 70mm in total. I have a ling way to go before I see the end of the damage. I am now thinking of going through above the externally visual damage but this time just into it enough to fit a vertical board as suggested above.
So I went in further, still too much damage.
Time to go for broke. Zero tolerance for white ants.
Now to rebuild it.
So, what does the Hive Mind think of these fixing ideas...
1. Biscuits
2. Long countersunk timber screws.
3. Countersunk M10 threaded rods bolted from both sides. Covered with thin ply so it is at the same level as the rest of the leg.
Or a combination of these options?
Hi all, well Part A is done and drying. When I cut back to reach the top of the white ants damage I found a small dimple in that face. That was the extent of their habitation so I know I have gotten it all. Whew!
A neighbour gave me a nice length of 100 x 50mm pine so I cut that back to slightly oversize, Bogged up the little bits of tunnels that were left with Andrews Water Putty and left it to dry. Later I cleaned off the area, put on a good coating of Tech Grip 125g SilkaBond Tech Grip, clamped and screwed, and left it overnight.
This morning this is what it looks like. Once I clean this off I can rinse and repeat for the last part of the leg. That should see me back to battleship condition ready for finishing off and painting. Whew!
This is the first time I have used Tech Grip and I am pleased with it. Easy to apply and so far seems to have done a good job. By the look of the overflow I was perhaps too liberal in the application. That will sand back so not worried. All good learning.
This morning I checked the set of the glue. I can put my fingernail into the surface. I might let it set a bit before bringing out the sanders. So time to mix up a little Agnews and fill in the screw holes, by the time it dries the rest should be ready for sanding.
OK, second bit fitted and glued. Now to wait till that dries before I can sand it back to fit the profile.
I have also started to sand down the area of the new work. It is looking good even though I am only on 120 grit for this start of the process.
I fixed 3 dowels into the screw holes so I have solid wood where the leg hits the floor. The next step is to cut them off flush and sand the whole part. I might fix some industrial carpet or similar so that my legs don't scratch floor surfaces.
The next bit is reupholstering the back cushion but that's in another thread.
Morning @ilox
That is some serioulsy nice work! You wont be able to notice that the chair has been at war 
Looking forward to the posts of upholstery I have done some simple chairs before and recently found four more of the same kind to redo.
Would be interesting if you put this repair job into an actual project. We see lots of people with similar issues tho the termites really seemed to like that foot 😕
Glad it is done for Christmas season!
Dave
I need to update you on the last actions that I took on the legs.
I levelled off the leg base by cutting back all the dowells and sanded it all smooth.
Now I have to finish sanding back the old surfaces and give a coat of undercoat. Then start with the green paint.
I also need to get the upholstery done which isn't going to be easy.
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