How to fix split timber armchair?

[brenna]

 

 

I got this old chair off Facebook Marketplace with the idea of staining the arms and legs and reupholstering it. But I have found a split in the wood where one of the arms meets the back, so I don’t know if it’s worth continuing. What do others think?

 

Is it fixable?

[EricL]

Hello @brenna 

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community. It's sensational to have you join us, and thanks for sharing your question about your chair.

Technically speaking the parts can be joined together by using timber dowels and timber adhesive. Generally speaking, both sides of the broken pieces will need to be drilled into, and the dowels placed at a 45degree angle. It will then need to be compressed or clamped together with timber adhesive placed in between them. However, it will not have the same strength as a single whole piece. 

If you can remove the two broken pieces, I suggest tracing the shape of the leg onto a new piece of timber. You can then cut it out using a coping saw or a jigsaw and then sanding it into shape. You can then reinstall the new piece onto your chair. 

Let me call on our experienced members @Dave-1 and @Nailbag for their recommendations.

If you need further assistance, please let us know.

Eric

[Dave-1]

Good Afternoon @brenna 

Mmmmm I do not know how well any fix would take. As you have removed the material I would be tempted to go with @EricL 's suggestion and use the old as a template and cut a new one out. Trying to repair a split like that and the stresses it would normaly have to handle I wouldnt be confident the glue, dowel or screws would stand the test of time.

Dave

[brenna]

Thanks so much @EricL, that’s very helpful. I think I might put this one on hold for now and revisit it later, as it does sound too challenging for me. I now see why my dad had things like this hanging from the rafters of his shed!

[brenna]

Thank you @Dave-1, that’s very helpful. I might look at finding another chair to work on instead and put this one on hold for now, as this sounds like more than I can tackle!

[Dave-1]

Good Evening @brenna 

Welcome to the future upholsterer! I have two chair frames under the house "waiting" for me to get to them. Eventually I will

I also have managed to get another 4 of the dining room chairs I have reupholsterd years ago so I will have 10 all up. Ive had the extra four of them for about a year now and they are still on the "to be done" pile. 

This is my first upholstery project as an example.

Dining table build and seats reupholstering in particular from step 3 onwards I can remember the thrill of how they looked afterwards. They are still going strong even now . 

Maybe start with something similar because the joy of a new seat well if I can remember it a decade after redoing it then It shows how much fun it could be.

As to your chair, I have heard/read that binding up broken joins could work, a timber glue, small pins over screws and then binding tightly with rope wrapped around the leg (That stays permanently) could work. Maybe after you have coppied the broken parts you could have a go? nothing to loose at that point.

Dave

[Nailbag]

Hi @brenna 

Don't under estimate the bonding quality of a decent wood glue. I am confident that this wood glue alone and clamped overnight will restore the leg without any further technical reinforcement.

Nailbag