How to Tighten Antique Chairs

Antique chairs often have more character than newer chairs. But as part of that character is related to the age of the chair, it can also mean that repairs are needed. There are two methods of repairing a wobbly, wooden chair. There is the quick fix, which is straightforward and simple. If that doesn't work, a more time-consuming method may be followed. This article will tell you how to do both fixes.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Wood glue
• Glue injector (available at hobby stores)
• Rubber mallet
• Pocketknife
• Masking tape
• Pen
• Damp rag

1. Use the glue injector to insert the wood glue into any loose chair joints.

2. With the damp rag, wipe up excess glue before it dries.

3. Allow the glue to dry overnight. If this method fixed the wobbliness, consider yourself lucky; you are done. If not, go on to step 4.

4. Get ready to take the chair apart. Use the tape and marker to label all the pieces of the chair so you can remember which pieces go where during reassembly.

5. Disassemble the chair. Use the rubber mallet to tap the pieces out.

6. If the chair piece will not come out, use the damp rag to soften any stubborn bits of glue. Tape the rag onto the stubborn joint for a few hours if necessary.

7. Use the pocketknife to scrape any glue off the disassembled parts. Soften any stubborn bits with the damp rag.

8. Reassemble the chair using wood glue on all joints. If the joints are very loose, place wooden toothpick pieces between the parts in the joint, along with the glue, to tighten it up. Or wrap cotton string around a loose wooden piece and glue it into place. A third way is to wrap wood shavings around the entire dowel or on all four sides of a square connector. Glue the shavings to the dowel and let the glue dry before adding more glue and fixing the piece into position.

9. Sand down any pieces that are too wide to fit after treatments prescribed in step 8.

10. Tap all pieces into place with the rubber mallet.

11. Wipe up any excess glue with the rag before it dries.

12. If desired, use belts, rope, nylon straps or bungee cords to clamp pieces together until the glue dries.

References

• Advice on How to Fix a Chair