How to Glue Old Chairs

Old chairs can become loose over the years.

Whether they're important family heirlooms or a hidden treasure snatched from a garage sale, chances are your old chairs are in need of light repair or re-gluing. Over the years original adhesives used to bond the chair's joints dry out and become brittle, causing loose legs and an unsteady seat. The best way to fix old chairs is to remove the adhesive and replace it with a fresh application. Salvaging your antique from retirement is simple and requires only a few household items.

Things You'll Need

• Flathead and Phillips head screwdrivers
• Allen key set (optional)
• Coarse-grit sandpaper
• Automotive inner tube
• Scissors
• Carpenter's glue

Instructions

1. Turn the chair upside down so you can access its underside. Remove any fastening hardware from the legs using a flathead or Phillips screwdriver and set them aside in a safe place. If required, use an Allen key of the appropriate size.

2. Inspect the top edge of each leg, where it bonds to the underside of the chair. You should see traces of old, crumbling adhesive. Using coarse-grit sandpaper, sand each top edge until you reach fresh wood.

3. Apply a generous layer of carpenter's glue to the freshly sanded top edge of one leg and insert it into its original place on the underside of the chair. Secure any fastening hardware. Repeat with the remaining legs.

4. Cut an automotive inner tube into several long 1-inch thick strips using scissors. Wrap the rubber strips tightly around each leg joint, covering the upper part of the leg and the corner of the seat. This will help clamp the leg in place while the glue sets.

5. Allow the glue to dry for 24 hours. Remove the the inner tube strips.

Tips & Warnings

• Perform any desired painting or staining of the chair between steps 1 and 2, as having the legs off of the chair will make this easier.

• You can use polyurethane glue in place of carpenter's glue. It has a firm, long-lasting hold and is available at any home improvement retailer.

• Visit auto body shops or junkyards to find old tire inner tubes.

• Do not attempt to sit on or use the chair before the glue has set. See your specific glue container for more detailed information on drying times.

References

• Scribd: Gluing Broken Chairs
• This to That: Wood to Wood Glue Advice