How to Fix a Rocking Chair With Split Rocker

Repairing a cracked rocker can be completed in an afternoon.

Wooden rocking chairs are great for relaxing, reading or coaxing little ones to sleep. But over time, the wood of a rocking chair can dry out and the rockers on the bottom of the chair may crack under the strain of repeated use. Before throwing out your favorite rocking chair or taking it to an expensive repair shop, try to repair the rocker yourself so you can continue enjoying it for years to come.

Things You'll Need

• Blanket
• Pry bar
• 6-inch-by-4-inch board of preferred wood type
• Jigsaw
• Pencil
• Sandpaper
• Wood stain
• Wood glue
• Finishing nails
• Hammer
• Counter sink

Instructions

1. Turn the rocking chair upside down on a blanket so that the top of the chair doesn't get scratched.

2. Pry off the damaged rocker with a pry bar. Be careful not to apply sideways pressure to the legs that the rocker is attached to.

3. Place the rocker on the piece of 6-inch-by-4-inch lumber. Trace the outline of the rocker with a pencil.

4. Use a jigsaw to cut out the new rocker piece by following the outline. When cutting the rocker out, keep the blade on the outside edge of the line.

5. Sand the edges of the rocker with sandpaper until the surface is smooth.

6. Stain the new rocker piece so that matches the rest of the chair.

7. Spread wood glue on the bottom of the open legs of the chair and position the new rocker in place. Hammer two finishing nails through the bottom of the rocker and into each of the legs.

8. Counter sink the finishing nails so that the nail heads won't scratch the floor.

9. Allow the glue to dry overnight before using the chair.

References

• Todd Krueger, Owner; Working Hands Carpentry; Elkton, S.D.