I recently had a most embarrassing, and frankly potentially damaging experience, when one of my kitchen chairs collapsed during a party. The following morning, I checked my remaining chairs and was most upset that almost a third of them appeared loose and wobbly. I certainly cannot afford to replace my chairs; I also have no confidence in hosting another party until a solution can be found. I have wooden chairs; however, I have little to no carpentry skills. Can you teach me how to fix my wooden chairs, or do I need to find someone to secure them. I’m counting on you as I have made many holiday get together plans.
Signed, Wicked Wobbly
Dear Wobbly,
‘Tis the season for all things wooden to shrink, including the legs and rungs on your wooden chairs. There are three things working against your chairs at this time of year. Here are three problems to consider: the air is drier (which causes wood to shrink), your chairs are probably located near a heating source (which will also dry and shrink wood) and the current holiday season is generally the busiest time of year for family around the table time.
Here are some tips that will have you commanding your chair repairs like Duncan Fife. (Did you know he was actually born in Scotland and that he changed his name to Duncan Phyfe in 1794?)
• Place the chair up on a flat workable surface. Remove the loose rungs from the legs.
• Using a medium grit piece of sand paper, gently sand off any remaining particles of glue both on the end of the rung as well as in the socket on the leg.
• For a tighter fit, dip a clean rag into cold water and then wet the end of the rung. Next, apply a liberal amount of furniture glue around the end of the rung and insert the rung into the socket on the leg. Lightly tap the rung into the socket by using a “dead blow” hammer. (Note: a dead blow hammer has its head filled with buckshot which gives you a perfect transfer of energy — it doesn’t bounce — when using it.)
• Because the glue will swell while drying, you will want to apply pressure to the legs. Rather than buying expensive clamps, I recommend using a belt. That’s right, a properly adjusted belt will slide up over the legs and provide you with a secure fit.
• Let sit for 24 hours and remove any hardened glue. (Note, you should never insert screws and nails to hold the chair together, as it can compromise the structural integrity of your chair.) Remember, to regularly inspect your chairs for safety.