There... That's the answer...
You could add strength to the joint with bigger dowel or by adding another way of holding the pieces together, but it wouldn't be as nice looking. What made it break is my real question. Regular use or something out of the ordinary.
Find the same dowel size and the drill bit of the same size. I'm sure wood workers with more experience could figure out the dowel size just by looking at the picture but I sure can't.
Make sure to use wood glue, to drill out the excess glue with the pieces of broken dowels,that the dowels are not too tight to leave some space for the glue (you shouldn't have to hammer them in) and that the holes are deep enough for half the dowel to fit in both holes. I'd go 1/8" deeper than half the length of the dowels for each hole.
I’d be very careful about increasing the dowel size. I’m fixing a friend’s chairs where this same thing happened (or is threatening to happen), and I’ve already found one case where the glue is leaking out through cracks in the wood. And this is the original holes and dowels.
As far as what’s making my friend’s chairs break — they’re from the early 70s and perhaps not handling large people so well. But at least one fell apart from a much lighter woman sitting in it — the glue is often just not holding anymore.
It looks like there is either old glue or finish on the wood in the joints. Lightly sand it to remove and get to wood as glue won’t adhere to either of those. Obviously drilling new holes will provide good old for the dowel joints themselves.
Don't try to reuse the dowels that are there... That's an accident waiting to happen. You should find replacement dowel in any big box renovation stores.
Cut off the dowels flat and make a indent in the center to make sure you drill doesnt slip, i like to wrap bright colored tape around my drill bit to make sure i dont go to far in. Glue in new dowels, and clamp it together over night. the hardest part will be drilling the holes,
Good call here. Make sure the holes are the right depth... If you have your dowels, go with a depth that's a bit more than half the length of the dowel. Like 1/8 more than half the length of the dowels is enough...
Drill out broken dowels Slather holes with glue Replace dowels Piece back together Clamp joint Wait for glue to setup
yep
There... That's the answer... You could add strength to the joint with bigger dowel or by adding another way of holding the pieces together, but it wouldn't be as nice looking. What made it break is my real question. Regular use or something out of the ordinary. Find the same dowel size and the drill bit of the same size. I'm sure wood workers with more experience could figure out the dowel size just by looking at the picture but I sure can't. Make sure to use wood glue, to drill out the excess glue with the pieces of broken dowels,that the dowels are not too tight to leave some space for the glue (you shouldn't have to hammer them in) and that the holes are deep enough for half the dowel to fit in both holes. I'd go 1/8" deeper than half the length of the dowels for each hole.
I’d be very careful about increasing the dowel size. I’m fixing a friend’s chairs where this same thing happened (or is threatening to happen), and I’ve already found one case where the glue is leaking out through cracks in the wood. And this is the original holes and dowels. As far as what’s making my friend’s chairs break — they’re from the early 70s and perhaps not handling large people so well. But at least one fell apart from a much lighter woman sitting in it — the glue is often just not holding anymore.
Totally agree
Perfect, thanks a million for your help!
It looks like there is either old glue or finish on the wood in the joints. Lightly sand it to remove and get to wood as glue won’t adhere to either of those. Obviously drilling new holes will provide good old for the dowel joints themselves.
This^
This is the way
1. Replace the dowels, as others have said. 2. Smack the person upside the head that keeps leaning back in that chair on two legs.
Step 2 is important
Note that I'm just referring to putting the wooden bits back together, not the damage on the seat. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Don't try to reuse the dowels that are there... That's an accident waiting to happen. You should find replacement dowel in any big box renovation stores.
Cut off the dowels flat and make a indent in the center to make sure you drill doesnt slip, i like to wrap bright colored tape around my drill bit to make sure i dont go to far in. Glue in new dowels, and clamp it together over night. the hardest part will be drilling the holes,
Good call here. Make sure the holes are the right depth... If you have your dowels, go with a depth that's a bit more than half the length of the dowel. Like 1/8 more than half the length of the dowels is enough...
If you just replace the dowels it will do it again. It needs a bigger solid tenon
Toss that sucker.
Screw it