How to Fix/Repair Cracked Wood Chair Leg?
In order to fix a broken chair leg, the user needs to follow the below-given steps:
- Access The Broken Leg:
The first step will be to place the chair upside down on a worktable so that the broken leg can be easily accessible. In case, the broken leg is separated from the chair, the user needs to put it on to the table as well. - Cut Loose Splinters:
The next step will be to cut any loose splinters, debris, or chips from the separated parts of the leg with a chisel. In case, the leg is attached with the chair, the user needs to clean out debris or splinters from the open cracks by inserting a putty knife inside the crack. - Apply Glue:
After that, the user needs to pry open the crack by inserting a tip of the putty knife inside it followed by injecting glue into the crack with the tip of a glue bottle. The glue needs to be inserted until the crack will be saturated. In case, the broken leg is separated, the user needs to apply glue to the broken ends of the leg. - Fix Broken Leg:
Once the broken part of the leg is glued, the user needs to fix it up with the other end of the leg by hand followed by wrapping the adjoining area with a masking tape in order to secure the broken leg parts together. The cracked leg area should also be wrapped with tape. - Insert Nails:
The next step will be to insert two 1 inch nails from both ends of the broken leg. The user also needs to place clamps on to the glued leg in order to compress the glued area. The clamps should be placed side by side with a 1-inch gap. - Drill Hole:
After that, the user needs to drill a hole on to the cracked area having a 15-degree downward angle. The user needs to penetrate hole all the way through the leg by using a drill/driver and 3/8-inch drill bit. In case the crack is more than 3 inches, the user can drill two holes with even space in between. - Apply Glue Inside Holes:
Once the holes are drilled, the user needs to saturate them with glue followed by tapping 3/8-inch dowels inside holes that should be far enough to penetrate both sides of the leg with a hammer. The user needs to allow the glue dry overnight before removing tape and clamps from the leg. - Give Finishing Touch:
The last step will be to cut the protruding ends of the dowels with the help of a coping saw followed by smoothening the ends of dowels with a small file. After that, the user needs to color the ends of dowels with a stain marker that should be matching the color of the leg. Apart from that, hairline cracks and nail holes need to be filled with a putty crayon.