Repairing a piece of furniture may seem intimidating, but with the right knowledge it’s a great DIY project to tackle. Learn the basic steps of how to repair a broken piece of furniture.
I’m working on a piecrust table with very loose parts. There are a few broken pieces that need to be glued back together and the legs need to be re-glued. The first step is to label all the parts. Then I take it apart.
For a broken dowel, I drill a pilot hole and then drive in a screw. This allows me to use a hammer to pull out the dowel. For more advanced techniques to remove broken dowels see our video that shows that in detail https://youtu.be/Yk-1Th3jmlE
The next step is glue the broken parts back together. These pieces were saved by the customer, which was smart, because they can be glued back together again with PVA glue (aka carpenter’s glue or yellow glue). It’s important to spread the glue on both parts to ensure there’s enough glue. They also need to be clamped together to make sure the glue bonds properly.
While the glue dries on the broken parts, it’s time to clean the glue off the dowels in in the holes (called mortises). Cleaning off the glue is important as new glue won’t stick to old glue. Use 120 grit sandpaper to remove the glue on the dowels. Use a drill bit the same size as the holes to clean glue out of them – start by drilling backwards into the hole to get to the bottom, then drill forwards to clean out the hole.
Once all the old glue is cleaned off, it’s time to glue and clamp everything back together. I apply glue with an artist’s brush so I can get glue on the side walls of the holes and on the dowels. It’s a mistake to squeeze a bit of glue into the hole and hope for the best results. I use trigger clamps with pads on them as they’re the easiest to use for furniture repairs.
I hope you found this useful. We have more videos that teach about furniture repairs. Subscribe to get notified when we publish new videos.
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RELATED VIDEOS:
Types of Wood Glue https://youtu.be/aRYNAlbBDUg
How to Remove Broken Dowels https://youtu.be/Yk-1Th3jmlE
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This video is hosted by Scott Bennett, Owner of Wooden It Be Nice – Furniture Repair in Brooklin, Ontario, Canada. https://WoodenItBeNice.ca
#DIY #Broken #Furniture
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Good to see your post this morning. Like getting a visit from an dear friend.
Great repair all the way through Scott. the only question comes to mind are the dowels at the bottom of the legs going into each "ring" piece. did or does the ring provide Pressure to each for drying time? or are you hoping the fits are tight enough? thanks for sharing ECF.
Hi Scott thanks for the quick response. I understand the concept , was wondering why you did not put any pressure on the joints of the rings and legs. to "push" them together more? or were you relying on the fact they were tight to start with? I didn't see where the screws to the top wouild apply side pressure to the leg/dowel joint? so was curious of your mind set there. Thanks again for a great video and for quick response. ECF
"The last thing you want to do is drive a screw through the tabletop [with an impact driver]." Yeah; just the thought of that made me cringe. 😬
I always look forward to seeing your latest content Scott. Good to see that you've hit 50k subscribers.
Thanks Scott for the definitive answer. The strap was the thought that entered my mind, and I was curiuos why you didn't try that. maybe I should have just asked you that question first! my bad. Hey! I'm old I'm allowed that! Thanks again for the answer and taking the time to reply in full concert that is appreicated I know you are busy. again Thanks for sharing and responding. ECF
Scott: enjoyed your video. I always learn another little tip that helps me understand the building and repairing of a piece of furniture. The table is a sweet one. Thank you. Carol from California
Thanks for your precious advices
Thank you for sharing your great work. Prayers for you to reach your goal v v soon
Good as new again!.
I have nothing to say really, but I appreciate your content, and wish to help with the yt-algorithms.
I would like to fix some dining room chairs for my parents. Some joints are very loose, but not all of them. My problem is I'm kind of scared to break something when taking them apart to fix them. I think all of the joints are dowels. I was thinking of using the clamps to push the joints apart and maybe try some vinegar on the solid glue joints. Am I thinking correctly?
your method is always easy to follow altho it is dissimilar to mine. I can repair most any furniture but lack the knowledge and skill to match the finishes
Could you use a band strap,instead of clamps?
Another great repair Mr Scott.
I kind of always find rusted screws in my repairs/restorations and struggle to take them out and sometimes damage the screw holes and then repair them. Do you have specific videos about only screws?
I love the style of this old table. Thanks for showing us how you gave it renewed life.
Great job, Scott. The fence post pliers trick is awesome.
I get the feeling this isn’t your first rodeo. Well done!
I believe you should have half a million subscribers. I am sure you will get there
Great video. Thanks for the tip about putting the screws back in by hand and not using the driver. As you said these pieces are delicate and you don't want to take a chance and maybe damage them.
Fabulous as always! great video! Always learn something new from your videos. Thanks.
Another great job, have a nice day !!!.
Scotty, fantastic video. Also, love ur shirt! 😄
so i am curious why you didn't let the glue dry with the table upright and weight on the top like you would with a chair?
I have a question sir!!
If I use screw or nail on the joint there is no need to clamp the joint ???
Really appreciate!
Can you make a video on wood bending? Through steam or something elese to bend the wood
Question- why did you only screw the apron back on rather than adding glue and bonding the apron to the bottom of the table? Thank you!
How do I repair a loose kitchen table leg with a screw holding it.
Its great to see one of your video again scott
Hey, i hope you can answer my question: what can i use to remove old glue out of broken chair,the chair is not glued properly?! And I can’t break it from the same old cracked place, because the glue is strong☹️
I fix furniture as a hobby and to make some spare change. This is some of what I've learnt from you so far. Hoe to pull out nails by drilling holes on either side then using pliers to extract the nail, using wedges and spreader clamps to pull apart joints and labelling everything with tape before pulling things apart. Thanks a lot. I'll keep watching and learning
Great job Scott
Love watching your work although on this piece you called it a Antique they didn't have Phillips head screws didn't look like slotted screws if a Antique then screws should be changed to be period if I,m wrong and they were slotted I apologise
Furniture Restoration guy Qld Australia 🇦🇺
A satisfying repair of that attractive piecrust table.
Настоящий мастер и педагог.молодец.
Hi Scott, I'm working on refinishing a small table with a round lipped top. This is a piece that I want to stain and clear coat vs paint. The top section is basically 4 boards that had been joined together when made, and then routed to round the outer edge. Between two of the boards at the one end there is a gap, likely from some kind of liquid damage, and there is some wood shrinkage as a result which created the gap, which is just a hair wider than 1/16" at the outer edge (widest point in the gap). The other end of that seam between the same two boards is still together and tight. How would you suggest I repair this? I'm a little leery of trying to fully separate the board where the gap is for fear of damaging them, and what would I do anyway? Sand out wood back past the gap to get the two sides even again, then reglue? Or should I just use wood filler to fill in the gap, re-sand, and then stain? I think I will try to see how it would clamp together, an if it gets pretty tight, then I can just use glue and clamps, but somewhat concerned it won't clamp together tight enough. Any thoughts or ideas appreciated! BC