Chairs can easily become damaged when we use them a lot. Chairs aren’t just sat on, they’re stood on, lifted, leaned on, and dragged. It’s no wonder then, that chairs need to be repaired from time to time.

The good news is that it’s relatively easy to learn how to repair a wooden chair. In fact, this article shows you just that.

Using Different Types of Adhesives

You may need to use different types of adhesives depending on the kind of repair you’re doing.

• PVA glue – This is one of the most common types of glue that is used in woodworking. Also known as carpenter’s glue, it’s water-based and easy to use.
• Epoxy – Epoxy is a type of adhesive that will stick to just about any surface. It is also used to fill in voids in wood. You will need to know how to remove adhesive from wood if you use epoxy, but it’s easy when you know how.
• Polyurethane glue – This is the type of adhesive that you’ll need to use if you are repairing or building outdoor furniture.

As you can see, there are a few different types of adhesives to use. Make sure you always have the type of adhesive you need before you start repairing your chair. This will ensure you can get the job done a lot quicker, in addition to this, the right adhesive can make the repair more successful.

Applying Glue

One of the best methods you can use when applying glue is to spread it evenly. Rather than squeezing the glue into a hole, apply it to the tenon (the piece that goes into the hole). This will ensure the repair is much more successful. The glue is a lot less likely to come out of the hole (mortise) this way, and the bond will be much greater.

Repairing Loose Chair Parts

If you come across a tenon that is loose, you should either make the tenon thicker or use some epoxy. Please note, adding epoxy will only make a temporary repair. Instead, consider adding a thick shaving of wood to the tenon. Glue the shaving in place and remove any excess wood while the glue is still wet. Be sure to remove any excess glue before it has a chance to dry.

Reinforcing Loose Chair Parts

If you are unable to repair a chair part using some glue, you may need to reinforce it. You can simply attach an extra piece of wood to the loose part in order to make it stronger. Please make sure that the surface you’re sticking the new piece of wood to is clean. You may need to remove the varnish first. This will help any adhesive that you use to stick. Be sure to remove any old glue that you come across too as it can impact the repair.

If the repair that you make is not sufficient, you may want to consider replacing the damaged part of the chair. This is a good technique to use if you want to keep the chair. If the chair has no meaning to you, it may be worth replacing it. Bear in mind that if you want to throw the chair away, it will end up in a landfill. You may, therefore, wish to donate it to a charity that can repair the chair before selling it.

Repairing wooden chairs can be easier than you think. Just make sure that you have all of the tools you need before you start. When you have everything you need, the job is less likely to take a lot of time.