Expert: Eileen Cronk - 12/12/2006

Question
eileen....i have been given a childs`chair to repair. it has a broken dowel that connects the outer end of the arm to the seat.this part is not a problem.in order to fix this part,i have to remove the arm from the backrest.the arm has a tenon where it connects to the backrest.i`m sure the tenon is glued into the backrest..can the glue be heated to break the bond so the arm can be removed without breaking the tenon? any other ideas you have would be greatly appreciated....thank you....jim

Answer
Hi Jim
Nice to hear from you.
Yes the glue joint can be taken apart without breaking the tenon.
And with this being a small chair it makes it easier.
Warm white vinegar will soften the glue joint.
Get a cup or two of vinegar hot. Get a couple of old terry cloth towels. Dip the towels in the hot vinegar and wrap around the area to be loosened. And around the backrest area where its joined too.
Keep changing the towels as they cool and keep the vinegar hot too.
This could take as long as a half hour but eventually it should soften as the vinegar penetrates into the joint site.
And also Jim, its been my experience that often a small nail was applied as well as gluing these joints. Really look closely as it will be hard to spot. Could be under or at the side of the join. The hidden nails can cause breakage too.
Good Luck
Eileen