Expert: Eileen Cronk - 1/10/2006

Question
We have six oak chairs, approx. 30 yrs old.  The legs keep coming apart-the "spindles" won't stay in the holes etc.  We've tried sanding, wood glue, gorilla glue, nails--but they still come apart

Answer
Hi Jan
Nice to hear from you.
Oh this can be a miserable problem.
Now what I am going to suggest is unorthadox to say the least but I know it works because a few years back I made this "fix" on my own chairs and the spindles have stayed put since.
Like your chairs mine were only about 25 years old so we are not messing with valuable antiques. I would never do this to an antique chair.
First off, glue and clamp the chairs back together (again LOL)and let dry.
Now you will need a drill bit for a #8 wood screw.
Next you will drill a pilot hole through the leg and drill into the spindle.
So you will be going through the leg and entering the end of the spindle.
Now this will take a very straight eye and perhaps someone to help because you must penetrate the centre of the end of the spindle but I did it sucessfully on 6 chairs.
You will want to counter sink the hole then screw in a #8 2 1/2 to 3 inch screw depending on how thick the chair leg is. You will want to penetrate the end of the spindle at least an inch and a half with the screw.
Then fill the counter sunk screw head with a colored filler to match the chair.
Your chairs are now fixed forever.
And if this is not 100% clear I could make a diagram and send to you but I will require your email addy.
Good Luck
Eileen