How to Repair Wooden Chair Joints - Level 1 Woodworking Repair - Furniture Restoration

Repairing wooden chair joints isn't difficult if you know how to do it properly. I run a furniture repair business and I'm showing how to repair a wooden chair the right way. There are many mistakes I've seen over the years, and this demonstration will show you how to avoid making them.
Wooden chair legs become loose over time because of the weight and shifting of people sitting on them. The first step is to turn the chair upside down on a padded surface to protect the chair. Label all the parts so you can reassemble the chair without any issues.
Now you can remove the legs. On casual chairs, theses are attached to the base of the seat. Using a spreader clamp (see link below), start with the front two legs to loosen and lift the legs out of the mortises (holes). A slight circular motion can help if they need additional help to loosen up.
After the front two chair legs are loose, do the same with the back two legs to release the base of the chair. Once it's separated, take apart the loose joints. If there are joints that don't have any movement in them, leave them alone as you could break them if you try to take them apart.
The next step is to clean off the old glue on the chair joints. Clean the tenons (the part that goes into the hole called a mortise) using 120 grit sandpaper, being careful only to remove the old glue and not changing the shape of the tenon. Clean out the mortises using Forstner drill bits (see link below) and a drill. The key here is to run the drill backwards to the bottom of the hole, then run it forwards. This prevents potentially changing the direction of the hole and ruining the mortice joint.
Now you're ready to glue and reassemble the chair. Lay out all the parts so you know exactly where they go as you have to move quickly with wet glue. Apply glue with an artist's brush ensuring to cover the full mortise edge and tenon edges with glue. Assemble the parts. Attach the base to the chair seat, and stand it up on a level surface. Add some weight to the seat to help ensure the chair legs are level and then clamp up the parts. Wipe up any glue that has squeezed out and let it dry according to the directions on your glue bottle.
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LINKS:
Spreader Clamps - amzn.to/2X8xAvo
🇨🇦 Canadian link - amzn.to/3jSpAqW
Forstner Bits - amzn.to/2X0WYCQ
🇨🇦 amzn.to/3nvtDvJ
Blue Masking Tape - amzn.to/38Pk6qG
🇨🇦 amzn.to/3zY9VMm
VIDEO TOPICS:
00:00 How to Repair Wooden Chair Joints
00:37 Why chairs become loose
01:22 Turn over chair on padded work surface
01:56 How to remove chair legs
02:26 Label chair parts before taking them apart
03:16 Use spreader clamps to remove chair base
05:44 Take apart chair base
06:26 Clean old glue off the tenon joints
08:07 Clean old glue off the mortise joints
09:26 Choose the right glue for your chair repair
10:18 How to glue up a chair the right way
11:59 Reassemble the chair
12:31 Clamping the chair
Fixing Furniture is not only a KZbin channel but it's also a membership community. Get access to videos before they're published on KZbin, watch all the videos without ads, get downloadable reference sheets, and participate in Fixing Furniture Live every two weeks. Learn more about membership at www.fixingfurniture.com
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See the tools we use in our workshop and the tools we recommend: www.amazon.com/shop/homeimpro...
🇨🇦 Canadian link - www.amazon.ca/shop/homeimprov...
This video is hosted by Scott Bennett, Owner of Wooden It Be Nice - Furniture Repair in Brooklin, Ontario, Canada. WoodenItBeNice.ca
#Chair #Repair #HowTo

[@ellisc.foleyjr9778]

Another great informative video Scott!. I watch all your video's if for nothing else to have you keep reminding this old guy what to do. we all have a tendency to " let things slip through our minds. " at my age, we call it "Grey matter" and you help me to keep it stirred thank you so much for taking the time to make them and to share. And most times I come away learning something new in the offering.

[@FixingFurniture]

Wow, thank you for sharing that Ellis. I appreciate that. I'm glad to hear you're enjoying our videos.

[@daviddesjardines4740]

Two reactions: First, if your shop was anywhere near me, I'd take my wobbly chairs to you for repair--I know they'd be done right and would last the rest of my life. Second, if you were nearby, I'd be pestering you to take me on as an unpaid intern because you're such a good teacher!

[@dogsrmessy]

Really clear with just the right amount of detail and no pointless chat. I cannot think of anything that would improve this. Keep up the good work.

[@FixingFurniture]

Thank you for the feedback. Much appreciated. Scott

[@DeeTeeOma]

Perfect video for a newbie at fixing furniture. I appreciate your clear instructions and calm way of speaking. Your expertise is something I can count on.

[@c.retana-holguin8318]

I needed to watch this. My Italian friend gave me a chair with the same type of legs. His chair legs sit at an angle and are loose. I feel I now have some background to fix his chair right.

[@jenhartart2]

Just watched a guy making an unadulterated mess of a chair repair on KZbin. Screws to hold the legs to the base, brad's into the stretchers, glue everywhere...and immediately came back to your channel for some calm and sanity. Thank you Scott! I have seen some folk use enormous amounts of glue on their projects and I notice that you only use a small amount and you dont put any on the base of the mortice or the end of the tenon. Clearly this the way to go as there is minimal glue squeeze out and subsequent clean up.

[@dandistefano623]

Thank you so much! I have an early 20th century Windsor chair needing just such a repair. Your tips are invaluable?, priceless?. ..... those are stupid terms. I'll go with super-helpful.

[@FixingFurniture]

You’re welcome. We also have a video showing a Windsor chair repair which may be helpful. Scott

[@wcmoormanjr1970]

This is the most straightforward and clearly demonstrated video I have seen. Details are everything. Love the tips on technique and materials and tools. My dad had a full woodshop and being a child of single mother during 1930 great depression... nothing in our home was wasted or discarded needlessly. We repaired everything.

[@FixingFurniture]

That's a cool story about your Dad. Thanks for sharing that. Scott

[@user-pw5ue5ng4h]

Absolutely perfect for what I needed. The tip on using the reversible clamps to gently lever the legs out of the mortise was a gem. If I hadn't seen this video I know I would have tried to slowly tap them out with a rubber mallet. I was also wondering how I was going to remove the glue from the mortise... solved! Thank you so much for posting this.

[@allisonhodge4576]

I cannot thank you enough for your videos! I receive an older heirloom dining room table and chairs set for a home warming gift and the chairs were older and needed some help! I feel so confident now in repairing them myself! Love from MN 😊

[@gianpaxxapnaig9668]

This guy is badass! A Pro Pro,and he takes totally care of what he does.

[@user-yn5fs3iv5w]

I really appreciate all of your tips, but the one that was new to me was to run the forstner bit in reverse until you are at the bottom of the mortise. That makes sense, but I never thought of it before. Thanks a lot!😊

[@FixingFurniture]

Glad it was helpful! Cheers. Scott

[@a.a.c2171]

This was exactly what I was looking for. My stool keeps breaking and I learned from this that there were several reasons for that. I did not sand the glue off before regluing. I did not spread the glue around the whole surface. And I did not clamp. Oh and someone had repaired it with screws in each joint, so I will be removing those now that I know they weaken the joint. Thank you!

[@Anonymous-it5jw]

I particularly liked the tips on labelling parts, the order of removal and replacement of legs and stretcher, the use of reversible clamps, gluing techniques, effective removal of old glue from the tenons, and the proper use of Forstner bits to remove old glue from the mortises. Great video.

[@ironwood1621]

My wife found an old, white, round table in the trash recently. The table was wobbly as the pieces weren’t tight. After labeling each part I took the table apart, cleaned up the tenons, sanded everything, then glued & clamped the parts together. As the table looks like mahogany I thought I could stain it. The problem was a burn mark on the top and when I tried to sand it out I discovered the top was a very thin veneer and sanded through it. So now it’s being painted white again. I really enjoyed repairing this table. Maybe I can add furniture repair to my woodworking skills.

[@FixingFurniture]

That's a great story Rich. Thank you for sharing that. It sounds like your wife also appreciates your new found skills. Cheer. Scott

[@TheyCallMeMotoLoco]

Awesome video, lots of good tips and info. Repaired one chair yesterday, doing a bench today!

[@FixingFurniture]

Great to hear! I find it encouraging to hear about your success and motivating to keep making videos. Scott

[@aninsidestory]

Thank you! I watched just long enough to be convinced to look for a furniture repair specialist in my area. 😁

[@larsfrandsen2501]

Feedback: I honestly think your videos, business approach and general attitude is a model for others to follow. If I were in the furniture repair business, I would consider your instructional videos a goldmine. For me, repairing furniture and woodwork in general is just a hobby. My dad was a cabinet maker. I feel I bond with his memory through these videos and through my own work in the workshop. So, thank you!

[@Flowergal]

This is exactly what I was looking for! And, I would never have thought to label the legs before taking them apart. Great video and thank you so much!

[@hristos0]

thank you for this video mate. amazing

[@FixingFurniture]

Glad you enjoyed it! Scott

[@mikec.6763]

Scott, I must agree with Mr. Foley's comment as I'm in the same boat. Thank you for sharing your skills.

[@FixingFurniture]

You're welcome Mike. Happy to help. Scott

[@David-qs3cy]

Great video, well done. Now all I got to do is fix my own chairs. As a retired plumber I know it will be challenge, but feel confident after watching and listening to your video. I hope to explore more of your channel. Thanks

[@chrismoore6359]

This was so helpful, informative, and clear! It was a good balance of detail and concision! Thank you!

[@cdouglashall]

I think your presentation was thorough, clear, well-spoken and easy to understand both how and why. I have zero experience in woodworking but I think I can glue the legs on a wooden stool and now I have 2-3 tips from you to help me. I just checked during your video and I can lift the seat of my stool completely off the legs so I believe if I do that, sand it, glue it and set it back down on the hard floor with some weight on it that I can tighten it back up. Currently when I lift the stool by the seat to move it (probably wrong…) the seat loosens. I move it several times a day. It’s mostly a small table and never been used as a stool. I was hoping I could easily fix this myself and your video seems to confirm that this is something I might effectively be able to do. Thank you 🙏

[@jeaniejenkins5828]

Great video ! What I liked about it was that it got straight to the point .

[@FixingFurniture]

Glad you liked it Jeanie. Thanks for the feedback. Scott

[@mprumsey]

Great tips and video

[@larrybundy4643]

Great tips, learned something!

[@user-tf8bf2vh8z]

Like the other comments, really impressive video - just the right pace and refreshing to watch one of these without the hoat trying to stretch it out to a much longer video. One tip request: is there a hack that avoids me buying the clamps - they seem to be quite expensive in the UK

[@FixingFurniture]

No, clamps are an essential tool for repairing furniture. Look to see if there’s a tool lending library in your community or perhaps borrow some from friends/family. Cheers. Scott

[@terminalcitytraining]

Very clear and to the point!

[@Alex_science]

Scott, you are the best!

[@davidlouk8409]

First time viewer. Excellent video! Well thought out and well explained with important details. Getting ready to tackle four chairs myself, so I'm so happy to have found this video. Thanks for a great job.

[@rla26368]

Awesome! I learn something new and helpful every time.

[@MaryLeeDereske]

I have successfully re-glued 4 chairs after faithfully following your video. The solid maple chairs were bought new by my Dad 50+ years ago. I have never done any woodworking and I’m so pleased with how easy you made this for me. However, I am now stymied with the Captain’s chair. The arms need to be re-glued as well as the legs. I don’t know how to remove the wooden plugs covering the screws which connect the arms to the front sides of the seat. The screws connecting the arms to the back of the chair are accessible. Do you have a video covering this aspect??? Thanks.

[@lawrenceralph7481]

Thank you. Very clear. Now I need to decide. Try it myself or find a pro like you.

[@FixingFurniture]

Glad it was helpful!

[@mgillespie8306]

I found this so helpful! Exactly what I needed.

[@andrejohnson9337]

EXACTLY WHAT I WAS LOOKING FOR ❤

[@Gogofam123]

I really have to say , this channel is really a gem . Great work as always

[@michaelfynn3943]

Great, thorough and simply done

[@michaelmartin2609]

Really enjoy your vids. Well paced, precise, and very informative. Now, back to my chair repair...and to do it correctly!

[@carllivesay]

Very clear explanations. Extremely helpful.

[@FixingFurniture]

I'm glad to hear that Carl. Thanks for the feedback and I hope you subscribe. Thanks for your support. Scott

[@kennakada1208]

2:06 pm on February 19. OMG. What a great informative video. It was great to view and so easy to follow and it makes sense. You’re a great woodworker and teacher. I am not an expert in woodworking, but I was able to repair my mother in laws wood chairs that are very similar to those that you repaired. Thank for all of the details about techniques, observations, and advise in the repair. I don’t know if I repaired it as well as you or if I scored any points with my mother in law, but I did enjoy fixing it. Thanks again your video.

[@lizeggar2421]

Very well presented and great little tips along the way.

[@leigh23]

I just picked up 3 chairs down the street for free. All are wobbly to some degree, have nails in the legs, and one is missing a spindle. Learned so much from your videos!! For fixing the backs of the chairs would you follow the same steps as underneath? How would you clamp the back to the seat after gluing? Thank you!!

[@peggysisco9333]

Your a great teacher. You did not put us on overload.Keep up the repair videos.😊

[@fastdonald]

Excellent video! Thanks for sharing your expertise. Very clear, easy to follow and helpful!

[@kaitlinlamtman1167]

thanks helped alot!

[@mhortamhorta]

Love how easily you explain the topic. Wish I had had Woodshop in school; and you'd have made a great teacher.

[@geralddill2455]

Scott, You are an EXCELLENT teacher!!!

[@BruceHildebrand]

I like the clear, methodical approach. And you have a pleasant presentation delivery. My question is how to get a piece of tenon that broke below the edge of the mortise. Just drill it out?

[@russellb5573]

I have an antique (British) Windsor chair that needs its legs fitting back on and some other minor repairs doing to it, after it broke a long time ago. I will follow your instructive videos, when I am ready to have a go at it. Thanks from Manchester UK 🇬🇧

[@metalheadbill]

Thank you, excellent video. This is exactly what I needed to know. I have the exact same clamps and had no idea they could be reversed like that. I have some chairs to fix now.

[@simonh2926]

Useful video, thanks

[@fatersaadatniaki]

Insightful as always Scot

[@FixingFurniture]

Thanks Fater!

[@cynthiaknell9575]

Thank you for your concise chair leg repair instruction. I recently bought 4 vintage maple spindle side chairs; all the joints were loose or completely pulled apart. Now I have the technique to restore them. Many thanks. I'll be watching for more of your videos.

[@kentshrader6616]

Very helpful! Thanks!

[@FixingFurniture]

Glad you liked it Kent. Thanks for sharing that. Scott

[@sheri5694]

Thanks for the clarity and simplicity of your videos. It now seems possible to Repair my chairs.

[@stoveboltlvr3798]

Love your videos and happy to see a new one in my notifications. Keep up the good work!

[@FixingFurniture]

Thanks! Will do! Scott

[@dgordonwilson]

Well done! Exactly what I was looking for! Thank you!

[@FixingFurniture]

Glad it helped! Scott

[@minipoll]

Thank you for excellent video

[@robertrice6679]

I dabble in woodworking from framing on up to finished project to furniture and furniture repair. Absolutely love your videos and have observed the less is more approach you use. Not a lot of tools but good techniques and lots of patience. It helps me to pay better attention and as you say a successful repair is very rewarding in itself!

[@davidahmad2026]

Excellent tutorial! I will research your channel to look for problem/gappy joints to learn how to tackle those!

[@podocrypto6072]

Nice! Helpful.

[@FixingFurniture]

Glad you think so! Thanks

[@brettyoung8328]

Thank You Scott, I appreciate your experience and sharing your knowledge.

[@FixingFurniture]

You're welcome Brett!

[@bobdunn778]

Thank you for your tips I can't wait to use it.

[@FixingFurniture]

Glad it was helpful! Scott

[@scottgillard4695]

Thank You very helpful ! I'm glad I did not just dive in. It's all in the details.😀

[@FixingFurniture]

Glad it was helpful! Scott

[@scatoutdebutter]

Thanks a lot. Just exactly the info I needed to try to fix a small footstool for my dad where the holes are all wobbled out.

[@FixingFurniture]

Glad I could help! Cheers. Scott

[@davec3689]

Well done Scott. Once again you have shown great attention to detail every step of the way.

[@FixingFurniture]

I appreciate that. Thanks. Scott

[@kathrynb2573]

Super video. Very informative! Thank you!

[@FixingFurniture]

You're welcome. Scott

[@gingercontreras8511]

I love your tutorials! I am currently working on a mortise & tenon that was also nailed together at one point. Might you have a video repair on fixing nail damage?

[@debbymichalowski7372]

I needed terms: H-Stretcher, thanks. I instinctively knew screws were bad! I think my trash-find heavy duty oak chair had a fall. The H-Stretcher is broken and the initial repairs by a previous owner included screws, hot glue, and scotch tape! You didn't say what to do if a part is broken or missing.

[@martilanham2101]

VEry helpful, explains everything, thank you

[@FixingFurniture]

Glad it was helpful! Scott

[@jackvalleau6709]

Thanks for the nice informative video!

[@MrJames00744]

What a cool guy! I love the informative, step by step and style this guy teaches. Just the best!

[@FixingFurniture]

Thank you James. I'm glad you enjoy our videos. Scott 🇨🇦

[@mikegreenway7724]

Good video

[@TheKirk48]

Great lesson just what I needed to know.

[@FixingFurniture]

Glad it was helpful! Scott

[@rpc717]

You are the man. Thanks for the information and inspiration!

[@FixingFurniture]

You're welcome. Glad you're enjoying the videos. Scott

[@conniecollins6506]

I love your channel. I have learned so much. Love how you teach. Very understandable.

[@FixingFurniture]

Awesome! Thank you!

[@Granddad92]

Good tips, thanks.

[@FixingFurniture]

Glad it was helpful!

[@joetreloar215]

I appreciate the tip of using a fostner bit to remove glue. I had not seen that trick before.

[@FixingFurniture]

Glad you liked it Joe. Thanks for sharing that. Scott

[@beerhunt9013]

Joe, I am going to Menards tomorrow and buying one of those bits. I will take the chair seat with me also!

[@toddliebenstein4606]

Excellent detail. I am going to do it right this time, ten years later.

[@jill552]

Great video

[@FixingFurniture]

Glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for the encouraging feedback. Scott

[@T.Burroughs-hw6vq]

I learned a lot. Great explanation. I wish I had you as my wood shop teacher :)

[@ericlee5751]

Very clear without any extraneous chatter - I'm using what you taught to fix my dining room chair. Thank you!!

[@FixingFurniture]

Wonderful! Glad you found it helpful. Scott

[@timbenko8340]

Thanks for a well made, and East to follow explaination!

[@FixingFurniture]

Glad it was helpful!

[@aingaeltummers]

Thanks! I have an old chair that was gifted and the legs came loose. Now I'm pretty sure I can fix it.

[@FixingFurniture]

Glad I could help!

[@singerchick3891]

I really enjoy your videos, you are great at explaining things

[@FixingFurniture]

Glad you like them! Thank you. Scott

[@caroltanzi29]

Scott: I always learn tips from you. It really helps me when talking to my clients about a piece of furniture that needs attention in one way or another. A very clear and concise video. Carol from California

[@FixingFurniture]

That is awesome! It's rewarding for me to hear your feedback. Thank you

[@Isabel-belsai]

Thanks for this really clear and instructive video. I'm going to be watching them all, you're a good teacher.

[@FixingFurniture]

Glad you like them Isabel! Thanks for sharing that. Scott

[@orionmec]

Hi Scott, I am a hobby woodworker so I like to watch different videos and techniques. I watched a couple and will watch more. Nice job. Thank you.

[@FixingFurniture]

Awesome, thank you Mark!

[@nayanThaker]

Scott, do you have a video on how I can upholster the seat on one of these chairs?

[@mikeamboy7292]

Great video with lots of tips!! I have been building furniture for decades, only have repaired occasionally. I learned several things from this video.

[@FixingFurniture]

That is awesome! I hope you subscribe to our channel.. Scott

[@johnhall1956]

Thanks mate! No BS, just good information.

[@FixingFurniture]

You're welcome John. I'm glad you appreciate my approach. Cheers. Scott

[@bobwalkup3808]

A great presentation as always 👍 I watched this one with my family so they can see what I do at work.

[@FixingFurniture]

Oh, that's cool! I'm sure they have new appreciation for what you do. Thanks for sharing that Bob!

[@slygo98]

cool !!! I like the way you present this video, it is very easy to understand & useful Thank you.

[@FixingFurniture]

Glad it was helpful! Thanks for sharing that. Scott

[@Lic.en.derecho]

I didn"t know carpenter's glue was so strong...to hold a chair and humans weight...wow ❤.thank you for this great video ❤

[@michaelpage7691]

I had to do six of this style of chair but someone had screwed legs into the legs., causing splitting. It took me days of work repairing the damage done by the screws. After resetting and gluing the spindles the chairs were solid. As has been stated…. D0 N0T use screws. Great video. Thanks. 👍🏻🇦🇺😁

[@FixingFurniture]

Good example, but sorry to hear you had to work through that. I've learned to talk with customers up front when I price their repair stating "provided no one has tried to repair it before". Sometimes it can take just as long to undo a bad repair as it would take to do the repair the first time. Thanks for sharing your story Michael! Scott

[@bobsnow1996]

I'm in the process of repairing a Kitchen chair... I have turn a new piece because the stub going into the chair has broken off completely. Good information taking out legs and on gluing up the chair.

[@mariushegli]

I have nothing to say really, but I appreciate your content, and wish to help with the yt-algorithms.

[@FixingFurniture]

Thanks Marius! Scott

[@charlietroell6914]

Great video. Nice and clear descriptions of the process. I really liked the tip about how you use the Forstner bits to clean out the glue.

[@FixingFurniture]

Glad it was helpful! Thanks for sharing that Charlie. Scott

[@lancemumford3106]

I enjoyed the video. I like your advice about not putting screws through the tenon as a quick fix. Thanks.

[@FixingFurniture]

You're welcome. I'm gad you found that helpful. Thanks for sharing that Lance.