View Full Version : How do I fix this..
russ57
7th July 2018, 06:30 PM
I'm repairing this child's rocker.
I bought it new, hand made, about 20 years ago, so it has a little sentimental value, but probably not much real value. I just like fixing things..
The first photo is the chair to show the style, I have all the spindles (?) loose to reglue.
The second shows the main broken bit.
Any suggestions? I don't want to make a new spindle although that is probably what it needs
The tenons around that arm have also broken, I plan on inserting dowels.
Thanks!
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20180707/3560a927163e360fb9e8558d2e42c312.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20180707/7982bfa6e3a7e2f9dde8c8c20a3bae16.jpg
Russ
Bendigo Bob
7th July 2018, 06:42 PM
Looks liek papa bear sat in that chair :)
Yes, for looks a new spindle looks best, but if you are willing to compromise, and keep as much fo the original as possible, doing some cutting and judicious gluing and shaping would kind of scarf in the material needed there. Provided you find some timber the same that is, Tassy Oak?
russ57
7th July 2018, 07:12 PM
Pretty sure it is.
That narrows it down to what, a dozen or so possible species [emoji23]
So cut the break 'square', glue in a new piece and shape?
Sounds like a good learning exercise [emoji16]
Russ
auscab
7th July 2018, 08:42 PM
So cut the break 'square', glue in a new piece and shape?
Russ
like Bendigo Bob said .
Not a square cut but a scarf join with epoxy. https://www.glen-l.com/supplies/pxman-apscarf.html
You could then re turn the right size end on it if you have a lathe .
Have you got a lathe ?
Rob
russ57
7th July 2018, 10:48 PM
I do, a 9x20 metal 'ready for action' and a really basic wood lathe hiding at the back of the bench...
that article suggested a scarf over 1:12 - what would be the shortest I could get away with.?
I will see if I have a bit of dowel about the right size.
Sounds like a plan.
Thanks
Russ
auscab
8th July 2018, 12:38 AM
Shortest would be over two inches , any longer would be better.
I sometimes get chairs that need new lower stretcher rails but the rest of the chair wont come apart to install a replacement rail . Sometimes its because all the other joints are not loose . And the client isn't going to pay to steam the lot apart . Or it could be because the joints are all tight and its an upholstered chair. A new rail with a tenon at both ends and a long scarf joint is a great way of solving the problem . With a good colour job and patina job over that to match it cant be seen .
The only hard thing with your chair is because of its spray job and not much patina , you cant really disguise the repairs as easy . The up side is you will be able to sit back and admire your handy work in saving it.
Rob
burraboy
8th July 2018, 07:00 AM
I'd take a different approach, especially if you've got a metal lathe.
Cut the broken piece off square at the break and then onto the metal lathe to turn the lowest remaining section parallel so it becomes a tenon the same size as your sticking up dowel. With a suitable replacement piece of timber, the same length of the section that needs to be replaced, turn it basically round on the wood lathe and then bore a hole through it on the metal lathe to accommodate that sticking up dowel on one end and the tenon you have turned on the other. Then back onto the wood lathe to replicate the external profile. (Make up a simple suitable drive centre to fit the piece onto your headstock and a live tailstock centre.)
Apart from differences in finishing, patina etc the only joint in the repair is hidden in that constriction in the profile.