Tips on how to fix gaps in old school desk
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Wood filler will do it. Can get from Home Depot. Or if you have cracks can use wood glue for that. Minwax makes a wood filler.
You will probably need to take it apart and put it back together using wood glue & clamps. If you have a spot that doesn’t want to go together very well, you can take a rubber mallet to pound the pieces back into place and then clamp the glued pieces together until dry.
Danielle has got it. Wood filler will just pop out. I'm surprised that it isn't wonky being loose with the gaps.
if you can put glue on toothpicks and stick it into the hole alongside the post. Will usually tighten it up well without taking it apart.
Just use wood glue in the areas that are loose. My favorite is Gorilla Glue for wood, do one at a time using vices/clamps until the glue dries.
O.K. I can understand your concern.. There is always the possibility something that won't come loose or break in the process of dismantling. As an advanced woodworker this would not be a problem for me. This is a solution that may make things easier for you. I have done this process many times. Make sure you have wood glue, damp cloth and sponge. A drill bit with a 1/8" bit, a hammer, wood putty, stiff putty knife or butter knife, some 6d finish nails, metal cutting pliers, clamps or rope. Use the putty/butter knife and pry the gaps open. Squeeze some glue in the joints and push them together or cover the spot with a cloth and hammer the gaps closed. Clamp the joints together or wrap the a rope twice around the joints and use something to twist the rope as a band clamp to close the joints. Use a damp cloth or sponge and wipe off any glue squeeze out. Now to keep the joints from opening back up. I know you didn't want to nail. But drill a hole on the side of the joint making sure you go through a dowel in the joint. Drive a finish nail into the hole through the dowel joint. Cut the excess nail with the cutters. Countersink the nail and fill with wood putty. Hope this helps.
Definitely post the project when you do it. Have any questions just ask.
If there is a gap in the bad repair try squeezing some glue in it and pulling it together to close the gap. They probably used a nail but no glue. Also check if the nail they used went through the leg and dowel. You could do another nail or just glue it. Once you secure everything else it should not be a problem as long as the gap is glued and tight.
I agree with William, that you just need to pry it apart enough to get some glue on the dowels and then clamp it until the joints close up. If the old nail is preventing that, you may find it easier and cleaner/ less visible damage to push it thru than to try to dig it out (you can use a nail set or another finish nail, but put the little dimpled head in to catch the head of the other nail- hammer the pointed end before you start and it will be enough to hammer it through). I hesitate to use any nail in old wood as I once heard that that nail is so strong that it will prevent the natural expansion and give n take of wood and actually result in another break if the joint is stressed. Set it upright before you let the glue dry to make sure it is not racked / sits squarely on the floor so that you can adjust it before it dries. Have fun.
If I can...if idk though...Google makes me a superstar! Lol! Oh Omniscient one!!