Tips on how to fix gaps in old school desk

I need some tips on how to tighten up most of the places on this old desk where the pieces join. I REALLY don’t want to have to nail anything and have nails showing since it doesn’t have any visible now! I took pictures of a few of the places I’m talking about. HELP PLEASE!
  10 answers
  • Rowgop (Pam) Rowgop (Pam) on Nov 12, 2017

    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.

  • Danielle Whatsittoyou Danielle Whatsittoyou on Nov 12, 2017

    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.


    • See 4 previous
    • Jessica Anne Haley Jessica Anne Haley on Nov 25, 2017

      Thanks. I’m just getting a bit of a slow down in life to get back to this. I’m gonna have to regroup and get my thoughts back to it but its taken apart and I have so many pictures that anyone could get it back together so I think it’s gonna be ok! I probably will have a question or 2nd guess something and want to verify so if you really don’t mind I just might be asking for even more help.

  • William William on Nov 12, 2017

    Danielle has got it. Wood filler will just pop out. I'm surprised that it isn't wonky being loose with the gaps.

    • Jessica Anne Haley Jessica Anne Haley on Nov 12, 2017

      William if you don’t mind would you go look at the reply from me on Danielle‘s answer an give me your opinion as well. I’m a little nervous about this lol.

  • Cin27718978 Cin27718978 on Nov 12, 2017

    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.

  • Cindy Hagemann Cindy Hagemann on Nov 12, 2017

    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.

  • William William on Nov 12, 2017

    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.

    • Jessica Anne Haley Jessica Anne Haley on Nov 12, 2017

      You are my hero. Gonna make a shopping list and Print this so I have the step by step at my fingertips and give this a try this week. Thank you so much for taking the time to type all this out for me. If I pull this off I think I will even write a post about this project so prepare to be praised. With your step by step I am feeling pretty confident!

  • William William on Nov 12, 2017

    Definitely post the project when you do it. Have any questions just ask.

    • Jessica Anne Haley Jessica Anne Haley on Nov 13, 2017

      I must have overdone it in the yard yesterda. Fell asleep before 8. Wide awake I come in the garage to look at the desk. I grabbed a sanding sponge and started...I don’t know that I would call it working on the desk since it was more mindless looking and a few let me get that corner there or whatever. I was sitting behind It and ran the block along the long piece on the left that becomes the left back leg and this is what caught my eye. Someone has already done a not so great repair and used the nail as well. Uh oh! So it’s not a big deal as long as I can secure things up and it’s not wobbly or doesn’t sit right and that kind of thing. Can this repair be undone and corrected or will I be doing doing my best to fix the other areas and hoping for the best.

  • William William on Nov 13, 2017

    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.

  • Kelly Kelly on Nov 18, 2017

    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.

  • Danielle Whatsittoyou Danielle Whatsittoyou on Nov 25, 2017

    If I can...if idk though...Google makes me a superstar! Lol! Oh Omniscient one!!