How do I strengthen old wooden bentwood chairs?
by C.S
+13
I have several old bentwood chairs and they are all creaky and wobbly. Some worse than others. I originally thought it would be easy to just strengthen them with something from the local hardware shop but after looking and searching i don't think it's as easy as it sounds. I was hoping for a quick easy solution. Any ideas?
Hello. My easy solution for wonky old chairs was some acrylic nail powder and superglue. Placed on doweled cracks seams this tightened all the loosened joints on the underside of the chairs. It was an invisible and structual repair.
My husband said I wasted money on thrift store chairs and they have been serviceable for about 15+ years. Perhaps you can consider trying this technique with some on-hand powder that doesn't dissolve and superglue to assist your problem.
C.S.,
Acrylic nail powder is a product that used by nail salons. It is put on artificial nails instead of regular nail polish as it is dries quickly to a very hard durable finish.
https://www.glamandglits.com/blog/everything-you-need-to-know-about-acrylic-powder-/
I would not expect staff at a hardware store to be familiar with this product.
Hello,
Use WD-40 on the Screw fixings if they are stiff, and then tighten them up!.
Very often the glue that was used is old, cracked an/or missing. Regluing them is important and tightening any joints/screws. Here's a link on regluing:
https://www.familyhandyman.com/project/fix-a-wobbly-chair-reglue-a-wooden-chair/
Find the exact places or joints that are wobbly. You may just need to re-glue them.
Have you tried regluing the joints? You can get a glue injecting kit that works wonders.
I'm thinking that disassembly and re-glue is best option. I did that with an old stool base and added a top since it didn't have one.
These are lovely! here is info for you
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VUnXe1MBlDM
Here are some good tips: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m2dpo3q7JPU
Looks like somebody tried a repair with nuts and bolts. That's good for keeping two mating joints together but there will still be movement. Best solution is to take them apart, clean any glue off, and reglue with wood glue. Clamp the joints until the glue dries. Any loose joints can be filled with scraps of wood, toothpicks, or golf tees.
https://www.hometalk.com/diy/repair/furniture/home-maintenance-and-repair-caring-for-your-wood-26886697
HOW TO STABILIZE / REINFORCE DINING CHAIRShttps://realitydaydream.com/how-to-stabilize-reinforce-dining-chairs/
Home Maintenance and Repair- Caring for Your Wood
Those bentwood chairs are wonderful. Bentwood chairs were originally built to be held together by the seat/front legs/round base stretcher with 6 screws. Looks like your chairs have been fixed with new screws that are too large for a tight fit---or the screw holes got larger from wear over time. Some very old Bentwoods were originally built with nuts inside the front legs to keep the legs tight, so you may need to use new bolts/nuts since the holes are through & through. Keep looking for a good fitting screw and use an epoxy wood glue (like Loctite Epoxy Quick Set) in those screw holes for a good tight fit. I would also brown paint the screws/nuts/bolts to keep them from showing up as much. Good luck!
Hey thanks so much everyone. I will look into these suggestions and get onto it. It doesn't seem such a job with all your wonderful suggestions. Thanks again!
w40 will for sure help and then tighten screws