First-Aid for Failing Joints
How to tackle common furniture repairs
Synopsis: Even the best joints may not hold up to the abuses of feisty 2-year-olds or careless moving companies, writes Jeff Jewitt, a furniture restorer. After enough time, most furniture will need some sort of repair. He talks here about how to remove fasteners and soften glue joints, how to take apart and rebuild a variety of mortises and tenons, and how to replace dowels. Jewitt addresses dovetails (through, half-blind, and sliding) and how to fix legs. Detailed photographs show how he makes all these repairs.
Well-executed joinery will last a long time, but even the best joints may not hold up to the abuses of feisty 2-yearolds and careless moving companies. After the ravages of time and use, most furniture will need some sort of repair.
Recutting original joinery or replacing an entire part may not be the right course if the furniture is a valuable antique. But if…
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