Replies

1. 
   mlbfreestyle | Nov 19, 2004 08:37pm | #1

   If indeed this leg broke along a grain line, then no biscuits or other "aids" should be needed.  Has this sitting in a broken state for very long?  If so, the surfaces may be contaminated, which might impare the glue bond.  If there are any obvious signs of grease or other junk that might prevent glue absorption, then it might need to be cleaned.  I can imagine that the surface is fairly rough however, due to the way wood would normally break along a grain line.

   As far as brand is concerned; not a big deal.  I would use any decent wood-working glue, such as "Tite-bond".  For this application, I would not waste my money on anything else.  Most glues will produce a bond as strong as the wood itself.

   It sounds like this failed because of the diagonal grain.  Don't think that some special glue or technique will fix the problem for good.  If the grain is not straight, then the leg will never achieve the strength it could have, had someone done a better job of selecting for proper grain orientation.

   Test-fit the peices dry with your clamps, then dis-assemble and glue up.  Adequate wetting and a precise fit will be the keys here.

1. 
   roxanna | Nov 20, 2004 12:13am | #3

   thanks for the information!  the table has been sitting in this state for about 6 months, and is not grubby -- the break is so clean that there is no splintering at all along the surfaces.  oddly, the surface is really smooth.  looks almost as if it had been sawn on purpose on the diagonal....

   thanks for hint as to type of glue, also.

   got this little table in settling my parents' estate a couple of years ago and used it until we had a new hardwood floor installed in that room.  when i moved it, i admit to forcing it a bit too much in sliding it into its temporary location.  didn't realize i had snapped the leg until i was restoring it in place.  (it was the sudden tilt that gave it away, i recall...<g>) ...my own stupid fault.

   if i am successful in fixing this, i shall be more careful how i move it around!  thanks again.

1. 
   MPHarper | Nov 20, 2004 02:22am | #5

   If the glue fix isn't strong enough and you worry that the smoothe srfaces might allow it to fail again you can drill through the wood perpendicular to the break after its glued and glue in a dowel this will help hold the two parts together when its put under stress.  If you use a wood and stain that matches the color of the leg you won't notice the dowel unless you look for it.

1. 
   roxanna | Nov 20, 2004 03:51am | #7

   brilliant idea.  i would never have thought of it, not being a woodworker.  the surfaces are so smooth that i think they would slip when i applied pressure.  thanks!

2. 
   MPHarper | Nov 19, 2004 10:20pm | #2

   After you glue it wrap the leg with a strap of some sort to help apply pressure along the entire length of the split, similar to lashing it together, this applies even pressure along the entire length so the while fix is strong.  and old inner tube or bike tire would be great because you can stretch it and get extrat "clamping pressure" or a nylon strap would work well too.

    

1. 
   roxanna | Nov 20, 2004 12:15am | #4

   thanks for the clamping hints.  would never have thought of old bike tires/inner tubes!

3. 
   byhammerandhand | Nov 20, 2004 03:20am | #6

   The other technique is to use masking tape to position the two pieces together.  Then from an inconspicuous spot, drill a hole through the break into both pieces.  Remove the tape, add your glue and insert a brad into the hole before clamping.  It keeps the pieces in good alignment and they won't slide when pressure is applied.  Remove the brad and fill the hole when the glue is dried.

1. 
   roxanna | Nov 20, 2004 03:52am | #8

   another terrific idea!  i knew this was the place to come for advice.  thanks so much!