Replies

1. 
   random | Jun 18, 2004 04:01am | #1

   Sorry, replacement looks like its needed here. That's an intresting fix may I add. Sand it flush and squre and apply a reversing lag.? Good day David- ogee

1. 
   stjohns | Jun 18, 2004 04:34am | #2

   I see alot of cracks steming around this fix also. "Wheres the wood"? comes to mind. Good luck. (go for new leg!)

2. 
   USANigel | Jun 18, 2004 04:42am | #3

   Does the joint fit together? If so go with the plan you have outlined But find a way to clamp the piece together when you drill.

3. 
   301 | Jun 18, 2004 04:51am | #4

   Return it to the owner and tell him that he has unrealistic expectations.  "Sorry, I can't do what you want...take it somewhere else."  This could easily be one of those circunstances where you will never be able to please him.

4. 
   TomFerreira | Jun 18, 2004 05:01am | #5

   David,

   How about replacing the leg and not telling him you did? If he knowa, your replacement isn't done well. He may be really happy with the replacement but if not, you still have the old leg.

   TDF

5. 
   Lilshaver | Jun 18, 2004 05:03am | #6

   Use some epoxy or even thick super glue to temporarily hold the leg in place and to proper alignment. Then remove the top and bore with as large a bit as you dare. Insert a tight fitting dowel, perhaps even with small wedges top and bottom if the fit warrants it. Use regular wood glue. Cut the dowel off flush and replace the top.

   This repair isn't the end of the earth. You needn't run from it.

6. 
   notDusty | Jun 18, 2004 05:34pm | #7

                         David ,

           We all know there is almost always many ways of doing things , the best choice may be determined by your limitations of tooling or know how. If I was asked to save this original leg to the best of my ability , I would use one of several approaches . My first option would be to cut the leg off at the bead below the break and make a new piece doweled and seamed at the bead on up to the square top . Or make two seams one where the leg turns round below the square top part and the other at the bead below the break. Generally lathe turnings with repairs such as this if done right disappear after finishing. The color looks fairly dark , but try and use wood that is the same or close in color. You can chuck the whole leg and do some sanding to blend in the new seams if needed.

                            good luck                              dusty

7. 
   CStanford | Jun 18, 2004 08:15pm | #8

   I'd almost rather build them a new, six-legged huntboard than fix a problem like the one you described.

   Hat's off to you.

8. 
   MBL | Jun 19, 2004 04:09am | #9

   Dear David,

   You might want to consider straight cross-cutting the leg at two places so that the damage is discarded and replaced by a new turned replacement insert.

   The chopping would best be done at lines where the wood turning changes pattern, say at two valleys.

   You could use two dowels for alignment and reinforcement, centered as per the lahthe, and turn the glued up trilogy for unification and finish detail.

   -mbl-

1. 
   DavidxDoud | Jun 19, 2004 07:34am | #10

   ya... a lot of you want to make this more than it is - - it's not a museum piece,  tho a rather pleasantly proportioned 19th century walnut one drawer - - about 50% larger than common ones - -

    the key,  in my mind,  is that any repair result in the broken leg not jumping out at you from across the room - commonly,  repaired legs are either off plumb or off center,  resulting in obvious  awkwardness from a distance - - the worst of this situation is the hack repair attempt,  which will make getting the leg back to the original relationship very difficult - -

   some good suggestions,  I think my first attempt will be to mate the pieces without removal/replacement of part/all of the leg,  if I can't get it true,  then I'll have to replace at least part of it - -

   personally,  I'd rather have a repair of original,  and the furniture I live with demonstrates that - - a lot of cripples around this house - - about 15 years ago I stopped collecting and repairing antiques (basically the only ones I could afford)  and started building pieces to meet my needs,  in the 'refined country primitive' style I prefer - -

   its been rewarding over the years to return compromised pieces back to respectibility,  I'm confident of getting this one back to attractive functuality (is that a word?)

   thanks to you all,  and thanks to 'Knots' for continuing inspiration - - "there's enough for everyone"

1. 
   sawdustmaker | Jun 19, 2004 04:18pm | #11

   As Dusty said, there are many ways to fix this, do what is comfortable for you. I repair furniture for a large furniture sales company in Michigan. Their main shop has 25 to 30 repairman. You could give this to all of them, and get several satisfactory repairs performed several different ways. It sounds like this is not the first time you have done this. I think you are on the right track.

9. 
   Steinmetz | Jun 21, 2004 11:10pm | #12

   David, If you know a machinist with a large metal cutting lathe, have him chuck the severed pieces (One at a time) and support the turnings with a steadyrest .

   Now, rebore and center it's old hole to a larger and deeper diameter to accept a lengh of dowel ( Use a boring tool' not a drill bit)

   When finished, clean out any shavings and rough splinters and 'dry fit' the three units.   (Note: make sure dowel is shorter in length than the combined borings )

   At this stage you can  apply glue, assemble the whole leg in it's original orientation and chuck the pieces and with the lathe's tailstock rear center tighten up and Let glue dry 'insitu'

   When dry, the glue line and any dents or nicks can be sanded and stained and shellaced (even buffed  with wax )while the machine is under power.

   Steinmetz.

   
   

   ---

   Edited 6/21/2004 4:13 pm ET by steinmetz

1. 
   DavidxDoud | Jun 26, 2004 05:01am | #13

   well,  I finished it today - - here's the finished piece - - turned out this is a secretary,  I didn't realize it till I unscrewed the top and turned it over - - I don't have the top piece here...

   a poor pict,  but it shows the leg not standing out as cripped up..."there's enough for everyone"

   
1. 
   DavidxDoud | Jun 26, 2004 05:04am | #14

   I secured the broken leg with a frame to keep it in proper relationship..."there's enough for everyone"

   
2. 
   DavidxDoud | Jun 26, 2004 05:07am | #15

   countersunk a large hole a couple of inches,  then bored down with a long 3/8" bit to the break,  then on with a 1/4" bit - - welded pieces of two 2/3" lag bolts together to get a 13" long bolt..."there's enough for everyone"

   
1. 
   DavidxDoud | Jun 26, 2004 05:12am | #16

   gooped up the assembly with epoxy,  cranked the assembly together (I had initially cleaned up the hack repair attempt with a dremel so the pieces would seat well) - got a good match,  considering the condition - a little stain,  a coat of shellac,  it's quite presentable...

   caveat emptor - this piece will be on the sale circuit around IN - MI - OH - KY,  you might want to grab it,  only a relative handful of pieces get a personal repair from me ;>)

   edit:  to clean up my latin spelling - - -

   "there's enough for everyone"

   Edited 6/25/2004 10:15 pm ET by David Doud

   
1. 
   sawdustmaker | Jun 27, 2004 03:51pm | #17

   Great job! That welded rod / screw should give it plenty of strength.