How to Fix Your Furniture Spindle

Fix Handyman — Sun, 05 Sep 2010 23:14:09 +0000

Loose Spindles.

When your wood furniture is loose and your wooden dowel seems to move around too generously, you know that it's time to tighten up the loose ends and make sure that your furniture spindle won't suddenly go flying off in the right direction. Luckily, wooden chairs and tables that have been put together with dowels and spindles are actually very easy to repair: that is, if you know what you're doing. By the time you're done reading this article, you will.

The first thing you'll need to do - and this is the case in many around-the-home repairs - is actually to take your furniture apart. Don't worry; this is the point. If you don't take the spindle out of the dowel socket and retreat it, you wouldn't be able to fix much. Remove the spindle from the furniture socket and take a look at the edge. In all likelihood, the point of the spindle has seen its glue worn off, which explains why it has become loose. It's time to use a tool to remove the glue that remains. If you have a power drill, you should be able to use a grater-like tool in order to do this. Failing that, try some sandpaper.

Now that the wood is exposed, dry without the glue, and you will be able to re-treat the end of the spindle. Apply some basic glue to one side of the spindle, making sure to wrap silk thread around the entire area - don't try to puncture the glue. The thread will help expand the radius of the spindle, keeping it tight once the glue sets.

Once the spindle is ready, apply some more to the tip, and then on the inside of the socket. Slide the spindle into the socket, and then set the entire thing aside (with a clamp if you have one) so that it can dry - usually, you'll want to let wood set overnight. Once the glue is dry, take out the furniture and see how stable it seems. If it's still a little loose, you may need the glue to dry a bit longer. Another possibility is that there is another spindle that needs fixing.

Now that you've fixed your spindle, however, there's a good probability that the chair will feel good as new. Now if you ever come across another piece of furniture that has lost its sturdiness, you'll know just what to do with the spindle.

Photo Credits: jek in the box

Originally posted 2009-08-19 03:30:19.

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How to Fix Your Furniture Spindle