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A broken chair rung or stretcher can sometimes be repaired without taking apart the rest of the chair—provided its other joints are still tight. The method uses a spring-loaded dowel to bridge the damaged joint while glue sets.
When this repair is appropriate
This approach is for a broken rung in a chair back or a stretcher between the legs when the chair’s remaining joints are sound and tight. It is not a repair method for machine-tool spindles. If other joints are loose or the damaged area cannot be fitted securely, this procedure may not address the wider problem.
What you need
- The original rung, if it can be repaired, or a replacement part shaped to fit.
- A 2-inch-long wooden dowel.
- A ballpoint-pen spring.
- Glue.
- A drill and a 1/4-inch bit.
The source does not specify the glue type, dowel wood species, or spring dimensions. Check that the dowel fits the drilled hole and the chair joint; do not assume a particular material or adhesive is required.
How to fit the spring-loaded dowel
- Prepare the rung. Repair the broken part if possible, or make a replacement. If needed, shorten one tenon—the projecting end that fits into the chair joint—so you can maneuver the rung into its original position.
- Drill the shortened tenon. In its center, drill a 1/4-inch hole deep enough to hold both the 2-inch dowel and the ballpoint-pen spring.
- Drill the chair joint. Bore a 1/4-inch hole at least 1/2 inch deep in the middle of the plugged spindle hole.
- Glue and install. Apply glue to both ends of the rung, then slip it back into place. The spring presses the dowel into position as the glue sets.
How the repair works
The spring keeps the dowel pushed into the receiving hole while the glued rung is in place. WOOD Magazine’s October 17, 2017 article quotes contributor Earl W. Zieg: “The spring will push the dowel into place and, when the glue sets, the dowel will make the repair permanent.” The method avoids dismantling the chair when the other joints remain tight.
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#1 Best Overall
Unfinished Oak Spindle for Chair | Unstained Wood Spindle, Unpainted Wooden Spindles for Crafts, Wooden Chair Part for Furniture Repair | CP4-O
- Dimensions: 11 1/4" Long; 7/8" Maximum Diameter; 3/8" Tenon Diameter.
- This wooden spindle is made of unfinished oak and can be painted or stained the way you want.
- The package contains one spindle.
- This wood spindle can be used to replace an old worn-out or broken spindle on an antique chair.
- It is a nice part for completing an antique furniture restoration or woodworking project.
For the dimensions and original procedure, see WOOD Magazine’s “Easy spindle repair saves disassembly”.
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Wicker Repair Kit, Wicker Chair Rattan Repair Kit for Outdoor Patio Wicker Furniture, Wicker Weaving Tool Stainless Steel
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- Safe and Durable: The rattan repair tool is made of high-quality stainless steel with smooth edges and tips, which will not scratch your hands and break the wicker.
- Comfortable to Use: The curved design at the end of the braided tool makes your repair work easier, and the handle is covered with a silicone sleeve to help you better grip this tool and have a more comfortable grip.
- Size: 18cm x 3cm (7.09 inches x 1.2 inches)
- Service: If you have any questions about this product, please contact us and we will respond within 24 hours.
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AuRiver 8 PCS Furniture Rocking Chair Bearing Connecting Piece Rocking Chair Bearing Screws Bolts Kits Furniture Connecting Accessories (M8 x 55 mm)
- !!! Warm Tips ️: Please make sure the size in the picture matches your blinds to avoid wasting your precious time and causing size problems and return. We appreciate your careful ordering. Material: the rocking chair bearing made of high-quality metal materials, stable and not easy to fall off.
- The Size of M8*55MM: 2.2 x 2.2 x 5.5 cm / 0.87 x 0.87 x 2.17 inches. The Size of M8*45MM: 2.2 x 2.2 x 4.5 cm / 0.87 x 0.87 x 1.77 inches. Please check the size picture to see if the size fits your rocking chair before buying.
- Features: Perfect to replace the old bearing, prolong your furniture life. Small Bearing play a big role in furniture, simple but practical.
- Applications: Rocking chair bearings, rocking chair accessories, a wide range of applications.
- Package include: one bearing, one large flat washer, two small flat washer, one cap nut.
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13 Pcs Rattan Cane Webbing Repair Kit with Tools for Home DIY
- All-in-One Caning Solution: This comprehensive 13-piece rattan repair kit handles structured furniture caning work from chair seats and cabinet panels to basket repairs with pre-cut natural cane webbing, a 3/16 inch rattan webbing roll, wooden wedges, a caning chisel, and 2 additional tools, plus a bonus pair of scissors, minimizing extra purchases for replacement, tightening, and finishing.
- Flexible PP Rattan for Easy Weaving: Featuring durable PP rattan material, this Wicker Repair kit delivers lightweight handling and structural toughness, bending smoothly without cracks for seamless furniture edging, surface decoration, and rattan-style DIY crafts.
- 3/16 INCH × 118 INCH RATTAN ROLL The PP rattan roll in this kit measures 3/16 inch wide by 118 inches long, providing ample length for most weaving and repair projects. Soak it in water before use to soften the strands evenly — this reduces splitting and uneven bending for cleaner, more accurate results.
- Complete Caning Tool Set: Streamline rattan repair with coordinated tools: wooden wedges secure woven material, the caning chisel enables precise adjustments, and dual woodworking chisels (8mm flat + 6mm half-round) handle straight/curved shaping, plus a bonus pair of scissors, ensuring professional results over single-tool kits.
- THOUGHTFUL GIFT FOR DIY HOME ENTHUSIASTS This rattan repair kit makes a practical, ready-to-use gift for anyone who enjoys furniture restoration at home — every essential tool included straight from the box for chair seats, cabinet panels, basket repairs, and decorative hand-weaving projects.
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Catcan 13Pcs Rattan Repair Kit Caning Material for Chairs Repair
- 【All-in-One Restoration Kit】: Rattan repair kit contains all repair supplies you need: plastic rattan webbing roll, natural rattan presser strip, wooden wedges, dual chisels and a metal file. No extra accessories required for furniture renovation
- 【Weatherproof Plastic Material】: Wicker repair kit uses plastic rattan as the main material. It is tear-resistant, lightweight, more waterproof and durable than other materials. Suitable for indoor and outdoor wicker furniture use
- 【Practical Matching Hand Tools】: We supply 6mm & 8mm chisels and a metal file as caning material for chairs. The chisels fix rattan strips, and the file polishes rough edges for neat installation
- 【Flexible Rattan Press Strip】: The included rattan cane softens after soaking in water for 5-10 mins, which can be bent to fit curved frames and holds shape firmly once dry
- 【Multiple Repair Solutions】: The rattan webbing roll set works great for lounge chairs, baskets and vintage rattan crafts, a nice DIY gift for furniture restoration lovers
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