How to Fix the Foot on My Recliner

There's nothing like sitting back in a comfortable recliner after a long day at work but the experience is quickly ruined if the recliner breaks. While a broken recliner is often simpler to replace than to repair, there are exceptions. A broken foot often happens due to age and because of the weight load the foot is withstanding whenever someone sits down in the chair. Fortunately, fixing a broken foot on a recliner is much simpler than repairing other chair components and the recliner can be back in service in short order.

Replacement foot (optional)
Masking tape
Drill
Two 4 penny nails
Diagonal cutter
Wood glue
Cloth
Wax paper
Twine
Nail file

Instructions

- 1
  Inspect the foot on the recliner. Some chairs have feet that screw into the base of the chair. If this is the case, unscrew the broken foot and get a replacement from a furniture supply store. Take the broken foot with you to the store to verify the replacement is the correct size. Screw the new one in and resume using the chair.
- 2
  Tape the broken foot back together with masking tape. Remove it from the chair first if you can but otherwise turn the chair upside-down while you do the repair.
- 3
  Drill two holes into the foot at a 90-degree angle to the break through the tape. Place a 4 penny nail into each hole. Cut the heads off the nails first with a diagonal cutter for a cleaner look. The nails reinforce the wood around the break to help prevent crumbling.
- 4
  Remove the masking tape from the foot and apply wood glue to the break, pushing the two pieces together firmly. Wipe away excess glue with a cloth. Wrap the wood in wax paper and hold it in place with twine.
- 5
  Remove the wax paper and twine the next morning and use the diagonal cutters to cut the nails down more if they protrude. File away any rough edges with a nail file.
- 6
  Reattach the foot or turn the chair back over to resume use.

How to Redo an Easy Chair

Are a Transport Chair & a Rollabout Chair the Same Thing?

Chairs