How to Clamp a Chair Joint

Chairs are among the most used pieces of furniture in a home. In the case of wooden chairs, the connecting pieces, or joints, can loosen over time, making them squeaky and unstable. Repairing a loose chair requires that the joint be separated and cleared of old glue, nails and screws. Once the joint has been glued and refitted, it must be clamped firmly in place until the glue fully cures. You can clamp a chair joint with the proper clamp and basic do-it-yourself skills.

Measuring tape
Bar clamp
Soft cloth
Wood scraps
Coping saw
Wedges

Instructions

- 1
  Measure the distance from the freshly glued chair joint to a suitable anchoring point for the stationary jaw of a bar clamp with a measuring tape.
- 2
  Expand the bar clamp approximately 2 inches beyond the measured distance in Step 1.
- 3
  Wrap soft cloth around each area that the bar clamp jaws will contact to protect the finish of the wood. If the bar clamp is fitted with soft rubber jaws, the cloth may not be necessary.
- 4
  Apply the clamp by turning the adjustable jaw clockwise to direct the force of the clamp in line with the chair joint. If the chair has varying angles at the joint, cut wedges from wood scraps with a coping saw to match the angle of the joint so that the clamp seats properly without slipping.
- 5
  Follow the wood glue manufacturer's instructions relating to curing time.

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