Steps for Reinforcing Wood Chairs

Wood chairs, particularly older or antique chairs, may need to be reinforced from time to time to keep them structurally stable. Woodworking techniques for chairs include the use of a variety of joint styles, including mortise and tenon, rabbet, milter, lap and glued butt block. The most common type of joint is the mortise and tenon, in which the mortise, or hole, in one piece matches the tenon, or wedge, on the other piece of wood. Wood glue is used to create durability in the joint, which can weaken with time. Wood chairs can easily be reinforced once the weakening process has begun, to create solid and lasting chairs.

Wood glue
Brad nailer
Rubber mallet
Brad nails

Instructions

- 1
  Separate any loose connections by pulling the joints apart. This will expose the mortise and tenon for gluing.
- 2
  Place a small amount of wood glue into the groove and gently put the tenon back into the mortise.
- 3
  Tap the joint lightly with your rubber mallet until the joint feels completely tight.
- 4
  Select the size of brads you will use. Choose brads that are shorter than the length of the joint so that you do not end up with a sharp point coming out of the joint.
- 5
  Use a brad nailer to shoot a brad through the side of the joint into the tenon. Angle the nail so that it intersects the tenon. Brads can barely be seen when they are inserted correctly, which means that they are flush with the wood's surface. Use your rubber mallet to tap the brad flush with the wood once it has been inserted.
- 6
  Repeat the process for two sides of the joint to ensure stability. The brads should cross each other in the middle of the joint.

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