How to Fix Kitchen Chairs

Examine the kitchen chair to determine what the problem is and how the chair is put together. If the legs are loose, flip the chair over to see if the legs are screwed in or glued in. If the legs are screwed in, determine if you will need a screwdriver or an Allen wrench to tighten them.

Tighten all legs. Many times, screws become loose with the constant pulling chairs out and pushing them back in. Try tightening them to see if this resolves the problem. If the screw holes have become stripped, you may need to remove the screws, place some wood glue in the screw hole and return the screws into the hole. Allow this to dry before placing any weight on the chair.

Apply a glue solvent to the peg holes of chairs that have no screws holding the legs in place. If even one peg is loose, you will have a wobbly chair. The solvent will release the hold of all the pegs, allowing you to pull them out without breaking the chair. Clean the peg holes and pegs, lightly sanding them down. Apply wood glue in the peg holes and push the chair legs back in place. Wipe away excess glue with a damp towel. Allow to dry before turning the chair over.

Inspect cracked sections to see determine the best course of action. A small crack along the surface of the wood can be filled with wood putty and a putty knife. Fill the crack in and allow it to dry. Sand it smooth and touch up the area with matching paint or wood stain. If the crack has caused the wood to spit in two sections, saw the leg off above the crack. On the part of the leg removed, fill the crack in with wood putty. Allow the putty to dry. Drill a 1/2-inch diameter hole in the center of both pieces 1 to 2 inches deep. Cut the dowel to match the depth of the holes, approximately 2 to 4 inches in length. Apply wood glue to the tips and insert the dowel, attaching the rest of the leg back on. Allow the glue to dry for several hours and then sand the leg smooth. Re-stain the leg to match the rest of the chair.