I got given this beautiful rattan chair. One of the front legs is broken. Looking for advice in how to repair this leg.
Hi @annieerbs,
That's a bit of a difficult one, as it would be hard to rebuild the leg without much material around it. You could potentially cut the leg off flat and then drill up the core of it, allowing you to install an Everhang M10 x 80mm Zinc Plated Hanger Bolt. Then, you could get a hardwood dowel of a suitable thickness. Cut it to the length of the leg, drill out the centre and then screw it onto the exposed thread of the hanger bolt.
You could then lash it with jute twine to mimic the other legs and paint it to suit.
Let me tag @Dave-1, @Noyade and @Nailbag to see if they have some thoughts.
Please let me know if you have any questions.
Mitchell
Morning @annieerbs
Could you show us a picture of the underside of the broken leg as well please?
I am currently thinking you need to replace the leg and the two stays on it. I am just wondering how the leg and stays are attached at the top. Stays hopefully will just be wound with the twine, the leg itself mmmm Will wait and see the photos.
I do think this would be an interesting project, the leg may need to be turned on a lathe to make it the same as the others and for the twine to be ale to hold. Potentially you could ahve a search for a local mens club and someone in there may have the experience and tooling.
Dave
Thanks Mitchell. My concern is getting the angle correct.
Yes, it would not be easy to recreate that curved profile and angle, @annieerbs. You might need to either settle on a functional repair and have a straight dowel leg, or you could fix an oversized dowel and then shape it down to replicate the curved original.
Hi @annieerbs
As @MitchellMc mentioned, this is going to be a difficult repair project. Finding the right or as close to replacement leg will give you the best chance of a solid fix.
I just did a quick Google "replacement wooden chair legs" and found a lot of options available. It would be a matter of measuring one of the good legs and finding the closest match. There will still be I'm sure some modification required to fit the leg and adjust the angle of where it meets the ground so it doesn't rock.
Nailbag
I'm for @MitchellMc's steel bolt plan above. A very good start.
Were there holes drilled into the main leg - to fit the support rods @annieerbs ?
Thinking I'll take the chair to a local Men's Shed and ask there if they would consider fixing it.
Evening @annieerbs
I was hopping that it would be easy to replace the leg/twine, but it looks like its tied together beyond a few steps. If you can see the steps it would take to untie the broken leg then id say why not have a go. Maybe a mixture of your winding and the mens shed knowledge could work towards repairing it?
And yeah a mens shed may help you along the path towards fixing it.
Thanks Dave! Yep that's my plan so far. Think I can manage the rattan if the legs are replaced professionally
Hi @Dave-1 thanks for your ideas. Ive found a man who is willing to look at the chair/leg si fingers crossed he can work out a way to fix it.
You mentioned to make a mixture and soak the rattan before applying? Can you explain that please?
Appreciate your help
Annie
"Maybe a mixture of your winding and the mens shed knowledge" It sounds like @Dave-1 was talking about utilising both your knowledge and that of the local Men's shed to repair the item, not an actual mixture of fluids. I'm sure he can confirm for us, though.
Morning @annieerbs and @MitchellMc
Yeah I was talking about a mixyure of your work with the windings and the mens shed work withthe leg 🙂 Thanks @MitchellMc . With the ratten I have heard people soak it for a period of time in water to soften it. Then wind it while wet and as it dries it tightens a little more. I would test it out on something before attempting the final fix just to be safe.
Thanks Mitch! Now i feel silly...
I thought it may have been an idea to moisten the rattan when winding so as to make it more plyable. I was able to buy seagrass cord which is the exact size of the existing cord.
Easy mistake @annieerbs, as you typically wet the cordage before applying, as when it dries, it shrinks and locks everything in position.
Yes! I did think that, but it always good to have my thoughts verified! Hope i get it finished and can show you guys!
