How to Repair a Loose Leg in Your Kid's Furniture

Many new kid's furniture manufacturers, because of shipping and design considerations , do not have spindles or legs that are glued into the seat of a chair or rocker. But, kids rockers and chairs from previous generations often used this construction. Through the years, the legs or spindles may become loose and your kids rocker becomes wobbly. If left unrepaired, the rocker will not last long.

The repair is more permanent and stronger when the two pieces can be fully separated. If other spindles/legs keep you from removing the loose leg, you may have to separate those that are still tight. By using a mallet and a block of wood and/or with a rocking and twisting motion, you will be able to loosen the tight leg. A further aid in this process would be to use a chemical solution to soften the old glue. Equally mix distilled white vinegar and hot water. Inject the solution using some kind of syringe into the joint. Doing this several times during a few hour period will work. If that solution doesn't soften the joint, a stronger solution of lacquer thinner (acetone) can be tried. Be aware, however, that lacquer thinner will almost always damage furniture finishes and should be used only as a last resort.

Once the pieces to be repaired and reglued are separated, you must remove all the old dried glue. New glue applied to a joint without removing the old glue will not result in a strong repair. Scrape and sand the dowel end and clear the socket by removing all the old glue. If you have a drum sanding bit (Dremel style) you can use it with your drill to sand the inside of the socket. Another way is to wrap sandpaper around a dowel rod and use that to sand the insides. Be sure to carefully remove the lump of glue often found in the bottom of the socket with a drill and/or chisel. That glue is sometimes the result of the dowel end not fully inserted into the socket which may be why the joint became loose.

Check the pieces for fit. Next apply white glue to both pieces and reassemble. You will want to clamp and glue the joint. Be sure it is fully together. Do not over tighten the clamps as this will squeeze too much glue from the joint and weaken your repair. Wipe any any excess glue or runs from your repair.

Clamping chairs can be tricky. You may need to employ a rope or cords to mate with the uneven surfaces and angles.

If you have questions, contact us through our website: http://www.kidspaintedfurnitureshop.com/ and we will be glad to help. We also have some wonderful new kid's furniture pieces that will inspire and delight your child or grandchild.

Repairing a Broken Leg on your Kids Furniture

When you repair a child's chair or table leg, it is important to make the repair as strong or stronger than the original leg. As mentioned in our previous blog, if you can get a replacement piece that is best. However, many kids furniture pieces have been passed down in the family and replacement pieces are not available.

There are several ways to make repairs to a break and each has its own advantage. We will discuss just one method in this blog. The illustration on the left shows a good way to make a strong repair.

1. First, accurately glue the break, clamp and let dry .
2. Then notch the leg with a router.
3. Finally glue repair splints and clamp into place.

If you don't have a router, a table saw with the blade set at 1/4" height (the thickness of your splints) will cut those splint notches very nicely. Make the notches by making a series of close cuts. Then by moving the piece back and forth sideways, you can remove the very thin strips left from your series of close cuts.

Finally, the best glue to use for wood repair is a white glue like Elmers. The benefit is that it doesn't become as brittle as yellow glue. It is also a little easier to clean up and will dry clear.

If you are ready for a brand new piece of kids furniture for your child, check out what we have at http://www.kidspaintedfurnitureshop.com/

How to Repair your Kid's Furniture

You would be unique indeed if your children weren't a little rougher on their furniture than you would like them to be. When that happens, sometimes things get broken or damaged. We have a couple of ideas on how to solve your problem.

Your first and best idea is to contact the manufacturer to see if replacement parts are available. Our manufacturers keep spare parts just for this purpose.

If replacement parts are not available, make an assessment of the damage and plan your course of action. If the repair potentially compromises the strength and thus the safety of the piece of your kid's furniture, then you need to proceed cautiously.

In upcoming posts, we will discuss some of the repairs and how they can be made safely.

http://www.kidspaintedfurnitureshop.com/ has some wonderful replacement items if your kid's furniture is beyond repair.

Exciting New Product Introduction

One of our suppliers just introduced two (2) new Kids High Chairs. They are so cute and reflect the always attractive designs and styles for which Teamson is known. This hand carved and hand painted chair pictured on the left is from the "Friends at the Zoo" collection and is a popular group that has sold very well.

If you would like some additional information be sure to go to our site. Just click here http://kidspaintedfurnitureshop.com/product/W8366A. You may also want to share this info with a new mom. As nice as these high chairs are, you'll both be glad you did!

Welcome to the Kids Furniture Blog!

Kids furniture has some cool aspects. How did the pint sized furniture idea originate? What is the history of the child's rocking chair? Would you like to learn how to decorate your child's room with inspiration and style?

These questions and more will be the topic of our upcoming blogs. Be sure to let us know topics that are of interest to you and we will do our research.

And of course we would love to have you visit http://www.kidspaintedfurnitureshop.com/ for really nifty kids furniture that will delight your child.