Brian Hobin

My wife has an older maple rocking chair that she enjoys. The parts (legs and cross members) are coming unstuck and are sitting downstairs in our junk room.
1) What is a good way to clean out the holes where the legs and cross members fit?
2) should I sand the ends of the exterior members that fit into the holes?
3) in reading this website, I am concerned about what is a good glue.
4) I am new to this. What type of clamps should I purchase?
Regards
Brian

cabinetman

WELCOME TO THE FORUM

If the parts fit back into the holes (mortises), and they seat completely, I wouldn't do any sanding per se. I would clean off loose parts by scraping with a sharp knife. Too much abrasion will create a loose fit.

I would use a two part epoxy, and a simple bar clamp to bring it all together. I'm suggesting epoxy because there may be some gaps, and the joints may not be close fitting. Also, you don't know what glue was used when first assembled.

When you're ready for assembly, make a note of which parts go where and if there will be an order to the assembly. In other words, what part goes first, second, etc. Some assemblies have to be done with all at the same time or thereabouts. You don't want to get stymied by not being able to fit one of the parts.

With using epoxy, it is a catalyzed glue (by virtue of the mixed parts) and you won't have time to fuss around. So, lay everything out. Pre set your clamps to have minimum adjustment for where they go. With using epoxy your clamping pressure should be just enough to get the parts to seat.

woodnthings

I have absolutely nothing to add to that great response! bill

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If you're not making dust, you're gathering it. After I reread my own posts, I agree with myself even more.

woodman42

Nope me either. He's the man!

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Brian Hobin

Thanks for the direction. I am learning to face my fears and you are making it simpler to understand and to enjoy woodworking.
A question.
In fitting the pieces of the roxcking chair back into place, I am trying to figure out how many clamps I need or do I do one segment at a time?
Regards
Brian

mics_54

ratchet straps work on chairs nicely. (stretchers anyway)

cabinetman

Chairs and rocking chairs are somewhat unique as there are many parts. Think of all the parts as a puzzle. In order to get a total chair there are steps to an order to put it together. You have to pay attention to the order of assembly. You may not be able to put in a piece because of another piece. So, your re-assembly should be planned out carefully, as you won't have time to pull parts apart and make any changes using epoxy.

Another tip is try to insert pieces in the same orientation that they came out. How will you know, you may ask? Well, once you clean off the loose glue and any other debris, try all the pieces doing a dry fit. You may have to turn or align them to get them to slip back in. Once you have fitted all the pieces and made a note of the order of assembly, put a small piece of masking tape on both the male member and the female member back of the glued area, with marks indicating an alignment and depth if insertion. That way when you glue up there's no guessing.

As for clamps, you may need one for each directional insertion. When you do the dry fitting you'll know how many and where to place them in order to close up the joints.

The rocking chair below I found on the side of the road in pieces. I had to make most of the parts to put it back together. What I was saying about the order of assembly, as an example, the stretchers between the legs can not be fitted if the legs are inserted in the seat and the runners first.
.

woodnthings

Bar clamps and pipe clamps on tapering surfaces don't like to stay put.
They want to ride up to the more narrow portion. A strap with a ratchet
is less likely to slip. The clamps won't need to be on for long with epoxy anyway. See if you can assemble the chair in sub-assemblies that can be put together to make the entire chair once the subs have cured up.
It's gonna be a lot like wrestling an octopus, so get a helper if possible. Norm TOH and NYWW wouldn't need one, but I've seen two hands come into the screen and disappear once in a while....... bill

__________________
Never stand directly in front of a horse or tablesaw that's running!
If you're not making dust, you're gathering it. After I reread my own posts, I agree with myself even more.

Brian Hobin

Well I am off to the hardware store tomorrow. thank you for the direction.
Regards
Brian

Brian Hobin

Most excellent advise and in language that I can understand. Again, thank you very much.
Regards
Brian