Lloyd’s Woodworking · Hudson, Massachusetts
By Lloyd’s Woodworking Inc. · Published
Is My Old Wood Chair Worth Repairing?
DIRECT ANSWER:
An older chair may be worth repairing when its construction remains fundamentally repairable, the necessary components are available or reproducible, the chair belongs to a set or it has personal, historical or design significance. Safety and structural condition come first.
A WOBBLE DOESN'T AUTOMATICALLY MEAN THE CHAIR IS DONE.
But don't keep sitting on it to find out.
WHAT IS WRONG?
Possible issues:
Loose joints
Broken stretcher
Broken leg
Loose back
Cracked seat
Missing component
Failed previous repair
IS IT PART OF A SET?
Replacing one chair may be difficult when it belongs to:
A dining set
A family set
A matched group
An unusual design
PREVIOUS REPAIRS MATTER
Look for:
Metal brackets
Random screws
Nails
Glue residue
Filled areas
Previous replacement components
SAFETY COMES FIRST
Stop using a chair that is structurally unstable.
Additional use can cause:
More damage
Complete failure
Possible injury
Frequently asked questions
CAN A WOBBLY CHAIR BE REPAIRED?
Potentially.
CAN A BROKEN CHAIR LEG BE REPAIRED?
Potentially.
IS IT WORTH REPAIRING ONE CHAIR FROM A SET?
It may be, particularly when replacement matching is difficult.
SHOULD I KEEP USING A LOOSE CHAIR?
No.
BEFORE YOU REPLACE IT, LET US SEE IT.
You don't need to know whether it needs repair, restoration or refinishing.
Send Lloyd's a few photos, tell us what happened and tell us what you would like to accomplish.
Send Lloyd's:
- One full photo
- Close-ups of the damage
- Approximate dimensions
- Your location
- What is wrong
- What the piece means to you
- What you want it to do again
Lloyd's Woodworking · Hudson, Massachusetts · Serving customers since 1969.