Brielle's Avalon

I got this game table and chairs set for 1/3 off because it was damaged. No problem, that’s an easy fix. The problem was finding the time to fix it, so *mumble* months and much dust later I finally got to it.

 I pulled out my drill and bit set and found a bit that matched the dowel that matched the original dowel holes (OK, slightly larger). Being careful to keep the drill plumb, I drilled the original holes in the chair body.

 Then I placed a dowel in the hole, measured with an incredibly precise tool (my finger) and cut it with a hole saw. Of course I couldn’t show the measuring process while taking the picture! Not enough hands.

Once both were measured and cut I measured the depth I needed to drill on the bit, marking it with a piece of tape. Masking tape is easier to see, but cello-tape was handy. Oops, I forgot to take a picture of that but you can just about make it out in the mallet picture. Sorry. Then I put the chair-back in a vice and drilled out the holes. Also forgot to take a picture of that, but it looked much like drilling the chair body. This took a bit longer because the original dowels were still in there.

After a dry-fit to make sure it all would go together (yay! It worked!)

I applied glue to the dowel holes and each side of the surface to be joined. Yes, I should have used wood glue. Yes, I usually have it but somehow it got old and wouldn’t flow so I decided to be lazy, not run out for a new bottle and just used the white glue I had.

Using a soft mallet I tapped the pieces into place and managed to not damage the finish.

Then wiped off any glue that squeezed out with a damp cloth.

Tah dah! A broken chair mended and back to usefulness in about an hour.

You’d never know which one it was now. Anyone for a nice game of chess?

Or a round of cards?