table leg repair

11 years ago

Got an old oak library table - some of the legs have cracked where the hanger bolt attaches to the bracket under the tabletop and so the table is wobbly.

I think itll work to glue and clamp the cracked legs and replace the table corner leg brace (which is wood) with a metal one like this

http://www.woodcraft.com/product/27A31/hafele-corner-brace-table-leg.aspx

AND to put in new hanger bolts (since 1 is missing and the others are bent and rusted). But how do the new hanger bolts screw IN? I wrecked the threads of the old ones taking it out with a pliers. Also if the bolt hole on the one leg is too big for the new hanger bolts would it work to put wood filler into it - will that be strong enough to hold the bolt?

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Comments (2)

bobismyuncle
11 years ago
Take two nuts of the appropriate diameter and pitch. Thread them onto the hanger bolt. Then with two wrenches, tighten them to jam them together. Put one wrench on the outside one and screw it into your leg. Once you reach the right depth, put the other wrench back on and un-jamb the nuts. Then they'll easily come off.
bobismyuncle
11 years ago
Oh, and if the hole is too big, you can move up one size in the diameter of the hanger bolt. Though I've often found that the hanger bolt is threaded minimal depth into the leg. Thus precipitating a split. I normally drill a pilot hole deeper (into fresh wood) and run the new hanger bolt deeper.

Wood filler will not hold well. I use epoxy sticks (QuikWood) is one brand. I smear a little Vaseline on the bolt prior to putting it in, or you'll never get it back out should you need a repair again.
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