Furniture, Wood and Cabinetry Finishing - broken rocker on rocking chair
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02-11-00, 02:00 PM
I have a rocking chair that is at least 30 years old. One of the rockers cracked off at the rear leg. The rocker needs to be placed. I was planning on removing it and using it as a form to laminate several strips of wood together. I don't know how to remove the rocker from the two legs without damaging it (to reuse as a form) or the chair leg. Ideas?
02-11-00, 03:20 PM
pjaffe:
Most older glues will break down when exposed to hot vinegar. It's a smelly operation, but it works. Soak the joint with heated vinegar and use a rubber mallet to hit the rocker next to the point where the leg joins it. Swing paralell to the leg, hitting as close to the joint as you can. Alternate strokes from one side of the leg to the other.
This 'gentle persuasion' combined with the vinegar should loosen up the rocker enough to get it off
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George T.
Most older glues will break down when exposed to hot vinegar. It's a smelly operation, but it works. Soak the joint with heated vinegar and use a rubber mallet to hit the rocker next to the point where the leg joins it. Swing paralell to the leg, hitting as close to the joint as you can. Alternate strokes from one side of the leg to the other.
This 'gentle persuasion' combined with the vinegar should loosen up the rocker enough to get it off
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George T.
06-15-00, 12:26 PM
It has been awhile since I approached this project. I fnally got around to removing the rockers and yes, the vinegar worked very well (that and a rubber mallet).
I roginally had planned to laminate some 1/8" or 1/4" wood into a curve to match the old rocker but recent postings on other boards seem to say that the sides of the rocker will clearly show the layers - which is less perfect than I would prefer.
Do you know of any sources to buy new rockers or how to find someone to bend them for me? I could make up a steam box and bend my own but it seems like a lot of prep for a little job.
any ideas?
I roginally had planned to laminate some 1/8" or 1/4" wood into a curve to match the old rocker but recent postings on other boards seem to say that the sides of the rocker will clearly show the layers - which is less perfect than I would prefer.
Do you know of any sources to buy new rockers or how to find someone to bend them for me? I could make up a steam box and bend my own but it seems like a lot of prep for a little job.
any ideas?
06-15-00, 01:25 PM
Peter:
Unfortunately, I don't know of a source for rockers - there are so many idfferent configurations that finding one that would work appears to be a hopeless task.
Bending your own would be the ideal solution, however you migth want to conside acquiring a two by of a suitable wood and cutting a rocker out with a band saw. This is not the best solution because it leaves what amounts to end grain open on the bottom of the rocker, subject to eventual splitting, but it's the best I can think of short of steaming and bending your own.
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George T.
Unfortunately, I don't know of a source for rockers - there are so many idfferent configurations that finding one that would work appears to be a hopeless task.
Bending your own would be the ideal solution, however you migth want to conside acquiring a two by of a suitable wood and cutting a rocker out with a band saw. This is not the best solution because it leaves what amounts to end grain open on the bottom of the rocker, subject to eventual splitting, but it's the best I can think of short of steaming and bending your own.
---------
George T.