How do I fix a broken wooden table top?

Question

There's a big wood table that just snapped vertically, and I'm wondering if I can use wood glue and put some steel rods underneath to support it. Anyone know if this will work?

Answer 1

Dowels are a good idea but you could also put wood glue along the crack and clamp it as tight as you can without damaging the wood. Then get some 3/4" or 1" aluminum angle and glue and s***w it underneath for support across, not parallel with the split. if you do that taper the angle at each end so someone doesn't get snagged on it.

I read a post that makes a huge deal about repairing a wooden table. The way I see it is you will need clamps, miter box, hack saw, glue and sand paper. If you want to fix it there are ways, on the other hand if you want to replace it, that is an option as well.

Answer 2

I hate to suggest this but if you are asking how to fix the table this project is beyond you. Without the proper tooling you will never like the result. Dowels would be great but the only way to drill them absolutely straight is with a drill press. Gluing is great also but it brings up the question of clamping and doing it in a manner that is flat again. Steel or aluminum angle would be great but again the fastening or gluing requires good expensive tooling for a reasonable result. Instead of these tools just go out and buy a good table.

Answer 3

I like the dowel idea.  I would definitely put some dowels in each side of the table (if it's thick enough) and drill holes opposite from each dowel for the dowel to slide into.  Put a few drops of wood glue into each hole before inserting the dowels though. Also, I think steel rods would be overkill for the table.  A good solid piece of plywood should to the trick.  Try to get 3/4 inch if you can.  I'd say a piece about a foot wide and about 3/4 the length of the split would be about right.  I'd then pre-drill and s***w about 6-10 wood screws on each side of the split would hold it good for a while.  Make sure you don't drill too deep though, or you'll poke through the top of your table.  Measure and put a piece of tape on your drill bit so you know when you've drilled deep enough.  

Also, get some ratcheting straps to wrap around the tabletop to hold the two pieces of table together very tightly while the glue for the dowels dries.

Good Luck!

Answer 4

Your best bet, I think would be to use dowels if the table is thick enough, drill holes in the snapped portion of the table stick some wood glue and dowels in it and seam it back together. Hope it helps....

Answer 5

I would start but cutting out the broken section so you have 2 clean, straight edges to work with. Then I would use glue and brisket's.