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Thread: How to repair a broken mortise
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9th February 2021, 05:43 PM #1
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How to repair a broken mortise
I've been asked to repair a table which is measures about 3.0 x 1.2 metres. The owner has tried to move the table by lifting one end only and the leverage applied did serious damage to the joinery. The worst involved one of the mortises losing almost its entire side.
Broken mortise.jpg
Plan A is to fill the entire gap with Plastibond and recut the slot with a mortiser. Then I'll use epoxy to secure the tenon.
Any better ideas?
mick
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9th February 2021 05:43 PM # ADSGoogle Adsense Advertisement
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9th February 2021, 06:16 PM #2
Dances with splinters
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Cut away the damaged sections and glue in a replacement block. Cut your mortice into that.
Pity the damage is on a visible face, but careful timber selection would make it less obvious. Certainly less obvious than bog!
- Andy Mc
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9th February 2021, 06:56 PM #3
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It doesn't look like a quality piece of furniture but I wouldn't even use plastibond on that. Skew has nailed it.
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9th February 2021, 09:31 PM #4
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I agree; but in part only. The table was made by a so-called professional cabinet maker and its base and legs will probably need a complete rebuild or replacement. The bloke should be shot and burned.
Originally Posted by Picko
It doesn't look like a quality piece of furniture but I wouldn't even use plastibond on that. Skew has nailed it.
However the table top appears to have been put together very well and still looks good after 30 years. Unlike the supporting frame, the top was made from planks of undressed Toona found in the roof space of the stables attached to an 1840 heritage listed and architecturally significant building in Surry Hills owned by the same person who requested the repair. The frame is a piece of junk but the top most certainly is not.
One option is to remake the frame. Another might involve reducing its length and width to keep the repair out of sight.
Skew is right about the face panel, something I didn't consider. Thanks mate. Maybe you might look at it next time I'm in Oberon.
mick
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11th February 2021, 01:10 AM #5
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I love fixing broken furniture.
The advice of trimming the damage and doing a repair is the best.
I love the look of Wabi Sabi.
The idea isn't to repair it to perfection, but do an expert repair that is excellent. Hiding the damage is so hard it isn't worthwhile - its akin to smudging a carpet stain around to "blend" it in!
Bah! Do the repair, match as close as possible and just accept the repair is part of an ancient tables story.
It will make for interesting conversation.
Show us pictures as you go!
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11th February 2021, 07:02 AM #6
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Me too. I do it with even thinking. Apologies for the double entendre. Originally Posted by woodPixel
The perfect imperfection.
mick
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