How to Fix a Rocker Chair

Ideas to Decorate a Rocking Chair
Written By
Mona Harte
Mona Harte
Published: Nov 15, 2010
Updated: Nov 20, 2021
2 minute read

Repair

  1. Lay the chair down so the broken rocker runner is facing up. If this is an old break, sand away any old glue first.

  2. Carefully take the carpenter's glue and spread a thin layer inside the break. Some excess glue will probably ooze out. Clean quickly with a clean damp cloth.

  3. Push the two pieces together and wrap a piece of wax paper around the rocking runner. Clamp the two pieces together. The wax paper will keep the clamps from leaving marks on the repaired piece. Let it dry thoroughly, for 12 to 24 hours.

Reinforce the Repair

  1. Remove the clamp and wax paper to reinforce the repaired rocker runner. Turn the chair upright to its normal position so the repaired runner is on the floor. Take a piece of masking tape and mark one third from the bottom of the rocker runner (the part nearest the floor).

  2. Drill down from the top of the rocker runner (closest to the seat) from one side of the repaired break to the other. Stop drilling at the masking tape location. You do not want to drill completely through the runner.

  3. Measure and cut a dowel to fit the hole length plus an additional 1 inch. Apply a thin layer of wood glue to the dowel and insert it into the hole. Gently tap the dowel into the hole with a rubber hammer or mallet. Wipe off excess glue with a clean damp rag.

  4. Let it dry again for a minimum of 24 hours. When it's dry, saw off the first piece of dowel at the top of the runner and sand it down to smoothness.

Tips

If your rocking chair is squeaking try sprinkling some talcum powder or corn starch where the squeak occurs.

Photo Credits

rocking chair image by Photoeyes from Fotolia.com

Mona Harte

Since 1993 Mona Harte's work has appeared in various publications, including "NYTimes Regional Newspaper Group," the "Calgary Sun," the "Great Falls Tribune" and the "Tahoe Daily Dispatch," as well as international magazines "Atlantica,"…

Sponsored
HomeSteady Logo

HomeSteady is the ultimate guide for all your household needs, from cleaning and HVAC to electrical, DIY and maintenance.

Property of TechnologyAdvice. © 2026 TechnologyAdvice. All Rights Reserved

Advertiser Disclosure: Some of the products that appear on this site are from companies from which TechnologyAdvice receives compensation. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site including, for example, the order in which they appear. TechnologyAdvice does not include all companies or all types of products available in the marketplace.