Fixing What’s Broken – FineWoodworking

When I first started woodworking, I hated being asked to repair broken furniture. It felt like a nuisance. Someone would show up with a wobbly chair or a split table leg and I’d politely decline, saying I was too busy or that I didn’t really “do repairs.” The truth was, I didn’t know enough about furniture construction to feel confident tackling them. At the time, my head was full of shiny new ideas and fresh builds. Repair work felt like drudgery, something for someone else to do.

Over the years, though, that attitude has completely changed. These days, I actually enjoy repairing furniture. In fact, I find it fascinating. Every repair tells a story. When something breaks, it’s like a puzzle waiting to be solved. Why did this joint fail? Was it a weak glue bond, poor grain orientation, or maybe seasonal wood movement that wasn’t accounted for? Once I figure that out, I get…