What's the best way to repair / reinforce this joint?

[Scott Cenicola]

I'm trying to restore an old dining room table set, and all the chairs are in poor condition. I am looking for ideas to repair & reinforce all of the legs, as at least half of them are loose. I am thinking of glueing all of the loose dowels, and putting 2 1/2 wood screws through the supports and into the legs. However, I would welcome any additional ideas. Thanks!


leg pic.jpg

[Greg Hines, MD]

New dowels are a must. If you have access to a Domino, I would guess it would be a bit stronger and easier to align. If not, a good doweling jig and sharp bit. In any event, it looks like it has to completely come apart to be fixable. I would also at least give the corner braces a good look, and if there is any concern, replace them.

Doc

[pat warner]

Steel cross dowels and machine screws.

[Jim Matthews]

That's a joint practically designed for failure.

There's no long grain to long grain glue surface.
Is there an emotional attachment to them?

Do you have a budget limitation, or could you
consider replacements?

I fear you'll spend many hours getting these together,
and they will still fail in short order.

If repair is required, I would consider
reinforcing each corner with a fillet
of 3/4" plywood beneath and screws
as suggested above.