View Full Version : Need suggestion for chair rung
I am repairing an older oak chair. It is missing a rung that connects the front leg to the rear leg on the right side of the chair. The left side rung is 3/4" square and 13" long. There is a round 5/8" diameter, 3/4" long "tenon" on each end that mate with a hole in each chair leg. To make things more difficult the legs are further apart in front:
(top view of chair)
______ front
\_____/ back
(Sorry for the crude illustration but it is all I have).
I do have the left rung. Any ideas on how to duplicate the right rung. If the legs were in "square" configuration one could turn the round tenon on the lathe. Welcome any ideas. Thanks.
Dwight
I'm not sure I understand your question, Dwight. The configuration you describe is standard for chairs. Chair parts such as legs and rungs are typically turned on a lathe. The fact that the rungs are arranged in a trapezoidal shape does not, by itself, prevent you from turning them. Can you provide a photo that would clarify your difficulty?
With all good wishes,
charlese
06-26-2008, 09:16 PM
Dwight - If I read you right, you want to match a rung that is 3/4" square and 13" long, with 5/8" rounds on each end. The rounds being 3/4" long. If this is correct, just set up a 3/4" square by 15" or 16" long, in your lathe. Turn the ends to 3/4" with the same slope as your left rung. Then saw off the ends to the right length.
But as Nick said, a photo would help.
Nick,
The rung is 3/4" square and not turned at all. The "tenons", which are round, do not come straight out from the end but at a slight angle, and the angle of the tenon at one end is different at the other end.
Having thought about this for the last few hours I'm thinking perhaps I can use the one good rung and set it on the table. Using the SS in the horizontal boring position, chuck a plug cutter and match the cutter to the round tenton. Mark its position and then substitute and clamp a new blank and "end bore" the tenon. And do the same procedure entirely for the other end. What do you think?
Sorry I can't supply a picture at this time.
Dwight
Ed in Tampa
06-27-2008, 10:27 AM
Nick,
The rung is 3/4" square and not turned at all. The "tenons", which are round, do not come straight out from the end but at a slight angle, and the angle of the tenon at one end is different at the other end.
Having thought about this for the last few hours I'm thinking perhaps I can use the one good rung and set it on the table. Using the SS in the horizontal boring position, chuck a plug cutter and match the cutter to the round tenton. Mark its position and then substitute and clamp a new blank and "end bore" the tenon. And do the same procedure entirely for the other end. What do you think?
Sorry I can't supply a picture at this time.
Dwight
Dwight
I think your on the right track but instead of using a plug cutter you should use a tennioning maker cutter. Most plug cutters cut a slight slant. A tendon maker which cuts like a pencil sharpner makes a tennion with straight sides.
Another idea would be to drill a hole in the rung at the right angle and glue a dowel in. If done properly it could end up be stronger than a tendon.
Ed
charlese
06-27-2008, 11:24 AM
Dwight, You've thrown me with the plug cutter! If you were going to try using this as a dowel maker - Don't!
I didn't know they made plug cutters up to 5/8".
Sounds like you have a viable idea with the horizontal drill, however a photo is needed to envision what you have. Are the chair legs also square, rounded, straight, bent? What does the shoulder of the chair rung look like. Etc.
1732
1733
1734
A picture is worth a thousand words.
Dwight
a1gutterman
06-27-2008, 11:40 PM
Dwight
I think your on the right track but instead of using a plug cutter you should use a tennioning maker cutter. Most plug cutters cut a slight slant. A tendon maker which cuts like a pencil sharpner makes a tennion with straight sides.
Another idea would be to drill a hole in the rung at the right angle and glue a dowel in. If done properly it could end up be stronger than a tendon.
EdDwight, I have to go with Ed on this one. IMHO, the "drill a hole and glue in a dowel" method wood be the easiest one, and it wood be plenty strong!