Rescue, Restore, Revive Part 1: Tools Needed to Fix Broken Furniture

Fixing Furniture Recycling Upcycling Vintage furniture

Furniture, whether it's an antique heirloom or a beloved contemporary piece, can suffer wear and tear over time. Accidents happen, and pieces can become damaged. The good news is that many common furniture issues are repairable with a bit of know-how.

We are regularly asked what we use for all our repairs, as I very rarely get pieces in that just need stripping and refinishing!

Whilst my other half James does help me a lot of the time with major repairs (he loves it!), most repairs can be done relatively easily, I often just don’t have the patience myself… hence James comes to the rescue!

In this blog post, I have put together a list of the most used pieces when it comes to the tools we use.

Materials You'll Need:

  1. Safety Gear: Always prioritise safety… I know it is a bit of a bore but having had both myself and James in A&E multiple times due to our laziness, I speak from experience! Wear safety goggles, gloves, and a dust mask when working with tools and adhesives.
  2. Wood Glue: High-quality wood glue is the foundation of many furniture repairs. You might recall your parents and even your grandparents having a green bottle of Evo-stik wood glue in their shed or garage… well that is still most people’s wood glue of choice, and to date, I still haven’t found a stronger one!
  3. Clamps: Clamps are invaluable while the glue dries… and also essential in my opinion! I have tried so many different brands over the years, but Irwin quick grip clamps win hands down… pricey, but worth it!
  4. Filler: Wood filler is obviously required for repairing cracks, holes, and gaps. There are so many types available on the market, but I will always choose a two part filler that you mix yourself when needed - It sands down so smoothly and is so tough too. If I am working with deep repairs, I will always use U-Pol Easy 1 whilst specifically designed for cars, it is also brilliant for deep repairs on both interior and exterior wood.  Or if I am staining wood rather than painting, or the repairs are just minor, then I recommend good old Ronseal’s fillers … it usually does do what it says on the tin!
  5. Sandpaper: Sandpaper in various grits will help smooth surfaces and prepare them for finishing. If this is not something you plan to do regularly, then sandpaper sheets will be sufficient. Alternatively, invest in a little hand or orbital sander that will help with speed of your project….  I wouldn’t be without my Festool sanders and dust extractor, but I do these sorts of repairs almost daily.  Moons ago, I had the Black & Decker mouse sander and it was really good for the price.
  6. Drill, Screws and Screwdriver: For repairing structural issues, screws can provide sturdy support. Whether you choose a hand screwdriver, or a battery powered one, is up to you, but I do recommend getting a drill too to avoid splitting the wood when using the screws.
  7. Wooden Dowels: These can be used to mend broken or loose joints.
  8. Putty Knife: Available in all DIY stores in various shapes, colours and sizes, they are useful for applying wood filler and scraping away excess filler and also excess glue in the corners.
  9. Claw Hammer: Friends tease me all the time as I am quick to grab my hammer, but it is an essential piece of kit to either help take something apart that you plan to rebuild, or to remove old nails or hardware, if necessary… also a fantastic stress reliever!
  10. Finishing Materials: Depending on your repair, you may need paint, stain, or varnish. Your finished design is up to you.

If you would like more advice on what you need for a specific repair, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.


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