Cracked Table Repair

Tools:

biscuit joiner
foam brush
wood biscuits
wood glue
screwdriver
various putty knives
pry bar
hammer
saw horses
large clamps
power sander (random orbital)
various grit sandpaper
safety glasses

1. Insert a drywall knife or any thin-bladed putty knife into the existing crack and work it down into the crack until it won't go any further. Place a wider wedging tool (like a pry bar or a thicker putty knife) in the crack behind the drywall knife, prying the crack open further (figure B).

2. Pound a hammer against the back of the drywall knife to slowly ease it forward through the crack until the entire seam is broken and the table is separated along the glue line where the two wood pieces were joined.

3. Lightly sand the old glue off both surfaces (figure C). Do not sand too vigorously, as you do not want to destroy the joint between the two pieces, only remove old glue.

4. Line up the two pieces, and make pencil marks about every six inches to mark where the biscuits will go (figure D).

5. Place the two halves of the tabletop on their sides next to each other, backs together and ends up, and transfer the lines to the edges where you'll use the biscuit joiner to cut slots for the biscuits (figure E).

6. Turn biscuit joiner on and drive it in, lining its centerline with the divider lines you drew onto the tabletop (figure F). Do this at each mark, on each table half, to make the slots for the biscuits (figure G). Remember, always wear safety goggles when working with power tools.

7. Tip halves back up on their sides. Run a bead of glue all along the edges and spread the glue out with a brush.

8. Fill the biscuit slots with wood glue as well, and insert biscuits into one of the tabletop halves.

9. Join the two halves together, and secure tightly with a large clamp. Use a damp rag to wipe away any glue that squeezed out.

10. Allow clamps to hold table together for at least an hour while the glue sets and the biscuits expand, tightening the hold.

11. Remove the clamps and sand the entire surface of both table halves. Put the legs back on the table.

Note: If your table looks fine after you rejoin the two tops, you might not have to sand and refinish it. Use your judgement.