Wooden furniture often relies on wood glue to secure its joints. When disassembling glued joints, it's possible to do so without causing damage to the surrounding woodwork. You can soften or break down the glue within the joint using methods such as applying heat with a heat gun or using denatured alcohol. However, if you're unable to soften the glue beforehand, manually breaking the wood pieces apart may be necessary, though it could potentially harm the woodwork.
Steps
Using a Heat Gun
Apply heat to the joint area using a heat gun. Maintain a distance of six inches (15.24 cm) between the heat gun and the joint, and keep it moving to avoid overheating and damaging the wood. The goal is to soften the glue holding the joint together without causing any harm to the surrounding woodwork.
- You can purchase a heat gun from various online retailers or hardware stores.
- If a heat gun is unavailable, a hairdryer set to high can be used as an alternative.
Insert a flat tool into the heated joint. Once the glue has warmed up, carefully insert a sharp tool like a knife or metal wedge into the joint. Move the tool around while keeping the heat gun in motion over the joint. Continue maneuvering the tool back and forth until you've cut through all of the adhesive.
- Wipe any accumulated glue off the tool with a damp cloth as you work.
Separate the joint. After cutting through the adhesive, the two wood pieces should start to separate. Use your hands to gently pull the joint apart.
- If desired, remove any excess glue from the wood with a damp cloth while it's still warm.
Peter Korn, Woodworker and Educator
When attempting to dismantle a wood glue joint, it's crucial to understand the type of glue and the direction of the wood grain. Begin by gently warming the glue to soften it, then carefully use a thin blade, moving it slowly along the joint. Avoid applying excessive force, as it could damage the wood. If the joint proves resistant to moderate pressure, consider cutting it and planning a repair rather than risking irreversible damage. Patience and precision are key.
Using Denatured Alcohol
Inject denatured alcohol into the joint. Draw some alcohol into a syringe or dropper, then position the tip against the joint. Depress the syringe plunger to introduce the alcohol into the joint. Repeat this process until the entire joint is saturated with alcohol.
- Denatured alcohol can be purchased from hardware stores or online retailers.
- Work in a well-ventilated area when handling denatured alcohol.
- Denatured alcohol effectively loosens and dissolves the glue.
Insert a knife into the joint after waiting for five minutes. Allow the alcohol to sit on the joint for five minutes, then insert a knife between the two wood pieces. Work the knife along the edge of the joint until you can begin penetrating into it. As you maneuver the knife, the wood joint should gradually separate.
- As the alcohol remains on the glue within the joint, it will gradually dissolve it.
Apply more alcohol to the joint as it loosens. While continuing to pry the joint open with the knife, spray additional alcohol onto the glue holding the joint together. By working the knife and ensuring the joint stays moist, you will facilitate the loosening of the joint.
Force the joint apart. Remove as much adhesive as possible. As the joint becomes looser, use your hands to separate it further.
Separating the Wood
Employ this technique if you're willing to sacrifice the woodwork. Reserve this approach for situations where you need to dismantle furniture or wood and have no intention of reusing the wood afterward. Manually prying the wood apart can result in chips or cracks in the surrounding wood near the joint.
Drive a crowbar, flat-bar, or chisel into the joint. Position the flat end of the crowbar or flat-bar between the joint and strike the opposite end to insert it deeply into the joint. Continue hammering the tool into the joint until it penetrates at least three to four inches (7.62 to 10.16 cm) into the joint.
Apply downward pressure on the crowbar's opposite end. Exert significant force on the opposite end of the crowbar to pry the joint apart, effectively breaking the wooden joint.
Pointers
Materials Needed
-
Heat gun
-
Knife
-
Crowbar or metal wedge
-
Hammer
-
Syringe or eyedropper
-
Denatured alcohol
The content is developed by the Mytour team with the aim of customer care and solely to inspire travel experiences. We do not take responsibility for or provide advice for other purposes.
If you find this article inappropriate or containing errors, please contact us via email at [email protected]
Buzz
