Are dowels going to cut it?

[Deleted member 67]

Hi all

Looking for a bit of friendly advice.

I'm trying to reattach a leg to a 1940s mid-century sofa. Someone was throwing the sofa away so I'm trying to save it.

The leg had (I assumed) already failed in the past as when I got the sofa the leg was half-off and had been re-attached using threaded metal rod c. 10mm in diameter. There was no glue in the holes on either the sofa or the leg or any nuts that I can see so I'm not quite sure what their plan was or if it worked originally, but either way I have since removed the metal rod.

It looks like the leg was originally held on by just two wooden half inch dowels. Does that seem feasible? It seems like an awful lot of weight going through the leg. The leg is angled so the dowels and the junction have to take a bending force rather thank just direct weight from above that would result if the legs were vertical.

I suppose my simple question is what is the best way to reattach this?

At the moment I was planning to drill out the original dowels, clean any glue residues off the mating surfaces, insert new half inch beech fluted dowels, then reglue. Clamping is going to be pretty much impossible due to the angled leg. So I was thinking either pva wood glue if I can get a good wood to wood contact, or 2part epoxy if not. Like I say the joint and dowels are going to be under bending pressure so I feel like hide glue might be a bit too weak.

Does anyone have any advice to make the best permanent repair I can? I could add more dowels but get the feeling it might make it hard to insert the leg onto the frame.

Photos below of the metal rod and remaining holes and the angle of the leg.

Any help very gratefully received.

 

[Deleted member 67]

re. the angle of the leg it's like this one. It's the back leg that has come off

 

[TheLastNail]

I once helped repair a mid-century sofa leg that had a similar problem. Those angled legs really can take a lot of stress. Here's what I found worked well:

First, drill out the old dowels and make sure to clean everything up. Then, use some new ½" fluted beech dowels and a strong wood glue like Titebond III. Clamping can be a bit tricky on those angled legs,I had to use some scrap wood and clamps at odd angles to apply good pressure. Just make sure to let it cure completely.

If it still feels a bit wobbly, you can add small metal brackets inside to stabilize it without ruining the overall appearance. Your plan sounds solid, just take your time to ensure it fits snugly. Good luck with it

 

[Deleted member 67]

Thanks TLN. In the end I drilled out the original dowels, added a dowel to one of the two "new" leg holes made by the metal rod, and filled the other one with a dowel cut flush (I was concerned that there wasn't much wood left. in the leg). Then as the new half in dowels would have been a bit loose, I reattached the whole thing with epoxy. It's curing now. Touch would it will hold but it seems like a pretty stupid design to me. That said, the other three legs have lasted since the 1950s so I guess they knew what they were doing.