Wrap loose dowels or tenons with thread and glue (old woodworker trick)

Wind cotton or linen thread tightly around a dowel or tenon that has become undersized, soak the thread in wood glue, then reinsert the joint. The thread acts as a shim that builds up the diameter of the dowel to restore a snug fit. This is a classic furniture repair technique used by professional restorers for over a century.

How It Works

When a dowel or tenon shrinks from age and dry conditions, it becomes slightly too thin for its hole. The thread wrapping adds enough diameter (typically 1/32 to 1/16 inch) to fill the gap. The glue-soaked thread bonds to both the dowel and the inside of the hole, creating a tight, permanent joint.

Step-by-Step

1. Remove the loose dowel or tenon from its hole
2. Clean old glue from both the dowel and the hole
3. Apply a thin layer of wood glue to the dowel surface
4. Starting at the base, wind cotton or linen thread tightly in a single layer around the dowel, working toward the tip
5. Apply more glue over the wound thread, saturating it thoroughly
6. Insert the wrapped dowel back into the hole while the glue is wet
7. Tap firmly with a rubber mallet to seat fully
8. Clamp the joint and wipe away excess glue
9. Allow 24 hours to cure

Tips

• Use cotton or linen thread, not synthetic (polyester does not absorb glue as well)
• Medium-weight sewing thread or embroidery thread works well
• One layer of thread is usually enough; test-fit before final gluing
• This technique works best for dowels that are slightly loose but not severely worn
• For severely worn joints, combine this with epoxy instead of wood glue
• This method is invisible once assembled and is commonly used on antique furniture restoration

Common Mistakes

• Winding thread too loosely: it must be tight and uniform to work
• Using too many layers, making the dowel too fat to insert
• Not saturating the thread with glue: dry thread is just a shim, not a bond