Fix a wobbly wooden chair or table

Use this guide for solid-wood chairs and tables that rock, creak or have loose legs. Have wood glue, clamps or a ratchet strap, a rubber mallet and a screwdriver ready; very old or valuable antiques are best left to a furniture restorer.

Step by step

1. Find the real cause of the wobble

   Put the piece on a known flat floor and see if it still rocks; if not, the floor is the problem and a felt pad or adjustable glide is enough. If it rocks on a flat floor, measure each leg from the floor to the seat or top to find a short leg. Then grip each leg and push gently in different directions to find loose joints. Check for metal brackets or bolts underneath, which simply need tightening, and for cracks in the wood.