Tools for the project:

» At least four sash clamps, long enough to reach across the depth of the chair.

» Several G-clamps for smaller jobs.

» Blocks to put under the clamp jaws.

» A hammer and a 5 mm punch to remove any dowels you encounter.

» A mallet, and maybe a heavy rubber hammer, both used for the dismantling and reassembly processes.

» A selection of screwdrivers, including a flat. » A soft pencil.

» Chisels, one 6 mm wide and one about 20 mm wide. Use these to clean up the joint surfaces and mortice slots.

» 100-grit sandpaper and sanding blocks.

» Scrapers. » A heat gun, used to soften the hide glue used in the construction of these older chairs.

» A square.

» A fresh container of a modern, waterproof wood glue, and a small brush for applying it. (Some restorers may disagree and argue that hide glue should be used for authenticity. There’s definitely a case for this, especially when working with valuable Africana pieces, but my priority is a chair that will not become unstable again, so a good PVA glue suits my needs.)

» A drilling machine might be necessary, as well as an assortment of bits in case you need to deal with blind dowels. (Refer to ‘Dismantling’.)