furnituregardeningwood
I have some hand me down wooden furniture. Unfortunately, with multiple moves and births in the last few years, it has gone a unloved.
The wood seems very weak, and is brittle when dry. One beam snapped when stood on by a small child.
My question is, can I save it? I will obviously have to replace the broken beam, but can I treat it so that it doesn't become firewood?
I would not ever use pressure-treated wood for any internal application - framing or furniture. Go buy non-pressure treated 4x4s, or sister together two 2x4s to build 4x4s.
Otherwise, I sand pine down to 180 grit, prime, and paint.
You took the wind out of my sails with that last paragraph. I was going to suggest using a nut/bolt.
As far as it causing problems when the tabletop is lowered, you can recess the bolt head. Yeah, you could make the cavity in which the bolt will stay on the underside of the tabletop, but maybe you'll drill too far or crack/scratch the tabletop if you chisel it out. It could end badly... which is why you should instead house the bolt head on the top-side of the cross member.
Brown = table top
Black = underlying cross member
The one on the left is what you were talking about. The one on the right is what you want to do.
Also, use a washer under the bolt head, etc.
Best Answer
It sounds like the wood has already rotted or otherwise deteriorated beyond repair. If it is just a few pieces then you would need to replace those, but if the entire chair is rotted then it's likely destined for the scrap pile.
Generally speaking you need to finish the wood in order for it to hold up against the elements. Paint, shellac and varnish are some of the methods you could use.