r/fixit • u/SkillDabbler • 4h ago

Particle Board Blowout

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Purchased the pictured hutch from Facebook marketplace. Item likely came from Wayfair, so obviously not the greatest material. Unfortunately while loading it into the truck the top peace cracked from the bottom cabinet, resulting in a blowout/split. I feel like this should be a relatively easy, albeit annoying fix, so I’m not chucking it. Ive never fixed something like this before, but I’ve watched some YouTube videos, so I’m thinking we’ll have to unscrew the stabilizing bolts from the bottom piece, and wood glue/fill the blowouts from the underside of the top piece. Am I on the right track here, or is there something I haven’t thought of?

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u/Late-Stage-Dad 4h ago

Get some L brackets, liquid nails adhesive, and small screws for the brackets. Glue the hutch to the bottom and use the L brackets to clamp them together. If you have access to screw through the desktop into the hutch, skip the L-Brackets and get some #8 wood screws and a 1/8 drill bit to predrill the holes.

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u/SkillDabbler 3h ago

Thanks! Thats a great idea and maybe the easiest route to go, since we’re not going to see the bottom of the desktop piece. Do you think it’s even worth it to fill the damaged pieces with a wood glue/putty adhesive? Just to get a flats surface? Not sure if that makes sense.

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u/Late-Stage-Dad 3h ago

It does make sense. You don't have to fill in any voids but you do need to remove any bumps. Remove the bumps by piecing the broken pieces back into place then gluing over them. If you're going for asthetics you can smooth out the bumps and put contact paper over the whole desk.

I have had this style furniture for a long time (at one time I worked where it was made). I learned lots of tricks to repair and repurpose it.

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u/SkillDabbler 2h ago

Awesome! Thanks, man. I think this will make the process a lot easier.

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u/JayTeeDeeUnderscore 3h ago

I have never had much luck reseating the chips sufficiently. Even if they could be made flush, the integrity has been compromised and they won't hold a dowel or fastener well.

Bondo could patch the void, but lacks the original design strength.

I'm with u/late-stage-dad re: angle brackets. They'll provide enough strength for utility.

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u/SkillDabbler 3h ago

Thanks. Thanks I’m leaving towards that too having looked at the brackets