Every roll is measured before it shipsMade-to-size cane panels, cut to the 1/4 in
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Flat lay of rolled open weave cane, a coil of reed spline, eight wooden wedges, a chisel and glue on dusty blue paper, on a white background

Photos illustrate the product type.

Chair Caning Kits

Rattan Furniture Repair Kit, 12 Pieces with Cane, Spline and Chisel

A 12-piece kit for small cane repairs at home: a 14 x 80 in roll of open weave cane, #8 spline, 8 wedges, a 3/16 in caning chisel and wood glue.

$32.99

Keep this kit on hand for cane furniture that needs a repair rather than a full restoration: a torn pressed cane seat, a split cabinet door inset, or a damaged section of a headboard panel. It includes the caning chisel for lifting out old spline, and the cane comes as a roll, so you can cut pieces to the shapes you need.

You will also need:

  • A utility knife and a few spare blades
  • A mallet or hammer
  • A tub or sink of warm water and a towel
  • A staple gun with 1/4 in staples, only for panels stapled behind a frame

For cane held in a groove: soften the old glue with warm water or a little vinegar, lift the spline out with the chisel and clean the groove. Soak the cane about 30 minutes and the spline 10 to 15 minutes. Wedge the cane into the groove shiny side up, trim it at the outer edge of the groove, glue the groove and tap the spline in.

For a panel stapled behind a frame, such as a cabinet door or a headboard: pull the old staples, soak the new piece, then glue and staple it to the back of the frame, starting at the middle of each side. Either way, the cane tightens as it dries.

The 80 in length is enough for two small chair seats, cabinet door insets or a headboard repair patch. Keep the 14 in width in mind: each piece should be at least 1 in larger than the groove or opening on every side, so the opening can be up to about 12 in across in one direction. The 6 ft of spline covers one groove up to about 66 in around; a second seat needs its own spline.

How to choose

This kit has no options, so check that it fits your furniture before you start. The spline is #8, made for a 3/16 in groove. Clean the groove and slide a 3/16 in drill bit into it: if it fits snugly, you are set. If the groove is narrower or wider, get spline in your size (#7 for 1/8 in, #9 for 1/4 in, #10 for 5/16 in) and use the rest of the kit as it is.

The 3/16 in chisel suits #8 grooves and wider. A narrow 1/8 in groove needs a 1/8 in chisel instead.

For the cane, measure each groove or opening and add 1 in on every side. Anything up to about 12 in in one direction fits the 14 in roll.

Questions

Why does it say 12 pieces?

The roll of cane, the spline, the chisel and the glue count as one piece each, and there are 8 wedges: 12 in all.

ShopReed Spline for Chair CaningCaning Chisel for Removing Old SplineCaning WedgesWood Glue for Caning
Can I patch just a small tear in a cane seat?

Pressed cane is hard to patch invisibly, because new cane will not line up with the old weave. For a seat in a groove the usual fix is to replace the whole sheet; on a stapled door or headboard you can replace just that panel.

ShopCane Headboard Panel in a Wood FrameCane Webbing Roll
My groove is 1/4 in. Can I still use this kit?

The cane, wedges, glue and chisel all work, but the #8 spline will sit loose. Add a coil of #9 spline, which fits a 1/4 in groove.

ShopReed Spline for Chair CaningCaning Chisel for Removing Old SplineCaning WedgesWood Glue for Caning
How do I get the old spline out?

Run warm water or a little vinegar into the groove to soften the old glue. Then work the chisel under the spline and lift it out in sections, without levering against the groove walls.

ShopReed Spline for Chair CaningCaning Chisel for Removing Old SplineWood Glue for Caning
Is this kit for plastic outdoor wicker?

No. Everything here is natural cane and rattan for indoor furniture. Resin patio furniture is repaired with PE wicker strip, which we sell separately.

ShopPE Wicker Repair Strip

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