Replies

1. 
   jharveyb | Jun 17, 2022 09:28pm | #1

   Two (not very good) suggestions: brown Bondo and files and gouges, or clean it up as best as possible with files, gouges, and sandpaper, and call it "patina".
   Trying to make it look like new is going to be really difficult. If you have the carving skills and tools, you can remove thin layers of wood from the sides, and the top, and add pieces, then do the carving/shaping. Getting those circular shapes exactly right is going to be tough.

   Good luck!

2. 
   bilyo | Jun 17, 2022 10:08pm | #2

   As JHarveyB said, use some Bondo or epoxy putty to add material and then carve/shape it to match. Or, if you don't feel you can do that, maybe you can find a furniture restorer who can.
   An alternative might be to try to find another junk table (or what ever it is) like it that has a good leg and replace it.

3. 
   _mj_ | Jun 17, 2022 10:13pm | #3

   Not woodworking help, but before attempting the repair take the towel off and hit the area with pepper spray or tabasco. If the dog thinks it's a good spot to chew you might as well skip the repair and let him chew.

4. 
   rob_ss | Jun 18, 2022 01:03am | #4

   Have a look at AT Furniture Repair on YouTube - he does this sort of thing all the time. Tom Johnson also does similar repair work and has a great channel. He's even repaired a chewed leg, though not one as detailed.

   The only solution that will look really good on a solid wood piece is to make a new part. You could of course use various fillers and it would barely show, but they are weak and though it seems harder to make the bit in wood, it's probably easier than trying to fill in individual pieces. If it's composite then you have more options and less to lose with filler.

   Can you remove that leg? If so it will be easier.

   1. Cut the chewed part off. You will need to leave a very flat surface - a router and a jig will achieve this. I would cut a hair below the curved portion, in line with the grain so that the joint will disappear later.
   2. Find a matching piece of timber - colour is not so important though it is easier to make wood darker than lighter, but you do need similar grain.
   3. Cut the wood to be a close match in size. It is easiest to carve to shape when fixed on usually, but in this case that would be very hard. Make a template matching the existing good parts.
   4. Carve the beads. Easier to do than it looks. Take very light cuts. I'd not carve all the way down near the join to allow blending after glue-up. As long as they are reasonably straight, no-one will ever notice. An easy alternative method is to make the piece up from several layers - two outer cheeks, three beads the same size but thinner and four slightly smaller pieces which will form the grooves. A bit of a sand and it will look carved. You will need to measure carefully, but it's actually easy to do.
   5. The rounds are tough, but can be made using a trim router and a circle jig or template then glued on after. You can either cut each individually or perhaps better cut into a thicker blank then slice off with a saw...
   6. Glue back on and blend.
   7. You will need to experiment to match the finish colour, but with a bit of luck and some toner sprays the repair should just disappear.
   8. Build a doghouse....

5. 
   pantalones868 | Jun 18, 2022 02:03am | #5

   Your table is now officially Kevinized!
   Trying to patch it will look patched. I would remove the leg and then reproduce a copy..or I would Whittle the volutes into something else , birds or gargoyles, it would make the table more funner..( I know funner isn't a word but if it was I'd use it)... Or I would remove the volute on all of them and reconfigure the legs to something else . If you don't feel you have the skills to do the work yourself and you think the table has enough value to warrant it, remove the top from the pedestal and take the pedestal to someone that can restore it.... or carve gargoyles! Get your dog a chew toy or a subscription to Dog TV.

6. 
   TaunTonMacoute | Jun 19, 2022 07:56am | #6

   Saw it off clean, dowel on a new piece that has been roughly shaped to the curve, then finish final shaping and carving in situ. Stain and finish to match. You could also dowel on the replacement as a rectangular piece and do all the shaping and carving then.

   Your other alternative would be to take the original wood back to just below the deepest damage, reshape and carve. It'll be smaller, of course, but the owner will have a story to tell.

7. 
   3steers | Jun 20, 2022 10:38am | #7

   One might consider just a little cleanup with files etc to get rid of the fuzzy wood ends, apply some grain filler (or not), and stain and finish to match. The table is still functional, it now has history, a few dings and added character, like most woodworkers I know. Make sure to leave a couple of clear teeth marks. They would be enhancing visuals for the future discussions over adult beverages in praise of the virtues of the offending dog.

8. 
   DRBWWing | Jun 20, 2022 11:35am | #8

   Want to do it right? Do what Rob_SS said.

   Carving tools and skills necessary, tho.