My mother-in-law has this beautiful large teak salad bowl that belonged to her mother, and it's really sentimental to her. Unfortunately, it split right down the middle. Luckily, the way it cracked looks like it can be glued back together, but I'm wondering if there's an easy way to clamp it without having to build some complicated jig. Any suggestions?
4 Answers
If the crack is wide, you might want to combine methods. I had a similar issue and used a really big rubber band to hold it together. I also drew the glue into the crack with a shop vac. If you don’t have a shop vac, dental floss can do the trick too!
You can also use a ton of blue painter's tape! Just wrap it around the bowl tightly to keep it secure while it sets.
For a straightforward repair, just glue the joint, flip the bowl upside down on a scrap board, and drive some screws around the rim to hold everything in place. If you're up for something more artistic, check out kintsugi or even stitching the pieces together. It's a beautiful way to embrace imperfections!
Option B! Definitely look into kintsugi. It adds character to the repair, much like how our scars tell our stories. It's a lovely metaphor for both bowls and life!
A simple way to clamp it is by using a ratcheting tie down. Just wrap it around the bowl to hold the two halves together while the glue dries.

Vacuuming the glue through the crack is such a clever idea!