Joints in furniture are held together with wood glue.There are ways to take a joint apart without damaging the surrounding woodwork.A heat gun or denatured alcohol can be used to break down the glue inside of a joint.It may be necessary to manually break the wood pieces apart at the joint if you can't soften the glue first.
Step 1: Place a heat gun around the joint.
Continue to move the gun around as you hold the heat gun six inches away from the joint.You may end up burning your woodwork if you leave the heat gun in one area.Continue to move the heat gun over the joint.You can get a heat gun at a hardware store.You can use a hairdryer on the high setting if you don't have a heat gun.
Step 2: There is a tool in the joint.
You should be able to get into the joint with a sharp tool once the glue is hot.While moving the heat gun over the joint, carefully work the tool into the glue.You have to wiggle the tool back and forth until you cut through the glue.Use a damp rag to clean up the built-up glue on your tool.
Step 3: The joint needs to be pulled apart.
The two pieces of wood should loosen after you cut the glue with the knife.Pull the joint apart with your hands.If you want to wipe the glue from the wood, use a damp rag.
Step 4: Denatured alcohol can be injected into the wood joint.
Put the end of the eyedropper against the joint after sucking up some alcohol.Press down on the top of the needle to inject the alcohol.The whole of the wood joint needs to be saturated.Denatured alcohol can be purchased at a hardware store.Work in aventilated area when using alcohol.The alcohol will loosen the glue.
Step 5: After five minutes, slice a knife into the joint.
Allow the alcohol to sit on the joint for five minutes, then wedge a knife between the two pieces of wood.If you want to get into the joint, you need to work the tool on the edge.The wood joint should begin to separate as you work the knife.The alcohol will start to break down as it sits on the glue in the joint.
Step 6: As it opens, spray more alcohol.
While spraying more alcohol over the glue that holds the joint together, keep working it open with your knife.As you get the joint wet, you'll start to loosen it.
Step 7: The joint should be open.
As much as you can.Pull the joint apart as it loosens.
Step 8: If you don't mind destroying the woodwork, then use this method.
If you need to break down furniture or wood, you should only use this method.The wood surrounding the joint can be damaged if you manually pry the wood apart.
Step 9: The flat end of a crowbar can be hit.
In between the joint, position the flat end of a crowbar or flat-bar.Hit the opposite end of the bar.Continue to pound the crowbar into the joint until it's at least three to four inches (7.62 to 10.16 cm).
Step 10: Pull down on the other side of the crowbar.
To pry the joint apart, apply a decent amount of pressure on the other end of the crowbar.The wooden joint will be broken apart by this.