Some things are worth saving

Many years ago, I spotted an antique clothes-drying rack in one of those “Ye Olde Junke Shoppe”-type places. It was solid and sturdy, far more sturdy than most modern versions. I snapped it up.

I’ve used it ever since. It’s been a wonderful clothes rack. It folds down very compactly when not in use.

But the other day, when it was loaded with drying clothes, I went out on the porch and saw the wind had knocked it over. Worse, an arm had broken at a crucial pivot, rendering it unusable. (No photo, sorry. I was too distressed.)

Thankfully I’m married to a woodworker, and he pronounced it an easy fix. Some things are worth saving, and this was one of them.

This is what broke.

He started by wrapping the peg (which acts as a pivot) in foil so the wood glue wouldn’t adhere to it.

Then he wrapped more foil around the unbroken arm, again so the glue wouldn’t adhere.

Then he smeared glue on the broken arm.

Both sides.

Then he fitted the broken halves of the arm around the peg/pivot, and wrapped everything with a length of surgical hose (of which we have an abundant supply, since we use them to make tankards).

We let it dry overnight. The result? Good as new.

So now my clothes rack is back in operation, and I couldn’t be happier. Yes, some things are worth saving.