Collections
Caning tools for pressed cane and hand caning
Caning needs only a few hand tools, but the right ones are the difference between a tight, clean seat and a dented, widened groove. This collection holds the tools you keep and reuse from one chair to the next, plus the glue.
For pressed cane you need three things. A caning chisel lifts out old spline and cane without widening the groove; use the blade that matches your groove or one size smaller, 1/8 in for #7 grooves and 3/16 in for #8 and larger. Hardwood caning wedges tap the soaked webbing down into the groove and hold it while you work around the seat; most seats need 4 to 8 at once. A narrow-tip wood glue lays the bead in the groove before the spline goes in. The pressed cane seat guide shows each tool in use.
For hand caning, wooden caning pegs hold the strands in the holes while you weave and later plug holes under the binder; a seat usually has 10 to 12 in use at a time.
If you are building a new frame, a slot cutter router bit cuts a fresh groove 1/8, 3/16 or 1/4 in wide to suit #7, #8 or #9 spline; the groove guide explains the sizes. For resin and natural wicker, a slim stainless steel weaving tool lifts tight strands so a new one can slide under. If you re-cane often, the tool set puts a chisel, wedges and pegs in one box.
- Choose a chisel blade the width of your groove or one size smaller.
- Soften old glue with warm water or vinegar before you chisel.
- Press cane and spline with hardwood wedges so nothing gets dented.
- Keep 10 to 12 pegs in use when hand caning.
- Use the router bit with proper guards and eye protection.
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Caning Wedges, Hardwood, 3.9 in, Packs of 10, 20 or 40
Smooth hardwood wedges with a thin edge for tapping pressed cane into the groove and holding it while you work round the seat; packs of 10, 20 or 40.
From $11.99 · 3 options
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Caning Pegs for Hand Caning, Tapered Wood, 12 or 50 Pack
Tapered wooden pegs that hold strand cane tight in the holes while you hand-cane a seat, and later plug holes under the binder; packs of 12 or 50.
From $5.99 · 2 options
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Caning Chisel for Removing Old Spline, 1/8 or 3/16 in Blade
A narrow steel chisel with a wooden handle, ground to fit the spline groove and lift out old spline and cane without widening it; 1/8 or 3/16 in blade.
From $24.99 · 3 options
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Slot Cutter Router Bit for Spline Grooves, 1/4 in Shank
A carbide slot cutter with a top bearing and 1/4 in shank for cutting a new spline groove 1/8, 3/16 or 1/4 in wide, to match #7, #8 or #9 spline.
From $15.99 · 3 options
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Wood Glue for Caning, White PVA, 4 fl oz Bottle with Narrow Tip
White PVA wood glue in a 4 fl oz squeeze bottle with a narrow tip that lays a clean bead into a spline groove. Dries clear; wipes up with a damp cloth.
$6.99
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Pressed Caning Tool Set: Chisel, 10 Wedges and 12 Pegs
The reusable tools for pressed cane work in one box: a caning chisel with a 1/8 or 3/16 in blade, 10 hardwood wedges and 12 tapered wooden pegs.
$39.99 · 2 options
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Wicker Weaving and Prying Tool, Stainless Steel, for Wicker Repair
A flat stainless steel tool with a slim curved tip and silicone grip for lifting tight wicker strands so a new strip can be threaded under them.
$7.99
Questions
How do I get old spline out without damaging the groove?
Soften the old glue first with warm water or vinegar, then work a caning chisel along the groove to lift the spline. Use a blade the width of the groove or one size smaller so you do not widen it.
Can I use a screwdriver instead of a caning chisel?
It can work, but a screwdriver tip twists easily and can chip or widen the groove, and then new spline will not sit right. A chisel ground to fit the groove lifts the spline more cleanly.
What glue should I use for caning?
A PVA (white) wood glue that dries clear. Run a thin bead into the groove before the spline goes in, and wipe any squeeze-out with a damp cloth while it is still wet.
Do I need a router bit to re-cane a chair?
No. A chair that already has a groove only needs cleaning out. The bit is for building a new frame, such as a cabinet door or panel, that you want to press cane into.