Our garden bench collapsed at the WE (wife + alcohol). One of the wooden dowels which holds the main parts together appears to have rotted a bit and then just snapped.

So, what glue and wood for repairing it? I’ve drilled out the remains of the dowel and the wood isn’t in the best condition, it is hardwood of some form, but probably 10 years old. I was thinking pack the new dowel in with epoxy rather than wood glue? Are all hardwood dowels equal in terms of longevity?

I’d use a forstner bit to cut a larger diameter hole where the rotten bit is, then make a ‘plug’ with a very slightly larger internal diameter holesaw, and glue that into place, then drill a hole for the new dowel rod. I’ve fixed stuff using similar methods, and it works well. You could chisel the larger hole square and use a square plug. Then just Evo stik outdoor wood glue o Titebond or similar.

I was just going to buy a 30cm length of 22mm dowel and cut to size…