So I was asked to look at repairing an heirloom table. I’ve done some furniture repairs in the past, but this will be a different one for me. The table was given by someone’s great-grandfather to his grandfather as an offering at his wedding, and the grandson has had it for 10+ years in the attic. Would like to see if it can be repaired. General guidance was they didn’t want to spend more than $300 to repair, and would prefer if I would repaint it, even if it cost a little extra beyond that.
My general process for this kind of work:
- Review piece and determine the extent of the damage and repairs necessary
- Determine sequence of disassembly for those parts which have to be taken apart
- Label parts so that you can disassemble and re-assemble correctly
- Disassemble, using clamps as spreaders and other tools to do so with the minimum of damage (you’ll have to repair whatever you do damage)
- Often white vinegar can be used to dissolve old glue
- Use scrapers, chisels and thin knifes to get out “junk” and get rid of glue, so you will be re-gluing with wood pieces
- Clear off all joints
- Determine pieces that have to be rebuilt/replaced. In this case one of the legs and the scrollwork underneath.
- Make replacement pieces, sand to size, and then test fit
- Make any appropriate joinery (in this case, some dowel joinery)
- Test fit and look for gaps
- Glue up and clamp up
- Apply finish
Here you can see it labeled.
More to come as the project progresses.
Kevin