sash,
Here's a thread, actually three, I did about a damaged Singer treadle cabinet I repaired a couple years ago. So far it's my crowning achievement.
{
http://www.quiltingboard.com/vintage...n-t218398.html } If you'll follow the links inside the post you'll see the befores and afters of this project.
As Rodney said, it takes time. As xxxxxxxxxxx said, I took the cabinet completely apart. Reglued everything that was coming unglued. This took the most time. Then repaired and sanded the rest of the top. Restained it trying to get an older color match, then shellacked it with both clear and amber shellac to give it an aged appearance.
Take your time and don't get impatient. Glues, stains, shellac all take time to dry. One step at a time. You can do it.
Joe