Just like balls of cement! This one was all up in the pillar. Plus there were about 3 more in various places in the cabinet--much easier to reach though.

The 'buttonier' turned out to be the buttonhole maker! :-D

It's not perfect by any means, the top is still wavy, but at least the veneer is all glued down now! Just took some patience and basic tools. I found lots of info out there about refinishing/repairing wood furniture.

Hope the cabinet is in good shape and you get it!

Randa. there is a tan 301 for sale at a good price on the Sew Its for Sale yahoo site. If you want more info, PM me and I can email the info to you.

Check out "The Furniture Doctor" by George Grotz It's kind of dated any more but good info anyway and it is a fantastic read.

I do prefer black, but it's a 301 I want, no matter the color. Since I'm in Iowa I wonder what shipping would cost from WAshington?? And the date on this is either 6-7 or 7-6, (do they automaticly go off CL after so many days?)so will make a call on it. Thanks!

[quote=Miz Johnny]That is funny! Some ads just have to be read twice!

Nancy

Hi back to Bennett and Glenn, and others who are in the refinishing mode.

I found a beat up, falling apart parlor type cabinet. No machine head or irons for the treadle. It has all drawers, doors and such. Thing was a showpiece in it's day, built like old furnature. Looks like burl walnut veneer over solid wood, not ply. I was going to scavenge parts, but turns out it's a White Cabinet #9 from around 1886 and would have taken a VSII or VSIII machine. Very unusual.

How best to proceed?

I'm concerned about how dry, light the wood is. Is there a good way to rejuve 1880's wood? No signs of worm holes or chews.

The old glue is defunct. All the joins are coming apart. The veneer, which was a sheet over the boards, is cracked top to bottom where the boards were glued edge to edge to form each side. Should I plan on totally breaking apart the boards (sacrificing veneer), to reglue the boards? Or should I attempt to get glue into the old joints, without fully taking apart the sides of the cabinet? Most of the corner joins have already fallen apart on their own, no problem with those. But here I'm talking about how 'base' boards were glued edge to edge to form each side panel for the cabinet, then the panels were veneered and decorated with wood figurals.

Which/what glue would you recommend for old, dried out 1880 wood? Rockler has some specialty wood cabinet making glues, but to be honest... I've never used anything but regular 'wood' glue. Never had a need. This piece however, is really cabinet art. I could use some recommendations on what you experts have used/liked.

Thanks all. kim in north palm beach

I forgot I had this book. AMAZING book.. Dated, but some things do not change. I'll go fish it out of my stack, I bet it has some answers/ideas for fixing up that 1880's cabinet I found. Still would appreciate any recommendation from the VSMS refinishers....