Repairing Antiques

[bigsteel15]

So I have a china cabinet and table/chairs from about the 40s that I inherited.
The CB is in decent shape, except for the bottom shelf of the top section is saggin and the top is bulging a bit.
Other than that there are wear marks here and there, but they mostly give it character.
So do how do I repair these parts without installing new parts? Is it acceptable to add support under the bottom shelf?
Other than that, I will probably leave everything alone and just give it a good wax job.

The table and chairs are another matter. When I get a chance, I plan to take the table apart and give it a good overhaul with as little change as possible. There is a possibility though that I may need to completely re-finish that, as the finish is actually peeling off.

[kwgeorge]

Before my wife and I got married she inherited several pieces of furniture. They came from an older couple that had passed away and they had them forever or so my wife was told. We think that these pieces are at least 75 years old if not older but there are no markings on them. Two of the pieces are a Buffet and a Dinning table both made completely of Oak. They were in need of repair for many years with the buffet having some issues and the table having joints where the glue and fasteners used failed over time. My wife really loves this stuff and I can assure you that I would be gone before this stuff ever left her possession. So with that I decided to repair her furniture for her several years ago. The goal was to keep everything as original as possible so with that thought in mind the repairs took much more effort than they should off. I personally spent hours upon hours working on this stuff but the results were a very happy wife so it was worth the effort. So that is what you need to decide. Just exactly how much work are you willing to put into the pieces? Also you need to decide if you are going to try to keep them as original as possible or alter them. There is a book I saw at the bookstore on repairing and reconditioning antiques that you may want to look into. If you run into issues and can’t figure out how to do something then take some pictures and post it here. I am sure you will get lots of advice and if I can help I certainly will.

Ken

[Ken Weaver]

Ditto what Ken said. Its a lot of work to referb an antique but be careful, sometimes too much repair diminishes the value. In our case LOML received her grandmother's set, all I did was to refinish it becuase it wasn't that valuable except to her. If its a valuable antique set, check with an appraiser first to help you decide how much to do to it.

[cabinetman]

One of my restorations was an old sewing table, the kind that the machine flips down and a top flips over. All the cabinet needed was some light sanding and a final finish. But, it had those little drawers on one side with tiny oak knobs of which one was missing. So, I had to turn this tiny little decorative knob (about 5/8" w x 3/4" l") to match the others, and then stain and finish.



"I'M NEVER WRONG - BUT I'M NOT ALWAYS RIGHT"

[bigsteel15]

My concern is not so much the value, because I don't think it is all that valuable, but more family sentiment than anything. My mother would be pretty upset if anybody ever sold them, as she has always made sure stuff "stays in the family".
That said, I want to do it right.
Probably a good plan to pick up a good book.
thanks guys.

[dkhoward]

always my worry when doing any repair or refinish on an antique is destroying any collectible value. ALl to often I have found that an anttique with collectors value is almost always worth more in almost any condition if no repairs or refinish is done.

That said, it the value is intrinsic, sentimental or family tradition, then I have no problem doing what ever is necessary to put the item back into useable presentable condition.

I try and preserve as much of the oritinal exterior elements as I can, but when necessary, I have replicated and replaced entire chair legs or drawer fronts.