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8K views 22 replies 8 participants last post by  peterrum 
#1 ·
First, get some advice

Brown Wood Rectangle Beige Flooring


Brown Wood Rectangle Table Wood stain


Brown Wood Rectangle Beige Flooring


Brown Rectangle Wood Beige Flooring


Brown Wood Rectangle Wood stain Hardwood


A neighbor of mine gave me this table as he is not a woodworker and felt he did not have the skills to refurbish it. So now I have another project. The table has no commercial markings on it so I feel that it was home made some years ago, maybe 50 years ago but I have nothing to base my estimate on. At any rate the table looked interesting enough that I will make an attempt at fixing it up but I am looking for a lot of advice and suggestions from anyone.

My first step will be to take the table apart, remove the oak legs, the brass corners and if possible the outside oak frame. The inlay itself is mounted/glued onto a piece of plywood it appears. A lot of the inlay has shrunk, curled, cracked and there is some water damage and one cigarette burn. Regardless I still think its unique enough that its worth the effort to refurbish it.

I do not know what type of wood has been used for the inlay. I would prefer to repair the existing wood rather than cutting new inlay as it would be difficult to match.

I have attacked some photos which better show the condition it is in. The main questions I have centre around the inlay repair. Can I reglue some of the pieces back in place that have curled. How best to glue them, white glue, epoxy? How best to fill in some of the gaps, epoxy?

Once I get some feedback I will begin to take it apart and post further.

Thanks in advance.
 

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#2 ·
First, get some advice

Brown Wood Rectangle Beige Flooring


Brown Wood Rectangle Table Wood stain


Brown Wood Rectangle Beige Flooring


Brown Rectangle Wood Beige Flooring


Brown Wood Rectangle Wood stain Hardwood


A neighbor of mine gave me this table as he is not a woodworker and felt he did not have the skills to refurbish it. So now I have another project. The table has no commercial markings on it so I feel that it was home made some years ago, maybe 50 years ago but I have nothing to base my estimate on. At any rate the table looked interesting enough that I will make an attempt at fixing it up but I am looking for a lot of advice and suggestions from anyone.

My first step will be to take the table apart, remove the oak legs, the brass corners and if possible the outside oak frame. The inlay itself is mounted/glued onto a piece of plywood it appears. A lot of the inlay has shrunk, curled, cracked and there is some water damage and one cigarette burn. Regardless I still think its unique enough that its worth the effort to refurbish it.

I do not know what type of wood has been used for the inlay. I would prefer to repair the existing wood rather than cutting new inlay as it would be difficult to match.

I have attacked some photos which better show the condition it is in. The main questions I have centre around the inlay repair. Can I reglue some of the pieces back in place that have curled. How best to glue them, white glue, epoxy? How best to fill in some of the gaps, epoxy?

Once I get some feedback I will begin to take it apart and post further.

Thanks in advance.
I would do nothing until you talk to Roger or Shipright !! seriously
 

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#3 ·
First, get some advice

Brown Wood Rectangle Beige Flooring


Brown Wood Rectangle Table Wood stain


Brown Wood Rectangle Beige Flooring


Brown Rectangle Wood Beige Flooring


Brown Wood Rectangle Wood stain Hardwood


A neighbor of mine gave me this table as he is not a woodworker and felt he did not have the skills to refurbish it. So now I have another project. The table has no commercial markings on it so I feel that it was home made some years ago, maybe 50 years ago but I have nothing to base my estimate on. At any rate the table looked interesting enough that I will make an attempt at fixing it up but I am looking for a lot of advice and suggestions from anyone.

My first step will be to take the table apart, remove the oak legs, the brass corners and if possible the outside oak frame. The inlay itself is mounted/glued onto a piece of plywood it appears. A lot of the inlay has shrunk, curled, cracked and there is some water damage and one cigarette burn. Regardless I still think its unique enough that its worth the effort to refurbish it.

I do not know what type of wood has been used for the inlay. I would prefer to repair the existing wood rather than cutting new inlay as it would be difficult to match.

I have attacked some photos which better show the condition it is in. The main questions I have centre around the inlay repair. Can I reglue some of the pieces back in place that have curled. How best to glue them, white glue, epoxy? How best to fill in some of the gaps, epoxy?

Once I get some feedback I will begin to take it apart and post further.

Thanks in advance.
You may want to check if the marquetry is glued on with hide glue or a PVA-type glue. Hide glue will soften with heat and make the pieces easy to peel off, which could make your refurb job easier.
 

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#4 ·
First, get some advice

Brown Wood Rectangle Beige Flooring


Brown Wood Rectangle Table Wood stain


Brown Wood Rectangle Beige Flooring


Brown Rectangle Wood Beige Flooring


Brown Wood Rectangle Wood stain Hardwood


A neighbor of mine gave me this table as he is not a woodworker and felt he did not have the skills to refurbish it. So now I have another project. The table has no commercial markings on it so I feel that it was home made some years ago, maybe 50 years ago but I have nothing to base my estimate on. At any rate the table looked interesting enough that I will make an attempt at fixing it up but I am looking for a lot of advice and suggestions from anyone.

My first step will be to take the table apart, remove the oak legs, the brass corners and if possible the outside oak frame. The inlay itself is mounted/glued onto a piece of plywood it appears. A lot of the inlay has shrunk, curled, cracked and there is some water damage and one cigarette burn. Regardless I still think its unique enough that its worth the effort to refurbish it.

I do not know what type of wood has been used for the inlay. I would prefer to repair the existing wood rather than cutting new inlay as it would be difficult to match.

I have attacked some photos which better show the condition it is in. The main questions I have centre around the inlay repair. Can I reglue some of the pieces back in place that have curled. How best to glue them, white glue, epoxy? How best to fill in some of the gaps, epoxy?

Once I get some feedback I will begin to take it apart and post further.

Thanks in advance.
Im not understanding your comments robscastle. Are they members here? Good point grfrazee. How best to try that out, with a heat gun, iron, steam?
 

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#5 ·
First, get some advice

Brown Wood Rectangle Beige Flooring


Brown Wood Rectangle Table Wood stain


Brown Wood Rectangle Beige Flooring


Brown Rectangle Wood Beige Flooring


Brown Wood Rectangle Wood stain Hardwood


A neighbor of mine gave me this table as he is not a woodworker and felt he did not have the skills to refurbish it. So now I have another project. The table has no commercial markings on it so I feel that it was home made some years ago, maybe 50 years ago but I have nothing to base my estimate on. At any rate the table looked interesting enough that I will make an attempt at fixing it up but I am looking for a lot of advice and suggestions from anyone.

My first step will be to take the table apart, remove the oak legs, the brass corners and if possible the outside oak frame. The inlay itself is mounted/glued onto a piece of plywood it appears. A lot of the inlay has shrunk, curled, cracked and there is some water damage and one cigarette burn. Regardless I still think its unique enough that its worth the effort to refurbish it.

I do not know what type of wood has been used for the inlay. I would prefer to repair the existing wood rather than cutting new inlay as it would be difficult to match.

I have attacked some photos which better show the condition it is in. The main questions I have centre around the inlay repair. Can I reglue some of the pieces back in place that have curled. How best to glue them, white glue, epoxy? How best to fill in some of the gaps, epoxy?

Once I get some feedback I will begin to take it apart and post further.

Thanks in advance.
Robscastle, I sent a pm to Roger and Shipright
 

Attachments

#6 ·
First, get some advice

Brown Wood Rectangle Beige Flooring


Brown Wood Rectangle Table Wood stain


Brown Wood Rectangle Beige Flooring


Brown Rectangle Wood Beige Flooring


Brown Wood Rectangle Wood stain Hardwood


A neighbor of mine gave me this table as he is not a woodworker and felt he did not have the skills to refurbish it. So now I have another project. The table has no commercial markings on it so I feel that it was home made some years ago, maybe 50 years ago but I have nothing to base my estimate on. At any rate the table looked interesting enough that I will make an attempt at fixing it up but I am looking for a lot of advice and suggestions from anyone.

My first step will be to take the table apart, remove the oak legs, the brass corners and if possible the outside oak frame. The inlay itself is mounted/glued onto a piece of plywood it appears. A lot of the inlay has shrunk, curled, cracked and there is some water damage and one cigarette burn. Regardless I still think its unique enough that its worth the effort to refurbish it.

I do not know what type of wood has been used for the inlay. I would prefer to repair the existing wood rather than cutting new inlay as it would be difficult to match.

I have attacked some photos which better show the condition it is in. The main questions I have centre around the inlay repair. Can I reglue some of the pieces back in place that have curled. How best to glue them, white glue, epoxy? How best to fill in some of the gaps, epoxy?

Once I get some feedback I will begin to take it apart and post further.

Thanks in advance.
If it is over fifty years old there is at least a good chance it is glued with hide glue. That would be a good thing.

To find out you will want to apply both heat and moisture as both are required to reverse it. I would get a some water under the piece that is lifting in your last photo and then heat it with a clothes iron. It is important that the iron not be too hot. If it is hot enough to burn you it will burn the glue. Hot to the touch but still touchable will be fine.
Be patient, both the heat and the water must get in to where the glue is still holding.

Watch this video.

What you find from this will determine where you go next.

Good luck and get back to us.
 

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#7 ·
First, get some advice

Brown Wood Rectangle Beige Flooring


Brown Wood Rectangle Table Wood stain


Brown Wood Rectangle Beige Flooring


Brown Rectangle Wood Beige Flooring


Brown Wood Rectangle Wood stain Hardwood


A neighbor of mine gave me this table as he is not a woodworker and felt he did not have the skills to refurbish it. So now I have another project. The table has no commercial markings on it so I feel that it was home made some years ago, maybe 50 years ago but I have nothing to base my estimate on. At any rate the table looked interesting enough that I will make an attempt at fixing it up but I am looking for a lot of advice and suggestions from anyone.

My first step will be to take the table apart, remove the oak legs, the brass corners and if possible the outside oak frame. The inlay itself is mounted/glued onto a piece of plywood it appears. A lot of the inlay has shrunk, curled, cracked and there is some water damage and one cigarette burn. Regardless I still think its unique enough that its worth the effort to refurbish it.

I do not know what type of wood has been used for the inlay. I would prefer to repair the existing wood rather than cutting new inlay as it would be difficult to match.

I have attacked some photos which better show the condition it is in. The main questions I have centre around the inlay repair. Can I reglue some of the pieces back in place that have curled. How best to glue them, white glue, epoxy? How best to fill in some of the gaps, epoxy?

Once I get some feedback I will begin to take it apart and post further.

Thanks in advance.
Its supposed to rain where I am on Friday so that will probably be my shop day and I will start work on this by taking it apart and trying to identify the glue that was used. Thanks all so far.
 

Attachments

#8 ·
First, get some advice

Brown Wood Rectangle Beige Flooring


Brown Wood Rectangle Table Wood stain


Brown Wood Rectangle Beige Flooring


Brown Rectangle Wood Beige Flooring


Brown Wood Rectangle Wood stain Hardwood


A neighbor of mine gave me this table as he is not a woodworker and felt he did not have the skills to refurbish it. So now I have another project. The table has no commercial markings on it so I feel that it was home made some years ago, maybe 50 years ago but I have nothing to base my estimate on. At any rate the table looked interesting enough that I will make an attempt at fixing it up but I am looking for a lot of advice and suggestions from anyone.

My first step will be to take the table apart, remove the oak legs, the brass corners and if possible the outside oak frame. The inlay itself is mounted/glued onto a piece of plywood it appears. A lot of the inlay has shrunk, curled, cracked and there is some water damage and one cigarette burn. Regardless I still think its unique enough that its worth the effort to refurbish it.

I do not know what type of wood has been used for the inlay. I would prefer to repair the existing wood rather than cutting new inlay as it would be difficult to match.

I have attacked some photos which better show the condition it is in. The main questions I have centre around the inlay repair. Can I reglue some of the pieces back in place that have curled. How best to glue them, white glue, epoxy? How best to fill in some of the gaps, epoxy?

Once I get some feedback I will begin to take it apart and post further.

Thanks in advance.
I had a bit of time this morning and followed some of the technique in the youtube video that was recommended by shipwright. I think it is safe to say that hide glue was used, so I have a portion of the table soaking for the day with wet paper towels and will try to remove some of the inlay tomorrow.
 

Attachments

#9 ·
First, get some advice

Brown Wood Rectangle Beige Flooring


Brown Wood Rectangle Table Wood stain


Brown Wood Rectangle Beige Flooring


Brown Rectangle Wood Beige Flooring


Brown Wood Rectangle Wood stain Hardwood


A neighbor of mine gave me this table as he is not a woodworker and felt he did not have the skills to refurbish it. So now I have another project. The table has no commercial markings on it so I feel that it was home made some years ago, maybe 50 years ago but I have nothing to base my estimate on. At any rate the table looked interesting enough that I will make an attempt at fixing it up but I am looking for a lot of advice and suggestions from anyone.

My first step will be to take the table apart, remove the oak legs, the brass corners and if possible the outside oak frame. The inlay itself is mounted/glued onto a piece of plywood it appears. A lot of the inlay has shrunk, curled, cracked and there is some water damage and one cigarette burn. Regardless I still think its unique enough that its worth the effort to refurbish it.

I do not know what type of wood has been used for the inlay. I would prefer to repair the existing wood rather than cutting new inlay as it would be difficult to match.

I have attacked some photos which better show the condition it is in. The main questions I have centre around the inlay repair. Can I reglue some of the pieces back in place that have curled. How best to glue them, white glue, epoxy? How best to fill in some of the gaps, epoxy?

Once I get some feedback I will begin to take it apart and post further.

Thanks in advance.
That's good news. You don't have to remove the old glue if you re-glue with hot hide glue or even heated liquid hide glue. It will blend with the new.
 

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#10 ·
First, get some advice

Brown Wood Rectangle Beige Flooring


Brown Wood Rectangle Table Wood stain


Brown Wood Rectangle Beige Flooring


Brown Rectangle Wood Beige Flooring


Brown Wood Rectangle Wood stain Hardwood


A neighbor of mine gave me this table as he is not a woodworker and felt he did not have the skills to refurbish it. So now I have another project. The table has no commercial markings on it so I feel that it was home made some years ago, maybe 50 years ago but I have nothing to base my estimate on. At any rate the table looked interesting enough that I will make an attempt at fixing it up but I am looking for a lot of advice and suggestions from anyone.

My first step will be to take the table apart, remove the oak legs, the brass corners and if possible the outside oak frame. The inlay itself is mounted/glued onto a piece of plywood it appears. A lot of the inlay has shrunk, curled, cracked and there is some water damage and one cigarette burn. Regardless I still think its unique enough that its worth the effort to refurbish it.

I do not know what type of wood has been used for the inlay. I would prefer to repair the existing wood rather than cutting new inlay as it would be difficult to match.

I have attacked some photos which better show the condition it is in. The main questions I have centre around the inlay repair. Can I reglue some of the pieces back in place that have curled. How best to glue them, white glue, epoxy? How best to fill in some of the gaps, epoxy?

Once I get some feedback I will begin to take it apart and post further.

Thanks in advance.
This reminds me of another game table that a LJ was asked to refurb. He went to a lot of time,effort and expense on the job. Then the owner picked it up said 'Thanks' and walked off with it.
I hope that doesn't happen in your case. You may want to talk cost now, before you're into it too deep. If the man gave it to you to keep then it's yours to do with as you wish.
Here's a link to Dr. Ken's story.
 

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#11 ·
First, get some advice

Brown Wood Rectangle Beige Flooring


Brown Wood Rectangle Table Wood stain


Brown Wood Rectangle Beige Flooring


Brown Rectangle Wood Beige Flooring


Brown Wood Rectangle Wood stain Hardwood


A neighbor of mine gave me this table as he is not a woodworker and felt he did not have the skills to refurbish it. So now I have another project. The table has no commercial markings on it so I feel that it was home made some years ago, maybe 50 years ago but I have nothing to base my estimate on. At any rate the table looked interesting enough that I will make an attempt at fixing it up but I am looking for a lot of advice and suggestions from anyone.

My first step will be to take the table apart, remove the oak legs, the brass corners and if possible the outside oak frame. The inlay itself is mounted/glued onto a piece of plywood it appears. A lot of the inlay has shrunk, curled, cracked and there is some water damage and one cigarette burn. Regardless I still think its unique enough that its worth the effort to refurbish it.

I do not know what type of wood has been used for the inlay. I would prefer to repair the existing wood rather than cutting new inlay as it would be difficult to match.

I have attacked some photos which better show the condition it is in. The main questions I have centre around the inlay repair. Can I reglue some of the pieces back in place that have curled. How best to glue them, white glue, epoxy? How best to fill in some of the gaps, epoxy?

Once I get some feedback I will begin to take it apart and post further.

Thanks in advance.
I'd agree with CFrye, that neighbour could be trouble. At the very least get him to agree to pay you $20 for the finished product, if you do it in US funds you should be okay because I think that is a lot of money Canadian.

On the other hand if he had half a clue he would have finished it himself. Be sure to show the finished product here and let him play the odd game of checkers with you, feed him booze and aways let him win.
 

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#12 ·
So far, so good

The curled bits of inlay were carefully removed from the table and put aside. Then I used some water and a steam iron to heat the vacant areas and remove the old glue from the plywood base. I also used the same technique to remove the old glue from the removed inlay pieces. Then I used the steam iron again to steam the individual pieces of inlay an pressed them between two pieces of plywood to get them flat again. This worked quite well. Some of the inlay was so bad I had to replace it so I resawed some oak to the thickness I required, about 1/16th, scroll sawed them to fit in some new pieces. Used some scrap purple heart to replace the diamond and heart symbol. Used some scrap ebony to replace the club and spade symbol. Cut those shapes with a scroll saw and lots of patience. All were glued back in place using white glue. I decided to used a table top epoxy finish on the whole table so white glue was sufficient for gluing the inlay back in place. The plywood base for the table is a little bit loose from the oak frame so I have to secure that and then the sanding begins. Photos to follow.
 
#14 ·
Photo as promised. The sanding has begun.

Brown Wood Rectangle Flooring Floor


As previously mentioned, all the inlay has been glued in and I have test sanded the outside edge as you can see with 60 grit. I need the heavy grit to get the old varnish topcoat off. I am using a combination of hand sanding and a palm sander.
 

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#15 ·
Photo as promised. The sanding has begun.

Brown Wood Rectangle Flooring Floor


As previously mentioned, all the inlay has been glued in and I have test sanded the outside edge as you can see with 60 grit. I need the heavy grit to get the old varnish topcoat off. I am using a combination of hand sanding and a palm sander.
Great progress, Peter!
 

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#16 ·
All sanded

Bit by bit and either with a palm sander or by hand, the table has been sanded to a nice smooth finish. 180 grit was the last grit I used and I felt that is sufficient for this project. I am quite happy with the progress and the way it looks. Now for the next step and looking for a bit of advice. I have researched as much as I can about applying a epoxy bar finish. I think it was on a youtube post that someone prefinished their table with tung oil. I am thinking of doing the same thing prior to applying the epoxy finish. My thought is that this will highlight the wood to a high degree and seal some of the gaps in the inlay prior to the epoxy. Photos of some of the gaps are attached. In no way will I use wood filler for those gaps but any other suggestions would be considered. Should I prefill some of the gaps with small amounts of epoxy prior to the final table pour? Thanks in advance.









 
#21 ·
Teak oil application

I have now applied two coats of teak oil to the table to seal it up a bit and hopefully this will help to reduce the amount of air bubbles that can show up during the epoxy application. I am still researching which bar top epoxy to use so it may be a while before my next post. I will probably have to get it mail ordered in after the Christmas season. At any rate, here is a photo. I like the way the teak oil has popped the different colours of the wood.

 
#23 ·
Final Chapter

So how many of us change our plans as we go along on a woodworking project. I would think the majority do for any number of reasons. My initial thought for this project was to put an epoxy bar top finish on it. After my research it would cost me about $150 for a quality product. Scratch that idea and lets go with a poly finish. 8 coats of poly, then wet sanded, followed by two more coats on top and the top is done. The folding table leg hardware that was on the original was broken, so off to Lowes for some new hardware, and easily installed in an hour. A bit of elbow grease polishing up the old brass corners and screw heads, and installed in an hour. The final touch was just a bit of red paint on the bolt heads which are used to hold the table legs in place. Project done. Now I'll give it away as a gift.

Thanks for looking.







 
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