1840's Scottish chest

[Dangermouse 2nd]

My latest project, the restoration of a really nice Scottish chest of drawers. Using period materials, cut nails and glue. Most of the joints on the interior had failed and there was / is a lot of age related wear on the runners and drawer sides and joints. but when finnished it will be a stunner.

 

[AndyT]

Nice! More pictures please, if you have them.
I take it that the pale wood is new, being glued in to replace worn sections? And that the lower runners are getting some more radical surgery?

It's nice to see quality old furniture getting some love - may I ask if you are doing this for your own use or as a commercial job? I've heard so many statements about "brown furniture" having no value it's refreshing to see a counter example.

 

[Dangermouse 2nd]

hi andy, yes the pale wood is "new" old pine I have let into the original runners. all of the runners had come loose from the sides, due to glue failure. So the other ones are going through the same process to some extent or other. Only one needs major surgery. This a hobby project for our own use and will take a prominent place in the bedroom. In this condition several years ago it would have been worth £ 150, after restoration around £600. I purchased it ten days ago for £48 and after the work is finished might be worth £150. Deffinetly a time to buy furniture if you like this style and age.. I'll post more photos as the work progresses.

 

[Jacob]

hi andy, yes the pale wood is "new" old pine I have let into the original runners. all of the runners had come loose from the sides, due to glue failure. So the other ones are going through the same process to some extent or other. Only one needs major surgery. This a hobby project for our own use and will take a prominent place in the bedroom. In this condition several years ago it would have been worth £ 150, after restoration around £600. I purchased it ten days ago for £48 and after the work is finished might be worth £150. Deffinetly a time to buy furniture if you like this style and age.. I'll post more photos as the work progresses.

Don't want to worry you but I'd expect the original runners to have been fitted without glue. This is to allow for differential cross grain movement - a change of environment and you could get a split side. I found this out the hard way!
They are usually secured in place with just one screw or nail, or glued M&T into the front rail, and held there by the dustboards in the slots (also a loose unglued fit.)

 

[MusicMan]

That's certainly true for the ones I've restored, too. With wood this old the movement may have pretty much stopped so it is less risk on restoring old furniture, but I like to respect the original (correct) design. Do have a careful look at the original to see where there was, and was not, glue.

 

[Dangermouse 2nd]

It was originally fully glued with hide glue, I know what you mean, but its lasted 179 years or so, so I put it back the way I found it. We still use open fires to mainly heat the house, as we have a lot of antique furniture. Using the central heating only when its really cold. Unlike most houses, its the horrible over use of that, that causes old furniture to split....

 

[Jacob]

Earlier repair glued by mistake? Would that account for the apparent split in the 3rd photo?
When I first encountered un-glued runners I thought it was a mistake until I got a split in the same place. Not veneered though, just 2 wide boards joined.
Then I stupidly did it again on a round table - the two bearers in line with the grain are firmly fixed but the 2 across have to be loose which I discovered when the top split down the join line, only a few weeks after I'd done it. Luckily they were only screwed so I could fix it easily.