Table restoration

[Chrispy]

Just started on repairing a table, well say repairing reconstructing really.
this is what it looked like when I went to pick it up.

Unfortunately I wasn't the first to have a look at this job, some one else had made a start and gave up, having drilled out most of the broken dowels and gluing new ones in at all angles they must have realized that this was never going to go back together so gave up and returned it to the owner.

 

[No skills]

Oh dear, gonna plug the holes and domino it?

 

[Chrispy]

Spot on,
So after making a mock up corner to try to get my head round the geometry.

and a lot of cleaning up / De-glueing

All I needed to do then was work out how to assemble it, as you will see all three pieces interlock so need to go together at the same time and cramped in three directions.

It was so fiddly that I decided to do only one corner at a time while restraining the rest of the table to the bench with corner blocks to keep it square and give me something to cramp up to.

 

[Chrispy]

And with all four corners glued up and cleaned off, a bit of golden Oak stain to repair the colour then a few coats of AC lacquer and job done.
And if it stops raining for half an hour I'll deliver it back to it's owner.

 

[Chrispy]

Well it rained and it got a bit wet but all was OK, the client loved it.
And here is a picture with the glass top in place.

 

[owen]

You've done a good job putting that back together! It looks like very awkward joints to glue up. Not sure I'm keen on the glass top though, don't fancy looking at other people's knees while I'm eating my tea.

 

[Eric The Viking]

Really nice repair job, that. But you've made me very curious:

I do like the design, but might be tempted to go for smoked or frosted glass if I ever did one myself. Did you find out anything about the original designer/maker?

How was it joined originally? Dowels, or something else? I assume it couldn't be broken down for shipping, so rather awkward to move about.

With that design, everything shows, so you can't hide any reinforcement. I'd guess your Dominoes will be much stronger than the original.

Is there a rebate for the glass, or does it have those clear rubber pads to stop it sliding? I'd guess it's 8mm or even 10mm and thus pretty heavy.

Sorry lots of silly questions, but it does look good in its proper place!

 

[Chrispy]

Really nice repair job, that. But you've made me very curious:

I do like the design, but might be tempted to go for smoked or frosted glass if I ever did one myself. Did you find out anything about the original designer/maker?

How was it joined originally? Dowels, or something else? I assume it couldn't be broken down for shipping, so rather awkward to move about.

With that design, everything shows, so you can't hide any reinforcement. I'd guess your Dominoes will be much stronger than the original.

Is there a rebate for the glass, or does it have those clear rubber pads to stop it sliding? I'd guess it's 8mm or even 10mm and thus pretty heavy.

Sorry lots of silly questions, but it does look good in its proper place!

Eric I believe the table originally came from Heals, and they tend to have their own design team, yes you are right it does not come apart for moving hence the repair, it was made with 6mm beech dowels three per joint so my assumption is that three 6mm Dominoes will be stronger seeing as it was the dowels the broke first, and yes there is a rebate in the top rails for the 8mm glass which as you say is heavy.

 

[Eric The Viking]

Thanks for that, Chris. The whole thread has been really interesting.

cheers,

E.

 

[Harbo]

Nice repair but the table is awful - certainly not to my taste.

Rod

 

[Eric The Viking]

I think if I was doing it I'd arrange the joints to be heavier than the rest of the 'apron': It's elegant as-is, but any attempt to slide it around without lifting it (and it'll be heavy with the glass), would result in racking and possible damage to the joints.

The question is whether a thicker inserted piece on the corners would add to the strength, or if simple butt joints would be weaker.

I still think it's a really interesting idea.