Rotted trunk base

[greenwillow]

Hi, I picked up this sweet trunk with hand-forged metal for a few bucks. Sadly, the bottom is full of worm-wood holes and dry rot. I doubt a nail or screw will hold it, it's in such poor condition.

The woman I bought it from said she had had it since her grown children were small so I guess the damage is older than that. She estimated it was 150-200 years old. Hate to take off the bottom and put a new on one - it there an alternative someone would suggest?
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[Lyle]

I think it is too far gone. In my opinion it'll need replacing.

[russ57]

Take these suggestions as from someone who has never done either...

-stabilise with epoxy? I vaguely recall a rot treatment that was supposed to save timber.

-add a false bottom of acrylic

Is the trunk stable as it is?
Restoring for appearance/display or use or for preservation?



Russ

[Xanthorrhoeas]

As russ57 has said, it will depend to a great extent on your planned use and whether it is holding together as it is. I have used the epoxy wood rot stabiliser and it does work well if the timber has rot but is not falling apart. It has a very nasty smell so should only be used outdoors and with good ventilation.

The history of items like this trunk has often meant that parts have been altered/repaired/replaced as needed so it would not really be a bad idea to fit a new base - that would be the strongest and cleanest repair.

Good luck with it.

David

[scarletaura]

Seems really bad, it's beautiful though, hope you find a solution to save it.

[Tonyz]

thought of sealing and pouring resin over, that way keep the timber (to show its authenticity) but protect it from further deterioration, then repeat the resin on the inside.

[markharrison]

It's hard to be too certain about these things (especially only from a photo); but I would not be at all surprised if that chest is considerably older than the estimate given by the previous owner.

I think I would circulate a photos with local antiques dealers and valuers and get an opinion before making any changes to it. If it is not worth much then it may as well be repaired with new wood rather mess about with other stop-gaps. Just my thoughts.

[greenwillow]

Hi All!

First, thanks for all the advice. I appreciate it. After thinking through it and realizing the nails are surely hand-forged, I decided to leave the trunk as-is. Perhaps one day I'll find a restorer that I trust to do it justice.


In the meantime, to455968 resolve my concern about the weakness of the base, and because I wanted to be sure I had an easy way to move the trunk so I can clean under it without scratching my floors, I constructed and antiqued (that was fun!) a dolly for it to sit in. Here is the result.