Thread: Help Please With Old Sideboard

Hi Hitch

I don't know of any trick or procedure that will straighten that bowed section. Without being able to see the grain, I'm guessing that the piece is flat sawn and after carving just too thin not to bend.
I suggest you use hide glue to stick the pieces back together

Depending on the design of the sideboard, the owners might just have to accept that one decorative element is bowed. It probable that teh matching piece is also bowed but not broken.
Alternatively, a new piece could be carved from quarter sawn timber -- but that's a big ask

You could try differential wetting - just rub over the carved face a few times with a damp cloth, just enough to leave a brief sheen of dampness on the surface. That may cause at least a temporary reversal of the curve.

If it just goes back (or the finish isn't able to tolerate water) you could try straightening as best is possible then glue a sheet of very thin ply on the back, where it would be out of sight, after glueing the main crack shut. I have seen some relativly thin - about 2mm - ply at some Bunnings, it is intended for use as cabinet backs.

If it were me, I would suggest the ply backing for the matching piece as well, to avoid a possible matching accident in the future. As Ian suggested, use hide glue as it is relatively easily removed while being quite strong - the stuff from Franklin - Liquid Hide Glue - is pretty good, its as strong & removeable as the original DIY version, but it doesn't need a glue pot, heat or other special equipment. You can get it from Carbatec and probably a few other specialist local shops.

Hi brslee

Without seeing the whole piece I'd caution the OP away from glueing teh decoration onto a piece of thin ply.
I think the forces which have lead to the bow in the decoration are great enough to bend ply thinner than about 9mm.

I hesitate to mention this but ...a small amount of kerfing to the back may allow it to be wrestled back into something resembling flat.
Drastic but the only way I can think of to straighten it and maybe keep it straight. Possibly glue it to some ply after it is straightened.
Recarving from some more stable timber would be the best option as Ian mentioned.

Thanks for your responses lads.

It has very straight grain across its length.

I won't get back to it for a few days so any further thoughts much appreciated.

Depending on just how it is fitted, you might be able to plane/shave a thin wedge off the bottom, back edge of the piece so it "sits more vertically" in position, even with the bow.

I suspect that anything you try - short of a replacement part - is going to be either temporary fix or a patent kluge.

Originally Posted by Skew ChiDAMN!!

Depending on just how it is fitted, you might be able to plane/shave a thin wedge off the bottom, back edge of the piece so it "sits more vertically" in position, even with the bow.

I suspect that anything you try - short of a replacement part - is going to be either temporary fix or a patent kluge.

Thanks Skew, good thought and I guess the possibility of also doing the same where the two pieces join. I will look into that if no option to straighten imerges.

Guess I was hoping someone would come up with something simple like .... put it in a paperbag, hold it to your chest and hum for ten seconds

As the grain is straight across the piece, I would be inclined to repeat what Nature has already started and make further splits. By bevelling the edge of the splits, the pieces could be returned to flat.

Originally Posted by rustynail

As the grain is straight across the piece, I would be inclined to repeat what Nature has already started and make further splits. By bevelling the edge of the splits, the pieces could be returned to flat.

Thanks Rusty, that could work however I feel a challenging procedure for me to undertake with confidence. I will put it to the owners as an option.