Thread: Repairing old hall table

Far too good a story not to share ...

The cute Red Cedar hall table in the pic below was dropped off by a friend (no names, no pack drill) in three rather badly damaged pieces. The top was in one piece, but had two severe cracks. The legs and frame were in two pieces because two of the frame pieces had been violently smashed in half. Of course, one must ask how such damage occurred.


Legend has it that a newly formed couple were rushing for the bedroom, and did not quite make it. The lady of the piece was de-nickered, lifted onto this spindly little cedar table and the beast with two backs was violently formed.


Unfortunately, the little table was no match for the writhing beast, and it broke in several places and deposited the two-backed beast onto the floor.


My friend showed me the pieces and asked, "Can you fix it?"


Silly question. Stay calm and Poppy will fix it.

The frames were repaired using epoxy and clamped to set. Fortunately, there was plenty of long grain being glued to long grain, so I'm confident about strength. Same for the top. Then everything was sanded and the gaps left by splintering wood were filled with plastic wood which was slightly stained to get a half decent colour match. Sanding sealer was followed by lacquer, and here is the finished product.

IMG20201124152651.jpg

I should have taken a pic before the repair, but my mind deserted me. Sorry.