Replies

1. 
   sbaia_ | Feb 18, 2002 08:40pm | #1

   *
   Paul,

   I just finished a draw last night. By all accounts I'm a novice, but here's my advice. The draw sides, draw bottom (top and bottom sides) and center rail guide were finished with two coats of shellac. It's quick, easy and looks great.

   Good luck,
   Steve

1. 
   Mike_Maines | Feb 22, 2002 04:23pm | #2

   *If handcut pins, I finish them. More often I apply a seperate drawer front. One or two coats of shellac is a quick and easy way to seal the wood.

1. 
   Steve_Schefer | Feb 23, 2002 12:55am | #3

   *Paul, Here's something to think about. I have a nice antique hall table that has beautiful hand cut dovetails on the drawer. When it took it in for appraisal the dealer said it was great that the drawer sides were not finished. He said being able to tell if the wood on the drawer sides had aged or not was a direct reflection of the craftsmanship. If they did not show any discoloration then the craftsman ship was superb. The fact that the drawer operates extremely smooth and that when closed the fit was very tight proved that it was an original. He could not readily identify who made the piece but said it definitely had very high value.

1. 
   sherman | Feb 23, 2002 06:59am | #4

   *Paul, My personal preference is to finish the insides of drawers and usually the outside too. This makes cleaning them out a lot easier and prevents staining if something should ever get spilled in them. Have a good one. Sherman

1. 
   Scott_Braun | Feb 24, 2002 04:39pm | #5

   *Steve, "If they did not show any discoloration then the craftsmanship was superb."Could you explain that further? it doesn't make any sense to me. In fact, his whole evaluation process sounds a little suspect, or at least his explanations. You've made me very curious, could you tell us more about what he did and said about the piece?SB

2. 
   Steve_Schefer | Feb 26, 2002 02:06am | #6

   *Scott, something about the moist air not being able to constantly penetrate to the sides of the drawer. Believe me, there is absolutely no slop in the drawer in any direction no matter what time of year it is. I'm not sure how this is accomplished but I am impressed. The piece is early 1800's and believed to be European in origin. It has the original brass lions head ring pull on the drawer and all four lions paw brass feet are still on the legs. I don't have a craftsmans name yet but I'm still working on it. I did find a lot number on the bottom of the drawer but we think that was done during an estate sale. I was looking at the drawer under a magnifying glass last night and I think it may have received a coat of shellac. Could be that this appraiser was just throwing me a line so I'll take it to another and see what the results are.Personaly, other than the craftsmanship, the piece does nothing for me. I would rather turn it into a few new tools than look at it.Steve