Replies

1. 
   YesMaam27577 | Feb 19, 2008 03:58pm | #1

   There are basically two choices: water or heat.

   In general, water will damage other aspects of older pieces.

   So, heat. Just enough to soften the glue -- not enough to bubble any of the finish, and certainly not enough to char anything.

   Politics is the antithesis of problem solving.

1. 
   GLASTARZA | Feb 19, 2008 04:13pm | #2

   thanks for your reply.i'm very new to restoration. is there a special tool to use to apply heat? or can I use hair dryer?thnx,
   g

1. 
   9michael9 | Feb 19, 2008 06:04pm | #3

   Most of the time, if its an old piece, you can take a deadblow and a wood cushion and tap the joint apart.  Be gentle when hammering and try to set up a staccato rhythm and most joints will give.

1. 
   TampaTom | Feb 19, 2008 06:40pm | #4

   Just how old is the piece? If it's a real antique, it was probably assembled with hide glue - the stuff made from boiled cow skins, hooves...you know, the good stuff!If that's the case, you should be able to break the remaining glue bonds easily with the padded mallet taps. Wipe the joints down with a hot, damp rag.Now, when you reassemble it, don't use yellow glue - you can't 'renew' the glue should the piece rattle apart again in the future.Go to a real woodworking shop (either brick and mortar like Rockler or Woodcraft, or internet) and get some bottled hide glue. Use that, and you'll be right as rain.Tom Iovino

   Tom's Workbench

   http://tomsworkbench.com

2. 
   YesMaam27577 | Feb 19, 2008 10:48pm | #5

   A hair dryer would work, but its gonna take some time for the heat to "soak" into the joint.I've successfully used a light bulb (60watt) in a drop-light fixture. It's easy to position, and can be left for an hour or so.....But as I mentioned earlier -- be careful that the heat doesn't damage the piece.

   Politics is the antithesis of problem solving.

1. 
   GLASTARZA | Feb 20, 2008 12:23am | #6

   thank you for your help. I have a small space heater that I may give a shot.Are you a professional? I just got into fixing furniture through an artist's class nearby and I'm fascinated by it.best,
   g

1. 
   YesMaam27577 | Feb 21, 2008 10:25pm | #7

   >>Are you a professional? I just got into.......Perhaps some would call me a pro -- but not a professional furniture maker.I am self employed, advertising myself as a Handyman. I do a lot of "built-ins", some cabinetry, some furniture repair and restoration. Even some fairly large remodeling jobs. Just about anything I can do well, and make money doing.I just finished a ceramic floor installation, and am now developing a bid for cabinets and counters in a large laundry room.The jobs I like best are the ones that bring me back to woodworking.

   Politics is the antithesis of problem solving.

2. 
   willy | Feb 21, 2008 10:43pm | #8

   It's probably hide glue holding the unit together. Water and heat will loosen the joints. It may be necessary to drill a 1/32" hole on an angle to the bottom of the mortise and inject water with a hypo needle. I just finished this process with antique chairs over 100 years of age.It worked o.k. but needed a few injections of water to loosen the rungs and legs. Once separated, clean up the old glue, again with water and heat and use hide glue to re-glue the project.