I have been asked to repair some inlay on an antique table that has come loose and is pulling off. The inlay is gold/brass/tin? (the parts that are coming loose) being very, very thin.
I was planning on regluing it after trying to scape the old glue and wax out of the groove.
I don’t want to use a glue that will do harm to the areas touching the repair.
This is a very old piece and I am a trim carpenter not a conserver so I am hoping you can help me to “do no harm”.
Replies
Hi Bob,
It's probably held in place with hide glue - a.k.a.pearl glue. there's a bit of an art in getting it set right.
Brass was prepared for inlay by washing it in an acid - was it lemon juice(?) from memory. I've never inlaid brass and am running on memory here from trade training long ago. Don't touch the inlay you remove until you know for sure how to prepare it for re-attachment.
CHeers,
eddie
edit: Knew I'd seen something somewhere on a forum recently.
http://forums.taunton.com/n/mb/message.asp?webtag=fw-knots&msg=7516.1
Edited 10/8/2006 2:55 pm by eddiefromAustralia
Edited 10/8/2006 2:58 pm by eddiefromAustralia
If the piece has any real value, then you are better off telling your friend to consult with an expert in restoring antiques.
Even if you're well-intentioned, a repair that turns out to be klutzy can seriously diminish the value of the piece.
On the other hand, if you still want to do it, maybe somebody here will give you counsel.
Rob Millard stills hangs out around here, and he knows as much about inlays as there probably is to know. I would suggest you do a search on his screen name -- RMillard -- send him an email, with a link to your thread, and ask if he would be willing to comment.
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"It is what we learn after we think we know it all, that counts."
John Wooden 1910-
Thank you. I read about the process and think it is tooo much for me to learn and too complicated for an on the job fix. The piece is very valuable.
I am fixing and converting many pieces on this job and am learning tons. I put together a piece from the Johnny Cash estate...first job I was asked to do...and was shocked to find out that the pile of old walnut (stored in a garage for years) had been purchased for six figures. I am sure glad they didn't tell me that when I was working on it. It turned out great.
If you look old and wise people think you can do anything....lol.
I have had excellent success gluing brass inlay with epoxy. I use West System, but it must be used exactly as the instructions state, but a bit of roughing with sandpaper on the back of the brass is a good idea first, as the epoxy needs something to grip.
Hal
http://www.rivercitywoodworks.com
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