Help with my table, Please

JustAwkwardJenny

761

The top of one piece. The table is old but I’m not sure how old. It was handed down to me by my stepmom but she can’t remember where her parents got it. I’m sure I’m going to do this wrong as it’s only my second time to do this. Any tips on the age or what I’m doing?

This is the bottom of the second piece. The two pieces of wood hold the table together were there is a crack on top. I thought about using wood filler on it.

So you can’t tell very well but these are the wood slates that fit together under the table. It allows me to add the leaves. They are all wood and the only screws are what holds it to the table. All the screws are flathead except the ones my father replaced.

The legs to the table. I’m not sure the screw part was always there as a lot of joints seem to be more of a dowel system.

This is a center leg that can be added to support the table when it’s expanded.

This dowel(?) was in one of the legs.

help

antique

table

Apothecarius

I would recommend contacting either a local carpenter or a local antiques dealer. Ask them if they have recommendations etc and if they'd be willing to take a loot at it for you and tell you more.

1 year ago |

sinding79

I'm in now way qualifed to help, but I wish you good luck with the project. End result could be amazing.

Thank you🤗! I’m both excited and deeply afraid. I don’t think I can ruin it too much since it has two cracks but then I thought is be an antique I’m ruining?

Lifesforliving

#5 Hi bud, by lip under the table is it what you're holding in the photo? My guess is it's just for structural support where, I take it, the fifth leg goes. If not, please tell me which photo. Great to see you are giving it a go btw, good for you.

(You'll have to excuse me because sometimes the lights are on but there's nobody at home). Am I right in thinking that this is an expanding table? where another "leaf" is put in the middle to accommodate more seated guests? Only asking because it's been confusing me because I don't see the "leaf" as it's called in the photos. If I'm correct, then it's purely for support if the "leaf" is used. Not entirely necessary.

On picture two you can see the lip (?) that comes from the corners along the sides of the table. How unstable would it be it off? Sorry if I’m not making sense. Can I private message you if needed? I’m sure there’s a way on here but I haven’t done it yet

Hi Bud, what the 2 inch piece of wood in the top right corner facing downish and the half inch piece in the bottom right your Dad cut down to help secure the tabletop? If so, they're there to turn and used to support the middle leaf (and I'm sure there's two on the other side) when you have guests around and want to extend the table. If you don't want to extend the table for guests ever don't worry about it....In both of our defense it's bloody hard to show/convey what we mean without being 1/2

there, and if we were I'm sure it would be a "Aaah yes" thing. (The private message thing btw is that speech bubble in the top right corner but don't worry about it, we'll get there in sorting your table out.)

Possibly 1920(?) pine table that looks to be varnished from 1st photo. If it's pine it will be light weight, elm heavy but seems from photos someone used a coloured varnish. Flat wood screws indicate early. First thing, sand the tops and legs down. Buy a cheap orbital sander with assorted sand paper, start rough, end smooth. A flexible foam base on the orbital sander will help getting into the nooks and crannies of the legs but you'll need to hand sand paper the leg details. Bigish job. 1/?

BTW don't bother sanding the table underneath if you don't want to as nobody sees it. Once you know the colour of the table top then buy filler to match. For a better job, remove the 2xplywood repairs, add wood glue and use ratchet straps, sash clamps or just rest vertical and add weights to bring the surfaces together. Wipe away glue with damp cloth but just make sure it's completely flat before leaving the glue to dry. Are those metal screws poking out of the legs? If so congratulate your 2/?

Dad as it seems they'll just screw back in. Finally finish the table how you want. I'd recommend a good yacht varnish as it's durable and water resistant. If this has family ties to you then give it all the love you can. Ultimately, and I seriously mean no disrespect, it's not that valuable and not sure of the US market in "brown" furniture as it's known but about £40 in UK. But heirlooms to me a priceless. Wish you the best of luck bud.

Thank you so much for all the help! I didn’t think it would be worth a lot but I didn’t want to be one of those people. lol 😂 It’s definitely the biggest project I’ve ever attempted.

Full respect to you for even trying it and asking for help bud. If you decide to do it and need help then just message me, I've got your back. Have a good one!

Hi! I have a quick question I was hoping to get some help with. Do you think the lip under the table is necessary? It appears I can just take it off. There are complaints that some peoples legs don’t fit under it. I keep going back and forth. There is a fifth leg in the middle for support

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