So..while cleaning this piece yesterday I noticed this...it is a round old piece of tin that has been nailed to the inside back of the cupboard...At first I thought--FINALLY--I found some hidden jewels, lots of hidden cash....but looking at the back of the piece I realized the tin's purpose....
It was to cover this knot in the wood that left a hole in the back of the piece...Still pretty cool I thought....
Now back to the loose drawer problem and how I decided to fix it..I wanted to keep the original wood drawer bottom because it looks to vintage...so since it was just a bit to short I decided to reattach the bottom with a nail gun--putting the nails at an angle...still not sure if I love it...but for now it will do...You can see the nails on the left bottom of the drawer-coming through the side....it is sturdy and did straighten out the drawer so it slides in and out better...this is usually most old drawer's problems...they need to be straightened again....and then the runners need to be soaped....
Next up--remove the hardware off the drawer....This takes awhile if you have older pieces like this..the screws are sometimes hard to get a good grip on...I stand right over the screw-and push down as hard as I can to turn--sometimes you must clean out the indent where the screwdriver is to go also....either way once the hardware is off you can tell something about your piece....and --isn't this hardware awesome?!
I could tell this piece had been painted once before when the handle was removed....now the drawer is ready to tape off and paint......
As I removed the other lower door I realized it was not secure...You can tell there is a piece attached to the back of the door....this was loose....
Both back pieces was very porous from being so old so I deiced to glue them as opposed to nailing...pulled out the glue and clamps again....
Once this was done I decided to try a quick coat before stopping for the night...then I decided to stop and clean up my work area after seeing this picture.....what a mess!!! Tip to remember from today--drawers that are difficult to pull in and out usually need to have the bottom straightened and reattached......then run a bar of soap over the runners and the area where the drawer slides and you should see a difference...more tomorrow!!
I am working on my 1st piece, which is a lovely desk with a drawer on either side of it. i.e. two people could sit and work. I actually washed much of it with water and Murphy's Oil Soap. The sludge that ran off of it...!!!?? Oh, my.
ReplyDeleteThe drawers are very rickety, so I like the tips. One is a bit rotted. I think bugs once, too. I am considering one of those wood hardeners. Have you worked with any of that?
I will soap my runners. :) Thanks again for the tips.