We have a very nice dresser that was custome made. It is about 5
years old, and I noticed on the side of the dresser that it is
starting to split from the bottom. It appears the split it where two
pieces of wood have been joined. I don't have little experience with
woodworking. I don't really want to spend the money to have someone
repair it either. I have read on sites that it should be
disassembled
to fix. Is there anything else I can do to fix it? The dresser is
made of cherry, it has no finish. We have moved from where it was
made, so the craftsman can't fix it. Can I use like Miniwax wood
filler? I have talked to some people and they said Gorilla glue is
good to use it to stop from splittle and then fill it. I think the
split started from not oiling it and the wood dried out. Also, whats
a good product to keep wood from drying and splitting.
dadiOH wrote:
> SNIP
>
> whether the separation is a real split or a failed glue joint, neither
> should have happened if the wood was properly seasoned prior to
> construction and if the maker did not "tie it down" so it could expand
> and contract with seasonal changes. IOW, sounds like the maker did a
> bum job.
>
> --
>
> dadiOH
>
That's kind of harsh. It is entirely possible what happened is not the
maker's fault, whether it got overstressed during a move, or kids are
involved or perhaps it was a problem with the glue. There are lots of
possible reasons for an otherwise well made joint to fail or a piece of
wood to split.
As to the original problem, ask a professional for an estimate. An
estimate should cost anything and if you don't know where to look for a
pro, post your location (city and state is enough) and someone can likely
recommend someone.
ron
>Again, if you can take a pic and post to
>alt.binaries.pictures.woodwoarking, we can be of MUCH greater help!
>
An excellent suggestion! Without a picture it's difficult to really
understand the problem. If the "split" is really a glue line that let go, the
panels may not have been truly parallel to begin with. A proper glue joint is
stronger than the adjacent wood and should hold beyond failure of the wood
itself. If the "split" is truly in the solid wood itself, you could have a
seasonal moisture differential that's drying the wood too much and causing
the split.
All wood products survive best in a controlled environment. And that doesn't
mean museum quality either. I live in Canada where the seasonal changes are
drastic. My central air conditioner removes moisture in the summer and I run
a humidifier during the very dry winter. My furniture, hardwood floors and
even two guitars do experience seasonal changes to their structure. But all
are in good condition because the change in moisture levels is controlled to
within a 25% differential.
If you can post a photo I'm sure the collective experience of the regulars
here may produce a solution. You could also take the photos to a professional
repairer who could offer an estimate for repairing your custom made piece.
Good luck.
Michael
--
Message posted via http://www.craftkb.com
[email protected] wrote:
> We have a very nice dresser that was custome made. It is about 5
> years old, and I noticed on the side of the dresser that it is
> starting to split from the bottom. It appears the split it where
> two pieces of wood have been joined.
That would be a "failed glue joint", not a split.
________________
I don't have little
> experience with woodworking. I don't really want to spend the
> money to have someone repair it either. I have read on sites that
> it should be disassembled
> to fix. Is there anything else I can do to fix it?
Depends. How long and wide (the crack) is the failed joint?
____________________
> The dresser is
> made of cherry, it has no finish. We have moved from where it was
> made, so the craftsman can't fix it. Can I use like Miniwax wood
> filler? I have talked to some people and they said Gorilla glue is
> good to use it to stop from splittle and then fill it.
Bad advice.
____________________
> I think the
> split started from not oiling it and the wood dried out.
Oiling wood doesn't keep it from "drying out". When the piece was
made, the wood was (should have been) at the proper moisture content.
It isn't going to chamge much from that unless it was made in a rain
forest and you moved to a desert.
_____________________
Also, whats a good product to keep wood from drying and splitting.
As stated above, it needs nothing. Any finish - including an oil
finish - is for esthetics and to make it easier to clean.
whether the separation is a real split or a failed glue joint, neither
should have happened if the wood was properly seasoned prior to
construction and if the maker did not "tie it down" so it could expand
and contract with seasonal changes. IOW, sounds like the maker did a
bum job.
--
dadiOH
____________________________
dadiOH's dandies v3.06...
...a help file of info about MP3s, recording from
LP/cassette and tips & tricks on this and that.
Get it at http://mysite.verizon.net/xico
On Feb 3, 11:17=A0am, [email protected] wrote:
> We have a very nice dresser that was custome made. =A0It is about 5
> years old, and I noticed on the side of the dresser that it is
> starting to split ...where two
> pieces of wood have been joined.
> [probably drying caused the issue ] ... whats
> a good product to keep wood from drying and splitting.
It's likely that a wide piece on the side is a loose panel, and not
really structurally stressed; ignore the split, in that case.
If it's really a wide joined panel that IS under stress, there
are cheats (ask at a hardware store about a Kreg jig or similar
pocket-screw system) that won't require disassembly.
I hope moderate clamp pressure closes the crevice?
Under no circumstances should you try to dribble glue into
a void in a good piece of furniture.
I know only one product that keeps wood from drying, and
polyethylene glycol is only applicable to raw wood, not to
a finished furniture item. Furniture lasts so long that other
moisture-control measures (paints, oils, waxes, etc.) are all
doomed to failure, though (of course) a museum-quality
moisture/temperature controlled environment could work.
On Feb 3, 4:18=A0pm, "dadiOH" <[email protected]> wrote:
> [email protected] wrote:
> > We have a very nice dresser that was custome made. =A0It is about 5
> > years old, and I noticed on the side of the dresser that it is
> > starting to split from the bottom. =A0It appears the split it where
> > two pieces of wood have been joined.
>
> That would be a "failed glue joint", not a split.
> ________________
>
> I don't have little
>
> > experience with woodworking. =A0I don't really want to spend the
> > money to have someone repair it either. =A0I have read on sites that
> > it should be disassembled
> > to fix. =A0Is there anything else I can do to fix it?
>
> Depends. =A0How long and wide (the crack) is the failed joint?
> ____________________
>
> > The dresser is
> > made of cherry, it has no finish. =A0We have moved from where it was
> > made, so the craftsman can't fix it. =A0Can I use like Miniwax wood
> > filler? =A0I have talked to some people and they said Gorilla glue is
> > good to use it to stop from splittle and then fill it.
>
> Bad advice.
> ____________________
>
> > I think the
> > split started from not oiling it and the wood dried out.
>
> Oiling wood doesn't keep it from "drying out". =A0When the piece was
> made, the wood was (should have been) at the proper moisture content.
> It isn't going to chamge much from that unless it was made in a rain
> forest and you moved to a desert.
> _____________________
>
> Also, whats a good product to keep wood from drying and splitting.
>
> As stated above, it needs nothing. =A0Any finish - including an oil
> finish - is for esthetics and to make it easier to clean.
>
> whether the separation is a real split or a failed glue joint, neither
> should have happened if the wood was properly seasoned prior to
> construction and if the maker did not "tie it down" so it could expand
> and contract with seasonal changes. =A0IOW, sounds like the maker did a
> bum job.
>
> --
>
> dadiOH
> ____________________________
>
> dadiOH's dandies v3.06...
> ...a help file of info about MP3s, recording from
> LP/cassette and tips & tricks on this and that.
> Get it athttp://mysite.verizon.net/xico
Please< I just do not understand: You have a very nice custom made
dresser and you do NOT want to pay to have it fixed! I repair alot of
furniture and this repair, even with pick up and delver probably would
be over $100.00. Please hire a professional or do not do anything!
good luck
mike
>We have a very nice dresser that was custome made. It is about 5
>years old, and I noticed on the side of the dresser that it is
>starting to split from the bottom. It appears the split it where two
>pieces of wood have been joined. I don't have little experience with
>woodworking. I don't really want to spend the money to have someone
>repair it either. I have read on sites that it should be
>disassembled
>to fix. Is there anything else I can do to fix it? The dresser is
>made of cherry, it has no finish. We have moved from where it was
>made, so the craftsman can't fix it. Can I use like Miniwax wood
>filler? I have talked to some people and they said Gorilla glue is
>good to use it to stop from splittle and then fill it. I think the
>split started from not oiling it and the wood dried out. Also, whats
>a good product to keep wood from drying and splitting.
Again, if you can take a pic and post to
alt.binaries.pictures.woodwoarking, we can be of MUCH greater help!
-Zz