How to repair a roll top desk

How to repair a roll top desk. v. Nov 2, 2014 · Antiquing Wax Chalk Paint Wood Glue Old Desk Wood Stain Sandpaper Clamps. Lay the canvas atop the glued surface and iron it on with a hot iron set on the linen setting. A gluing hack: because you're gluing end grain to end grain, glue up in 2 stages. ← Priming a Custom Exterior Restoring Roll Top Desks. As it is lifted, open the other drawers. H. There were a lot of loose joints, so it was dismantled and reassembled using wood glue and clamps. , the roll top desk. We are fully insured and have spent over 25 years serving all Apr 16, 2019 · Pretty much any wax will work, candle, beeswax, crayons (match the color), you might start with a liquid such as WD 40 and then migrate to solid wax. Feb 8, 2020 · Starting with this reinvented roll top desk project. Measurements: * Measures 54"W x 29"D x 50"H overall. Convinced there had to be a more efficient way to fabricate the cylinder desk, Buffalo, New York furniture maker, Abner Cutler, reimagined the domed door as a tambour door in the mid 1800s. Best Sellers Rank: #130,895 in Arts, Crafts & Sewing ( See Top 100 in Arts, Crafts & Sewing Aug 6, 2021 · THE NEXT GEN: Cutler Rolltop Desks. Best Answer. #antiquefurniturerestoration #antiquerestoration. Antique Restoration Centre. The Roll Top Desk Lock Key is designed for roll-top desks, made from diecast zinc with a brass-plated finish, featuring a double-bit design common in roll-top locks. Amish handmade roll top desks feature solid wood construction and a top of line varnish. Y. Repeat this step with the right side of the inner desk frame. Tambour doors are retractable doors constructed of thin, stacked strips of wood which are mounted to a flexible backing. Apply tambour glue to the flat back of one slat. Start by first filling any dents or cracks with wood glue, let it dry, then lightly sand. Research our price guide with auction results on 101 items from $6 to $10,200. Roll-top desks are practical, reliable and durable. Tim Inman: I like hide glue for its ease of use, lasting power and authenticity. Wood Types. Then I apply the second piece of plywood over the slats and apply pressure with clamps and cauls. Glue on the new end caps and pin nail for support. Starting at $3974 View Product. Mar 11, 2021 · The Before. Jan 15, 2016 · Repair of the tambour on an antique A. Set the slats in position glue side up. We found that most customers choose roll top desks with an average price of $1,351. It just made sense to use the bed of the truck as a Older roll top desks will typically have a patina of wear in the wood and metal hardware, as well as some marks that demonstrate the age and quality of the construction. I also sanded the edges, planning to stain them. The chair with an old repair to the Apr 3, 2021 · Seal With A Top Coat. Made of Feb 13, 2005 · Product details. The top part of a roll top desk is called a tambour. $1,650. The roll top was broken in two places, but was surprisingly easy to fix. Next, I quickly and carefully position the slats side-by-side on the canvas. 5"D x 49"H Nostalgic Vintage Styling -turn of the century look with 25 drawers to organize your office space and files. It is a narrow, hinged panel that can be raised or lowered to cover the top of a desk or compartment, typically by unrolling or rolling the panel horizontally. Roll Top Desk Lock Key Specifications. 1. An adjustable desk can’t be adjusted unless it detects that the legs are uneven. * Worksurface measures 50-7/8"W x 26"D, with storage compartments overhanging 12". Some desks continue the slats along each Feb 24, 2018 · Clamp them tightly together and then apply the glue and canvas to the back. Tambour rides in 3/8"x3/8" slots which must be widened a bit at the sharpest curves. Step 1. Material: Diecast Zinc, Brass Plated; Overall Length: 2-1/2 inches; Shaft Length: 1-3/8 inches; Bits: 3/16 inches wide x 1/8 inches tall Oct 18, 2021 · The legs are slightly uneven. A roll-top desk lock works by having two levers that interact with a retaining clip on the interior surface of the desk’s top. Apr 16, 2019 · Pretty much any wax will work, candle, beeswax, crayons (match the color), you might start with a liquid such as WD 40 and then migrate to solid wax. This desk has hand-carved scrolling that decorates the front of this distinctive roll-top desk. Feb 4, 2024 · 5 min read. ThriftyFun is powered by your wisdom! Oct 19, 2013 · It's thinner and wood glue is a poor adhesive for regluing joints. Mar 30, 2016 · Take a long stick or something and put it in the cut-out and lift. $1,29900. Mogie on Jan 02, 2023. It started to take off, and then completely stopped. Spread it around evenly with the roller. 00. Pre-Owned · Fred. Remember always go with the grain. However, repairing a roll-top isn't always so simple. It also has four main slots to Apr 22, 2021 - Needing to know how to fix a roll top tambour. 44 ounces. Advertisement. Of course, for many, the ability to close the roll top also preserved (or hid MINIATURE REGENCY MAHOGANY AND EBONIZED ROLL-TOP DESK AND A MINIATURE VICTORIAN SIDE CHAIR23 x 13 x 11 in. We refinish mantels, doors, bedroom sets, dining room sets, antique roll-top desks, occasional tables, upholstered chairs, couches, side chairs and cane chairs. Date First Available ‏ : ‎ February 13, 2005. Sand the desk with 120 grit sandpaper. 00 shipping. 19. Monitor hole centered and 22"w x 17 1/2"h. See more ideas about roll top desk, antique desk, desk. com/collections/john-bear-woodworksEarly American Fold Top desk restoration. You may come no closer than the date the company went out of business, or you may be able to decipher product codes to determine a specific year of manufacture. It will glue a lot better if you can get the joints completely apart and glue them with a slow drying two part epoxy. “My wife always wanted a roll top desk, and I was tired of doing my weekly journaling on our dining table,” Sarah says. Repeat this step on the top drawer on each side to unlock all the drawers. The use of the tambour dates back centuries, and it was originally used to cover the alcove of an abbey or church. Two deep file drawers with heavy duty metal extension glides Locking file drawers Solid Wood tambour with full canvas underneath and key lock Roll the top down to hide the "work in progress"! Sep 26, 2017 · The rolltop desk is simply a "pedestal desk"--a top set on two columns of drawers--with a top case added. Jul 17, 2017 · How to Repair a Roll Top Desk. Cut the fabric to be about four inches less than the width of your roll top and just slightly less than the length. There were 2 ways at the time to do this. If necessary, sand remnants of the old glue away and wipe the dust off with a soft cloth. Knee hole is 19". You can pull down the top to hide all your papers. It closes up and tucks away to hide all the art supplies when not in use. The entire desk was scrubbed and sanded before starting. One thing is that the solutions to all the problems are mostly similar. Then follow with a wood cleaner and polisher in one. The roll top desks are available for purchase. $17,500. Wood glue works by soaking into the pores of the wood and on a reglue the pores are sealed with the old glue. So far, so good, right…or so it seemed. If you are going to paint your Hoosier Cabinet then prime it first and sand the primer. She just moved in with Lindsey our other daughter and realized that she had no furniture and if Lindsey were to move out all Anna would have left in the house would be her bed and her dresser. 36 watching. Furniture and Furnishings - Roll top desk repair - I have a 25 year old oak roll top desk. Roll Top Desk Makeover Last week Anna, our daughter who just graduated from college, and I did a desk makeover. The best primer, especially for old wood items that have a bit of a funky Feb 22, 2024 · 1. Jul 9, 2021 · In this weeks video, I posted a video I completed a while back. Nov 16, 2016 · After that issue was resolved the draws were easy to do, just sand them back stain and varnish. Sand until the old finish is completely gone and the surface of the oak is rough. With pins and wire holding the sections in place or. Box 599, Rough and Ready, Calif Nov 6, 2021 · This was my attempt and success to get my roll top open Sep 19, 2022 · Identify the Wood. Apply primer to the drawer fronts, moving the brush from side to side. Mar 25, 2020 · This beautiful Chest on Chest from the late 1800's is made up of teak, camphor, mahogany, cedar & Kingwood and has come up beautifully after restoration. Aug 6, 2020 · John Bear Woodworks Online Merchandise Store: https://www. FREE delivery Jun 10 - 13. All of this is done in our fully equipped workshop. The cubbies were convenient organizers and the ability to lock the drawers and the roll top closed overnight were valuable security enhancements. Use the Phillips #2 screwdriver to screw the four #5 wood screws (15mm) and tighten the rectangular plate. Product Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 36 x 54 x 0. Perhaps a leg got bumped and it’s now skewed off center, so the desk can’t go up or down. First stage: dilute wood glue with water and apply to end grain surfaces; let it dry. Remove the screws with a slotted screwdriver. Allow the primer to dry. , the chair. The slats have fallen off of the canvas on the roll top. Repeat this step with the right side of Fix a Broken Drawer Front.   The bits on this key are cut in the most common configuration. I vacuumned the rolltop while closed along every movable part and moved the rolltop up and vacuumed the channels it moved in as much as possible. Shelf life after opening is six months + or -. Take a good look at the type of wood the roll-top desk is made of to help you determine its age. . “When I saw this on Facebook Marketplace, I immediately bought Then I position the canvas in the tray and apply white glue with a stiff, wide brush. compressmerch. Step 9. If you complete the process accordingly you may get a fruitful result for your damaged roll-top desk and make it look like a new piece. Of course I said "sure!" Postmaster’s Roll Top Desk - Close Top - 58” & 60” W. The plan from the beginning was to sell this piece and I never know what the person who buys it will use it as so I often seal it regardless. 1 inches; 13. Use your hands and a veneer hammer or other roller to even out the canvas, pushing the excess glue out to the sides. Roll top is 24"h (not counting top shelf) x 49"w x 28"d (again approx. 10461; 212-792-1600. tray table for about $20. About Press Copyright Contact us Creators Advertise Developers Terms Privacy Policy & Safety How YouTube works Test new features NFL Sunday Ticket Press Copyright Dec 31, 2023 · You can fix your roll-top desk at home on your own if you apply the right method for the damage and follow the guidelines properly. With a roll-top desk, you never have to worry about how messy or disorganized the desk is. then when it is dry you will have to bend the fabric between each slat to make it roll. If the control box recognizes that there is an uneven leg, then a complete reset must be done in order for the leg to be realigned. Nov 8, 2019 · About Press Copyright Contact us Creators Advertise Developers Terms Privacy Policy & Safety How YouTube works Test new features NFL Sunday Ticket Press Copyright Jepps & Co oak roll top desk roll top with fitted interior, 4 drawers with centralised locking and 2 pull out shelves below122 cm wide, 66 cm deep, 113 cm high. Next, you'll want to prime your piece (unless you're using chalk paint, then you can just start painting). Jan 27, 2024 · Sew or glue the folded edge to create a neat, finished edge. Roll top desks were the desk of choice in the late nineteenth century and early twentieth. Aug 24, 2012 · Set a piece of canvas or tambour replacement cloth atop your work surface. Push one side of the tambour against a straight edge to make sure the slats of the tambour are properly aligned. After the glue has had a half-hour to set I remove the clamps and carefully remove Sep 28, 2018 · Apply a light coat of primer to the desk, using a medium paint brush and working from the top down. We started taking it apart while it was still in the truck as soon as he got home. Mini Roll Top Desk Solid Oak Wood 32x 24x 44 Small Writing or Laptop Desk Burnished Walnut Finish Small Desk For Home Office, Kitchen, Bedroom, Living Room, Den Great Bill Paying Desk. Some people believe that disassembling a roll top desk to make repairs to the tambour is like finding the key to a Chinese Puzzle Box. All rolltop desks have a three-sided cabinet that has tracks routed along the top and front edges of each side, lined with metal or plastic so that the roll part, or "tambour," will slide easily. If using a magnet, first attach a matching magnet or small metal plate to the bottom of the door and then secure another to the inside of the door directly above it. Jul 28, 2014 · All that you'll need to fix the desk is some heavy duty fabric and glue (I used wood glue, but I'm sure craft glue would work as well). Use fabric glue, applied with a paint brush, to glue a new piece of canvas Aug 26, 2022 · Received 1,939 Upvotes on 1,742 Posts. Jul 24, 2016 · Try rubbing mayo or peanut butter on the wood in a circular motion first. 17 1/2 x 8 x 7 1/2 in, seat height 7 1/2 in. Second stage: apply wood glue to surfaces, set, and pin nail. Note that the top row of cubbies are only 6" deep to accomodate tambour when open. Human hands cannot tear this remarkable fabric! Tambour cloth is sold by the yard. I also used furniture lemon oil on the channels and Sep 19, 2013 · This video features the tambour that is included in one of our most popular roll top desks at DutchCrafters! Tambours are a popular feature amongst roll top Dec 15, 2008 · The glue looks like Elmers white glue, but is specifically formulated for the canvas/slat combination. Then apply two coats of a high quality paint and, voila, you will have discovered a new hobby — or maybe discovered why people bring their furniture to guys like us for refinishing. Leave 1 inch of each slat end free of glue and center the boards on the cloth. ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0006ZN9GQ. It is a simple process. I inherited my Father's antique rolltop desk and it needed some dust removed from the rolltop to make it open smoothly. The early roll-top desks were typically constructed from cherry, mahogany or black walnut, while oak was often used after 1900.   Our customers have had great luck opening 54"W x 28. Place the roller tube from the blind kit onto the fabric, aligning it with the top edge. Antique 66″ Mahogany Roll top Desk – Fred Macey Furniture Company Grand Rapids M. Then, tighten the screws, fill the holes, add shims, and adjust the drawers. Jan 26, 2018 · Make your own standing laptop desk or table using a t. Apply glue to each slat, one at a time, and carefully place it on the cloth. But be careful not to use too much water or the Apr 15, 2020 - Explore Barbara Hrbek Gordon's board "Repurposed roll top desks" on Pinterest. I saved old tapered candles for this type of thing but old crayons work also and almost everybody has some old crayons.   It is designed to open roll-top desk locks. Find out here how to get your roll top desk back in working order! Apr 22 Aug 30, 2023 · We collected and analyzed 16,759 customer reviews through our big data system to write the roll top desks list. Keep the roll top in its hidden position so you can paint the desk’s inside and the bottom piece of the roll top. Lift the roll-top portion of the desk and slide out the tambour, or slatted door, setting it cloth-side All furniture is hand stripped, repaired, custom finished and restored. In this first part of a 2 part video, we show how easy it is to re-line a leather desk top with one of our new leathers, which are all made to order to perfe Aug 26, 2020 · Once cleaned up you should sand the cabinet. Discard any broken pieces of drawer. The yellow streaks are part of the wood grain and Cut a piece to fit the area and pour on the glue. Apr 8, 2021 · This may require hand cutting on a miter box using a sharp saw. The heat will reactivate the glue and stick the cloth to it. Try a package of picture hanging wire. Sep 22, 2016 - Explore Terry Harmon's board "Rolltop desk repair" on Pinterest. Apr 15, 2020 - Explore Barbara Hrbek Gordon's board "Repurposed roll top desks" on Pinterest. Jul 19, 2014 · I was using Miss Mustard Seed Milk Paint (Typewriter), and didn’t really want the paint to chip, so I sanded the top of the desk and top of the roll top portion, so the paint would stick. Now place the canvas, glue side down, on the surface of the tambours. Step 2 - Remove the Door. Oct 29, 2021 · Wipe the entire oak roll-top desk with a damp cloth to clean the stripper off. Nov 19, 2021 · For Sarah and her wife, their first furniture DIY was a little more ambitious: revamping an old roll-top desk Sarah scored for $50 on Facebook Marketplace. See more ideas about roll top desk, furniture makeover, home decor. See more. Small Business. Since the stained wood needed to be sealed I sealed the entire piece. Furniture, Wood and Cabinetry Finishing - Tambour Repair on an old roll Top Desk - I have a roll top desk from the late 1880's to early 1900's, the tambour is held together with stranded wire, which one of the three wire strands broke. The file drawer accepts both letter and legal file folders and also features french dovetails joints and ball bearing drawer slides. When the top is rolled down, the activity of the levers causes the retention clip to become locked to the surface of the desk. So hopefully it tak Roll Top Desk Lock Key The KY-8 is made from diecast zinc and has a shiny brass-plated finish. due to shape). But for some reason. One of our friends gave us a 100+-year-old roll top desk. We have researched hundreds of brands and picked the top brands of roll top desks, including Nov 16, 2016 · After that issue was resolved the draws were easy to do, just sand them back stain and varnish. Manufacturer ‏ : ‎ Restorers Affiliate. Jun 26, 1986 · These are some suppliers of tambour locks: Contantine's, 2050 Eastchester Road, Bronx, N. If it is in bad repair, do not remove it; it still holds the slats of the tambour in place. Nov 2, 2011 · Stefan Ohmke, owner of New England Antique Furniture Repair Shop in Arlington (703-528-1800), softens that with vinegar. By Will Charpentier Updated July 17, 2017. Item model number ‏ : ‎ 0497 54"96X90 9. Find the worth of your antique roll top desks. If the tambour (which is the roll-top itself) is split into 2 pieces like you said, you're going to have to remove the top (the part with 2 sides with grooves) from the desk surface The next step was to create the rolltop door. Looking for hand-carved details in the wood or metal is another good sign of a roll top desk that is older. Lay the slat across the bottom of the cloth 1 inch above the bottom. It has a practical roll top makes this desk both beautiful and secure. Roll the fabric tightly around the tube, making sure it is straight and even. When my customer arrived with the bookshelf I was going to paint for her, she also brought a little desk and a chair and asked if I could refinish them too. Finding a label lets you confirm age from a commercial history. Please enter number of linear yards in Quantity box. It has a combination of rosewood/mahogany veneer, brass/bronze filigree, a leather writing surface and a marble top. I decided to try and clean up the leather first, which I did just using Dove bath soap and a soft cloth and lots of elbow grease. I researched and found a "mostly restored" exact copy of the desk selling in the area of $5000. There are five spacious drawers that can accommodate your small yet necessary items like stationery, pens, notepads, keys, or other required items. I have a roll top desk with the sliding door. But be careful not to use too much water or the Apr 8, 2021 · This may require hand cutting on a miter box using a sharp saw. Sometimes the Jan 28, 2024 · Fix Desk. This way the door will stick to the bottom portion of the cabinet and remain there. In this first part of a 2 part video, we show how easy it is to re-line a leather desk top with one of our new leathers, which are all made to order to perfe Nov 17, 2021 · We received a call about a roller top desk. 19th Century Hardware and Supply Company, P. Inspect the canvas backing that gives the tambour its flexibility. Make sure the roll-top is secure and easy to open and close, and that all of the drawers open and close properly. This roll-top desk is a complete build from scratch. From $7613 Quick View. Open the roll-top portion of the desk, looking inside for straps or screws which hold the top onto the rest of the desk. I choose this method. Pull the lift bar and the slats off the old cloth and wipe them dry with paper towels. Position the second half of the rectangular plate over the four wood screw holes (15mm) on the left side of the inner desk frame. I made 4 roll tops exactly the way Lisa described. If any of the components seem loose or repairs are needed, tighten or secure them. Before you paint, remove all hardware and prepare the surface. Kids art desk made from an old armoire is a great repurposed desk project idea using an armoire to make a new desk for the kids. Slide the tambour inside the groove in the upper desk. Use fabric glue or sew the fabric along the bottom edge to secure it to the tube. Oct 7, 2019 · A family member wanted to sell this antique roll-top desk, but one of the drawers did not operate properly. Set the screws aside in a small bowl so they won't get lost. If the desk is somewhat new and the glue does not respond to water, use vinegar instead. We, I mean my hubby, picked up the desk and into the back of our work truck it went–upside down. Nov 9, 2010 · If a weight is used simply glue or screw it to the inside of the door. Restoring Roll Top Desks. Hidden within the whimsical whorls of wood and the alluring lacquer of history lies the charm of an era gone by - the charm captured in the dignified presence of an antique roll top desk. 93 views. or Best Offer. When the top is rolled back up, the levers release the clip, allowing the desk to be unlocked. If a drawer's front panel is about to fall off, remove that solid piece of the drawer by taking out the screws with a screwdriver or a drill. The glue is applied to a few slats at a time with a small foam paint roller, then the canvas is laid on the glue covered back of the captive slats. Dec 4, 2023 · Recently acquired a roll-top desk that has extensive veneer damage, not sure of the best way to proceed. Our Walnut Professor's Roll Top Desk is made-to-order just for you. O. If it is really bad you can use a bit of steel wool and a cleaning product to get some of the gunk off. Using a heavy canvas and gluing the tambers to the canvas. Wait! Apr 21, 2009 · April 21, 2009. There are also some tell-tale signs of a roll top desk that is from Place the top of the lower desk off-center on the lower desk and place the assembly on the top, but such that the slot for the tambour hangs over the edge. It features tons of drawers and cubbies, as well as a pull-out platform that creates additional workspace.   Most skeleton keys have a bit on one side of the barrel but roll-tops require a double bit, one on each side of the barrel. Experiment a little with scrapwood and canvas to get the glue amount right. 97. A roll top is constructed with wood Take a long stick or something and put it in the cut-out and lift. Apr 14, 2019 · Add your voice! Click below to answer. And just kept repeating the process until my white cloth was clean. They also make a stylish addition to any room. But there are some small differences between some of them. Clean the entire desk and identify the possible problems that need fixing. Finally, finish up by polishing and dusting the desk. Oct 18, 2021 · The legs are slightly uneven. Mahogany is strong and dense because it lacks knots and holes in the grain of the wood, while cherry Jan 27, 2009 · Apply hide glue to each slat and let it dry. Or fastest delivery Jun 7 - 11. In my particular case, there is a plastic tube that fits in a hole on the underneath side of the desktop. Using Varathane Clear Top Coat in satin and applied two coats. 2. Use with our tambour glue (205857). This is my first ever refinished roll top desk!!!!! This was, gosh , I am not going to lie, a little bit of an intimidating project for me. Each curve and cubby tells a tale, every lock a secret, and within its structure, a narrative of craftsmanship and legacy is entwined. Jun 16, 2014 · Double-check the knee-hole, both sides of the bottom of the main drawer and the back of both the desk and its top. When someone tells you it can't be done, it's a reflection of their limitations, not yours. Wipe the desk with a tack cloth to clean off sawdust and sand it again with 220 grit sandpaper. Sep 26, 2017 · Step 8. Made from oak and oak plywood, polished to a gloss, this desk is a beautiful piece of craftsmanship when finished. I diagnosed the problem as a broken rail, most likely due to having too much weight Repair those sticking or broken roll top desks with this all natural, cotton twill Tambour Cloth. Of course, for many, the ability to close the roll top also preserved (or hid Traditional Roll-Top Desk. Andrews roll top desk (1870-90's) Apr 24, 2014 · Dampen the old cloth with a sponge to loosen the hide glue if the desk is old. Sep 3, 2020 - Some people believe that disassembling a roll top desk to make repairs to the tambour is like finding the key to a Chinese Puzzle Box. DIY Roll-Top Desk from Instructables. The Tambers are cut from 3/4" Oak x 3/4" and I used a Sears table saw Molding cutter. Pinterest. The mission was to restore Grandad's desk - restore not paint not "upcycle" - bring it back to life! We l Next, check the roll-top and all its components to ensure they are working. Apr 3, 2002 · Tightening down the cleats holds the slats tight to the plywood, face down. Condition The desk has age splits, scuffing and wear throughout with a lovely, fitted interior, the roll top moves smoothly. Pull out writing surfaces are above the first box drawer on each side. Upvote. bd fy uc tt lt vc pe vv uy ic