I picked up this set of modular barrister's book shelves for my daughter last week Over all everything is in good shape but it needs a few minor fixes. I have already reattached the door on the top unit -- had to make a bracket for that fix. I am planning to preserves its existing patina but I will touch up a few dings in the finish. The worst bit of damage is a large missing chunk of wood on one of the doors. The joint actually seems to be quite solid but it is in a bad location because behind this spot is a gear and axle for the slide mechanism. This makes it difficult to use some sort of filler approach. This is the track that the gear rides in. There is one on both sides to prevent racking as you slide the door in and out. A pretty cool mechanism, actually.
I am looking for ideas on how you would approach the repair so that it is both structurally and functionally sound but also does not look like a sore thumb.
I was initially thinking that I would carve a small piece of white oak to fit the missing chip but getting good fit can be challenging as can getting a good grain match.
Another alternative is to use some sort of filler and then carefully sand, stain and draw in grain with a finish repair marker. With it being on the edge with a shallow rabbet behind it where the gear rotates, it seems like that might difficult to do.
The most drastic option is to deconstruct the joint, cut out the chipped area and glue in a new piece, matching the grain the best I can. I assume that it is assembled with hide glue (and possibly some nails) so seems like it should be fairly easy to take apart. I would have to duplicate edge rabbet and groove across the back but I feel like I can make that work. I will probably have to disassemble more than just this joint, includin removing the glass. Note that the glass appears to be the original which affects the value of the unit so I would not want to risk breaking the glass. This may be one of those cases where the adage of first do no harm comes into play so this is probably a last resort.
Anyway, I was hoping that someone has some ideas, techniques or simply advice that I have not considered before I dive into the repair.
--Nathan, TX. Hire the lazy man. He may not do as much work but that's because he will find a better way.
I would enlarge the damage to try and make it rectangular so I can easily cut a patch to fit. That might be possible without deconstructing the joint, but might not. I would pick a piece of white oak that has as close to a grain-match as possible and darken it with garnet shellac to match before a final finish.
Since the joint seems to be sound, I think I would consider NOT repairing the missing chuck of wood. Consider it part of the patina. A gentile cleaning, touchup, waxing and call it done.
What does your daughter think?
As you indicated in your post, repairing it will not be easy and could be disasterous (broken glass, more wood damage, etc.)
I think the least risky repair option is carving a piece to replace the missing chunk. Not easy, but you can start the process without doing any modification to the damaged area. If you decide the replacement piece will match the grain and look good, then you can clean up the edges of the gap to make the patch fit perfectly.
Oh cool bookcase! I don’t have much to say about the repair options. I think I’d have to see it in person to have an opinion, but I’m sure you’ll be able to sort it out…
Ryan/// ~sigh~ I blew up another bowl. Moke told me "I made the inside bigger than the outside".
.jpg)
