Woodworker's Journal 1981-5-6, страница 12

Restoring Antiques

by John Olson

Several years ago, while restoring an antique rocker, I learned a lesson about replacing cane in old chairs. This particular rocker was from the Victorian period, a beautiful chair featuring a seat and back of cane. Its construction and design was somewhat different from that generally found in cane rockers of that period. The uprights on either side of the back were turnings, made of birch, each measuring about 1 Vi inches in diameter. They extended 32 inches from the seat frame to the top of the finial on each side. These finials were grooved balls, turned with a round tenon to fit into a hole bored in the top of each upright. The hand caned portion of the back, which measured 14 inches wide by 24 inches high, consisted of a frame made from rounds with regularly spaced holes for the caning. The verical pieces were Vi inch diameter and fit into the ⁵/« inch horizontal pieces. These cross-pieces extended beyond the caned frame to fit into round tenon holes in the uprights.

Above the caned frame was another frame, this one measuring 4 inches high. Its top piece extended from upright to upright and was again assembled with round tenons in round mortises. This frame held 6 vertical spools, each turned to fit the motif of the finials. The rest of the chair was of conventional construction with the exception of 5 turned spools which extended vertically below the arms to a round cross-piece that fit into the rear uprights and the front posts. These spools were turned to match those in the back.

When the rocker came into my shop it was finished with an unsightly reddish maple varnish stain (a now almost extinct item, I am happy to say). It also had a brand new can-

STATEMENT OF OWNERSHIP. MANAGEMENT AND CIRCULATION

I. Title of publication: The Woodworker's Journal, la. Publication no. 373410. 2. Dale of filing: Octobers. 1981. 3. Frequency of issue: bimonthly. 3a. No. of issues published annually: 6. 3b. Annual subscription price: $12.00. 4. Location of known office of publication: 25 Town View Dr., P.O. Box 1629. New Milford. CT 06776. 5. Location of headquarters: 25Town View Dr.. P.O. Box 1629. New Milford. CT06776. 6. Names and addresses of Publisher. Editor and Managing Editor: James J. McQuillan. Publisher and Editor. Thomas G. Begnal. Managing Editor. 25 Town View Dr.. New Milford. CT 06776. 7. Owner: Madrigal Publishing Co., Inc.. 25 Town View Dr.. New Milford. CT 06776. Stockholders owning 1 percent or more of total amount of stock: James J. McQuillan. 8. Known bondholders, mortgagees, and other security holders owning or holding 1 percent or more of total amount of bonds, mortgages, or other securities: none. 9. For completion by nonprofit organizations: not applicable. 10. Extent and

nature of circulation: a vrr.gc no lopw, Actual no topic, >.|

enh l.iuc dunng onglc u.uc published

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A. Total no. copies printed (net press run).............. 45773 ........................ 48762

B. Paid Circulation

1. Sales through dealers, carriers, street

vendors and counter sales................................ 558..........................1702

2. Mail subscriptions......................................... 42119........................ 43428

C. Total paid circulation....................................... 42677 ........................ 45130

D. Free Distribution by mail, carrier or other means

samples, complimentary and other free copies........87 ...........................114

E. Total distribution............................................. 42764 ........................ 45244

F. Copies not distributed

1. Office use. leftover, unaccounted, spoiled

after printing.................................................... 3009 ......................... 3518

2. Returns from news agents....................................0..............................0

G. Total............................................................ 45773 ........................ 487C2

II.1 certify that the statements made by me above are correct and complete: (s) James J. McQuillan.

ing job. Unfortunately, however, the stresses from that new cane resulted in disaster. The seat side rails and all four members of the caned back frame had split and broken beyond reasonable repair. Close inspection showed that the side rails had been made from a defective board, one with wind shakes, and that the caning holes had been drilled along cracks that developed over the passing years. The backframe members apparently broke because they did not have a large enough diameter for the applied stresses.

It would be unreasonable to reglue these members and expect them to stand up to the stress of a new caning job. Proper repair first required complete disassembly of the rocker. This job wasn't too difficult since the old original animal glue had almost completely disintegrated. Next, the old finish was removed and the joints thoroughly cleaned. All parts then received a complete sanding.

New side rails (close copies of the original) were made from birch. A jig made from 1 inch angle iron assured that the 7/32 inch caning holes would be spaced exactly V* " on center. Clamped to each piece, this jig made hole drilling a quick and easy job. The new inner frame members were made from straight grained birch dowels and each member was made '/«" larger in diameter than the originals to prevent a repetition of the disaster. Incidentally, the larger members improved the overall appearance of the chair.

All parts were reassembled with a good epoxy formulated for wood gluing. After a careful cleanup and finish sanding, a clear low luster acrylic finish was applied with a spray gun. The back and seat were recaned in the conventional manner using well-soaked Vt" caning. This material comes in strips up to 6 or 8 feet long and must be coiled for soaking. When applied wet and then pulled taut, a tremendous pressure builds up as the cane dries and shrinks to form a tight springy seat and back.

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