Astro-Cupboard

FlashDrive (Poppy) · #1 11-07-2015, 04:03 PM

Bought this from a ' second hand ' shop about 2 weeks ago at Kilcoy.
Reckon she'll come up nicely after a ' sand back ' and new vanish.
I'll use it as a writing desk and put some of my ' astro gear ' in the cupboard below.

I've taken the doors and ' brass ' handles and hinges off it and started sanding it.
Will buy new hinges .... not to sure if I can obtain new handles like these.
I could sit down and ' polish ' with brasso to see how they come up.

This type of furniture is just not made anymore.... 2 ' sliders ' at each end to support the top as it folds down.
The top is also supported by a ' small chain ' as it is opened fully..... this is not seen on the pics as it is missing.... will be easy to fix that.

Flash ....

FlashDrive (Poppy) · #2 11-07-2015, 04:30 PM

Work so far......

LewisM · #3 11-07-2015, 06:25 PM

I would not sand it Col. I'd do some rubbing with 000 and 0000 steel wool, stain it back (Feast and Watson maple would be a close match), rub back again with 0000 and then a GOOD quality drying oil - Tung Oil or Danish Oil.

I would NOT varnish it - my grandfather stripped, sanded and then varnished some quality silky oak furniture years ago, and it just looks yellow and lifeless.

FlashDrive (Poppy) · #4 11-07-2015, 06:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LewisM

I would not sand it Col. I'd do some rubbing with 000 and 0000 steel wool, stain it back (Feast and Watson maple would be a close match), rub back again with 0000 and then a GOOD quality drying oil - Tung Oil or Danish Oil.

I would NOT varnish it - my grandfather stripped, sanded and then varnished some quality silky oak furniture years ago, and it just looks yellow and lifeless.

Thanks for the ' tip ' ...will definitely look into that ... don't want to spoil a good outcome.

Cheers....

brian nordstrom (As avatar) · #5 12-07-2015, 02:23 PM

+ 1 on that .
Brian.

Quote:

Originally Posted by LewisM

I would not sand it Col. I'd do some rubbing with 000 and 0000 steel wool, stain it back (Feast and Watson maple would be a close match), rub back again with 0000 and then a GOOD quality drying oil - Tung Oil or Danish Oil.

I would NOT varnish it - my grandfather stripped, sanded and then varnished some quality silky oak furniture years ago, and it just looks yellow and lifeless.

Octane (Humayun) · #6 12-07-2015, 09:59 PM

What a great find. I'd love something like that!

H

GrahamL · #7 13-07-2015, 06:45 AM

looks great Col ,are the side panels one piece ?

finished a bit of old furniture with this , much better than estapol

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shellac

Kunama · #8 13-07-2015, 07:29 AM

Excellent idea Col, though you might not fit all your astro stuff into it (might have to send some to me !!! ). I agree with Graham on the use of shellac, I used to restore some silky oak pieces.

Looking forward to your progress with it ........

LewisM · #9 13-07-2015, 12:54 PM

Yeah, but shellac CAN be tricky to get right. I suggest getting PURE Ethanol (get from Paint shop, explain it is for Shellac, otherwise they have the right NOT to sell it to you), and use the proper ball rag method, not a paint brush or similar (the foam brushes are worthless for shellac unless you want it to look like a Chinese cutlery set

). The trick to shellac/french polish is MANY MANY layers, rubbed back, spit coats, deep coats, moving quickly...

I think we just tlaked Col out of it.

You could try the rub on Polyurethanes by Minwax - they look like oil when done properly, and don't shine overly unless you want them to. Bunnings used to sell in gloss and satin, and it was good (fine for rifle stocks even) - none here at the moment, but maybe down your way or Brisbane.

Shellac looks incredible - WHEN DONE RIGHT. If it is not done right, it looks gad awful. I did a jewelry box for the wife 7 years ago and it still looks new.

jjz (Joe) · #10 13-07-2015, 02:13 PM

I wouldnt do much to the piece, I would preserve the patina by simply using something like this: http://www.ubeaut.com.au/reviver.html and a wax http://www.ubeaut.com.au/trad.html

Ubeaut also sell shellac products but like other have said it is tricky to apply.

good luck

JJZ

FlashDrive (Poppy) · #11 13-07-2015, 09:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jjz

I wouldnt do much to the piece, I would preserve the patina by simply using something like this: http://www.ubeaut.com.au/reviver.html and a wax http://www.ubeaut.com.au/trad.html

Ubeaut also sell shellac products but like other have said it is tricky to apply.

good luck

JJZ

Thanks for the links Joe...got some work to do.
Thanks everyone else for your input...

Col

FlashDrive (Poppy) · #12 13-07-2015, 09:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Octane

What a great find. I'd love something like that!

H

I stumbled across this one by chance.

Thanks ' H '

Col...

tileys · #13 14-07-2015, 12:48 AM

That's what they call a bureau in Europe and a secretary in the US. I've got an old English oak one, a family heirloom. They are very flexible little pieces of furniture and you're right - you can't find much like this anymore.

Nice find.

AussieTrooper (Ben) · #14 15-07-2015, 11:13 AM

I have an antique one very similar to that. Up at my folks place whilst we do renovations. It’s a bloody great piece of furniature and in pretty good condition.

FlashDrive (Poppy) · #15 24-07-2015, 07:43 PM

I've been a bit lazy lately ... so I've nearly finished the handles.
I ' steel wooled ' the Cabinet and ' put 2 coats of ' french polish ' on and the wood grain is showing very nicely.
The wooden top you see is not the Cabinet ...that's the work shop bench.

Col

FlashDrive (Poppy) · #16 25-07-2015, 04:34 PM

Did some more today ..... this is not a full blown restoration.
I'm just giving this cupboard a new lease of life.
There are ' nicks and bumps ' everywhere which I have left .... gives it its character.
Scroll down to the start of the thread and see the ' old ' pic's
The last pic shown here is how I received it.
A lot more work to be done yet....

Col.....