Veneer Repair

[Lou Ortiz]

I'm considering taking on a repair job to refurbish an antique pool table. Beautiful table and one of the best playing, if I can get the veneer back in shape. I haven't yet seen the table, but the guy that's got it sent me this photo. If all of the veneer is in the same shape, is it repairable, or would I have to remove it and reveneer the piece? Also has damage to the inlay in spots, so this wouldn't get any easier...

[Mike Henderson]

If you were doing it as a labor of love, it might be worth it. But if he has to pay you for the work, it might be cheaper to buy a new table. That piece needs some pretty major work. There's a couple of ways to attack the problem but one way to do it is to remove the finish with stripper, find veneer that matches the existing veneer, and piece it in such a way that the patches aren't obvious. And when you finish making all the veneer repairs, then finish it again.

Trying to patch it while saving the existing finish would be even more difficult.

The only way such an extensive repair would be worth while is if the piece of furniture is worth a LOT of money.

Of course, you could sand all the veneer off and replace it but you'd destroy any antique value it might have.

Mike

[Tony Joyce]

The inlay banding is available new. Google "acute marquetry". Looks identical to the picture.

[Lou Ortiz]

Tony, Mike,

Thanks for the tips. This table would be wholly for me, but if done properly, could be nice. I just haven't done veneer and taking this on as a first project would be a challenge.

Lou

[Scott Rollins]

Due to the size of the table you will have the best luck with PSA backed veneer. Basically peel and stick. Or you could try contact cement from Joe woodworker. I have had good luck using his stuff on antiques.

[Tony Bilello]

Tony, Mike,
This table would be wholly for me, but if done properly, could be nice. I just haven't done veneer and taking this on as a first project would be a challenge.
Lou

The photo looks pretty bad so it will be much worse when up front and personal. I'm not sure if you are doing this job for money "..I'm considering taking on a repair job..."or they are giving it to you "...This table would be wholly for me...". If you have to ask these questions, you are in way over your head. Even if you are doing this for yourself, it will be in your way for a very very long time.

[Lou Ortiz]

I do woodworking for myself and this table is no exception. Why would I be in over my head? I've mostly focused on reproductions, I have done some marquetry and have a fairly well setup shop, is there something I'm missing about the complexity of veneering or repairing this piece?

[Mike Henderson]

I do woodworking for myself and this table is no exception. Why would I be in over my head? I've mostly focused on reproductions, I have done some marquetry and have a fairly well setup shop, is there something I'm missing about the complexity of veneering or repairing this piece?
If you have the skill and time, there's nothing to keep you from getting it repaired. You probably know this, but don't use PSA or contact cement on raw veneer.

Mike

[Lou Ortiz]

Well...I'm trying to gather both more skill and time, always a challenge.

Lou

[Mike Henderson]

Well...I'm trying to gather both more skill and time, always a challenge.

Lou
My analysis is that there's a lot of repair areas to do - so it'll be time consuming and tedious - assuming you repair it and don't replace all the veneer.

And as someone else said earlier, the actual item is always worse than the picture.

Mike

[Tony Bilello]

I do woodworking for myself and this table is no exception. Why would I be in over my head? I've mostly focused on reproductions, I have done some marquetry and have a fairly well setup shop, is there something I'm missing about the complexity of veneering or repairing this piece?

Don't get so defensive. You were the one that asked the question which to me implies that you did not have much knowledge or experience in this. You aslo asked ".... If all of the veneer is in the same shape, is it repairable, or would I have to remove it and reveneer the piece? Also has damage to the inlay in spots....," Now you say "
I do woodworking for myself and this table is no exception. I've mostly focused on reproductions, I have done some marquetry and have a fairly well setup shop ". I just am getting mixed messages. No matter, I'm done with this post.