Is there a forum for restoring antique furniture?

[John Huber]

I have a set of mahogany dining chairs from the early 1800s that have damage to the bottoms of the legs. I suspect a dog has chewed them. I need advice on how much to sand down the damage and what technique to touch up the damaged area.

Thanks in advance for advice on a forum to ask for help.

[Larry Fox]

Check Homesteadfinishing - I believe they have one dedicated to this.

[Jason Whelehon]

Refinishing is sometimes MUCH more difficult than building from scratch. There's a myriad of ways to rebuild wood. It's all about what stays true to the piece. If the legs are highly ornamental and carved, it's probably best to go with a dyed epoxy that matches the wood you're fixing. Another way is to use mahogany dust and PVA (yellow glue) and build up that way. Sometimes you have to get more radical and use VERY sharp chisels and planes to remove alot of stock then glue on a new piece and reshape to match. Personally, that's my go to technique unless it's a highly ornamental or carved piece... then you have to re-hand carve it to match.