C-250 cabinet top

[gibsonj]

Hey Folks

This week-end, I noticed that the top panel of a C-250 I've just picked up has a split just starting. Probably happened from the move, or change in humidity between locations.

Anyway, I'm assuming that the top panel is glued down. Is that right? I'm thinking I'll have to remove the panel to attempt a repair. Does anyone have a suggestion on how to go about getting it off?

Thanks for your knowledge!

John

[timland]

Put cold hide glue in a hypodermic syringe and carefully squirt it under the lifted portion. Try not to lift it any more than you have to. An exacto razor blade works well for applying it in a fine crack . The nice thing about cold hide glue is that it cleans up well with a damp rag, even when dried.
Apply pressure to squeeze the extra glue out, cover the surface with wax paper, then clamp.
I would try avoid lifting the top panel off if you can.

[gibsonj]

timland

Thanks for the advice. I'd love not to have to remove the top, but the split is starting in about the center of the panel at the back, and is about 4-5 inches long. While I could get glue in there with a syringe, I'm thinking when I clamp it with some pressure, it's likely to not want to close up without putting too much strain on where its currently glued to the cove side of the hood.

If the original glue was hide glue, wonder if steam would loosen it. But, then, I guess there would be some risk to loosening any veneer as well.

John

[timland]

John,
Can you post a pic of the problem? It's difficult to give good advice without seeing it.
If the finish is too far gone and your planning on refinishing, you might as well remove the top veneer and glue a new piece on with contact cement.
If the finish is repairable, I would glue it back best you can and try to leave as much original as possible, even if it's not perfect.
It sometimes takes a lot of creativity to find the right clamp for a particular situation.
On the top, you might have to put a pile of bricks on.