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Cabinets, Furniture, Woodworks/Dining room table refinishing

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Expert: - 5/21/2009


Question
I have recently inherited a dining set from my in-laws. None of the furiture is my taste, however, we will keep it because it was given to my wife. Her parents purchased it in 1975, it is very large and heavy oak, manufactured by Singer Furniture in South Carolina.  The construction is quality, however, it is very dark and has a stippled effect finish over the stain. I intend to strip and restain/finish it. My mother thinks the table top is some type of formica because it is very smooth. I think it is a veneer (mayb 1/32 from the side view), however, I think it could withstand a stripping and light sanding. When you look at the table top at an angle you can see very slight highs and lows from the grain. My question is, would it be common to have a formica top on a dining set from this era and if so, is there any way to really tell that is what it is? If it helps at all, the set cost about $15K in 1975 (table (with two leaves), buffet, hutch, and 6 chairs. Thanks for any help!


Answer
Hi Jason, it would be very unusual to have Formica on a dining table top, and it wouldn't be finished over it, especially if it did cost that much in 1975.,....that's a lot of money in an era when you could buy a new car for $5000. Can you post a pic of the table? My guess is that it's a polished lacquer finish, and they can fill the pores of even a deep pored wood like Oak so they barely show.

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Greg Scholl

Expertise

Questions on Woodworking, wood finishing and refinishing of all kinds, repairing furniture and wooden objects, Architectural details, Woodturning, carving, tool usage, product usage, some chemistry as it applies to woodworking and related interests,cabinet making and furniture construction/design, etc. I have experience with all manners of colorants, finishes, paints, stains, dyes, glazes, and coatings, wood species recognition and usage,tool recommendations, blade types and recommendation,techniques and methods for many Woodworking related issues, etc.

Experience

Fine furniture restorer and cabinet maker for over 30 years,serving high end Antique dealers, Interior designers, Collectors in the CT area. Consulting for area Painting/Decorating and Building contractors on non painting issues..(staining, wood prep.,clear finishing, floor restoration and architectural detail restoration and repair, etc.) Sold, built, serviced, setup Home, Industrial, and Commercial stationary woodworking tools for a major tool retailer in CT. for three years, sold hand and power tools , provided knowledge, parts replacement, service, and on site service, Trade show Demo, and training as well.

Publications
Published in Fine Woodworking Magazine (12/97), included on Fine Woodworkings first "Best of Fine Woodworking" CD-ROM (2002) ...("27 year compilation of expert know-how")

Education/Credentials
Art School at Silvermine Guild in Norwalk, CT., 9 year apprenticeship in a European run Cabinet and Restoration shop in CT., various classes on subjects having to do with the field. Seminars from major Tool manufacturers, Skil/Bosch, Delta, Powermatic, Ritter, Porter cable, Milwaukee, Dewalt/B&Decker, Performax.

Past/Present Clients
Many varied clients including work on Martha Stewarts' Westport, CT. show house, many fine Antique dealers and private collectors in and around Fairfield County and in Woodbury, CT. (the Antiques capital of CT.), Golden Age of Trucking Museum, Wilton Historical Society.

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