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Cabinets, Furniture, Woodworks/antique furniture - humid to dry climate

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Expert: - 1/26/2011


Question
Greg, I have moved some antique furniture from NY State to the high desert of NM.  Is there anything I should do to treat the wood for our dry climate?  Thanks.

Answer
Hi Cynthia, there's really nothing you can 'treat' the wood with, it's really about the environment that they will live in. Humidity needs to be monitored and adjusted in their environment, and that may not be too easy to accomplish. Start with a Hygrometer which you can get at a good hardware store. It will tell you the relative humidity in a given space, and it should be maintained around the levels that the furniture is used to. (typically somewhere in the 15-30% range)..too dry and damage will occur, (cracking, splitting, veneer issues), too damp and swelling, mold,and finish issues can arise....most antiques will benefit from a simple cleaning, visual examination for any changes or issues, and paste wax, yearly. Hope that helps- Post back if need be- Greg

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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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