Cabinets, Furniture, Woodworks/stuck dresser drawer

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Expert: - 1/17/2011


Question
My top dresser drawer sticks only in the winter time. During the summer months it works just fine, but as soon as the heat comes on it won't close the last 4 or 5 inches. There is a heat outlet (forced air) within 2 to 3 feet. The vents are closed during the winter because it is in the bedroom and gets too dry with the forced air.
Can't figure out why it sticks in the winter.
Thanks,
Judy

Answer
Hi Judy, you have figured it out...it's too dry in the house in the Winter. Even with the vents closed, the whole house is going to be dry with a forced hot air system. A simple Hygrometer from a good hardware store will help you figure out what the relative humidity is in the house, and I can already tell you....it's too dry. A simple planing of the drawer where it's binding would solve the problem, and it should be pretty easy to tell where it's binding with a little detective work.Often it's the drawer side that's just a little to wide.....hope that helps a little- 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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