Cabinets, Furniture, Woodworks/60's sewing cabinet

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Expert: - 6/29/2011


Question
I just purchased a sewing machine in a cabinet.  I have refinished a sewing cabinet before with good results.  Although this one is primarily wood, it has double doors with the ugliest plastic wood panels.  I have the idea to take the panels out and replace with a padded linen panels.  I can't figure out how to get the hideous panels out other than taking them off and busting them out with a hammer--crude at best.  Could you suggest how this might be done?

Answer
Hi Lynn,
Panels like these are held in by a groove routed in the stiles and rails of the doors. You could probably drill a 5/16" hole in the center of each panel and take a jig saw and cut an "X" to each corner, being careful not to score the wood, then break out the panels..but that would leave you no way to insert the new panels... the best way is to rout out the back of the door to free the panels using a straight edge or template and a plunge router with a straight bit with a bearing on it. This is however, pretty advanced woodworking, and if you're unfamiliar with using this type of power tool, I would recommend getting someone else to do it who is. Any competent Carpenter/Cabinetmaker should be able to do it for you for just a few dollars.....hope that helps-please feel free to post back if need be- regards- 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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