Expert: Eileen Cronk - 12/13/2007

Question
Hello and thank you for your advice. I would love to save my dining room table - a great consignment find. A candle tipped over and the table cloth caught fire - it burned a 10-inch spot in the center of the table top. The burn goes through the veneer and into the wood. Do you think it is worthwhile to have the top repaired and the veneer replaced? I love this table.

Answer
Hi Risa
Nice to hear from you.
Gosh I'm sorry this has happened. But it could have been worse as they say.
Risa the cost of the repair will be high if it can be done at all. If the burn went into the wood under the veneer, even a fraction, it too will need to be replaced as new veneer must have a perfectly level surface to adhere to.
In my honest opinion, having a new top made would be cheaper labor wise.
Sounds like a big thing, but its not at all for a wood shop.
Of course the cost of a solid walnut table top would be enourmous, but it could be made from cheaper wood and finished to match the legs.
Do I think its worth while to make the repair either way?..no.
But no way would I toss this table.
I would cut it down and make a smaller table....now thats easy.
Hope this helps
Kind Regards
Eileen