Expert: Eileen Cronk - 3/21/2005

Question
HI!
I picked up an old dresser.  It is oak, with a striped oak veneer.  The front is curved and the panels are all 1/4inch maple.  All joints are either dovetail or mortise and tennon.  I suspect it was built around the 30's.  

The one drawer is missing all the parts except the front.  The dovetails have been broken from the piece.  My choices seem to be to rebuild the front or to use a different type of joint (possibly a blind rabbit) to rebuild the rest of the drawer.  What would you suggest in order to retain as much of its value as possible?

Thanks for your help!

Answer
Hi Terry
Nice to hear from you.
You are fortunate to have the original drawer front.
Personally I would much prefer a dresser with the original front than a replacement front.
A blind rabbit would be OK. This is a pretty strong joint too.
If you intend to sell this dresser, simply point out to the buyer the repairs you have made.
If this will be passed down, its always nice to see the repairs and the dates of them listed inside somewhere.
If you are an absolute stickler for detail, you can always take it to a professional restorer to fix the dovetails, but personally I do not think the expense would be justified on a 1930's oak veneer dresser.
It sounds to me like you know your way around wood repair, and I suspect you can do this job.
Good Luck
And please write any time..I enjoyed answering this.
Eileen