Tommy MacDonald's 207 Woodworking Community • View topic

Reinhardt · **Posted:** Thu Apr 01, 10 12:01 pm

Need some help. Just got a job to do a restoration on an early 1900's cabinet with a drop down drawer that needs the felt replaced. Looking for suggestions on how remove the existing felt and what adhesive to apply to the replacement.

RaDioAcTivE · **Posted:** Thu Apr 01, 10 1:37 pm

Generally I almost always talk my clients into replacing the felt with leather which so far in 20 years of doing restoration I have yet to have anyone object to.

If felt must be the answer then a cabinet scraper is the quickest way to remove the old felt and glue. Water, naptha or any other solvents will aid you but also make a mess.

To apply new felt or leather I use wallpaper paste. You want the professional grade paste. It allows for a decent open time to move the leather around and stretch it into place. The only thing with felt is to be sure that it doesn't bleed through. You should also know that working with the cheap felt sheets found at your arts and crafts store is a MAJOR pain. If the paste soaks through then you can try spray adhesive but to be honest your best bet for felt is to flock it. You apply the glue and basically spray on the fibers. Check it out at Woodcraft:

http://www.woodcraft.com/Family/2000288 ... plies.aspx

Reinhardt · **Posted:** Thu Apr 01, 10 2:26 pm

Thanks for the help. I offered the leather alternative, but the client wanted to go with a lower cost felt and to mimic what was already in place. I will post how this process goes. Removal of the felt next week...

Reinhardt · **Posted:** Fri Apr 09, 10 5:46 pm

OK, so here's the update. Took over an hour to get the old felt off, but now the top is nice an clean.

barrydaniel · **Posted:** Fri Apr 09, 10 8:07 pm

What a mess!

that secretary did need some massive help. Good job removing the felt, I'll be watching your progress. Keep up with the fotos

RaDioAcTivE · **Posted:** Mon Apr 12, 10 11:58 am

Looking good so far. I usually will take a chisel and work the edge of the substrate down a bit all the way around the top. Mainly I do it for a leather replacement to allow for the thickness of the new leather so it's level with the veneer so it may not be needed with the felt.

If you're using a fabricated sheet of felt for the top be sure to use dowels to float it before you start to lay it down.

Reinhardt · **Posted:** Tue Apr 13, 10 10:10 am

Desk felt has been installed. Looks great. Purchased felt from VanDyke's and used hide glue to attach. No bleed through. I'll include photos of the entire restoration after my appointment next week.

efmrrt · **Posted:** Wed Apr 14, 10 4:37 pm

Man that green really makes it pop. Can't wait to see the finished piece.

Reinhardt · **Posted:** Thu Apr 15, 10 4:50 am

I agree, I was leaning toward dark leather, but I really like the green on this one.

TOMMY MAC · **Posted:** Thu Apr 15, 10 7:10 am

good job...

Reinhardt · **Posted:** Thu Jun 10, 10 3:21 pm

Here's a photo of the completed restoration.

efmrrt · **Posted:** Thu Jun 10, 10 5:08 pm

Wow! That looks great.

tiny · **Posted:** Thu Jun 10, 10 10:14 pm

Fantastic job man! I too agree that the green pops. Although I'm another leather fan, I can see where felt can have a place in the toolbox, and it"s cheaper too.
Thanks for the pics.

Paul
the little guy

steeveherris · **Joined:** Wed Jun 16, 10 6:21 am **Posts:** 3

I think you need to concern a carpenter for this and he will modify the parts as per your requirement and he will cut out the unwanted parts and make it perfectly suitable for your use.

RaDioAcTivE · **Posted:** Thu Jun 17, 10 12:08 pm

Here's the after picture on a Gillows architects desk that had the old green felt on it that I replaced with hand tooled leather just for kicks while this subject is fairly current.

tiny · **Posted:** Thu Jun 17, 10 2:52 pm

Is that a hot foil stamping job I see? Nice technique.

Paul
the little leatherworking guy

RaDioAcTivE · **Posted:** Thu Jun 17, 10 2:59 pm

Yes it is...heated up with a propane blow torch.

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