Timber ID and artificial aging

Wildman · 27 Oct 2016

I have just rescued a singer 12k sewing machine built in 1886. The case needs some care and attention.

the lower moulding on the upper case is missing on the rear of the case, no problem making it but getting it to match has me stumped. Advice please I am loathe to strip it all right back to bare wood so how do I make the new trim match. What timber is it likely to be?

ED65 · 27 Oct 2016

No idea what the original wood is but I don't think it's that important, using the same species won't ensure a match anyway. I think if you pick any reasonable lookalike species, anything light in colour with roughly the same grain, nobody will be able to spot it if you do the finishing steps well.

Best of luck on that front! Off the top of my head here's how I might try it: first thing to do is some tests to replicate the colour of the varnish or shellac on top of whatever wood you use to patch; then figure a way to mask it suitably so you can imitate the flaking of the failed finish; then after the masking is removed colour the exposed wood suitably grey.

The second part is the easiest as you can use latex masking fluid applied carefully with a fine brush, the end of a bamboo skewer or whatever. Greying the wood might be fairly easy too as you can get good results with thinned grey paint.

custard · 27 Oct 2016

Wildman":7c1ddm19 said:
What timber is it likely to be?

Do you think it was originally manufactured in the US or in the UK?

Do you have a photo of an unfinished area of the case, i.e. inside or underneath?

There's a chance it could have been made from two or more different woods. A carcass timber plus a different wood for the bent component, which was then finished to resemble the carcass. At that date Mahogany would be the logical guess for the missing moulding, even more likely if made in the UK, a bit more possibility of it being Cherry if manufactured in the Eastern US. Grain size is a help in deciding.

custard · 27 Oct 2016

I've now seen the Photobucket shots of the interior. Looks like Brazilian Mahogany, which is pretty much what you'd expect it to be. If you're struggling to find some I'm sure I could sort you out an off-cut. PM if you want to follow up.

Incidentally, the current trend in this type of restoration work is to choose matching materials but to only very lightly "distress" or age the component. In other words, restore the overall shape, structural integrity and functionality, but back away from faking originality. There's a lot to be said for this approach, the fact is without years of training and practise you're not going to perfectly match the original surfaces, so you'd likely end up with something that's not only fake but also obviously fake, surely better to perform an honest and unashamed restoration instead? Just my 2p's worth.

Wildman · 27 Oct 2016

thanks everyone, mahogany seems to fit with what I see inside, first job really is to re glue the plywood that has delaminated where the trim is missing clean the case and see what it looks like, I cannot replace the decal so it will be a white spirit clean followed by linseed and beeswax (masking the area I have to glue to of course). Not bothered about it looking fake as much as standing out like a sore thumb.