Spinning Wheel

A few weeks ago, I found a
spinning wheel to restore. The finding was full of wood worm holes, one of the three legs was broken, also the bracket for the missing distaff.

First, the spinning wheel was separated into its individual pieces. Two pin unions had to be sawn apart. All parts were cleaned with acetone (see picture), treated with permethrin to stop the wood worm infestation, and consolidated with paraloid, in order to prevent further fractures.

As a next step, the broken bracket had to be reconstructed.

Therefore a part of wood, cut into a similar form, was glued to the site of fracture and was shaped with wood carver tools. In order to simulate the color, we applied some ink on the inflicted piece.

Furthermore, the pin connections were repaired. First new pins had to be planed, then they were glued into the previously drilled holes.
The many small wood worm holes were filled with a paste of colored mastix powder, using a small spatula, and, after a drying phase, it was sandpapered to smooth the surface.

On all parts, several layers of shellac were applied, after drying, possible cotton threads were eliminated with some fine steel wool - also to smoothen the surface and to remove uneven spots. Afterwards, two or three layers of shellac were applied and again slightly matted with steel wool.

Now, the parts were put back together and possibly some repairs were made - e.g. refitting pins (see picture).
Then the spinning wheel could be glued together again.
Finally some wax was applied and the piece was polished.
Ready... hope to sell it soon! My next projects need some space.

Mesa Camilla

My first piece to restore was a Mesa Camilla. It's a table that was used in Spain as heater: A pan with hot coals ("brasero") was placed under the table, and a table cloth, which reached to the floor and could be drawn over your legs while sitting on the table, was thrown over the surface.

The piece, which I restored, consists of a round table surface, a collapsible frame and a part which holds the pan. The parts were cleaned with acetone, and permethrin was injected to stop the wood worm infestation. Afterwards shellac was spreaded and all was matted with fine steel wool.

The metal hinges, allowing to fold the frame, were cleaned with a glass fibre pen and painted.




The fissures and wood worm holes were closed with wax, remains were removed with steel wool.
After a final application of shellack, the table was polished. Ready...