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I have only just started experimenting with wood working, I finished a first project that I found here on the website and had a great time and will be starting another one some time this week. I'm starting out simple of course, my tools are limited as are my ability to cut in straight lines!
I wanted to also experiment with finishing some furniture as well, and I had found an old buffet online that was beat up and figured I could take a crack at sanding it down and re-finishing it. I was excited because through my conversations with the seller and the photos, it looked to be an old mission style white oak buffet. I figured "what luck" and went to go have a look at it, only to be hugely disappointed. The entire thing was covered in a white oak veneer, and just about all of it was peeling off from the top to the drawers to the decorative edges, there wasn't a single bit of it that wasn't flaking off.
Distressed, but still interested in the massive hunk of wood, I agreed to buy it off the guy, loaded it in the truck and took it home.
I definately think I've bitten off more than I can chew here, but I need some opinions or some suggestions on what I should do with it. First of all, exactly how old is this thing? I dont' know when veneer like that became popular, and although I would have placed it in the 60s or 70s as a result, I can't imagine furniture of that style would be popular in that era. Maybe it's older than I'm giving it credit for..... Should I attempt to "re-veneer" it? Is it worth taking the time to TRY to do that? I have a feeling most of the veneer is going to scrap off pretty easily and sanding down the.. glue or whatever it is, should only be a matter of time.
The wood itself seems in relatively good shape, there is some decay on the bottom of the legs, but nothing major, surprisingly. What exactly it IS under the veneer is beyond me, but it looks manufatured for sure. I think, failing to "restore" it to any usable shape inside of someone's home, I could always strip it down, build a few of the missing drawers and turn it into a suitable workbench, what do you think?
I'll try to snag a few photos this afternoon when i get home if anyone is interested.
Thanks for all the help.
Brian.