Tim Puro writes:

Groop,

I was called in to look at a mahogany chest of drawers that was purchased

in London at an auction about four years ago. I assume the chest is late

1700's or early 1800's and made of Cuban mahogany but I'm no expert.

The chest is missing trim from the top edge and has some veneer damage

on the top.  My client bought it because the piece was in otherwise good

condition thinking she would have it repaired "someday".  Well, "someday"

has arrived.

I am sending along pictures of the case along with a few questions. First,

how was the trim attached to the top?  If you examine the picture where the

trim is missing, you might be able to see that the trim sits on an 1/8" rabbet

on the side of the chest and the veneer on the top covers the trim piece by

about 1/8".  How was the trim fastened to the piece?  I assume it was glued

on as I don't see evidence of nails being used to hold the trim on. Would it

have been common practice to glue this trim on?

My second question is, where do I find a Cuban mahogany to mill a new

piece of trim and where do I find Cuban mahogany veneer of adequate

thickness? Or do I just saw up my own veneer on a bandsaw?

Any advice from the Groop will be appreciated.

Thanks in advance

Tim Puro
Bloomington, Indiana