Gday from another Newbie

[Deano156]

Gday Gents,

Just dropping in to Introduce myself. My name is Deane, I'm 26 years old from southeast Victoria. I'm a complete amateur when it comes to woodworking, and would love some advice or tips along the way from the pro's around here.
I've just moved to my place and now I finally have a garage i can start working on getting some tools and starting some projects I've been wanting to do.
The first job I've started is trying to strip back and repair my mother's old rocking chair for my wife to use when our first baby comes. If i can finish this without doing my head in, i might get the bug and try something bigger.

Cheers,
Deane

[Christos]

Welcome to the forum.

[crowie]

G'Day & Welcome to a top forum "Deane".
There are a heap of members in & around Melbourne as well as across the rest of Victoria..
You'll find a heap of helpful & knowledgeable blokes & ladies on the forum and for most very willing to assist.
Make sure you show off your handiwork as everyone loves a photo, especially WIP [work in progress] photos with build notes.
Enjoy the forum.
Enjoy your woodwork.
Cheers, crowie

PS - Watch out for the Melbourne Wood Show in something like July/August.....

[JJF]

Welcome to the forum.

[old1955]

Welcome to the forum Deane.

[Xanthorrhoeas]

Hi Deane,

Welcome to the forum. We are a mixed bunch with many and varied opinions, sometimes at complete odds so you will have to pick your way.
If your rocking chair is old or antique there are a lot of things you need to be aware of and that will help rather than hinder you. For a start most antique finishes that you will encounter are shellac based so are easy to repair*.
Virtually all old rocking chairs will be glued together with animal hide/hoof and hide glue. It is good stuff and easy to re-glue BUT do not try to use a modern adhesive with it unless you want your wife and baby on the floor. If you do not want to go to the trouble of the old fashioned glue pot Carbatec sell an easy to use liquid hide glue that can bond to the original. Have a look at the restoration forum for some ideas and principal sponsor U-Beaut sells a good book and products to repair shellac finishes (I have not met him and have no affiliation, financial or otherwise).
*If your finish is shellac (check with metho) you do not need to remove the old. Just add new shellac and it freshens it up.

[Deano156]

Hi Deane,

Welcome to the forum. We are a mixed bunch with many and varied opinions, sometimes at complete odds so you will have to pick your way.
If your rocking chair is old or antique there are a lot of things you need to be aware of and that will help rather than hinder you. For a start most antique finishes that you will encounter are shellac based so are easy to repair*.
Virtually all old rocking chairs will be glued together with animal hide/hoof and hide glue. It is good stuff and easy to re-glue BUT do not try to use a modern adhesive with it unless you want your wife and baby on the floor. If you do not want to go to the trouble of the old fashioned glue pot Carbatec sell an easy to use liquid hide glue that can bond to the original. Have a look at the restoration forum for some ideas and principal sponsor U-Beaut sells a good book and products to repair shellac finishes (I have not met him and have no affiliation, financial or otherwise).
*If your finish is shellac (check with metho) you do not need to remove the old. Just add new shellac and it freshens it up.

Hey thanks for the info. The rocking chair isn't an antique, i would say its from the 80's or thereabouts. It also has 4 different coats of paint which is proving to be fun to remove. Which leaves my skin nice and itchy, probably a bad sign. I have no idea what type of wood it is, it's light in colour. and looks to have some water marks or some darkish stains embedded in the wood in some spots like, armrest, and near the rockers. Also has some small cracks and chips here and there. I was hoping to be able to get it all sanded back without having to take it apart but I've noticed some dow joints have become loose so i might have to after all. i heard a bit of saliva and rub the glue is a good test to see if it's animal hide, so I will check that later and definitely look into that liquid hide glue.
Overall though it's mainly just small thing i was hoping to fix up without having to run out and buy too much tools for as my shed is pretty bare at the moment. It's good for killing time and keeping warm that's for sure.

cheers,
Deano

[Xanthorrhoeas]

Hi Deano,

Yes, a shed is a lifesaver, that's for sure. Do you have any photos of your chair. Forum members can give you lots of help if they can see what you are working on.

The best solvent for animal hide/hoof glue is boiling water. But, it does on easily remove all of it, hence my admonition to be careful what you use.

I agree with you about tools. My philosophy is to never buy a tool unless or until I absolutely need it (NOT want it). That has served me well over the years.

If you are not going to continue with woodwork/restoration then you will find that general purpose objects and tools will suffice.

ONLY if you get the woodwork bug full time will it be worthwhile buying woodwork gear "on spec".