Covering Antique Rails - Is this the right way???

Tom334

Tom334

Restored 1913 Jefferson
Silver Member
Is this the right way to finsh the ends of a Brunswick T rail from 1912??? When I got the table the ends were covered with cloth and there were lots of tack holes there also. I've finished a couple of the ends and I think it's right. Just looking for some input from the pros...
Thanks...

rail1.jpg
 
Thanks Dartman... Not very easy to get them to look good!!! Took a long time, but I'm happy with them. By the 6th rail I kind of knew what I was doing.. Only took me an hour for that one!!! LOL... This weekend the bed gets covered :D Getting close...
 
Tom334 said:
Thanks Dartman... Not very easy to get them to look good!!! Took a long time, but I'm happy with them. By the 6th rail I kind of knew what I was doing.. Only took me an hour for that one!!! LOL... This weekend the bed gets covered :D Getting close...
Click to expand...
Your hired!!!
 
rails

That is how i do them, but i use my air stapler and 3-m glue on the lower part.
Thanx, Ron
 
Dead Crab said:
The tacks sure look better than staples. How long are they? Did you use a gun or hammer?
Click to expand...

Dead Crap,
I'll let you know what size I used when I get back in town. I hammered them in. (poor fingers... LOL) They look better than staples and you might be able to see the lower ones with the drop pockets once installed... I actualy stapled them first way past where the tacks are then tacked the cloth and trimmed it up. Worked out well... Under the rails I used an electric staple gun. :) I glued the cloth on with hot hide glue. The contact cement (3m Scotchweld 10) seemed to discolor the cloth on a test. With the glue at 145 degrees I held the rail near a light bulb for 60 seconds to warm it, put the glue on thin and then pressed the cloth onto it. Worked out well also...
 
3M-77 or 3M-90 are typically the adhesive of choice with no discoloration. Some swear by 3M-10.
 
Thanks Glen....

Dead Crab, sorry about the spelling in the reply above. No harm intended...

Barkcinnamon, Thanks I guess...
 
The rails look great... The nail heads resemble the original tacks that were used prior to the adaption to staples. I like the retro look even though they will not be visible. I have a lot of appreciation for antique tables and really like the idea of putting in the extra effort by using a similar method.
 
Dead Crab,
Tacks are #8 by 9/16 long. I held them in a pliers and push them into the wood to start them. Finished them up with a small punch and hammer....... :-)
 
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