How to remove grill from a credenza?

[James]

I'm in the process or restoring a 1925 credenza, I need to remove the grill to replace the cloth with new but I can't figure out how to remove it? I removed the 2 top screws and 2 bottom ones, is it just stuck ir is there more holding it on, I don't want to break it. I also removed the motor board to, as it slides up.
Anyone willing to help me out I'd be grateful, thanks

There are still two screws on each sides. Even if the grille is off the frame. The doors is on the way. I took one out to clear the way.

I hope it help.

James

Hi,
I rechecked the screws on the grille. My first Credenza have definitely six srews, three on each sides. the middle screw at the sides is at the level with the lower middle horizontal grille bracket. No screw on top or bottom. The second Credenza that I am working on, is like yours two screws on top and two at the bottom. All that matter is hope you manage to take it out without damage.

[Victrolaman]

Hi guys,
Thanks for all your help. I finally got it, are patience and wiggling it free. I'm going to replace with new grill cloth and reinstall. I will try to sand the inside of the tracks to smooth them out and use some soap like the other posted suggested to reinstall. Thanks again for all your help everyone.

[solophoneman]

For what it's worth, the later 4 door model has 6 screws (all visible).

That is really interesting. I have an early Two Door Credenza and it actually has 8 screws to hold on the Grill. 3 on each opposite side, and two at the top. They obviously changed the number of screws, as new Editions of the Credenza were produced. Be very careful removing that grill as the decorative slats covering the Grill Cloth can snap, if you try and force it out due to frustration. I found one with broken and missing slats a couple of years ago and it took me awhile to find a woodworker who could duplicate them for a reasonable price.

[Victrolaman]

It was tricky but I did get it out, just slow and patience
Making progress, today I redid the lid dampers. I will post some pics of it when I finish it.

[need4art]

Hi All,
For what it is worth, my 4 door has 4 screws and I had the same problem getting the grill out. DO NOT USE the hair dryer trick-not that it will hurt the wood but if your grill cloth is in good shape as my was the heat will cause it to expand and warp-then you will either peel it of in spots if you can and re-tack it with 77 spray or re-tack it with glue or replace it.

What I did after making sure it was REALLY loose all around was to put some mineral oil in a very fine tipped oiler and feed a bit in several spots around the grill slots on the sides. I started at the top and let the oil work its way down.
I did that 3-4 times and let it sit for a day. I started to wiggle the grill back in forth at the bottom and then began to lift it first on one side and than on the other by the horizonal cross piece. GO SLOW! I then began to push upwards with more and more pressure as I did this and it started to see-saw its way upward. Not very much each time maybe an 8th of an inch or so each time. If you push too much on 1 side it will lock up and then you need to push that side down a bit to get it to unlock.
I just kept at it and got it up to the bottom lip of the horn-which stuck out just a bit at that point and it got a bit hairy as I pulled it out and up at that point to get it to clear that very small lip. The grill began to make some noise-like I'm gonna break but once I got it past that lip it moved up very fast.
When I put it back I anded the lip on the horn a bit and used some dry lube at those points and it went in slow but it got done.
Hope this helps
Abe

[Amberola 1-A]

Hi All,
For what it is worth, my 4 door has 4 screws and I had the same problem getting the grill out. DO NOT USE the hair dryer trick-not that it will hurt the wood but if your grill cloth is in good shape as my was the heat will cause it to expand and warp-then you will either peel it of in spots if you can and re-tack it with 77 spray or re-tack it with glue or replace it.
Abe

I dunno. I recently acquired an Edison Schubert where I had to adjust the speed, which required me to remove the grille that was stuck fast in several areas, even after removing the screws. I used a hairdryer with one of the attachments that came with it and the grille was removed in no time and the original cloth was fine.

Bill

[need4art]

Bill,
Sometimes heat will do the trick-I use it in the restoration of art all the time -but heat expands things not reduces them. However if the finish was not quite dry when a unit was put together than heat would soften the finish and make it easier to get them apart. That is the reason that I recommended to make sure that it was loose around the sides before using the oil.
In my work I use a heat gun that I can vary the heat setting in very small amounts and I use it a lot. But I have seen the mess that a hair dryer on high can make out of things in the wrong hands.
I am glad that it worked for you and the good news is that no matter what method we used all of us got the grill out.
Abe