XVIII Questions-Can it be saved?

[OrthoSean]

Looks great, Matt! If nobody beats me to it, I'll see if I can measure the back panel and screws on my XVIII tonight.

Sean

[Brad]

Wow about sums it up. Looks great. If you can, would you post details about the stain you used (I imagine it is not an off the shelf stock color).

Ditto on the back door, if no one responds, I'll garner the info from my XVIII tonight.

Great job!

[OrthoSean]

Hi Matt,

Just home between errands for a minute. The panel measures 18 x 11 ¾ inches. It's the same thickness as the back doors are. There are no upper screws holding it in, instead there are two lower wood screws with rounded gold heads on them. The upper metal brackets, I'm pretty sure, were where it was secured by bolts in its shipping crate.

[martinola]

Matt-
I'm really proud of you! It's looking very nice. I think you'll really enjoy having this machine. It's a "keeper"!

Brad-
If it's the same stain that I sent him early on, then it's Mohawk's Mahogany Dark Red powdered aniline stain. It's great stuff, but the minimum quantity is a bit pricey. (On the other hand, you'll end up with enough to refinish 10 machines.)

- Martin

[mattrx]

Martin,

Again, a big THANKS for the stain and the advice. I really appreciated it as this is my first big project, and my first ever staining any part of a cabinet.

Brad,

I took Martin's advice and I experimented with the aniline stain in a few places and the tone of the red was perfect. It did not, however have enough brown in it to match the cabinet. So ultimately I used a base coat of Minwax Red Mahogany #225 and then 4 -5 coats of the aniline stain dissolved in denatured alcohol. The result closely matches the rest of the cabinet, I think. Just enough red and just enough brown.

Sean,

So then, does the upper portion of the back panel fit up inside the cabinet, while the lower portion is held in place by the smaller wood screws? I have never actually had a chance to look at a XVIII that was whole and in good condition. I saw the brackets and saw the holes in photos, and assumed that the upper portion was held in place by recessed bolts.

Thanks,

Matt

[Brad]

...

Brad,

I took Martin's advice and I experimented with the aniline stain in a few places and the tone of the red was perfect. It did not, however have enough brown in it to match the cabinet. So ultimately I used a base coat of Minwax Red Mahogany #225 and then 4 -5 coats of the aniline stain dissolved in denatured alcohol. The result closely matches the rest of the cabinet, I think. Just enough red and just enough brown.

...

Matt and Martin,

Thanks for the details. I thought a "personal concoction" was required as the colors most antiques require are not sold stock today. I am fairly handy, however, I am at a total loss when it comes to color. I know when something is right and when it is wrong, but I am clueless on how to get from wrong to right, I just can't "see" what color(s) are missing. Consider yourself lucky if you can.

Great job. One suggestion: When you are done, print out this entire thread and print out more pictures, seal them in an envelope and stash it in the cabinet for some future owner to discover.

[OrthoSean]

Sean,

So then, does the upper portion of the back panel fit up inside the cabinet, while the lower portion is held in place by the smaller wood screws? I have never actually had a chance to look at a XVIII that was whole and in good condition. I saw the brackets and saw the holes in photos, and assumed that the upper portion was held in place by recessed bolts.

Thanks,

Matt

Yes, I should have mentioned that. There's a small notch that it slides up into. As for the holes in the back panel, that's what those little wooden buttons were for that Victor sent with machines, you stuck them in those upper holes when the machine was uncrated. I'm missing one, but I'm sure one will show up someday!

Sean

[mattrx]

I was able to get the proper speed control bezel, glass, motor board bolts, tone arm bracket bolts, and needle cup block from George V. They should be here soon. George thinks he may have a back panel also and will let me know. If he does, it is from a XVII. Can someone tell me if they are interchangeable?

To remove the remnants of the finish left behind on the right side by the previous owner, I used Smart Strip by Dumond and some 0000 steel wool. I did not strip any of the unmolested finish on the cabinet.

I used 2 coats of Crystalac grain filler after staining and sealing the stain with a light coat of spray shellac. Then I sanded the grain filler after each coat and applied another couple of thin coats of shellac. Still a little sanding and shellac to go, but it is close. I was pleased that the color on the right panel is so close to the color of the rails above. I did not touch any wood above the crank escutcheon.

[FloridaClay]

Beautiful! The grain filler makes so much difference!

We may christen you "The Miracle Man"

Clay

[jimmantwo]

Matt
Beautiful job! The back panel on my VV-XVII measures 18 inches wide by 11 ⅝ inches not including the lip which fits into the recess on the machine. These are fairly exact measurements. It would likely fit - I think the scolling is different on the two (yours would be more ornate).
Jim