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Hello iam restoreing the victor ii humpback it was in rough shape been outside and exposed to the elements my question is how can I close the gap on the trim I have removed it refinished the wood but iam afraid I will have lots of gap when assembled it thier away to close the gap by triming the angle non destructive like any help is appreciated

Posting pictures would help.

Here is some photos

It's possible that the angles can be trued up very carefully. It will also require some very careful clamping & gluing. I'd first try separating the joints and cleaning them of any dirt and dried glue. I would then try "dry clamping" the mouldings to see if the joints can be closed by careful clamping. If so, then apply glue and re-clamp.

It's best not to re-trim the corners, IF they are original (not messed with) miters. The tool you need is a frame or corner clamp to draw the corners together while allowing the glue to dry. I worked in a picture frame shop in college and that was a necessary tool to make perfect corners but don't buy a cheap one.

To get a true corner you can't clamp it flat on a table top, you need to match the molding angle - if that makes sense, there are multiple angles.

Curt A wrote: Wed Jan 01, 2025 8:11 pm It's best not to re-trim the corners, IF they are original (not messed with) miters. The tool you need is a frame or corner clamp to draw the corners together while allowing the glue to dry. I worked in a picture frame shop in college and that was a necessary tool to make perfect corners but don't buy a cheap one.

Curt is correct about not trimming the corners unless absolutely necessary, (to correct past tampering). Aside from possible warpage to the wood, what could have happened that would have changed the original angle?

The gaps in your corners are due to laying them flat on a surface. When they were cut at the factory they were angled upwards while standing on their flat bottom edge, then cut on a 45 degree angle. They have to be glued back together in the same way. Hopefully, this pic will illustrate the issue...

Thanks for the replies iam break it down to 2 sets glued and assembled then I'll see how close I can get it iam thinking thier will be warping because it was in a wet non heated atmosphere for many years