Suggestions for sliding in a Credenza grille?

[FloridaClay]

I should be at the stage of reinstalling the refurbished grille back into my Credenza next week. It was such a tight fit it was a real struggle to get it out. Replacement cloth is now pricey since the factory that made it has gone defunct, so I don't want to damage it during reinstallation.

Any tricks you have found that facilitates the process? Good lubricant to use in the side slots the grille slides in to? Paraffin? Soap” Something like WD-40?

Clay

[David Spanovich]

If it seemed a little tight when you removed the grille, you might want to go over the slots with some #200 sandpaper, being careful not to rub the visible edges. I had to do this with the Credenza I owned some years ago. After I sanded the areas, I rubbed them with a (dry) bar of soap. (Candle wax would probably also work.)

I don't think using oil or grease is a good idea, because it may make soak into the wood and make it swell so that if, for some reason, you have to remove the grille later on, it might stick.

DS

[Henry]

Cake beeswax works well also for wood-against-wood lube. I've used it with success on chests of drawers; just rub it on both contact surfaces. (In fact, it's the same cake of beeswax that I melted a drop of to seal the diaphragm-to-needle bar connection on my Exhibition!)

[estott]

If you're doing this during the summer wait for a dry day or warm the parts with a hair dryer first

[FloridaClay]

Thanks to everyone for the tips!

Clay

[Victrolaman]

Clay I had this same issue when I redid my 1925 credenza. I used bees wax on the grill sides and some inside the track it slides into, and it went nice and easy.
You have to be carefull not to force it though as you may break the wooden spindles. You may have to try it a few times but it will go nice and easy. Ut that's wha I used was bees wax

[FloridaClay]

As it turned out I had a mostly used up bar of soap at hand (Ivory, but I doubt that matters) that was thin enough to rub the dry bar into the slots for the grille. Worked like a charm.

Clay