Series editors' preface - Wood Tools

448 Conservation of Furniture
(a)
(b)
Figure 10.7 Kitchin (1979) designed a clamping system consisting of small wooden
cylinders, each with an eccentric clearance hole (a). The cylinders were mounted on a
flat surface, e.g. a plywood backboard, and in between the object. By rotating the
cylinders, side-pressure was applied (b,c). At the point where sufficient pressure had been
reached, a screw in the eccentric hole was tightened to secure the position of the
cylinder
do not adhere to the material but wick through
it. Peel Ply may be peeled from the surface
after the adhesive has dried.
A wide variety of clamps are commercially
available, and a great number of clamps and
clamping set-ups can be made by the craftsperson
or conservator to suit special requirements
(Figure 10.5). Clamps and set-ups are limited
only by the knowledge and imagination of the
operator, and considerable ingenuity is often
required (Figure 10.6). Books dealing with
traditional furniture-making and repair, and
modern tool catalogues, are good sources of
information and ideas. In addition, a variety of
cramps may be found in the surgical section of
medical suppliers catalogues. Kolbach (1998)
described the equipment and techniques used
for localized application of vacuum pressure.
Kitchin (1979) reported a useful clamping
system for gluing delicate, irregularly carved
flat ornaments of a German neo-gothic bookcase
(Figure 10.7). Table 10.2 lists cramping
devices in approximate descending order of
pressure exerted.
(c)
10.1.11 Levelling repairs
The process of levelling the repair should never
result in the removal of finish or wood from the
original surface next to the repair. Not only is
such removal evidence of poor working practice
but it will inevitably complicate colour matching
by creating a fresh and distinct area of damage
that will form a halo around the repair.
If the repair has been let into a flat surface,
a sharp chisel may be inverted so that the
blade functions as a plane. A small skewed
carving chisel may also be used for this
purpose. If the surface is irregular the corners
of the chisel should be rounded off to prevent
them from scratching the original surface.
Careful abrasion may be possible using folded
paper to provide a clearly defined corner or
edge. Some sources recommend the use of
angle cut dowels with abrasive paper glued to
the end, though the preparation of such
dowels is time-consuming.
Scrapers made from hand files may be useful
in levelling repairs (Figure 10.8). The size of