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How do you replace a roll top desk?
Open the roll-top portion of the desk, looking inside for straps or screws which hold the top onto the rest of the desk. Remove the screws with a slotted screwdriver. Lift the roll-top portion of the desk and slide out the tambour, or slatted door, setting it cloth-side up on top of the replacement cloth.
How do you fix a roll top desk?
If you are interested in painting over the fabric to make it “disappear,” it helps to thin the paint out a little with some water. Allow the paint to dry and then insert the roll top back into the track. Once the section is back in the desk, reattach the back panel with nails and your desk is fixed!
What is the roll top part of a desk called?
The rolling part of a roll top desk is called a tambour, a section of an antique desk made of thin slats that are flat on one side and often rounded on the other side for a textured look. The slats are held together with a piece of thick, strong cloth that is never seen by the person using the desk.
Can you refinish a roll top desk?
When the finish becomes old, faded or chipped, refinishing becomes necessary. The project requires time and open space. A roll top desk typically has many small drawers. Apply the stripper with a clean cloth and separate the drawers and desk on a tarp or drop cloth.
Can you remove the top of a roll top desk?
Modernize an old desk by removing the roll top. Cut from bottom to top, stopping about 2 inches shy of the top lip of the desk to saw across and remove the strip. Break up the remaining strips of of wood, including the thickest strip at end, from the top of the roll top.
Can you spray paint a roll top desk?
Use spray paint. Because I wanted to give the desk a distressed look with some “layers,” I used black spray paint (satin finish) on all the edges and corners of the desk before painting it all white with the chalk paint. So when I distressed the desk, you can see some great added dimension with the black layer.
Do roll top desk come apart?
A rolltop desk has a wide variety of moving parts including the drawers and the actual roll top cover. If your roll top desk is a model that comes apart in two pieces (a bottom half and a top half), separate the two sections before attempting to move.
Why was the roll-top desk a cheap one?
The ones he saw very costly, but this one came very cheap – because it was damaged. The roll-top was broken into pieces, one leg was awkwardly broken, and it had fire burnt marks on one side.
How can you tell how old a roll-top desk is?
Double-check the knee-hole, both sides of the bottom of the main drawer and the back of both the desk and its top. Finding a label lets you confirm age from a commercial history.
How roll top desks work?
The rolltop desk is simply a “pedestal desk”–a top set on two columns of drawers–with a top case added. All rolltop desks have a three-sided cabinet that has tracks routed along the top and front edges of each side, lined with metal or plastic so that the roll part, or “tambour,” will slide easily.
How do you take apart a desk?
DESK
- Your desk is now ready to be disassembled for moving.
- DISENGAGE any detachable trays – for example, a keyboard tray.
- UNSCREW and remove any legs from the desk.
- REMOVE any glass elements that your desk may have, including a glass top.
- SEPARATE the two sections in case you’re moving an L-shaped desk.
How do you repair a roll top desk?
Open the roll-top portion of the desk, looking inside for straps or screws which hold the top onto the rest of the desk. Remove the screws with a slotted screwdriver. Lift the roll-top portion of the desk and slide out the tambour, or slatted door, setting it cloth-side up on top of the replacement cloth.
What material is used on a rolltop desk?
Antique roll top desks are generally 100% solid wood. If you spot drawer bottoms made with engineered materials, such as MDF or composite wood, the piece is a reproduction. Look for photos showing brand stamps on the wood or hardware, as this will allow you to research the manufacturer.
What is a roll desk?
A roll top desk is a desk that usually has a built-in set of drawers, cubbies and shelves on top of the writing surface which is covered and locked away by its defining characteristic-a tambour. A tambour is a rounded sliding door made of thin slats of wood that are attached to a piece of cloth or leather.