Lonnie Bird's Secretary

[Halfathumb]

I built the Pa secretary a couple of years ago, but I'm having trouble getting 1 of the pilasters to slide out.

Anyone have experience with his problem? Suggestions welcome. Once I do get it out I'll be sure to apply wax from time to time. Along with the center portion.

Thanks 
Jim

[TomFromStLouis]

I built the Pa secretary a couple of years ago, but I'm having trouble getting 1 of the pilasters to slide out.

Anyone have experience with his problem? Suggestions welcome. Once I do get it out I'll be sure to apply wax from time to time. Along with the center portion.

Thanks 
Jim

So essentially you have a stuck drawer? Once out, find out where it is pinching and take a hand plane to it.

[Halfathumb]

So essentially you have a stuck drawer? Once out, find out where it is pinching and take a hand plane to it.

Thanks Tom. But that's not it, if you aren't familiar with this particular piece of furniture you probably don't understand what is my predicament . There's a locking mechanism that's made with wood the release the secret compartment.

I'm familiar with stuck drawer problems though.

Jim

[Handplanesandmore]

Those wooden strips could deform from use or stuck due to dirt or wood being wood, they simply fail. I can think of two gentlemen who might be able to help:

Lonnie himself
Chuck Bender who has worked on secret compartments.

Google for their contact info.

I might try an air gun to see if it can blow away the problem.

Simon

[jteneyck]

Probably swelled up with increase RH.  If true, it should work OK again when the RH goes down and then you can make the fit a little looser to prevent a recurrence.  

John