How To Repair A Rolltop Tambour Door

[@trixyk295]

I know this is three years later.. hopefully you see this. When you say yellow glue do you mean wood glue, lol? Also, what kind of fabric works for this? I’m refurbishing an old kitchen hutch that has one of these and I need to fix it but idk what fabric is appropriate. Thanks for making this video it’s been so helpful!

[@charleswhitehead7441]

I'm in the same boat, I have a much bigger top and I'm guessing that a good contact adhesive is the best glue but I'm not sure what fabric to use.

[@smoothskin46]

My husband has a larger one that need fixing I'm sending this video to him, he's excited to repair his thank you 😊

[@TheChrisCarrico]

thanks. I have almost the same child's roll top and this was helpful. It looks like most of the work and worry is in the jig, so I appreciate the video.

[@vampedupretro]

Thank you, I have one of these I was repairing and was super intimidated by teh fabric part

[@kewalker2509]

Thanks so much. I have a family heirloom roll top desk from late 19th century and I am about to redo the tambour. After 150 years or so it just tore.

[@ellisc.foleyjr9778]

Good Job! I've done a few of them myself and had my share of failures. which should not be the case if follower's use your demonstration techniques . well done thanks for sharing!

[@kbowler9266]

This will is a hugh help. I'm trying to restore a similar desk that was covered in a good coat of dust.

[@juliemiller-s3g]

My mother has a roll top desk with a lock on the door can you replace the slats and put the lock from the old one and put it on the new one or how about we go for replacing the tambour

[@SpectralightPhoto]

Nicely done video... thank you. The tambour that I need to repair is 51" wide by 29" long... quite a bit bigger than yours. Removing the canvas and cleaning the slats may take an extremely long time. Do you think I can get away with gluing new fabric over the old or will it make the tambour too stiff when reinstalled? Thank you!

[@johnfrancisrestorations2885]

I think it may be ok to do that. The original is probably so worn out, there's probably no resistance to it. Thanks for watching.

[@SpectralightPhoto]

@@johnfrancisrestorations2885 Thank you for your reply! I'll give it a try. I forgot to mention that the desk is about 40 years old and the slats are separating at almost every seem so your observation about it being so worn out with no resistance makes sense.

[@andrewschwafel5980]

Thank you for this. Funny enough, I have the exact same desk. I know I need to do what you did.... but wondering if I can do it without disassembling it?

[@sharonhoare5790]

I love the weights. Thanks for the video.

[@kennedymueller1788]

Did you have squeeze through on the glue? Also, getting ready to glue up teak tambour.. last two tries fabric didn’t stick so I put on a coat of shellac and hope this will stick?

[@woolandwaterknits4801]

I have a solid roll top Secretary desk similar to this. When you open and close the roll top the shelf with drawer underneath shifts around. Would love to see a repair.

[@jenaa110]

My rolltop desk (fullsize) has some sag in the top of the Tambour door. The cloth is full size across and int act but probably stretched. Any idea what needs to be done with the sagging strips? I was wondering about soaking and weighting down but have no experience so just a guess. Thoughts?

[@stevenreposa8172]

What kind of fabric is used on the roll top tambour door

[@Ahoneywell]

Thanks, nicely done!

[@baleylavarta2573]

Thank you for sharing this!

[@johnfrancisrestorations2885]

Thanks for watching

[@331SVTCobra]

What kind of material is best to use?

[@johnfrancisrestorations2885]

They actually make a fabric, like a canvas just for this but you can certainly use a decent fabric for things like furniture rather than clothing.

[@331SVTCobra]

@@johnfrancisrestorations2885 thn q

[@SpectralightPhoto]

Someone earlier commented "Put some candlewax in the grooves it runs in before putting it back together." John, what are your thoughts about this? How would you even do this? Sounds like it cold get messy or cause some problems.

[@johnfrancisrestorations2885]

You can use a number of things. Beeswax, soap, they even make stuff called slip ease, I think that's the name, to help wood on wood run smoother if needed. This top didn't need anything.

[@ruthvacca8499]

Do I have to take the whole top off to get the slats out of a regular size roll top desk? If so how do I do that? Thank you

[@davids2530]

I’m replacing canvas this weekend. Roll top rests on desk when closed so I will need to remove screws holding upper section to lower section. Then I can slide upper section a few inches past the desk surface and tambour should slide out towards the floor. Hope this helps.

[@davebybee8547]

First 4 minutes spent cutting boards.

[@kennedymueller1788]

Can I put the handle on last, after gluing the canvas to all of the other pieces? I mistakenly put all of the pieces in the jig, have them secured, ready to glue and forgot I was suppose to glue the handle first. Would it work to glue the handle last? Thank you!

[@johnfrancisrestorations2885]

I would think it would be ok. Sorry this response is so late

[@h.a.1350]

Enjoyed watching your video and am sure it will help in refinishing and repairing a vintage roll-top desk we inherited. What type and brand did you use? There's so many choices. We want to repair this one and have it last for 20 years or so. Any recommendations?

[@FTRV]

Thanks for watching. Not sure what you are referring to as far as brand and type?

[@ericweldon6482]

What type of fabric did you use for the repair?

[@johnfrancisrestorations2885]

I usually use canvas. I didn't have any and it was out of stock so I used some good quality upholstery fabric I had.

[@brucemackinnon6707]

Put some candlewax in the grooves it runs on bef you put it back together.

[@jelomaxjoiner]

Nice repair shame about the annoying music

[@katiejette6606]

I liked the music! and super brief runs of it, anyway.