It's an antique clock table. We have evaporative cooling. I think the water from the cooler has made everything swell and I can't get the drawer in the table closed. I haven't tried anything but pushing it yet. It's a sort of tongue & groove slide that the drawer moves through to open/close. Any suggestions appreciated. Thanks.

Nan, June 2006

First, check the humidity level in the room where the piece is located - easily done with a hygrometer which you find on many weather stations and cheap digital thermometers these days. Or buy a traditional one for around £25 upwards and enjoy it alngside your antique.

If the room has a very high relative humidity you will be damaging the antique if you keep it there. Glues (which used to be water based) can become weakened, veneers will wrinkle and lift, boards warp, joints open, mould grows etc etc. The sticking drawer is a warning. This is why museums and historic houses all have hygrometers in the rooms - to protect the contents.

Because wood is a living material it will always swell in damp surroundings. Best action is to keep your expensive antiques in a dryer environment (this goes for silver and paintings too!) If you insist on keeping your antique in a very damp environment the only option is to sand down the sides of the drawers to allow it to fit. Best ask a professional restorer to do this if it's a valauble piece.

In general, always use natural products and materials where possible. Natural waxes and French Polish - NEVER silicone or varnish. Try to find a local supplier of natural products via google or similar.

Mr Big, January 2007

If it's an antique I wouldn't use silicon spray as it can stain, and that will affect the value of your table.
Instead, I suggest you remove the drawer and rub solid beeswax along all the runners.
Beeswax won't stain or drip, and it's what cabinet makers have been using for centuries. Sometimes the old ways are the best.
A regular uncoloured candle will do the same job in a pinch.

Big Softy, August 2006

Without the need of expensive re-fitting, a 'trick of the trade' that may solve the problem, is silicone spray. It dries to a non-oily finish, but I have often found that it enabled a drawer to run, when it seemed too tight.
Lightly spray the exterior of the drawer, and inside the table, on the runners.

AJGramps, June 2006