Altec model 19 cabinet repair

[kwingylee]

Guys I need suggestions on the best way to repair one of my newly acquired model 19 cabinets. I am looking at preserving the structural integrity of the original cabinet first before addressing the cosmetic issues...

kwing

 

[Dswankey]

There are some very experienced/professional wood workers here at AK, So here's hoping they'll show up soon.

 

[Drugolf]

It really depends on the condition throughout and how much damage there is and what's it worth to try and fix them. Need more photos etc.

 

[damacman]

I had a pair of 15s like that - previous owner had them in his back yard for 25years with no protection.

 

[kwingylee]

I was able to removed and vacuum out the fiberglass. Both cabinets are rough but one has obviously suffered some water damage. Here are the pictures of the exterior damage.

 

[kwingylee]

Pictures of the interior does not appear too bad...I expect a lot of cleaning and sanding but would like advice from the experts on what to use and how to ensure/increase the integrity of the cabinets....

 

[Lux Man]

Hum...nice pictures. Are the enclosures still square? Is there warping- have you put a straight-edge on the sides to see if there is warping? Your very first picture makes me wonder where that gap is coming from. If the sides were warped inward it could cause that, just wondering...

 

[Yk Thom]

A model 19 may be well worth the expense and effort or re-laminating.

 

[WaynerN]

I'd fill in the crack(s) with wood filler (like some latex types) and re-veneer the cabinets. You will have to sand the corners square. Lots of work, but should be worth it.

 

[Rob-F]

It doesn't look like there are any glue blocks at the wood joints. If there aren't, I would think about placing one along the joint that is coming apart. I'd use screws to draw the joint up tight. I'd do a dry trial fit first. When it pulls in tight, then I'd back the screws out, apply glue such as Titebond or Elmer's Carpenter's glue, reassemble and tighten. That should give good structural integrity and prevent air leaks. I'd consider doing that to all the joints, to be on the safe side. Then I think I might sand it down and paint it Altec Lansing Studio Gray!

 

[kwingylee]

Thank you for all of the responses so far. I went back and did a search on problems similar to mine and found quite a number of good threads. I need to consolidate and summarize the recommendations from various threads and hope to put all of the useful information in one place.
I absolute do NOT want to reveneer the ALTEC Oak veneer, which is quite thick and should allow me to sand down the water damage spots. I would like to ascertain the best product to use to clean the veneer and refinish them.

I would like to get some suggestions on how to address the chipped corner. I dont want to use bondo as I would like to add color and grain to the corner so I can match the existing finish. Would JB Weld's Kwik Wood be a suitable option for this?

Having said that, I have done some measuring and comparing of the two cabinets. The one with the moisture damage has definitely deformed such that the bottom right corners (view from front) is no longer at perfect right angles (compare to the undamage cabinet, which is perfectly square). I just ordered some 3/4" pipe clamps and will attempt to pull them back in as much as I could. I will try to reinforce the MDF board using liquid expoxy or Tight bound II or III along with the glue block approach (as suggested by Rob-F).

 

[Drugolf]

The pipe clamps should help you get an idea of how easily those will pull back. Dig out some swollen material if you can, epoxy fill and clamp. Dealing with the looks will be a different animal of course. Adding some glue blocks can't hurt. Corners are always the biggest pain. None of the filler stuff works great. Guys that know what they are doing can do a decent job by pulling in some sawdust that matches the wood veneer. Otherwise many on here cut in veneer path pieces.

 

[doctorolds]

This is my opinion, so take it for what it's worth.
Water stains are totally different than water damaged cabinets, structurally speaking.
Ask yourself if you want close to perfect results, or just something you can live with. I have dealt with this type of damage previously, and I would not do what I did to repair them, way to many hours of labor involved.

From what I can see is the lower left corner on the left side, and back bottom right corner are an issue. What is the location of the damaged area shown in the first photo posted? Trying to repair to near perfect condition will be tedious and time consuming, even if possible. Put it this way, if you build a new cabinet and place new veneer on both cabinets, you will save many hours of labor and your results will be perfect cabinets!

 

[puppet]

^ what doctorolds said. Material is cheap, time isn't. Water stains, like you've posted, contain iron deposits. Turns the wood black. No amount of sanding will remove that. You could try a bleach or oxalic acid treatment but that's hit and miss. I'd cut new cab's and call it a day.

 

[doctorolds]

Here are a few pictures for thought. Besides the bottom having to be replaced, how do you repair the structural damage to the sides? Answer, many, many, hours of labor! Build a new cabinet and put the veneer of choice on both. FYI, I have way to many pictures to elaborate if you would like.

 

[kwingylee]

Doctorolds, Puppet, I appreciate your input but I don't have such fine carpentry skills and hiring a skill carpenter to build a new set of cabinets and veneering them with high quality veneer will easily cost me a couple of grand. I dont expect perfection from these cabinets because they are 40+ years old.
I guess I am going to have to learn the hard way :-(

 

[doctorolds]

Just a thought, contribute the $25 to become a subscriber and post a "wanted" add in the Bartertown forum looking for another member near you that may be able to help you out??? There are many highly skilled and knowledgeable people on this forum.

 

[alteclipsch]

If the particle board behind that ugly area of veneer is soft, drill a few holes in it and inject that thin, flowing epoxy called Git Rot. That will bond with what's left in there, then clamp it closed with a board on top of it to make it flush with the rest of the panel. You could do the same with that separated seam, clean out the loose stuff, inject it, clamp it closed. I was able to repair a corner of an old Jensen cabinet with it, it worked well.

 

[doctorolds]

If you want information to remove the water stain(s) refer to the thread below by @4-2-7 for the best method.

https://audiokarma.org/forums/index...r-rings-off-the-tops-of-your-speakers.826816/

 

[Dswankey]

^ Good suggestion I believe I've read mentioned that @4-2-7 is a professional wood worker also @F1nut is one too so if he chimes in they would both be a great source of experienced knowledge