It's a nice table,that when properly refurbished will be a real treasure.I like it quite a bit and it seems to have quite a few chess stories in it,from past games....but.....
YOU LIED TO US!
You had mentioned that you were definitely finished spending anymore chess monies for the rest of this year.
Who's gonna' believe you now.-
YOU LIED TO US!
You had mentioned that you were definitely finished spending anymore chess monies for the rest of this year.
BUSTED! 
Great find! The table looks like a beauty. I'm definitely feeling it. Best of luck on the restoration. Please post progress photos.
don't use oil on it at first, oil can soak in and change the colour of the wood, start with something like natural turpentine (smells nicer than the mineral kind) which will dissolve any wax build up and the steel wool will scrape off a layer of dirt so you can see better what you have there
It doesn't look embarrassing to me. It looks like a nice table in good condition that needs some repairs. Luckily you have a family member who is a woodworker who can advise you. The only problem see is now you have to buy a vintage or antique set to match that the table. There goes your statement about your "last one" for awhile. Haha!
You’re right about the family member - my uncle - but he’s in Qld and not an expert in antiques but will be one of my references - how I wish he was around the corner!
On the wood - the table came with checkers pieces - I’ll practice my cleaning skills with steel wool and natural turps on these.
I only suggested wood turpentine because my wife objects less if what I am doing smells nice. Love the checkers.
Well,the checkers can give you another hobby/game to get into.....Any checkers/collectors and playing forums out there?
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This is art.
it seems to be from the 1970's.
A sixth lockdown ending deserves a self gift like this! congratulations for both the table and the lockdown (or movility restrictions) ending, fortunately we suffered only one lockdown in my country.
The table is very nice and even with all its flaws it keeps a kind of enchant that make it different and, as other member said, surely keeps a lot of chess stories but, to restore it will be a challenge and a very pleasing proces.
P.S.: feel free to loose your good name () buying more stuff and post it here!
@powerdigit there is a lot of character in the table. I think it will be a fun project. I like that it's not "perfect"... a few battle scars. Very fitting. As other's have said... you're just helping to write the next chapter in it's story. Thank you for sharing.
500km (300mi) round trip is a pretty long drive. 6 hours? I can see why you felt compelled to purchase it after investing the time. It's definitely a unique table that will catch the eye of whoever sees it. If/when you screw up, don't take it too seriously. I will keep this topic thread bookmarked. Good luck!
Very nice pick up there @Powderdigit! If only that table could talk… the scratches, scars from countless battles, and time worn surfaces all have unspoken stories. The suspended corner finials surprise me a bit, i haven’t seen that before that i can recall. Is there a name on the bottom or?
Beautiful table. I have been hunting for a treasure like that myself for some time. I hope you enjoy it for years to come!
Hey Powderdigit, you’ve scored two pretty cool old tables so… you’re way ahead on points in this game. You’ll be fine, just enjoy every step of the process. Take pictures at every step, it helps me to recall the bad condition of a given project. I don’t think you’ll ruin or knacker it as you say. Dive in friend!
Good morning CB&E folk.
I wondered whether to post this - as I think it may turn out as a rather embarrassing thread for this amateur player and collector. That said, I have learned so much from this forum - why not try to help others - either avoid my failures and/or perhaps, learn along the way.
It was the first day out of lockdown in Melbourne yesterday - or more accurately, the first day I could travel to regional Victoria and I decided to take the plunge on a table ... it was 250km away ... and the same amount is AUD $. (Call it USD $180/Euro160).
Let's call it an out of lockdown folly. I may or may not have let emotion get the better of me. When I saw the table - I saw the damage. Perhaps I should have walked away or negotiated a lower price. I didn't - I felt compelled because I had set an expectation with the seller that I would buy it (from photos) and in truth, after travelling so far by car - I didn't really want to return empty handed.
Anyway - here 'tis.... trust me when I say that the photos make it look better than it is. Indeed, at present - it's probably better in the dark.
I am going to try to restore it ... indeed, one forum member (and top bloke) - who knows this stuff better than I - is more optimistic than I... but then again, I am an stress-head by nature.
My first order of business will be to repair the bubble (first) and then clean the top with something like 0000 grade steel wool and oil. If I sound like I know what I am doing ... I don't - but you-tube is instructional - as are the folk of this forum.
Please excuse the set - it's just my small magnetic set. This table is only 50cm * 38cm - with the board 32cm*32cm with 4cm squares. Perhaps a small chavet or even more figural small Regence-style might work in future. Who nows? First I have to bring the board back to life... or not.
So here we start ....
The Good
The Bad
The Ugly
Hop on board - pardon the pun. It could be a wild ride over the coming months ... and please don't laugh too hard!