Woodworking - Repair Baronial Throne

At our baronial curia of 1/13/2001 I was asked to review the baronial thrones for structural stability.  Both chairs are at least 15 years old and have seen hard service.  They spend most of their time dis-assembled in the baronial trailer.  The are not cased for travel.

I have made myself a reminder note to call the Baroness 1/15/01 to make an appointment to pick up the larger throne, as my deadline for it is Black Gryfon, barely six weeks away.

Update: 4/27/01
Well, I'm sure it comes as a surprise to no one who knows me, that I missed that deadline.  I was unable to contact Baroness Godelind, and so was unable to get my hands on the great throne.  I absconded with it after Black Gryphon, though, and as of tonight, completed the modifications.

The throne is modular.  The upper back can be removed to provide a backless stool-chair.  This further breaks down into back, front, and sides, allowing the rather massive item to pack flat and take up relatively little space.  The front, back, and sides are held together by slotted bed hardware, allowing them to be assembled and dis-assembled without tools.  For some reason, though, the back was held on by four bolts tapped into the sides.  When the throne was brought to me, it was because the taps had become worn out, making the upper back rather rickety.

I have discarded the bolts, and added another set of bed hardware,  Now the throne can be completely assembled without tools.  Drawback:  if you pick the throne up by the back, you just get the back.  

I also discovered two other problems during my work.  First, parts of the throne are mildewed.  They need to be scrubbed down with a fungicide.  Second, the wood is very, very dry.  The throne does not appear to be finished with a modern sealant.  It appears to have originally been oiled, and has dried out.

It needs to be re-finished.  I need to raise that subject at the next Baronial Business Meeting, but I will open that issue as a separate project.

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