Carpentry and Woodworking - Woodworking

This is not the correct site for this, but I am new and was hoping someone could point me in the right direction. I have a headboard to a bed that was made for my wife and I. Problem is, the headboard will not fit up our stairs at one particular point. The posts on the side of the bed are attached by mortis and tenon joints with glue inserted I'm sure. Question: Does anyone know a good way to break up the glue inside the mortis and tenon joint to remove one of the posts?

Hi!

Dropped by from the Furniture refinishing forum and saw your question.

I use white vinegar to loosen glue joints - heated, but not so hot you can't put your hand in it.

If the joinery doesn't permit direct application (as in the mortise and tenon joint you mentioned) drill a small hole to access the joint and load it with vinegar - using a syringe will make less of a mess and get the vinegar where it will work.

George

George has the solution there, heat for sure, might be able to get away without the vinegar. Might try the heat first.

Also might check first that the joint is not pinned by a small nail or dowel before banging it apart. If the pin is there the wood tends to split out.

Remember to pad the leg before hitting it. A good way is wrap a thin cloth around the area and tape a wood block over that so it don't bounce.

One last thing, did you try every possible angle to get the bed through the opening, before saying it won't fit?

Funny I have had this happen, people say it wouldn't fit, I make it work by trying every possible way before giving up. Example, did you stand it up, longwise.

I can't visualize something like that not fitting somehow. Can you take it up another route, through a window, etc? Taking both upper and lower sashes out in upper level. Usually there is a way.

If I can get big furniture up 3 deckers in Boston that should fit someway, somehow.

I never ever took anything apart, got to be a way. Think rope, up the outside, etc.

Thanks for the tips, guys. I will work with it and see.

Steve.

If you do end up taking the headboard apart, use the methods described above and consider using one of the many "spreader clamps" available at tool stores. They are usually a regular wood clamp that has a reversible jaw that allows the pressure of the clamp to be applied in a manner to spread two pieces of wood rather than clamping them. This will give you more control over the dissassembly process and be less likely to do permanent damage. I'm with the other guys: I can't imagine that there isn't some way of handling that beast that will get it into the room without taking it apart. Consider having somebody that moves furniture for a living take a look at your predicament... they might have that special "magic" to save you from taking the piece apart!