Repurpose A Vintage Wood Radio Cabinet

Wood Radio Cabinet Repairs

I spotted the antique wood radio cabinet right away. You guys know how I love to paint radio cabinets. The radio is still in the cabinet and as you can see the piece is in bad shape. I do love all the details on the base and the cabinet front. The price was $60 which I thought was a little high. I went on my way.

If you guys have noticed I’m not buying much furniture these days. I have a workshop full of furniture and junk treasures. I’ve really let it get in a mess.

Also furniture sells at the store have been slow for the past couple of months…..or longer. I really have a stash of stuff built up. Anyway, unless the price is too good to pass up…I’m passing up the furniture.

I still have the question though. Do you guys think I should buy the cabinet? I got home and looked at the photos and kind-of had a change of heart. Let me know what you think please.

I know ya’ll remember the vintage radio cabinet from my post last week. I passed on it because of the condition and the price. The price was $60 and you can see the condition. Several of you offered advice on whether to purchase it and also suggested offering less money for the cabinet.

Here’s a look at the radio inside.

A look at the legs.

the side

See what I mean about the condition. A lot of missing veneer, the legs are coming apart, the top is a disaster.

The JTS and I will have to take the radio out and do a major overhaul if this piece is going to look like anything. It’s still sitting in the truck bed because it was so darn hot yesterday we didn’t unload it. Maybe this morning when it’s a little cooler.

The brand is Majestic and it was manufactured in Cincinnati. If you remember I was torn after I left the shop….thought maybe I should have bought it. I asked you guys and the comments were running close to  50/50   leaning slightly toward buying, but at a lower price.

I went to the shop with the idea of offering $40 for the cabinet. I was so glad to see it was still there. It was a mess but it was still calling my name. And guess what?? There was a 30% off sign on the vendor’s booth. The sale price of the radio was $42……sold.

Now the question is “What Now”? As you can see it’s going to be a while before it’s ready to paint. You can start throwing ideas at me anytime.

We finally got the radio out of the truck.

We were waiting on cooler weather or an early morning start before we hauled it to the workshop. The JTS has been having a few pains and his heart doctor scheduled a cardiac catheterization for this Thursday (tomorrow). For the newbies here, my husband had triple bypass surgery last August. His heart Dr. told us that problems may occur and if they do it will be in the first year or shortly thereafter. So he wants to take a look and be sure an artery isn’t partially blocked….or something else.

Anyway, it’s hard to keep the JTS down. Not only did we unload the radio in the workshop we also took it apart and started on repairs. Ok, mainly it was the JTS doing the work.

The first thing he did was remove the base and start gluing it back together.

The top of the base was coming apart and the legs were all wobbly. I’m surprised the cabinet didn’t fall over. That’s how bad it was.

He used a lot of glue and clamps and straps. We will let the glue dry overnight then attach the top to the base.

Working hard.

In it’s prime the radio was a beauty. It was built in the 1920’s by Majestic.

We started removing everything. Trying to find screws and bolts and figuring how to proceed was half of the project. Even though I’ve painted several of the radio cabinets this is the first one I purchased with the radio still inside. Don’t worry, I’m saving the good parts. Who knows what I might do with them.

{ repurpose project }

Removing that shelf was the hardest part. We used crowbars and hammers and took turns working on it. The shelf was tightly wedged in the slots.

Final part coming out. We didn’t even tear anything up. Not that you would notice if we did. The piece is a mess.

The front before we removed the last piece.

I’m thinking about turning it into a beverage bar?? Pinterest here I come.

See you guys tomorrow with my furniture makeover for themed furniture day. Please say a few prayers for the JTS. Have a great day, Kathy

The never ending story of the vintage radio cabinet continues. I had no idea we would have so much work to do on this piece or that I would take so many photos of it.

And I haven’t even got to the paint part yet. I was going to say the most important part….but I think the repairs and additions to the cabinet were the most important part. I tend to be a little biased when it comes to the paint finish. I mean….that is what makes it pretty.

It’s actually pretty now compared to what it looked like before. All of the details make it beautiful!

Ya’ll remember how the cabinet looked before.

{ furniture repair repurpose transformation }

The JTS fixed it up good. After he did all the repairs he added shelves…..

…and a back. I missed the photos with the table saw. Probably because I was helping. Table saws or power saws of any kind make me super nervous. I don’t mind using drills and sanders but the saws I don’t use very often.

After the glue dried on the base the JTS attached it to the cabinet.

The cabinet was just a little dirty.

The JTS is awesome. Have you guys noticed that. I should be nicer to him. I’m trying to keep him down because of his health issues but it’s hard to do….as you can see.

new back…wait…I don’t think these cabinets had backs

One of the doors was coming apart so out came the wood glue and clamps again. See my feet….I was there….taking photos.

Looks nice now doesn’t it. Can you imagine the hours put into this project already. I still haven’t decided on the paint finish for this piece. I want it to be special.

Tomorrow is Thrift Store Décor Makeover day, I have added a few more bloggers but still keeping it small so you guys don’t get tired of visiting blogs. There are 9 of us now and I know you will love the new additions.

Until tomorrow, Kathy