Anyone do caning anymore?

[shcisamax]

We have a chair that needs repair. Someone said there is someone in TV that does that. Anyone know who that might be?

[De Lis]

Whew - the highlines scared me!

[rp001]

Check out the Villages Woodshop...That may help

[quirky3]

Whew - the highlines scared me!
Scared me too! I think they still do caning in Singapore.....
(Or in "Fifty Shades of Gray"....one of my friends who reads a lot told me)

[shcisamax]

Thanks.

[quirky3]

You can also try:

Furniture Care
6124 Hansel Ave, Orlando, FL 32809
(407) 859-2587

Mickey’s Furniture Refinishing
6344 Toucan Tr, Spring Hill, FL 34609
(352) 686-5539

[JLHart]

Their are 2 types of furniture caning. "Hole" & "Spline"

Hole caning - This is the oldest type and the cane material is literally woven in place through a series of holes drilled through the chair seat (typically) or back / arms. If you look from underneath the chair seat and you can see pieces of cane sticking out of the bottom like sticking .... it is hole caning.

Two problems trying to get this type repaired. 1 - It is the proverbial "dying art" and it is VERY difficult to find someone to do it. I called a person that advertises in The Daily Sun under Furniture Repair that say's the do caning .... but they do not do hole caning and did not know of ANYONE in the area that does. 2 - IF you can find someone .... it has gotten expensive. expect to pay $2.00 per hole and the typical chair will have 70 +/- holes ... do the math.

Spline Caning - This is were instead of holes, a grove is routed around the perimeter of the caned section in the wood of the seat or back or arms. The cane material is factory woven in mats and then stretched into the opening and held in place with a wooden spline (strip of wood) driven into the grove.

Pricing on spline caning is generally done per inch, by measuring the longest distance of one side. Either side to side or front to back and typically that is across the front of the chair. But as a rule of thumb it is 1/2 of hole caning or a little less. While I did not specifically ask the person mention above, if they did did spline caning .... I am sure that if they are advertising caning and did not do hole caning ... they must do this type.


Another thing to keep in mind ..... new cane material (either hole of spline) will be very "blonde" and will not have the natural aged darker look of your chair (assuming it is somewhat older). While it is possible to dye / stain it to resemble aged cane .... that is typically an additional cost. This can be important if you would like it to match others in a set.

Other options are to fill in the opening with wood and go with a cushion (fairly low cost) and I have also used leather (which is not an inexpensive option). Attempting to convert a hole caned chair is spline IS NOT ADVISABLE ... it is very, very difficult to route a grove through existing hole without making the chair looks like a dogs breakfast!


BTW: I previously owned and operated a furniture refinishing biz for over 10 years.

[shcisamax]

That was a great lesson for me today. Thank you so much. I shall call the person that presumably does spline caning by default :) as I do believe that is what I have. Will make sure before I call but ouch. It is expensive. But worth it on this particular piece. I wouldn't think of putting in a false back.. Not on this at least but it is a good option for other pieces. And thanks for the dog warning :). Won't forget that piece of advice.

[shcisamax]

Crap. It is hole caning. Now what? In fact, it is so beautifully done that they used caning as the border around the hole material and it is woven under the pieces that go through to the other side. It is such a lovely piece I really need to keep its integrity. Clearly the staining is the least of the worries. Help!