Stuck table -- RESOLVED -- THANKS FOR THE RESPONSES

Question

I have a wood DR table that gets stuck in open position.  We add leaves to make table larger.  When we remove the leaves it's almost impossible to close the table and we have to leave two leaves in in order to close all the way.  I don't want my table open that large when we don't need it -- I'm at a loss as to how to get table to close.  It closes part of the way and then will not budge.  It doesn't seem to be hitting up against anything so just don't know what to do.

Dr.Julittle · Answer

It depends on what's sticking, but try rubbing some wax paper on the guide-rails. There's probably a better, more long-term solution, depending on what part is sticking.

Carol · Answer

Hopefully the furniture repair person can figure out what is wrong. Please let us know the outcome, curious.

Enjb · Answer

I have always used soap on the rails. Be careful to push at the center and equally on both sides of the table end. I have a really old table that does the same thing; probably from wear over the years on the rails.

Cynthia H · Answer

I had trouble with my oak table for years, until one year I took a really good look at how it opens and closes - there's little gears that turn on a track for lack of a better description - they looked dark with build up on them. So I got out my trusty orange oil spray, sprayed the gears and the track, wiped them down and then 'oiled' them as we worked it closed. The next time we opened it up, I almost fell over (literally) it opened so much easier. So now, every time we open or close it, I spray, wipe and then spray again. It is now super easy to open and close. Hope this helps!

Jud1016678 · Answer

Rub soap on the rails!

Emi Harr · Answer

Check from underneath to see where it is sticking.... there is probably some little blurb in the metal rails... maybe someone twisted it while trying to close it. If that is the case, you should be able to straighten it out with pliers. And a good spray with WD40 might loosen up everything, as well as what others have mentioned: wax, or soap.

Michelle · Answer

I would try rubbing a bar of paraffine (sp) wax.  I live in a rental where they have painted the windows, and opening them where a pain, until I read to try the wax it has helped alot.  Good Luck.

Sylena Love Ross · Answer

try rubbing all moving pieces with a candle. It may take a few times but it works for us on dresser drawers and sliding doors. We living in Mississippi and deal with the 'extra' humidity . Also there is tube of loose mica or grit  u can get to us on metal pieces .it is messy but helps smooth out metal pieces that might have a burr or nick on them .any home improvement store will have it.hope this helps.

Winnie Conners · Answer

I would try lightly sanding the areas that slide together. You'll have to get all that paraffin off first.

Rus1058682 · Answer

I, too would try beeswax or paraffin wax.. You may have to turn the table upside down to apply, and I have used a lit candle to drip into tight spots. Hope this helps.. R

K Jones · Answer

My grandparents used a bar of soap and rubbed over the surface. It always worked.

Julie Yeary · Answer

Graphite, it's sold to lubricate fishing poles or WD 40.

Shari P · Answer

Hi  rub a wax candle of the area and it will slide more easily.

Jordan Le Bouton · Answer

Please don't laugh but spray the can you use for spraying cake pans on the runners. They will glide. Out odf desperation I used this and holy cow it worked. I have an1910 house with some old door handles that fall off all the time. Last thing I am worried about but a pain never the less. I took the handle off, pulled the spindle with the other handle on it, sprayed, put back in it's holes and pushed the one handle on. A month ago and no falling off handle to the bathroom. Give it a try, it can't hurt.

LD · Answer

Marie, it sounds as though the wood has a lot of dust and grime on the wood rails and the dowels. Wood will swell when the humidity is to high in your home. The proper humidity level should between 40-50%. I would recommend that you lightly sand with very fine sandpaper the rails and dowels in order to remove excess dirt, wax, etc. Once you have done this then take good old fashion furniture wax and apply it to the rails and dowels. Here is a link to Layman's:https://www.lehmans.com/p-2161-farmhouse-furniture-wax.aspx.

Marie Fyfe · Answer

Thank you everyone -- I did have a furniture repairman come in. He just looked under the table and said that the railings needed to be replaced! and that I should not be using 4 leaves! Really -- it came it four leaves. He didn't even try to open or close the table. A new railing for 3 leaves would cost $350. AND IF I WANTED ONE FOR 4 LEAVES IT WOULD COST $750 -- if not more because it would have to be custom made. My girl friend was here so we opened the table and took out the two leaves in it -- we extended the table full length and wiped the railings with cooking oil! I did it a little but not when table was at full length -- we made sure they were wiped good and made sure there was no dust -- then I put one leaf in and we both closed it -- it closed quickly and smoothly! Problem solved with cooking oil! LOL

Tommy Spencer · Answer

Rub the slides that the table slides on with wax candles

Barbara C · Answer

Baby powder works,too.Just rub on the areas where the leaves come together.

153091 · Answer

The comments ideas are all useable and worth trying, but also look at the 'pegs/dowels'
OOOOPS!!!! Linda up above had the same thought I did!!!!

Rebecca Ruge · Answer

Maybe a tube of graphite lubricant? The package I have says...'finest lubricant for metal, wood, plastic and rubber.' Got mine at WalMart where they duplicate keys.

Tara Kotry · Answer

Take the table apart and wax the table runners. The pieces of wood that get stuck. The wax helps to let it slide. I use it on my kitchen drawers in my century home that has all the original cabinetry.

Angle Nefolyn · Answer

Spray white lithium grease and work it in slowly. the spray will get in to the places that need the lube the most

Heidi Geores · Answer

Run bar soap along the part that slides back and forth.

Bev Deardurff · Answer

I live in a old house, almost 100 yrs. old. It has AC, but my husband is always determined to put/jank up the windows. Many times I'd have to go around and glue the trim that he broke while openning the windows. I spray furniture polish on the slides. The windows are so old they still have the weights for lifting. This old house needs a lot of work. I've heard that he moves into a house and doesn't up keep on it. The work he has done on it is of poor quality. He blames me for tearing up the carpet saying that I made the house depreciate in value. This old house has some neat features if you like old architecture.

Linda Erdmann Brown · Answer

Try wd 40 with dollar store shower curtain underneath the table. I'd sit under it to do the spraying with paper towels to try and catch drips. Also can use silicone spray.

Lori T · Answer

Have you tried using a bar of soap along the edges that move?

Jacki Nino · Answer

Old tables will collect a lot dirt in the track's ,I suggest using a putty knife and scrape the inside of the track,if you need to,use a little sand paper to get it real clean.

Melissa Thompson · Answer

I suggest saddle soap instead of bar soap. saddle soap is for leather, but works well for that purpose. it will absorb into the wood to keep it smooth and 'unstuck'. I think bar soap will eventually dry up or wear off. or, you could rub some murphys oil soap on it. murphys oil soap is made for wood; leaves my wood floor shiny & slippery. lol! good luck. :O)

Huntington Henry · Answer

There are some metal strips with teeth and two wheels under the table take a look at them as someone tries to close the table I would guess the hardware in moving and binding. might have to tighten some screws.

Carla · Answer

wax...

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