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August, 2019 The Antique Shoppe Page 23
Questions & Q. We just purchased a table for $135 that looks like the Mersman table we have
seen in other articles. Ours looks to have the same lyre type bottom and brass feet
Common Sense Answers but has a top that folds together in the middle and has storage space underneath
on one end. It also swivels. We believe it is a game or card table but would like more
information on it if possible. We would also like more information on the Mersman
with Fred Taylor tables from your Common Sense Antiques series. Thank you. Jack and Sharon K.

Continued on Page 24
Send your comments, questions and pictures to me at PO Box 215, Crystal River, FL 34423 or email them to
Q. Hello Fred - My wife and I just inherited several pieces of furniture made by me at info@furnituredetective.com.
Maddox Furniture of Jamestown, NY. One piece is a “Secretary” with a pull out Visit Fred’s website at www.furnituredetective.com and check out the downloadable “Common Sense
drawer that folds down to make a small writing desk. It has several doors above the Antiques” columns in .pdf format. His book “HOW TO BE A FURNITURE DETECTIVE” is now available for
desk that are lockable. Do you know where we might be able to buy a key for these $18.95 plus $3.00 shipping. Send check or money order for $21.95 to Fred Taylor, PO Box 215, Crystal River,
FL 34423. Fred and Gail Taylor’s DVD, “IDENTIFICATION OF OLDER & ANTIQUE FURNITURE”, ($17.00 + $3.00
doors? We have one key that works on all the doors but would like to get a spare. S&H) are also available at the same address. For more information call (800) 387-6377 (9AM-4PM Eastern,
Thank you. Randall M. M-F only), fax 352-563-2916, or e-mail info@furnituredetective.com. All items are also available directly from
the website, www.furnituredetective.com
A. Randall – Congratulations on getting the Maddox stuff. It is well made 20th
century work and will retain its utilitarian value for many years. The fortunate thing FANNING SPRINGS
about the locks is that almost all 20th century American cabinet locks work off one
of four or five skeleton blanks. The locks are designed only to keep honest people “explore the difference”
honest – not keep out the bad guys. Take your working key to any good key shop.
The odds are they have a blank very similar to it that may only need a little filing Point of View
or grinding. I used to make keys from scratch for all my customer’s furniture in my
restoration shop. It is a small task. If the key folks can’t help you visit a couple of Antiques
large antique malls with your key in your pocket. Sooner or later you will find a
dealer with a ring of skeleton barrel keys, one of which will match yours. You may 17452 US Hwy 19 N
also try calling a couple of restoration shops to see if they will cut you a key. You may
be able to rely on a reputable dealer. Most good antique furniture dealers have a Fanning Springs www.PointofViewGifts.com
restoration person who can make keys just as I used to do. Or you could check www. (352) 463-0718 10-5 Monday-Saturday
vandykes.com. Cruise through their keys until you find one that looks like yours. Now Open Sunday 11-4
The subject of locks and keys is covered more extensively in #10 in my syndicated
series of columns called “Common Sense Antiques” entitled “LOCK IT AND POCKET collectibles, wood carvings, jewelry, gifts and more
THE KEY”. It gives a little more background on locks and keys. That article can be –DEALER SPACE AVAILABLE– 33
read in its entirety in the “Common
Sense Antiques” section of my website at
www.furnituredetective.com. WILLISTON - REDDICK -
Thanks for writing.
Williston’s Newest Antique Store • ANTIQUE •
Q. Hi Fred - I am wondering if you would Back Door Antiques
give me some advice. I am stripping the EMPORIUM
wood work in our house. It is about 140 36 E. Noble Ave. · Williston
years old. The wood so far is all pine. I am
burning the paint off. It has several layers Antiques-Furniture-Books-Collectibles & More 17990 NW 77 Ave
th
of latex paint and the latex is coming off Reddick, FL 32686
pretty fast. Underneath the latex is a old Dixie’s Antiques Mall
milk base paint and is hard to get off. Antiques, Collectibles & Gifts OPEN 352-591-1221
Would you have any suggestion on what 112 W. Noble Ave. Tue-Sat 10-4
I could use to get the old milk base paint Williston, FL 32696 OPEN DAILY 10-6
off? Thank you. Charles B. Parking
(352) 528-2338 at rear I-75 at Exit 368
A. Charles – Are you sure it is milk paint Over 8,000 sq. ft. of Air Conditioned Comfort of Store
and not just well cured old enamel? It will with 75+ “FILLED TO THE RAFTERS” booths info@antiqueemporiumfl.com
be easier to strip if it is enamel. However, Rental Booths Available 35 36
it may contain lead as much old enamel Open 10-5 Mon-Sat 34 BackDoorAntiques.org · 352-528-0769 ANTIQUEEMPORIUMFL.COM
does so work with caution, especially if
you sand any of the wood. To test for OCALA - BELLEVIEW - CRYSTAL RIVER
milk paint acquire some good semi-
paste regular stripper which contains
methylene chloride. Home Depot carries Heritage Antiques
an excellent brand called Klean Strip KS3.
Apply a small amount on the painted DIGGERS ANTIQUE MALL aka
surface and let it sit for an hour. Then 1811 N. PINE AVE. the Old Wander Inn
check it with a putty knife. If the paint is OCALA, FL 34475
103 NW Hwy. 19
slightly soft it is old enamel and can be Historic Downtown
safely stripped with the KS3. If the paint 352-629-5250 Crystal River, FL 34428
is still hard as flint after an hour then it Open 7 Days a Week MOSSY OAKS ANTIQUE MALL 352-563-5597
probably is milk paint. Mon-Sat 10am-5:30pm • Sun 12-5pm 8,000 Sq. Ft. 30+ Dealers Mon-Sat 10:30-5
In that case use a stripper designed 6260 SE 118th Place Open Daily
for milk paint such as PDE Paint Remover. DiggersAntiques@gmail.com 6/10 mi. S. of Belleview on Hwy 301 Clock Repair • Post Cards
Belleview, FL 34420
Antiques • Collectibles
You can find it at Van Dyke’s (above) or at WE BUY AND SELL ESTATES 352-307-0090 Handpainted Furniture
Amazon.com among many other places. Offering a Dazzling Variety of Mid Century Modern
This remover works slowly and can get CLOCK REPAIR ON SITE Antique & Vintage Merchandise
expensive but from all reports it will Professional Furniture Restoration Available www.heritageantiquesmall.com
work. 38 Check out our albums on Facebook 40 41