I recently got a De Ve grinder that seems to be the same model as this one in
peacecup's photo, but not in as beautiful condition. It grinds nicely, but its base has warped, and this has caused some gapping at the joints where one of the sides meets the front and back.
I'd like to try restoring it, and would greatly appreciate advice from anyone who's been down this path.
I think the first step is going to have to be removing the base, which seems to be held on by nails and glue. I'm not sure how to do it without breaking it, though -- I'm guessing that heat might loosen the glue bond. (I think maybe a heat gun would be too much heat though ...?).
Once I get the base off in one piece (I hope!), I'd thought of steaming it for half an hour or so to make it pliable, and then clamping it to a flat surface while it dries out, to correct the warping. Or maybe ironing it?
The amount of play in the gaps at the side with just finger-pressure makes me think that simply gluing and clamping it might be pretty easy. If that goes well, I'd then re-attach the base, and finally try to figure out how to restore (or touch up) the finish. (The finish is pretty scarred up around the drawer opening and the bottom of the box all 'round.)
No photos yet ...
Any advice that might help me out on this? I'm not the world's most handy guy, to say the least, and have only a few basic tools at the moment, so I'm a bit hesitant.
Many thanks in advance. I've got a couple of other manual "box" grinders (a relatively modern Zass with the oval metal label and a very fine-grinding no-name) but I love the look and feel of this poor old De Ve.
With kind regards,
Josh in CA