How do I clean the baize?

Brush it gently with a soft clothes brush to remove dust and crumbs. You should always brush in one direction to keep the wool nap lying flat. Vacuuming often pulls the glued fabric away from the timber. Avoid liquid cleaners, as they tend to stain the wool and break down the old animal glues holding it down.

My table has a slight wobble when I open the back leg out, is there a way to adjust the wooden hinge mechanism?

Wooden knuckle joints wear down through friction over the years. The pin holding the joint together can sometimes work its way loose, causing that wobble when the leg bears weight. A restorer can tap a new, slightly thicker wooden dowel through the existing joint to tighten up the action. You should not try forcing wedges into the gap as this risks splitting the mahogany frame.

What is a concertina action table?

This is a folding frame mechanism. Instead of one leg swinging out, the whole back frame extends backwards like an accordion. It provides four corner legs when open, giving much better stability than a standard fly leg.

I noticed the top of my folding table sits slightly wonky when it is closed flat against the wall, what causes this gap?

Shrinkage in the timber causes this common issue. Over generations, the solid wood responds to changes in humidity, which slowly bows the leaves in different directions. When the table is closed, these slight curves prevent the two halves from sitting flat. Leaving heavy weights on the top rarely fixes it. Most dealers accept a slight bow as normal age-related movement, providing the hinges remain secure in the carcase.

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Antique Card Tables from the 18th Century

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Antique card tables are folding-top surfaces designed specifically for gaming, often featuring a wool baize playing area that hides within a console format when closed against a wall.