Luanne Posted February 2, 2009 Share Posted February 2, 2009 I saw a kitchen with the hutches' tops as the cabinets painted white- glued to the ceiling. It was pretty. So I got 3 hutches this weekend. How do I break it apart please? I am thinking hairdryer, but I haven't tested it. Thank you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hallowell Posted February 2, 2009 Share Posted February 2, 2009 A haidryer can help to soften the glue bond. I separated mine using a sharp knife blade working very slowly and carefully. :worthy: be careful. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
havanaholly Posted February 2, 2009 Share Posted February 2, 2009 I separated two recently to use the bases in the Travel Trailer's kitchen and the tops in, respectively, the bedroom & bathroom. I simply ran very hot tapwater into the dishpan with the hutches in there and after a couple of minutes I reached in and gently popped them apart, being careful not to totally disintegrate them; I still had some small pieces of cupboard doors to glue back together, the glue is really shabby. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Liggysasha Posted February 2, 2009 Share Posted February 2, 2009 Oh, that's a really useful tip. I've got a stash of those hutches and never got round to doing anything to them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Minis On The Edge Posted February 2, 2009 Share Posted February 2, 2009 I use the microwave oven 15 seconds at a time. The glue softens and it comes right apart. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alamom Posted February 2, 2009 Share Posted February 2, 2009 I put mine in the freezer for a few hours. The glue gets brittle and you can pop them apart, just be gentle, don't break them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
havanaholly Posted February 2, 2009 Share Posted February 2, 2009 The main reason I haven't used the microwave is that many of the hutches I've disassembled have small pieces of wire in them and putting metal in the microwave is a good way to set the thing on fire, I've heard; and the hot water is foolproof, so far. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IAK Posted February 2, 2009 Share Posted February 2, 2009 Yep I did that in the BH. I just carefully popped them apart. They are really not glued together that well Here's mine: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sparklepuppies Posted February 2, 2009 Share Posted February 2, 2009 I've put mine in the freezer as well. I also just gave my husband one "plain" (not frozen or melted) and he just popped it apart. He was also able to get the doors off pretty easily too. He said he's always happy to help me break things... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luanne Posted February 2, 2009 Author Share Posted February 2, 2009 Thanks for the tips everyone! I'll research the gallery for ideas for the bottom as well! Thanks a bunch. Luanne Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deb G Posted February 2, 2009 Share Posted February 2, 2009 Sort of off topic, but are you saying that Michael's carries dollhouse furniture? The ones in NW Ohio stopped carrying any dollhouse supplies a long time ago, they tell me. In fact, I have to buy pretty much everything online. The only other option is Hobby Lobby. There's only one in the area, and it's not terribly clean or well-stocked. Do I need to take a road trip to find a nice selection? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lmgervais Posted February 2, 2009 Share Posted February 2, 2009 Sort of off topic, but are you saying that Michael's carries dollhouse furniture? All the Michael's around here carry little wooden hutches in several styles, but that is about it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
havanaholly Posted February 2, 2009 Share Posted February 2, 2009 I'll research the gallery for ideas for the bottom as well!I think in the Team Westville blog I showed the kitchen sink base and bathroom wall cupboard I made from one of the hutches. I made two different bases work together in the Travel Trailer by gluing the tops to a single counter piece and removing the furthest pair of legs from the bottom of the shorter one and glued it to the top of the wheelwell on that side.but are you saying that Michael's carries dollhouse furniture?No, Deb, what we're saying is that some of those US$1 unfinished little wooden hutches they sell can be bashed into 1:12 scale furniture & components (Grazhina is VERY good at it!lol); the early ones they carried that looked like closets bashed beautifully into Murphy beds, too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anna Posted February 2, 2009 Share Posted February 2, 2009 I just love seeing how those hutches are bashed and used in different ways, but the few and precious and appreciated hutches I have received in swaps etc, well I am having a hard time seeing me bash them too hard so to speak, pettind and talking sweet words to is more likley LOL Hugs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hallowell Posted February 2, 2009 Share Posted February 2, 2009 I like the microwave and the freezer ideas. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pastalinda Posted February 3, 2009 Share Posted February 3, 2009 Ditto, I again have learned something here. How to take my Michael's hutches apart. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Corwin Posted February 3, 2009 Share Posted February 3, 2009 I use George, aka my scroll saw. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chesterfieldzoo Posted February 3, 2009 Share Posted February 3, 2009 I have just used a razor knife to get them apart. Next time I think I am going to try the freezer method. I just picked up a bunch - I got some new styles that just came in. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hallowell Posted February 3, 2009 Share Posted February 3, 2009 I just used the microwave on two hutches and the tops came off like butter. I love that microwave idea, I can tell that I'll be using it a lot. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tracibobs Posted February 3, 2009 Share Posted February 3, 2009 i just carefully snap them apart there not glued all that we'll Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wolfie Posted February 3, 2009 Share Posted February 3, 2009 I tried snapping one of mine apart, and got a splinter! LOL I will try the microwave and freezer ideas! Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bree1978 Posted February 3, 2009 Share Posted February 3, 2009 Sort of off topic, but are you saying that Michael's carries dollhouse furniture? The ones in NW Ohio stopped carrying any dollhouse supplies a long time ago, they tell me. In fact, I have to buy pretty much everything online. The only other option is Hobby Lobby. There's only one in the area, and it's not terribly clean or well-stocked. Do I need to take a road trip to find a nice selection? I live in NW ohio (the store I went to was Perrysburg/Rossford OH), and just got saw several hutches. It must be store by store. It was in the woodworking section. I pmd you in case you don't log on often. They were a 1.00 a piece and there were three or four different styles, shelf brimming. S Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
justmesue Posted February 3, 2009 Share Posted February 3, 2009 I have used all the mentioned methods of dissassembling the hutches, it all works. They're just glue gunned together from what I can tell. I used my bottoms for T.V stands. They can also be reglued together to make other furniture of your choice, depending on the style of cabinet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Corwin Posted February 3, 2009 Share Posted February 3, 2009 I should post pictures of my pony wall, I will be updating the blog tomorrow. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alamom Posted February 3, 2009 Share Posted February 3, 2009 What I have been working on is an Artply Allison which will be completely furnished and partially accessorized with things made from michael's hutches. Once you get to thinking on it, you can build lots of things out of them. Some of the items may only have a piece or two from a hutch. I have found even the doors and little trim pieces and even the feet and knobs that I remove for other projects can be made into something. It's so much fun using these and I've only used like 20 of them to make an entire house full of furniture. Alot of the pieces turned out better than I expected and I have had so much fun doing it. I would post pics, but I'm in the process of moving and it's all packed up. I did get alot of ideas and inspiration here in the galleries just search michael's hutches Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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