Roxxie Posted December 4, 2009 Share Posted December 4, 2009 I want to try and take apart a michaels hutch without breaking it. I want to use half of it. I don't have power tools or saws so does anyone know another method of how I might get the top part separated from the bottom part? They are so cheap I thought to soak it but they would probably just disintegrate. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tappy Posted December 4, 2009 Share Posted December 4, 2009 On the link with all the tutorials that was posted on this site, they mention micro-waving it to soften the glue, but I am not sure how long. The one tutorial showed burned parts, so be careful! Tappy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roxxie Posted December 4, 2009 Author Share Posted December 4, 2009 hmmmmm do you know where this tutorial is on here? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tess11 Posted December 4, 2009 Share Posted December 4, 2009 It depends on the hutch, but I took one apart recently by running a flathead screwdriver around the point where I wanted it to break (which was between the top shelved part and the bottom console like part) and then I pulled it apart with my own little hands. I had a little spot on the console part where I had to sand it, but otherwise it came apart beautifully. Here's he blog entry tht shows how the top part came out: Cabinet Good luck- they are pretty easy to bash and for $1, if you mess it up it's not too terrible a mistake. :yes: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roxxie Posted December 4, 2009 Author Share Posted December 4, 2009 Thanks Tiffnay! I really have to get creative with furnishing my farmhouse. I am trying to make as much as possible and at the same time make it look good. Its fun to try anyway. There are so many different styles of the hutches I thought I would try and make a kitchen cabinet from the top and a dresser from the bottom. I have one reserved for a wardrobe and another for a regular hutch. I think if I paint or stain them differently they will work out fine. I was even thinking of using one in the bathroom. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fov Posted December 4, 2009 Share Posted December 4, 2009 Would a saw work? I guess it depends on if you want to use the top half or the bottom half. I could see sawing off the top half, but if that's the part you're planning to use, the bottom might get a little messed up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roxxie Posted December 4, 2009 Author Share Posted December 4, 2009 Oh I just looked at the stained glass one...that came out nice! I just stuck my exacto blade under the crack and wiggled it a little and the top just popped right off! Now I am excited! :yes: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jackiem Posted December 4, 2009 Share Posted December 4, 2009 I have micowaved a hutch and it came apart nice and easy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grazhina Posted December 4, 2009 Share Posted December 4, 2009 I've taken apart a lot of the hutches. I've found that microwaving is often the easiest way. It can take as little as 30 seconds to melt the glue enough to pop them apart. Sometimes I've have to insert a thin bladed knife into the crack between two sections and sort of jiggled it back and forth to loosen them up some more. When zapping your hutch, if it's really hot when you check it, but still holding strong, let it cool a bit before putting it back in, or it'll go up in flames. After the initial 30 seconds, I'll put it in for 10 seconds, and if need be 10 more seconds. NOTE: Sometimes the little buggers will not come apart neatly no matter what. Any scrapes or gouges can be filled in with wood putty or dry wall compound or spackle if you're painting the piece. If you're planning on using stain, too bad, get out another one and try again. At least they're cheap. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
champagne Posted December 4, 2009 Share Posted December 4, 2009 I have soaked mine in hot water for a few minutes and the glue just washes away. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
havanaholly Posted December 4, 2009 Share Posted December 4, 2009 A quick dip in hot water works for me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hallowell Posted December 4, 2009 Share Posted December 4, 2009 I took mine apart with a hair drier on hot. :yes: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
amyole Posted December 4, 2009 Share Posted December 4, 2009 I have also used white vinegar on a paper towel & dabbed it into the area, then run my exacto along the crack & it comes off. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sherry Posted December 4, 2009 Share Posted December 4, 2009 I just put mine in the freezer. It works, and is always good for a laugh when someone opens the freezer and sees it sitting there! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sparklepuppies Posted December 5, 2009 Share Posted December 5, 2009 I just put mine in the freezer. It works, and is always good for a laugh when someone opens the freezer and sees it sitting there! Ditto! Love the What's for Dinner, Mom? Hutches?? After they are frozen, I give them to my husband to break for me. He's good at breaking things, so I figure I'd put that to use! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roxxie Posted December 5, 2009 Author Share Posted December 5, 2009 I just got back on here and just reading all the methods used cracks me up totally! I like the freezer Idea. I am a little worried about the microwave. I did hit the first one with my hairdryer for a bit but I think the opening between the sections was big enough to let me get in there to pry it apart. This other one is pretty tight. How long do you leave it in the freezer? I could really get into this hutch bashing. Its fun! :yes: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lindsay Posted December 5, 2009 Share Posted December 5, 2009 Word of warning if you plan to stain....stain will not look right on the "glued" areas so plan on sanding the glue completely off or just painting... Good luck and happy bashing! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sherry Posted December 5, 2009 Share Posted December 5, 2009 I really don't know how long it takes. I always stick them in there and forget I did it until I open the freezer door (or someone else does) and sees it. What you do then, is take it out, say "well, darn. It's ruined now!' and the pop it apart in front of them. OK, so I'm easily entertained, but it's fun to see the reactions! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeffrey Posted December 5, 2009 Share Posted December 5, 2009 i was able to split mine without doing anything to it at all. just used my hands and it came right apart real easy! maybe i was just lucky... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
justmesue Posted December 5, 2009 Share Posted December 5, 2009 The last hutches I popped apart were just glue gunned together, and not very good I must add. They just came apart for me too, with a little strenght. I only needed to slide my exacto blade into 1 of them to pry it apart. All the other methods do work though, and I tried each 1 on a different hutch, just to see... It's the most fun 1 can have for a buck, that can create multiple minis. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roxxie Posted December 5, 2009 Author Share Posted December 5, 2009 One came apart easy, the other one that slept in the freezer all night is still stuck tightly! Figures! lol At least if I break it I can pirate the doors for something else. Thanks for the heads up on the stain! I forgot about that. I will probably paint and try aging somehow. :yes: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Merry Posted January 22, 2010 Share Posted January 22, 2010 Will any of these ways of bashing work on a finished hutch that is glued together like a rock? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
havanaholly Posted January 23, 2010 Share Posted January 23, 2010 If it's been redone the cruddy original glue, which succumbs to all the abovementioned methods is probably history! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roxxie Posted January 23, 2010 Author Share Posted January 23, 2010 I just took apart a hutch that I thought I had finished using the same method. It was glued pretty solidly I probaby made some toxic fumes because it was all painted and sealed but I just wasn't happy with it. I know some don't agree with the microwave method but I put it in 5 secs at a time and it eventually came apart. Just watch it carefully it does get hot. I grab it out with a cloth. I couldn't get it to come apart with the freezing method but I hear it does work for some people. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Merry Posted January 23, 2010 Share Posted January 23, 2010 I finally just got a mini saw and sawed the darn thing off! Luckily, it's going to be an old, beat-up piece. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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