i am trying to restore a cedar  chest at present and i just have the lid left to do. it was split down the middle lengthwise  so i am tring to figure out the best way to fix it without making it look "fixed" any suggestions?

Seems like that was brought up before in the past...
Wish I could remember more...
But in my humble opinion; you would need to add interior cross supports to the lid to strengthen it.
You could get a few pieces of cedar and bevel all the edges for aesthetics, and using a few shorter screws, attach it to the inside of the lid across the grain of the lid.
As for glue, do some research on what wood glues would be compatible with cedar, I think there may be a special type as cedar seems to have a slightly different composition due to it's aromatic properties.
Clamps, and glue after one side of the cross supports are attached and some appropriate filler if needed should do the trick.

Just gluing the edge at the split will not be strong enough, it will split again.

Is the lid split at a joint/seam or does it run down and through a board?

If was at a joint or seam - clear away the previous glue/adhesive and use Gorilla glue or something similar.

If the split is not at a joint/seam-is the lid level (not cupped, warped, twisted, etc.?)? Any idea how this occured?

Photos will help!

Posted By willrstew3 on 09-02-2010 10:32 AM
i am trying to restore a cedar  chest at present and i just have the lid left to do. it was split down the middle lengthwise  so i am tring to figure out the best way to fix it without making it look "fixed" any suggestions?

Hi will - Welcome to the forum

Dewey's right, pictures would help. If the split is faily straight, I would joint the edges, taking off as little as possible to square and clean things up. Then run a stopped slot down the middle of each half, stopping an inch or two from each edge. Line the slot with biscuits and glue it up. Titebond II or gorilla glue would probably work. Be careful with the gorilla glue as it can push the joint back apart 
Good Luck

Oh yeah, for #20 biscuits you would need a 5/32" slot.

Is it split completely apart or just a crack? If it is in two pieces you might be able to treat it as just a joint. Is the chest cedar or just cedar lined?

Posted By Horace Puckey on 09-02-2010 10:42 PM
Is it split completely apart or just a crack? If it is in two pieces you might be able to treat it as just a joint. Is the chest cedar or just cedar lined?

Hi Bill - here's a good example of where pics are important. Any repair of this type are going to be determined by the severity of the problem. Hard to determine in 25 words or less. The other thing I think about is; What kind of resources are available? I generally base my recommendation on what tools I have access to and are familiar with, which, I suspect most of us do. In this case, my recommendation was based on a significant split in the wood and access to table saw and router table. Now, if the guy is sitting a 1000 miles away with not much more than a handsaw and a hammer, my input wouldn't be much use.  Just a couple of random thoughts from a wandering (usually lost) mind

John wrote:

Just a couple of random thoughts from a wandering (usually lost) mind

You suppose yours' ran away from home with mine?

I'm not clear on whether this a separation of boards that were glued together or a crack that has opened up due to lack of moisture in the house...please clarify   ........? If you can completely separate the top into two halves, I would clearly do that
and start by marking diagonal marks across both sections (panels) in several locations along it's length for biscuit joints.
Lightly joint the two adjoining edges of these panels, make the biscuit slots or dowel holes then glue and clamp them up
and let them dry overnight. I think that Titebond 2 would be a good choice for the glue you need here, I would stay away
from polyurethane type glues...they tend to expand too much while drying, and the resulting squeeze out is a mess to clean up!                  Jim