Restoring a dried barrel?

[silverfish]

I have a couple of old barrels and while recently checking them out,
noticed that when looking through the bung hole, I could see "space"
between the staves opposite the hole.

My wife has been thinking about "appropriating" one for use as a rain
barrel and I wondered if cutting out the head and filling with water
would "swell" the staves to their original (or close to) condition.

Is it possible to "restore" the barrels to good condition i.e. water tight
capable or are they pretty much "ruined" and suitable for display purposes
only?

[Lost Pollito]

It is possible. Put the staves in place, and fill with water. Fill, and refill. It sucks, but it can be done.:grin:

[silverfish]

All the staves are in place - there is just minor "space" between some.
I was hoping it would be possible to "restore" but figured it may take time.
Thanks for confirming. Guess it's time to move one outside...

[MarkEdwards]

Can the restoration process be speeded up by submerging the barrel?

[silverfish]

I thought that hosing down the outside might help but my barrels
have shellac/varnish on them. On an unfinished barrel soaking the
outside as well as filling with water may work faster.