Dealing with a stuck varnished cockpit table

So the previous owner kept the wood work looking nice on our 35-3, but he varnished/shellacked the cockpit pedestal table in such a way that the top and bottom no longer slide apart, so the table is basically useless for more than two people. Tried tapping them with a rubber hammer, but got nowhere. It looks beautiful. I really don't want to destroy the finish, and was wondering if anyone had some tips for getting these to start sliding freely again? Woodwork is not my speciality, and my usual brute force approach would likely have bad consequences. Thanks in advance for any advice.

Some photos would help us help you. That said, if two surfaces were allowed to "bond" before the varnish was fully cured, there would be a problem.

Loren Beach said:

Some photos would help us help you. That said, if two surfaces were allowed to "bond" before the varnish was fully cured, there would be a problem.

Click to expand...

Thought of the photos thing after I'd posted, then realized I had no photos of the exact issue. Will get some. I think the bond happened before fully cured though.

Sounds like taking it to a furniture refinisher and have it "dipped" might be the answer. They will soak it in a bath of chemical stripped to remove all of the old varnish then it can be sanded and refinshed.