Dumpster Rescue 

You're clamping setups never cease to amaze me! It is a beautiful chair, and I'm so glad you saved it from the dumpster.

Of all the restors, you are my favorite because of your information and skills😮😮😅

As a retired surgeon and longtime woodworker I thoroughly enjoy your videos. They are master classes in furniture repair and restoration. Your patience and techniques are stunning!

Master Johnson, I am always amazed at how you make things seem so easy! If I may get a bit philosophical, I think anything worth making is worth restoring. I always think in terms, not just of the object, but of the intellect, knowledge, and labor that went into its realization. That simple chair outlived its creator, whether he was an individual craftsman or an assembly line worker, his mark was left for us all to admire and enjoy. I believe your work is more important than one may realize in maintaining the memory of people past alive. It also pays homage to them and their craftsmanship.

Let’s call the metric equivalent to a pinch a “millidigit.” Thanks for saving that lovely chair.

Mr. Johnson, I grew up watching my Dad restore furniture and create in his wood workshop in our basement. Watching your videos, I feel the same mix of awe and comfort of those days. Thank you for sharing your work, and for showing us all your lovely chairs and teaching us their history.

My dad watched you so often. He was a wood worker himself and so enjoyed your channel. He was from Scarborough and has now been passed 4 years. He was only 84 and I miss him everyday. I enjoy watching you now as I too love wood and furniture. I am a Nana of 6 grands and hope to see how perhaps some of them will learn to appreciate the finer things in life too. Thank you for sharing your gift!

I'm donating my old dining table and chairs to a single mom and her daughter. One of the chairs needs repairing. Thanks to watching your videos, I was able to make the repair, although matching the stain color is a skill I need to practice. That chair is solid and doesn't wobble. My thanks for your help. I wouldn't have tried without watching your videos.

I love waking up and seeing that you have another video uploaded. Thank you for another fascinating restoration, sir.

Wow, you never cease to amaze me! I absolutely love your restorations! You take so much care with everything you do Tom, and I am always blown away by the beauty of the finished furniture. God bless, Lin.

Love your work. It’s also good for my mental health to see restoration rather than destruction. Please keep posting.

I love that you value items of furniture beyond their monetary worth. Thank you for saving these wonderful pieces of history.

A road find... and you still treat it a museum piece. Classy. Fantastic video, thank you

Amazing to see what can be done with an old chair that someone just discards...........Great job...........

Many restoration channels make vintage items look like new, perfect, smooth, bright and shiny. You respect the age of the item and it’s character. This chair went from unloved and broken to looking like it has been loved and respected all it’s life.

Tom, I so enjoy your videos. You have taught me something with almost every video. You are a treasure.

I appreciate that you took as much care with a factory-made piece as you do with a handcrafted one. Beautiful restoration.

Thank you posting these videos for us to enjoy. Your skill and knowledge knows no bounds.

It’s beautiful chair regardless of its dubious history. The same could be said of people. We come from different histories but we all hold value to our maker. Some of us are sitting near a dumpster and need fixing up again by a good heart that comes along! The time spent in the fixing is never wasted. God bless you all! ❤quote. Linda Marshall

I learn something every time I watch his videos.

Your workmanship guarantees a quality outcome. Have you considered adding tags to your videos so the algorithm knows how to categories the videos? #restoration #woodworking #furniture #furniture-restoration #vintage #antiques etc.

I love that you fixed and cleaned it up and didn't do a whole lot to it. It turned out beautiful. You let it keep its history.

Nice save Tom! All pieces deserve second chances! Well done sir!

Thank You Sir for your wonderful channel 🎉 I love old chairs an you are helping me learn how to fix the old beautys I find : ) 🎉

I love your optimism..."the seat might have to come apart someday"...as if someone would take the care that you do when you so masterfully repair a piece of furniture!!! God bless you for your integrity and belief that someone in the future might also care and keep wood beautifully preserved.

I have not seen any other restorer do what you do. Make it fully functional bit stillkeep the antique value intact with loving and delicate hand. Be it a peerless piece or an ordinary day to day common object👏👏👏👏

Chair to Tom, after restoration: whew! Thanks a lot man! I feel like a new chair! Nice work, Tom!

What a delightful chair. Well done you and the dumpster person 👏 👏👍

I have watched a great many of your videos. As I watch you work, a phrase from old keeps coming into my head. “Your ancient ruins shall be rebuilt; you shall raise up the foundations of many generations; you shall be called the repairer of the breach, the restorer of streets to live in”.

I learn so much from the choices you make, putting tape over the screw slots before using the putty is just one example. There is no way that your RU-vid revenue compensates you for the time you put into each video, so thank you so much for taking the time to share your expertise!

He saves odd bits of veneer, AND he dumpster dives like me too! I gotta buy Thomas a beer!

Tom, I just love your program and at 86 I spent my hole working life as a photographer, but I had my life to start again I would follow you into restoration of old furniture, thank you. Arnie

Awesome Thomas per usual. I too love when I find stuff just being pitched, my recent wasn't nearly this old. Just a solid oak desk sitting on a trailer in the middle of a field. It was only from the mid early 90's when roughhewn was the rave. In approximately 24 pieces with the top in 5 due to splitting from the 5 years it out in the weather. It also had several pellet attack wounds in the top after a kids target practice. I ask if they wanted me to haul it off for them and a buddy and I loaded it into my truck bit by bit and brought it home. 3 months later it now resides in the wife's office. I left one single Pellet in the top to forever attest to where it came from and most likely was headed. I did this because every piece has a story that only an admirer can appreciate. It took most every trick I know and some I had to create but knowing it will be around long after my demise is a feeling that never gets old. Respect man love your channel and even more appreciate the work you do sir. Love your chairs!!

One very lovely restoration of an old chair. It retained it's elegance

Tom, you're a charming anachronism in today's throw away society. Even your tools and products you use (40 cent pumice) speak to me about your character. Another fine job! Never change......you're a masterpiece.

This episode is one of my favorites. Bravo.

Tom, thank you for all of your work recording and editing these videos.

I love the time and attention you gave to a dumpster find that's 'not valuable'. lol

I think the saving from a dumpster theme is my favorite so far

Your attention to detail and care for the piece is magnificent. I love to watch you work, as though every piece is to be carefully handled to protect it. Keep working and enjoy the things.😊

I think it is very nice that some people just leave furniture on your doorstep. It's like they understand that some things should not be simply thrown away. Even if those things are old and broken. And that this is the place where they will find a new home after being given some effort and love :)

I’m new to your channel and I’m catching up on past videos. I just watched the “Remember Ella” video. My wife and I have a four year old chih Tzu that we love dearly. I admire dog lovers because I think they have a deeper appreciation for life and humanity because of this added dimension of feelings for all of God’s creatures. I once told my wife that I wanted to write a country song called ‘Love me like a dog’ because they love us so unconditionally to an extent that I’m not sure we are capable of. Any, I can’t write songs much less sing one but let me just say that I share your grief at Ella’s passing and will be watching your channel regularly. Your work and talent is amazing!

What a treat at the end seeing your chair and rocking chair collection. How lovely to see them restored, loved and used. Reckon the dustbin men (as we call them over here 🇬🇧) left that chair behind saying to themselves: " I'm sure Mr Thomas will be by shortly to rescue it." Well you surely did, it looks beautiful. 👍👏

What a sweet little chair and now she is ready for her second life. Well done! I love your chair collection.

I found myself reminiscing while watching you taking a trashed antique chair and gently bringing back to life. I began my professional career as a woodworker working for an antique dealer who also ran a furniture repair/refinishing shop. That was in the Autumn of 1977...46 years ago.

I'm going to 'go ahead and proceed'😊 I love that. Thanks for giving us the opportunity to see such craftsmanship. I'd rather watch a minute of your methodology than any other minute i can think of,😂

Mr. Johnson, I have been a fan for years. I thought it odd when I started this video to see you work on this chair. I went through the whole thing until I found out, in the final chapter, why you decided to work on this project. {It's a labor of love.} It was a pleasure to see your collection of fancy chairs and rockers. For us youngsters, it was valuable to view them up close and to hear a bit of history. Your mural on the wall was delightful. "They don't make 'em like that any more" - Casey Stengel.

Thank you, I so enjoyed this. So generous of you to show your chair collection, all beautiful.

Lovely. Four canadian channels just had a dumpster chair challenge. In my opinion, you are the only one I've watched that can compare to John's furniture repai. Thanks for posting. Very interesting.

As always, you honor the history. Bravo!

I still can`t get over what people throw away. I love this little chair. The graining and gilded stripes are in amazing condition, and I can`t believe the caning was intact. Great job.

The chair looks great! It’s a shame so many of them get tossed. I’m glad you gave this one a new life!

What an enviable collection of chairs! A real pleasure to know that they were saved from what would otherwise gave ended up on a rubbish dump or fireplace. As always , your craftsmanship impresses.

Thank you as always for showing us how to appropriate and care for timeless pieces 🐝

This is the loveliest video. So many pretty chairs and beautiful restorations. I especially like the fact that all those different designs look so well together. I’m not sure what a metric pinch is either.🤣 A bit like when cooking and experience not a measuring cup says how much. We couldn’t be experiencing more different weather. We’ve just had over 300mm of drought breaking rain followed by high 20’s to mid 30’s temperatures and the countryside is once again lush green and full time on the lawnmower. Have a blessed Christmas

Thoroughly enjoy your videos. Thanks for passing on your wealth of knowledge and experience.

Omg! How I just love your chairs and the history of them. Excellent work yet again!

Beautiful Mr. Johnson ❤ love the Cardinal in the snowing scenery 🥰

so. many nice comments from other members regarding the chair. me too lovely chair, lovely Restoration, lovely video thanks

Clearly this chair managed to spend 175-odd years without ever being wielded as a weapon in a cowboy saloon brawl or, equally dire, doing service in a household with four kids like mine.

As always, watching a restoration at the hands of Thomas 'Clamp' Johnson, is good for the soul and good for the furniture. Most of all you are logical, thorough and patient, and I have learnt much from watching your work,. Likewise, I too have a sentimental weak spot for abandoned and unloved chairs. Here in England, many from the 19th century were made from elm, which has wonderful figuring to the grain.

Another amazing save!! I love the detail you always put into your restorations.

Out on the streets hanging around dumpsters again!! (I'll have word with Young Thomas's "Carer"!!) Hee! Hee! Have a great Christmas and a happy healthy New year my friend! x

As always you do such beautiful, finely detailed careful work. It is a joy to watch a true craftsman. The display at the end of the chairs and rockers was very informative. I live in a different part of the US ( SW FL) so I don't see that type of furniture very often.

Don’t remember how much stuff I have reclaimed from a skip or the recycling centre but a lot is dotted around my home that’s for sure. In fact most of my furniture is reclaimed. It’s such a joy bringing things back to life and I’ve learnt so much from watching your videos. Thanks. I actually owned a Sunbeam Alpine in the 70s and you are right they were very under powered here in the UK.

Wishing you the best this holiday season, and thanks for the joy you provide on Friday mornings.

Another lovely restoration. Cheers, Tom

It is a pleasure watching you work. Your skills are amazing and I am constantly learning from you. This one really was trash to treasure. Skills and knowledge of styles. Thank you.

Thanks! Love that old stuff! Your work is just amazing on structure and finish.

"I don't know what a metric pinch is" was the verbal hi-light. lol. I've been hoping to see a road-side-find restoration. This chair may have been worthless before restoration but is a keeper now.

pretty cool to see your collection of fancy chairs! and that mural is beautiful too!

This is a real nice little chair. It is good to have practical knowledge of what it would take to rejuvenate some of our older chairs. Thanks!

Thank you just what I needed ! I just bought a small 1930's chair smothered in varnish but with lovely inlaid banding all over. It's a simple design and could be really pretty so a future project paid 5 euros, feel that I have saved it. I do have about 35 chairs, mostly 'saved' and one special one found in an antique gallery area of Paris in the style of 'Klismos'. It was covered in woven horse hair in a lovely pattern and as this is mainly used on special chairs it must be good. More projects ! Hugs as usual Tom xo

Tom, one thing I appreciate about you work is the respect you show for the furniture which is the work of the maker, even with this mass produced chair. I have tuned into some other channels from time to time and I notice them banging and prying and cranking on the furniture which seems crude and inpatient compared to your gentle handling of the antiques. You touch the wood like a furniture maker. Thank you very much for sharing your knowledge and experience as well as your collection of orphaned chairs.....they look pretty good.

In cooking a smidgen is often called a soupcon from the French.

R E S P E C T ! ! ! For your work, your knowledge and for how you honor each and every piece on which you lay your hands, no matter the condition. With respect.

A metric 'pinch' is a millipinch but no bigger than a centipinch because if it's more than a centipinch it's no longer a pinch. Nice chair, shame they didn't throw out a whole set.

Could almost hear that chair cry in relief. Very sympathetic restoration that keeps the history of the piece. Love your collection of chairs! That Galle is a stunner. I have 2 Boston rockers, 1 I bought unfinished in 2nd year college. The other is an Amish one from Ontario and was packed into the back seat of the truck along with 2 other rockers and a spinning wheel(wheel #6) we got in southern Ontario and hauled it all back to Vancouver BC. Think it is time to refinish the college one plus my other arts and crafts oak one. Have burgundy moose hide to make the new seat cushion on that one. Watching how you work through the project is inspiring me to get busy. Thank you for the inspiration.

Kniv spids (knife point/tip) is the danish equivalent to a pinch of something.

I'm always late to the "watch party" because I wait until I can give the whole video my full attention. (I've tried split-screening it while I'm working, but nothing gets done!). I love that not only did you salvage the chair, but you restored it with a thought for a *future* restoration artist. "Metric pinch!" That got me laughing!

Suggestion: metric pinch = minch

It's amazing what some people throw away, and what they hang onto. Nice job on that chair.

Skillfull work and beautiful results. Always soothing to watch.

No disrespect at all to other restorers,but this chap is an old fashioned craftsman,his skills are evident.

I so enjoy watching your videos. I wish the value of older "real" furniture was appreciated, too much is in the landfills. There's a sense pf satisfaction in having and using well made furnishings. Such craftsmanship is now rare.

Unbelievable! Superb workmanship. 👍

Watching you bring the 200 year old chair back to it's beauty. When you just did it's 1st bath I could see that it was worth the work you put into it. I wish I had the money to offer you for it.

Wow, talk about bringing life back to something. Nice job.

Always enjoy your wonderful workmanship, timeless and beautiful work.

I think the metric version of a “Pinch” would be a “Smidge”. I could be wrong! 🤣🤣🤣 Beautiful restoration… as usual.

I enjoyed the exhibit of “fancy” chairs and rockers at the end. It helped put your project chair in perspective. Thank you!

What a beautiful collection. Thank you from the chair for saving it!😊

My first thought was Gallé. Thanks for showing us these lovely pieces.

Nice! I grew up with similar chairs, ones found in family barns and passed down for generations. It’s nice to see such care taken with something so utilitarian, but at the same time historic.

Really nice restoration of a very utilitarian chair! ❤

You made that chair look beautiful! I loved your rockers too. Another wonderful video. Thank you!

I always enjoy seeing your videos and learning something new every time. Thanks for sharing.

The master from Gorham. Maine. 😻

Preserving history, even furniture history, is so important. It's more than antique. Thanks! ✨👍👏❤

Great restoration as always 👏👏