Counterintuitively, although exposure to the media over decades has made my attention span smaller, I find these really slow detailed videos absolutely addictive.
When things get too grim in the real world, I reach for these slower paced, very practical videos where I get to learn craftsmanship watching Tom practice his skills.
@Mike Richardson BR absolutely another one of my top favs! Thank you. I have seen Julian mentioned on about 4 other non related vlogs. What a good guy! I figure he and Tom are brothers in arms!
The rest of the human race: "When I need a break from sanding... I'll sit and enjoy a cup of coffee." Thomas Johnson: "When I need a break from sanding... I'll... do more sanding." Classic! As is the table.
Your workshop is my idea of heaven on earth. I am 3 years older than you and started as a rank amateur in 1971, working on pieces from yard sales and thrift stores to furnish a farmhouse built in 1900 that we bought at that time. I have done many things in my long life, but the wood working was my true joy. I loved everything about it and learned something from every piece. I think I finished about 30 pieces in my time . some of which I still live with happily. I would have loved to make it my life's work, but could only go so far without a mentor. I have only recently found your videos and they have brought back to me what truly was the best time in my life. Thank you for your generosity and patience in sharing your art with us.
You are welcome! And thanks for your kind words. It may be not so bad that you worked at it as a hobby, once you introduce customers into the mix it changes everything! Not as much fun anymore! Thanks again
"It looks pretty good." No, it looks OUTSTANDING! That had to be a VERY expensive job. However, from both value added and durability perspectives, the cost was worth every red cent. There's good reason to believe that 200 years from now, that table will grace somebody's home. VERY well done, indeed, Mr. Johnson.
I agree, beautiful work. And watching the step by step procedure followed by an experienced craftsman like Thomas Johnson is very satisfying for a workshop ripper/pounder like myself. But before concurring that it was worth every red cent that the client paid I'd need to know how much that was. Just sayin'.
Thanks for posting. My grandfather salvaged and restored a couple of old white oak church organs and I always wished that I’d had the opportunity to watch him do it. You are on par with his work for sure!!!
Mr. Johnson, the feet turned out ( no pun intended) perfectly for the piece. The size or scale looks just right. The true art is in the finishing that you do. Folks may build a beautiful piece but the wrong finish can destroy the beauty in a heart beat. Your experience comes through in every video. Have a great day!
I love watching these videos. No annoying music, just Thomas, his tools & his expertise. So relaxing & beautiful work. Thank you for sharing your incredible talent, knowledge & experience with us.
Thank you. The videos in this series are not only a lesson in restoration. They encapsulate a way to approach life; with patience, integrity, attention and respect. Your work shows a deep love for the time we have on this earth and respect for the skills of our ancestors.
Tom, always a pleasure to watch the "Master". I've been woodworking for close to 50 years and always learn something from each of your videos...thanks for always sharing and explaining your techniques and tricks.
I thoroughly enjoyed watching this project. Totally Wowed and totally addicted to your videos. Another beauty as expected. Loved seeing Ella too ❤️.She's a sweetheart
I've loved seeing this project developing, and seeing the completion is a genuine pleasure mixed with a small tinge of sadness at it finishing...thanks Tom!
I really look forward to seeing your latest furniture restorations. The various tools / materials you use and why, your reasoning for restoring them as you do, and your skills and patience to bring it all to a conclusion.
"I think it looks pretty good!" ... you are very modest, it's near perfection. I never put a hand on a tool related to woodworking and I always remain amazed after I watch these videos. Your patience and skill are near perfection. Shout out from Romania and thanks for sharing this with us on a market flooded with cheap alternatives.
@@johnsonrestoration These are like master classes, and we are all so lucky you have filmed them and put them online. A great resource, now and into the future. Thank you!
With all the stress in my life right now, this is exactly what I needed. 40 minutes to be calm, relax and just stop for a while. Thank you and your team, for saving my sanity. * If you have a spare little corner of your shop I would quite happily come and sit and watch you work (yes even watch you sanding 😂). I'll bring my own seat and you won't have to feed or water me. I'll just sit, watch you work and be happy 🤭💙
So much patients to make an old table look new. I think the add on feet look like they have always belong to this table. I think you've done a fantastic job. No one like you Mr. Johnson, not putting anyone down that perform furniture restorations. In my opinion you are number one. Thank you for another great video. I enjoyed it tremendously. Can't wait for the next one.
I think this may be the first time I have seen you strip a finish and put a whole new finish on a piece. Excellent job, would I expect anything less from a Master Craftsman? Thanks for sharing Tom!
It's beautiful... I think the owners will be so happy it will continue to be at the center of family gatherings for decades yet to come. Very well done, sir
Absolutely Perfect!!! One of the most important thing that an American family does is sit around a table and enjoy family and friends. You should be proud of your addition to the quality of life. Well done Sir.
Hi Chris! After his classic understatement in every video I have a classic reply, "sorry Tom but you are wrong, it looks VERY good" and then I chuckle to myself.
Absolutely fantastic. The patience of Job, the wisdom of Solomon, and the attention to detail of the Pharaohs. Thank you so much for uploading and sharing your skills and expertise.
A beautiful finish to a classic table! The table looks awesome after your hard work to restore it, and make it useful for another 100 years! The program is so educational and really shows us what goes in to restoration.
I swear I can smell the varnish and the timber. And then I feel like I should wear a dust mask while you’re sanding. Peering over your shoulder while you touch up with that brush pen. (I have to get me one of those) your camera work is top class and draws me into the whole process. A brilliant presentation as usual Thomas.
You Sir are a master craftsmen. Thank you for sharing your skills with us. I learn from each of your videos and use what I learn. This project turned out top notch.
Amazing to be rivited to the screen for 40 minutes registering as many details of your craft as I can. Encyclopedic! Thank you so much from The Netherlands.
Well hecky darn! Ain't that a beauty! On a more mature note, your design esthetic is amazing - the proportions of the additions are spot on, capturing the spirit of the original genre. Some would be tempted to simplify and "update" the design, others to overly complicate and add too much "fussiness". You have grabbed it and personified the period. I defy anyone to do this restoration any better, just s I defy anyone to capture my attention and entertain me any better! The "best" part is that the owner can now relive those memories of family Thanksgivings, and of doing their homework on Grandma's dining room table on sleepovers - while passing those traditions on to the next generation. Bless them for wanting it saved, and you for saving it.
@@danielcohn-bendit701 You say I get it. I say I was AFFLICTED with it! I am well past the 3/4 of a century mark, and aside from mattresses and the odd bookcase and sofa, I have never bought anything "new". My home is crammed with scratched mahogany, warping rosewood, dented silver, chipped china, fogged glassware, and moldering books - each and every piece speaks of a long family history and each "talks" to me, bringing the past to the present. I, unfortunately, have no one to pass these things on to, so I won't even contemplate their future, but I make danged sure I enjoy them now.
Tom…as usual…super job and great insights. I got some ideas in seeing how you stabilized the legs for finishing. That thick quarter sawn oak stock…where in the heck did you find that? I cannot seem to locate that anywhere. You do all of these superhuman feats and not once did you expose your cape!
Funny! When I already think it's perfect you come up with one more coat and then one more light sanding, another coat. When I think one cannot improve on this piece anymore, you find a way. Just fabulous! Thank you for pleasing our eyes in this manner!
Excellent methodical work, way beyond “looks pretty good”. Surprised that you used Mohawk Wax Wash (a solvent blend) before the final coat of finish when denatured alcohol would have cleaned the surface of dust. Great jig to find center ‼️👍👍
Thomas said he needed to use this product because of the fish-eye effect that was showing on the surface. Thought it may have been a contaminant that needed the solvent.
The same way Thomas strokes the wood with his brush, tenderly but with determination, somewhere in a distant land a prince strokes the princess he has just rescued from a dragon.
All my years growing up, I would sit at the bottom of the stairs and watch my Dad make things. His wood shop was in the Basement. I love watching you do your magic on these items. I also have my Dad's work table he made and used for years. I wanted to make the legs taller so I could use it as a dining room table.
Great job. Wonderful choice on the bun feet. Perfect match on the color. Next time, turn a cone into the bottom of your guide block for drilling the holes in the legs and it will be self centering. Drill the guide hole on the lathe.
Excellent job, as always. The leg extensions looked like they were original. I would have liked to have seen how you leveled all 6 legs. Did you use a straight edge across them while the table was still upside down?
Wonderful job Tom , l recon there’s at least another 500 year left in that table now you have worked your magic. Would you ever use french polish as an alternative finish, I no it has its limitations for being hardwearing but you can achieve a deep finish in a relatively short time frame. ? Best wishes and kind regards as always. 😀👍👍👍
"The legs of antique tables are always darker than the top." I never realized that! That's fascinating. It came out beautifully. It's owners were lucky to find you. Roy and I always start your videos by speculating on how many clamps will be needed for this piece. I've started calling out "More clamps!" each time you start putting them on. :-)
Oh my goodness, how I've enjoyed watching this! I wish my mum and dad were still alive to show them. They were furniture people, both their parents had a furniture shop in Sandwich, Kent, UK and my dad could turn his hand to anything. Mum would work on the upholstery with him too, the sofa and arm chairs I still have was reupholstered by them twice over the years. Thank you, exquisite work.
I've learned so much from all the content on this channel! Thank you so much for your continuous teaching on such a high level and with so much love for details! Thank you also for the glimpses of nature and pets around you! ❣️
Me too. My husband brought a really old low boy chest home and while it would be easy to paint it, I’ve gotten more interested in learning how to restore these pieces.
" When I need a break from sanding… I'll do more sanding. " You could do an ASMR video with at least 8 hours of sanding. I would play it every night to sleep: I suffer from tinnitus since an audio agression by my students. So lovely to see this beautiful table assembled. I really enjoyed the video on the feet alone too.
Another superbly done restoration, the bun feet worked perfectly and it looked really fantastic when finished. These long format videos are such a treat, really gives a deep insight into the thought processes and techniques.
I realize that even if I try I don’t have the knowledge to appreciate all the work and skill and patience that goes into this project. But I try, and remain amazed. As usual. Thank you.
As you are wont to say, it IS pretty good. The work you did on the feet was outstanding. Had you not had shown us already one would think those were the original feet. Well done Tom! Do keep your videos coming. I learn from every one of them. I keep rewatching other ones from time to time.
A masterpiece revival. A pleasure to watch the process by a caring and patient artist. Thank you for sharing your work and get practical advice. The owners are truly fortunate. No corners were cut, that's for sure!