Masterful Restoration of a Federal Card Table - Thomas Johnson Antique Furniture Restoration 

I have never fixed an old table. I have no intention of ever fixing an old table. I don't even own an old table. Yet I find this absolutely compelling. You are clearly a master of your craft.

Thank you, Mr Tom Johnson ❤️ So many special things in this video, from your incredible skill and knowledge, to your infectious (but still so laid back!) joy in what you do, to your Dad's box of inlay, to your hot drinks, and of course, the animal friends. You are a treasure; you bring a reassurance and warmth with your work, and the generosity with which you share it. Thank you again!

There is a deep pleasure in watching someone who really knows what they are doing. The end results are always amazing. Thanks for putting this content out there for all of us to see!

An Iranıan guy who lives in Istanbul ... and just getting happy for Thomas Johnson's new video. Wishing more and more clients will take their furniture to him to make more videos like this. Thanks Thomas

I love that, even with all your years of experience, you can still sometimes say, 'I'm not sure", and "I didn't realize." You are humble despite your tremendous experience, knowledge, and skill. You are impressive!

It's like you were piecing back the continents to reform Pangea on the veneer. A Master at work.

That was truly a masterful restoration. I'm glad you took the time to show all the details. I had never seen inlay being made before. Tremendous job!

I was so amazed at how you crafted that inlay. I love learning new things.

Once again a masterclass on the complex restoration of a beautiful damaged antique - Thank you Thomas - most enjoyable

Of all the furniture restoration videos that I watch on RU-vid, Yours Tom make for the most compelling watching. You really involve the viewer with your dialogue and whoever does your camera work is really professional. May you have many, many more years of wonderful work ahead of you. Its a joy to watch how you restore these pieces.

Of course I hit "like" before I started watching! Thanks, Tom. You're the best thing since apple pie.

*Yippee! 39 minutes of Tom Johnson on a Saturday.*

Lessons to be learned from this video: careful, thoughtful craftsmanship is always the best approach. And you can't have too many clamps!

Another great restoration! When I saw your father's inlay collection, I just went WOW over the history and then watched you make your own! Surreal! I certainly learned a lot from this one. The way you make the repair in the veneer with the grain going the same way... reminds me of me when I match plaid threads or floral designs on seams when sewing! The collection of clamps never ceases to amaze! A veritable forest of clamps! Again, like me with pins to make threads line up exactly. Thank you for inspiring me and all the others who watch your videos to learn and create and, most of all, save history and art. Please give kitty and Ella a big hug from me.

you are a superb craftsman . I`m sure , when we`re all dead and gone , the maxim " restored by Thomas Johnson " will be a hallmark of quality antique furniture .

Dear Tom, I am glad to see that you are alive and well! With all that is going on you never know who the Covid-19 virus has affected. Stay safe and stay well. By the way excellent job as always. God bless.

Hello from Australia! I just want to say how relaxing and satisfying your videos are to watch. There is nothing more wonderful than watching a master craftsman at work. I also love seeing the animals on your property. Wild and domesticated. Especially your cats. Thank you Tom.

Greetings from across the pond (London). I have watched your videos for a longtime now. Just wanted to say and I pick my words carefully. But you really are a craftsman and genius of our time. Please keep going I and many others get immense pleasure from watching your work. Thank you.

Whilst I sit in self isolation (Covid) I found your site a dream. Now I am a house builder aged 67 but you have renewed my interest in the finer things in life so thank you. All I need now is a local restorer to take me on as his apprentice

Cup of coffee and one of Toms videos. Can't think of a better way to spend Sunday morning. Beautiful workmanship as always,Thank you Tom.

Your title is absolutely correct in every respect Tom...if anything's masterful, this is...It makes one feel almost privileged to watch. Thank you.

Your dad's box of inlays is awesome. What a valuable treasure.

This project covered just about every aspect regarding the methodology of repair, fabrication, replacement, refinishing, and restoration....beautiful and inspirational effort! A pat for the cat, a hug for the Lab, and best wishes to your and your family....be healthy.

It’s always satisfying to watch a skilled pro restore what looks unrecoverable...it takes you back to the skills used during it’s construction. 😊😊👍🏼👍🏼

I do love that style card table. The finish is absolutely beautiful. If you didn’t know there had been a repair with that veneer you would never see it! Thank you so much for sharing the finishing of your work!!

Amazing as usual. Thanks Tom

That was fascinating to see how inlay is made. And as always, your knowledge and patience is enviable. I'm Sure your customer is happy.

Well done, Tom. You're such a skilled craftsman! I love it that I never have to wait for the glue to dry!

I agree with all the positive comments below and can only say I am somewhat addicted to your videos. They are amazing and your work is as perfect as it can be. You are a true artist. Thank you for all your content.

Love seeing the animals around your house. A job done in excellence,

Love the way you put that puzzle damaged table back together, I also love the expressions on that handsome old black lab of yours.

Nice to see the Clampmaster back in action. But it was especially interesting to see you make the inlay. Never imagined that is how it was done. The repairs in that front piece were fantastic - I couldn't see the breaks at all. P.S. Loved the cats.

What a transformation! I particularly enjoyed seeing how you made that new, matching inlay. I bet the owners were most pleased!

Another masterclass in sympathetic repair of something that at first glance looked beyond salvage. Nice work.

That table repair you did is simply fabulous. I did historical restoration when I was younger and the furniture is the thing I really liked. It's hard to find people that do that type of craftsmanship these day's. I can't wait to go through your past video's. The one thing I do with wood working is to sand a piece of wood with a extra fine sandpaper and mix the powder in with a clear glue and fill in the gaps. If done right , nobody will even notice that there was any kind of gap. Thanks for sharing and keep yourself safe from this terrible virus going around the world.

Outstanding repair work, as always. I especially liked the custom inlay you've made, I've never seen something like this before. I hope your apprentices are learning a lot from you.

The owner must have been heartbroken when the table fell and was so badly damaged. Thank you for saving the table.

Good to see young Thomas at his trade again, helps me feel like there's a chance for normalcy again.

In three words : you saved it. Kudos for this masterful work.

And that box of inlay just makes my head explode. What a treasure-trove you have, Tom!

I wish Hide glue could fix everything that has transpired in the past few months. Thank you for a nice diversion.

Another beautiful repair job on a priceless work of art! Glad they choose you to repair and restore this one. Love seeing how you save furniture. Wish I could afford to have you repair the vaneer on my 1940s bedroom set. It needs desperate help. I'm afraid to even clean them.

“That’s what they make putty for” I’m going to have to say that to myself next time!

The work done here is astounding. Mind blowing. What I loved th most was all the character and story was saved. Which is IMHO the most important part.

You end this by saying "I think this looks pretty good." Well, I think it looks completely incredible. You're amazing. Thanks a million for the opportunity to watch a true artisan in action.

When you've said "Thomas Johnson" it's redundant to say "Masterful restoration."

Ancient box of inlay...somewhere your Dad has to be smiling!

Another Home Run Tom, IMO. As a suggestion a whole video about how inlay patterns are constructed and created might be cool ?

Sometimes I put on your videos just to relax and learn at the same time. Thank you for the learning and fun!

I'm rewatching your videos from about two years ago now, and I'm encouraged by the fact that you're still doing your work in a healthy manner. I respect you very much. You always look for minor imperfections. and overcome the problem. ･･･Exactly "craftsmen" I will always respect you..

Absolutely love your videos. No fast forwarding, thank goodness.

You have done a fabulous job repairing that card table. There is no substitute for many years of experience. Great work.

WOW! Folks with really wonderful furniture have a place to get restoration done properly. How fortunate for them! Me? I love watching and learning.

I really enjoy your videos Thomas. My grandfather was a cabinet maker.

That was awesome! Attention to detail is spot on.

That went very well Thomas, a difficult challenge with a 10 out of 10 result . I had 50 years in the trade and was with you all the way on that one, well done. Len Kingsclere Hampshire England

WOW!!!! You did such a good job on that repair that you can't even tell it had that much damage to it. Your work is amazing.

I find myself watching your videos with pure amazement. Love your dog.

Another excellent video. If I were a high school teacher I would show one of these videos a week to my students. These videos exemplify traits that are better seen and taught, such as: 01. Planning. 02. Patience. 03. Skill. 04. Stick-to-it-ness. 05. Doing a job with ethics and taking no short cuts. Thank you Sir for an excellent job .

What a great restoration. I was glued (literally) to the way you restored the card table and especially liked how you made the inlay. Thanks for sharing your skill and craft with us.

I never comment on youtube videos but... wow, just wow. I kept thinking it couldn't get better but you just had a trick up your sleeve for every problem, big and small! You're doing New England proud!

Thankyou for demonstrating your craftsmanship. Your eye for detail is suburb! I’m a 73 year old, retired big city fire fighter. I worked 32 years 24 hours on duty and 48 hours off. I was fortunate to be able to spend my time off with countless wood and metal working projects. One of the common question/compliments has been “where did you learn to do that?”. My response has always been that “for the most part I’m self taught so, I certainly could have had a better teacher”. I would certainly have enjoyed having you for a friend and teacher.

Dad was a carpenter and builder, his expertise was in foundations. He always revered fine craftsmen, and watching these clips I think I better understand why.

So satisfying to see something repaired to its’ original condition. Great work. Masterful, indeed. Nice job.

Watched this again, (last time 4 months ago) and once again could not take my eyes off any section! watched it as intensely as I did the first time. and as always came away learning something. Never fails them more I watch the more I learn. Thanks again Tom for sharing this. : Ellis

WONDERFUL job Tom!!! I love to watch you work with all your skills. Hey, it's only 7:30 P.M. and I can get in about 2 more videos before bed time.

Tom of all your repairs I have seen, I think this is the best.

Patience, skill, and attention to detail. Marvelous! Thank you.

Zen and the art of furniture restoration. Absolutely first class😁❤️😁

One of my favorite restorations to re-watch!

Learnt a lot and enjoyed the card table restoration. I very rarely watch American shows because of the narrations but yours are quite soothing..thanks. 😁👍🏻🇦🇺

I love watching your videos before I go to bed. So soothing and interesting. Thanks for posting this content and I appreciate your passion for your craft

What a treat to see first thing as I log in this morning. What a gift you gave to the owner of the table. I would have been physically ill after the accident with that table and it broken up like that. You put Humpty Dumpty back together again

The ultimate professional and wonderful teacher! 👍

Thunderous Applause !!! Thank you for sharing your Master craftsmanship

When I watch this gentleman work on the furniture , I find that I am transfixed by the intensity of the concentration he shows as he cuts into the veneer and takes so much effort in finding the perfect match for it . I cannot switch the video off or fast forward to the end . I enjoy the whole process.As I watch , I notice things like the cleanliness of his fingers and nails , at how neat they are , I look at the furriness of his arm hair and wonder what makes him tick ? His expertise and naturalness in front of the camera is so satisfying and calm.

Have only just discovered this channel and will now happily catch up. I love watching skilled craftsmen at work and you Sir, are a true craftsman. Thank you for sharing your knowledge with us, please stay safe and well, 🥰🥰🥰 from England 🌹🌹🌹🌹🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿♥️💕

I came upon your videos while looking for how to refinish an antique secretary desk that was my grandmother's it was the showpiece of her modest living room. As she aged, she forgot how to care for it and ruined the finish. You have inspired me to give it a try. I'd like to tell you how relaxing I found your videos. Your restorations are so informative.

Such an amazing restoration Tom, your work is always spot on.

That inlay work was amazing!!! So satisfying to watch

You are a national treasure and I love watching you work.

The inlay was a epiphany!! I am in the process of making some painting frames for a art exhibit and you leaned me to doing some inlays. Your approach is so straight forward that I always feel like I can replicate it on an amatuer basis. Thanks for sharing the secrets.

Amazing workmanship! Love watching you fix the tiniest of details.

Just discovered this channel. What a tremendous pleasure it is to watch someone with experience, ability and care do something so beautifully. Mesmeric and inspirational, thank you.

When you started working on that card table it looked like garbage, but now it's a gorgeous treasure. Thanks Tom.

Your attention to detail is impressive! Wish we had more craftsman like you

Congratulations, Thomas. Such patient ingenuity!

Another truly awesome restoration. Absolutely craftsmanship! I can barely believe the difference- wow!

I thought that was a goner for sure Tom, you proved Humpty could be put back together again! Thanks for taking the time to entertain us stuck at home!

You are amazing Thomas. I love watching you work.

A true craftsman at work, simply outstanding... 👍

Mr. Johnson, the inlay work you created was masterful! Thank you

That's probably the best one I've seen you do Tom. I'm a similar age and have made some nice stuff over the years but I know I couldn't do that. I hope the client was elated with it and that you were well rewarded.

I think it looks extraordinarily good. You are a true craftsman. Thank you.

I marvel at the extreme details you attend to while refinishing. Excellent skills and craftsmanship. A few years ago I was V.P. of a custom furniture manufacturing company. We also did furniture refinishing, so that being said, I know what detail work is.. Amazing work. Blessings!

Tom, your mastery of inlay work is truly phenomenal. Take care, and stay safe, sir.

Watching your videos is incentive to finish preparing one of the extra garages on our new property for my workshop. Besides the inspiration you do a great job of teaching techniques and demonstration peoducts, Thank you ever so much.

Absolutely wonderful to watch a master at work. I'll bet the owner was super happy.

It's always a pleasure to watch your videos. I now have more appreciation of how inlay is made.

Beautifully restored! You truly are a master at restoration. I like how you explain your thought process in tackling each repair. Every time I watch your videos I get homesick for New England...I am a Vermonter but live in Arizona now.