Quite a Tale! - Thomas Johnson Antique Furniture Restoration 

Thank you so much for restoring these benches for us! our gallery guest have loved them. They are the perfect benches to have a conversation on, or sit and ponder art. Looking forward to your interview 🙂

These are two lovely pieces. What a sterling job you’ve done on them and they look so nice in the space.

I call my viewing, “going to restore antique furniture school”!!! Thank you Tom.

They look perfect, especially when placed in the Lights Out Gallery. Excellent work repairing them while still maintaining their original look!

You did cut a lot of crud from these benches! Without them looking too clean. Beautiful!

I appreciate that you repaired and tidied the piece to reflect its history. Maybe one day when you aren’t able to do this work, your equipment will go to this maker space.

Such beautiful benches! Love the fact you always keep the character of the pieces you restore. Looks pretty good!

Those benches look like they are art works themselves! They are a perfect fit for the gallery! New old stuff ... outstanding job Tom.

All I can say is WOW great job. Those benches will be good for another 100-200 years

Boy oh boy, every week is a new task. After all the videos of clocks, tables and chests, this one is a new challenge. Never a dull moment! It's always a pleasure to spend an hour in your shop.

Fantastic work and dedication to your work Young Thomas! Phew! xx

What a lovely buttery finish yet retaining their original charm. I wondered as you were disassembling it how on earth you'd manage to put it back together, must have been nice for the chaps to be part of the work. Great job Tom. 👍

The knot hole in the spindle is the perfect touch.

These turned out SO well! It's very interesting to see how you tackle unusual problems such as preserving the worn paint.

Amazing restoration as always. Great craftsmanship and art work really.

Amazing work. At least these two actually had finish under the dirt, instead of that bench from a frat house you did years ago that only had dirt for a patina! Many thanks for making and sharing these with us.

What delightful pieces! The owners can really be most satisfied with an excellent job.

Hey Thomas, Its great to see old pieces taken in and refurbished with such skill and empathy. Here over the pond (UK) we do refurb stuff but we ought to have a place where people without the necessary skills can deposit items for those who do. We do have clubs called ` Men in Sheds` kitted out with machinery where older guys can come and make or refurb items. Problem is each club is a self funding charity and we don`t have the funds to advertise for our needs or abilities. Anyway we do what we can and enjoy it. Your videos are inspirational, educational and very entertaining. Keep it up Tom and Thank you.

I actually cheered when you got the first crest rail off; found myself applauding when the three of you reattached it. Broad smiles throughout. You are a treasure, Mr. Johnson! Thanks for sharing your expertise with us all.

What a difference after the benches are cleaned ! They were pretty dirty and it was sort of ground in dirt, like someone sitting on a fly spec and mashing it into the benches’ surface I’m sure bench sitters who may have been a little tentative sitting down before will now do so with confidence 👏👏👏👏👏👏👏

My goodness, these benches came out beautiful! It warms my heart to see them so expertly restored. I am so curious as to how your woodworker’s vise can change positions from one side of the workbench to the other. If there is anyway you could show how you do that, I would be grateful to see it. I would like to have something similar. 😊

This was so outstanding. You showed so much respect for a utilitarian piece of furniture probably created by Grange members themselves, which was created to preserve their agricultural way of life in the face of the modern age, around 1870. The Grange in New England was an integral part of rural society, and communities were brought together through all the activities, dances, exhibits, meetings, just really wholesome and wonderful celebrations of humble unassuming but solid citizens. My dad would be grateful you preserved their 150 years of history in these very modest benches.

To watch your videos is always a pleasure! Your dedication to restoring old and used furniture is wonderful. I admire how slow and careful you work. So much so that I nearly cannot stand how rudely others do this kind of work. In my mind I always compare their way of procedure to your way of doing these jobs. There is noone who stands up to you . Already looking forward to your next project (and watching your older videos - again and again - in the meantime)... (sorry for my clumsy English, I'm german)

The colour blending on the spindles was superb!

As always, wonderful job, Thomas. Your attention to details is inspiring.

Well, this was really fun! I was so frustrated though, because I only got to watch a few minutes before I had to leave to go to the dentist, and then run some errands. Just got back this evening and spent a lovely hour watching. Who knew that being a master carpenter and painter one had to know how to create clean dirt! I was watching so carefully while you were mixing the paint, and I thought, no no that's not it, but like magic, all of a sudden it _was_ right. You are now officially a magician of clean dirt!😁

Those are really beautiful benches, Tom, and as always, you have done a terrific job. I wonder how old they are - to me they could be anything from around 1870 to 1910 - but are they older still, in fact? Thanks for the very intersting video and all the tips. Tom (from France).

Nice job on the repairs, cleanup, and top coat. Looks great. On the cleanup stage, any thoughts on when you might leave some of the “patina” vs removing all the grime from over the years? Are dings and dents of the finish part of the history, but the grime more of a distraction? Seems like people have different desires.

You’ve done a fantastic job here 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼

well done, great video!

Another great video and a nice application for water based polyurethane. A nice way to capture the age of the piece while protecting the finish. Thank you for what you do.

I always enjoy your content and have watched every video several times. I really appreciate your efforts in continuing to upload videos

I just love watching you refurbish preces of art. They chose the right man for this job, taking such h tender and precise care to the benches. Thanks for sharing this history project with us.!

When you said working on the underside that it will give you time to decide if there is a better solution, I expected you to add “no pun intended”. The I realized you meant it literally as “the answer to a problem”, not a ‘solution’ better than Krud cutter and water. That got me thinking that the two definitions (an “answer” and a “breaking down of one substance by adding another”) must be related, as both pertain to unwinding or distilling something either literally or figuratively. I googled it and while the entomology of the word is complicated, I think Im right. Can’t be a pun when the same word has two meanings both of which are applicable as employed. Sorry for the trip down the linguistic rabbit hole..but I found it interesting. Funny where furniture repair will take your mind.

Great job. Learning something new every time I watch your videos.

Thanks for sharing another great project. It looks like there is a name stamped in the seat behind the arm. Was that the maker?

Cuando igualas el color en la pintura que vas a aplicar en tu trabajo, parece que: Bibidi Babidi Buuuuuu.... el color siempre resulta el mismo, sin importar que tan antiguo sea tu trabajo. Magia pura!!!!

Always love your work! Beautiful!!

Maestro, hizo usted un trabajo respetuoso y maravilloso. Enhorabuena.

Brilliant!!

Stary, prosty, piękny mebel. Zdrowia i powodzenia, Mistrzu Tomaszu, życzę. ( guma do żucia miarą naszych czasów) :)

they look great !

Great job🤩

Fantastic work! You're the best!

I like these benches too Tom. A very sensitive restoration (as usual). I'm wondering whether you bagged the chewing gum and gave it back to the customer like you often do with bits that you find.

Polyacrylic can be thined with 15% water and sprayed in your paint sprayer. Thanks for the video.

Brilliant video, Tom - particularly liked seeing 'the client' at the beginning, and you getting some help when needed - 6 hands glue faster than 2. How you manage to shape the arm on the band sander without removing a mm of old surface, only you and God know... I'd be masking-taping the hell out of the old piece before I let it anywhere near that machine! 😂 I love the care you took in duplicating the missing spindles - although I'll bet you that the originals are all measurably different from each other, as the original maker probably was free-handing them and eye-balling the first one he made every now and then. What does the craftsman stamp visible at e.g. 10:35 say? It seems to be "J DANIEL [something] ERSSON {and on the second line} W VA [something] VILLE".

I really love this style, Windsor? Shaker? I don't see this in reproductions now, very popular 20 years ago, but not as nice as the originals of course.

1:26 into video, the sign advertised "Sno-Shu Chairs": Never heard of them before. Apparently, they fold up for storage/travel, or the legs fold up in order to be used as a canoe seat.

I have to laugh when you say “I think it looks pretty good!” I think it looks a ton better than pretty good Thomas!!! Thanks as always Blessings

Am I right in thinking the makers name is stamped into the wood seat base right by where you were repairing that front arm socket? Brilliant job!

I was a janitor at Bozeman, Mt. public schools at their junior high school for 4 years. I didn't see much 'pride' in their work.

definitely needs a cushion custom made bare wood is hard on ones posterior

At 29:50 - While cleaning the leg it appears that there are horizontal lines on the paint. What are they from? Or am I imagining them?

Mr Johnson sir, I am learning so much watching your videos, who ever said you can never teach an old dog new tricks have never seen your video. Thank you once again for posting these treasures for the rest of us to learn...🪵🪑🚪...

28:40 - 29:21 I guess we can "chews" our own history" ! I get it! 😊😊

It’s a bit strange, but I refinished my moms old dresser she’s been gone since 1980’s but she told me it was her gum, I left it on. I also left the writing on, (her + my dads name). It’s just something I have that can never be redone.

I'm thinking it was more of a white-wash effect. Except the paint wasn't white. Same principle, though.

Wish I had more thumbs to give you...😅

Wij gebruiken St Marc verfreiniger

I'm wondering why you work with metric units. I work in them because everything I work on in my job was built to a metric standard. Antique furniture like that bench not likely or critical.

Over the last 12 years, he's put out 268 videos, 145 THOUSAND subscribers and not one mention of politics or anything negative. Such a beautiful display of craftsmanship and integrity at the same time.

“From a time when people took pride in their work.” I actually laughed out loud. This is easily one of my favorite restorations that you’ve done, and I think I’ve watched them all. Bravo!

Wow Tom! That's quite a tale! They look so beautiful and what a gift to the community for generations to come. Thanks for bringing us along.

WOW Tom, those benches look FABULOUS ! All the historic stories they hold, and will go on holding for ever. Their new life will add to their history, and you will be a major part of it. Well done and thanks for sharing. Take care 🙂

45:53 woah I don't think I ever saw a youtuber lay down and knoll all their tools like that after a video. I loved seeing them all laid out next to each other. Please keep doing that :)

Tom, you amaze me every time with your color matching skills. Truly remarkable!

As a resident of the town of Norway it is exciting to see all this history preserved and re-used!

What a wonderful job you have done. I love how you have preserved the history of these old pieces. Well done!

Another excellent piece of craftsmanship, with a lesson in how to retain the patina without destroying it. Thanks

'From a time when people took pride in their work' absolutely cracked me up. Lovely job Tom.

To me this is one of your better efforts, I really appreciate the final glow. Although you do things so differently than I, I still like to watch. I am 80 now and having to slow down, seldom have a workshop visitor but I go there just the same.

I really enjoyed the history of these benches and the trip to Norway Maine. I would love to hear backgrounds on more of your projects.

You have so many gifts, but perhaps the most important is your humility. No piece that you ever touch ever says "Tom Johnson was here." Instead, you always seem to find a way for a piece to end up looking like the best version of the original craftsman's vision for what the piece should look like at this age. It's a remarkable talent and remarkable restraint on your part.

This is an amazing video. Ansolutely loved hearing the history and seeing them in their new home. Awesome!

What a treat this week: a Baumgartner ánd a Johnson-restoration. Amazing as always. Thanks from Amsterdam!

Beautiful! I'm sure Lights Out were delighted to have their benches restored for their grand opening.

Those are beautiful benches. What a fine example of sympathetic restoration. Great work once again, Tom.

¡Excellent! No cabe duda que nos deja asombrado con la restauración de muebles. No en vano la experiencia de los años lo hacen un experto. Esas bancas ahora tendrán muchos años más para albergar a tantas personas a sentarse a conversar, a descansar o simplemente sentarse a masticar un chicle para luego pegarlo bajo la banca 😊 si esas bancas pudieran hablar ¡cuánta historia nos contaría de las personas! ¡Felicitaciones! Saludos y bendiciones.

Tom, your restorations are always done with care and a great sense of consideration for the history and eventual placing of the pieces. All I can say is another job well done.

I am always amazed at your chisel work. Well done! Best wishes.

29:00 Now you... your experience, your passion, your hard work, are part of their history too. A good thing for sure.

I really like the benches, great, simple design and built for a purpose, and their history adds to the mystique. They looked right at home in their new setting. Nice work on the repairs in both the quality and the level of refinishing. Your knowledge of just how far to go and make them look the part is something that only comes with experience. Thanks for sharing!

Tom, I'm a woodworker and I always admire your woodworking skills and how you approach repairs. I learn from you and admire your patience and diligence. And thank you for highlighting your woodlathe. It reminds me of my own which is an old Walker-Turner unit my dad and I resurrected over 50 years ago. I think Walker-Turner was acquired by Delta. In any case despite no bells or whistles, they're quality pieces and obviously still work well today.

Your attention to detail is truly amazing. Thanks for sharing this with us!

Amazing job! The look wonderful without taking away their long history - so honorable, Tom. Completely lovely work, as always and love the details~ 😀😀😀

These two benches were so lucky to find you. A truly honest restoration, loyal to the original intent. Very nicely done, Mr. J. Thanks so much.

Great job as ever, Tom. As well as your skill, I think patience is one of your biggest assets. To keep going back over the smallest detail until you get it right is why you achieve such excellent results.

G’day mate from down under. Another great restoration. Trying and achieving the original patina is a great lesson. Thank you.👏👏🇦🇺😁

I've said it many times before, Mr. Johnson, but you are a true artist. Profoundly enjoyed this video, especially having seen the benches beforehand. You did an incredible job!

Fantastic project. I so enjoyed watching this episode. You are truly one of Maine's great living treasurers!

Again , you have worked hard and competently to restore and prepare these benches for extended use. You take great pride in what you do! Thank you, good show!

Thomas, you literally provided us with a Benchmark for restoration, while leaving Bench Marks in regards to keeping the history of the pieces. And, you didn't Gum Up the process nor the history when you removed the old gum 😁. Thank you sir for what you do and may you continue to be abundantly blessed. John here, from the back-roads of Northeastern Tennessee.

On gum "I guess we get to chews our own history." Nice job on this preservation.

You've done a good job on the benches Tom. Many more years of use.

I really enjoyed that. A lovely pair of benches and a fabulous repair . Many thanks for posting. I look forward to more :)

I've watched the majority of your videos and rank this one high on the list. You did a great service for Lights Out!

Hi Tom, thank you for yet another great video, I remember some years back restoring a teak topped table, adding some 4inches to the legs, the underside was covered in chewing gum! Pretty grim task removing it! Hope you are well, keep 'em coming, and thanks again

What an interesting project for you, and by the sounds of it, 30 hours of hard work! Still the result is fabulous. I have never seen wood painted that colour but it is actually a great idea. Once cleaned the paint gave an even, attractive effect.

Master craftsman at work. 👍