Repairing an Antique Slant Top Desk - Thomas Johnson Antique Furniture Restoration 

When Tom Johnson says, "It looks pretty good," you know that means it looks fantastic.

I am not even half way through the video and I am singing praises too your work!! !

I live in Germany, in what used to be the Soviet part. Here most people want to get rid of their old furniture and buy plywood ones! As a hobby, and since I was a kid, I have loved repairing old stuff, especially furniture, so I go around looking for things, and sometimes I have found real treasures stored in a barn, things that the owners didn't even know were there! I love this gentleman's videos, I have learned many things watching them, I wish he could list the materials he uses, since in Germany they normally have very different names (like veneer, in Germany called Fournier). Many thanks for sharing your vast knowledge, from a fan in Leipzig.

The songbirds attracted to your feeders, the llamas and chickens, the dear old dog and I think I saw a cat - all mean we've had a show within the restoration show. What a treat!

Excellent job. The replacement knobs look more appropriate for the original style. Good choice. Thanks for sharing your craft Thom. Cheers

Simply, a superb job Tom and thank you for sharing this job with all your fans!

I've seen so many people ask you if you would ever consider opening a school. This IS your school! I learn so much from your artistry! I squeal with joy when a new video is posted and savor it like a delicious meal 😊 it was lovely seeing your daughter! Hugs and many thanks! 😊 -Julia

Tom, you did it again...another success story!

The new knobs make all the difference. Great work as always.

You know, I have an inkling that if I were to bring you my 1950s-era pine child's rocking chair with a broken rocker, you would treat it exactly as you do all those fine pieces of furniture you restore on your videos. The care and attention you give to EVERY piece is so impressive and beautiful to watch. I'm so glad you share your videos. I swear, if I lived closer to Maine, I'd haul my old upright piano in (and maybe my child's rocker, too!) for some TLC!

The Llama running after the Runner at the end is the cherry on top 🏃🏼🦙😅

I love the longer, more complete format... showing all the repairs and refinishing, instead of just concentrating on the feet, or some other individual aspect. Great job, as always... you do such beautiful work!

Another example of why you won the Clampmaster Lifetime Achievement Award. This is my second time watching this particular restoration.

You did a great job of fixing that desk, not only from abuse, but also formerly botched repairs with strange adhesives. Love your clever clamp work to fix the legs too.

I always hit “like” before I even watch your videos Because I have never seen you make a bad video. 👍😁

Those brass knobs looks 100% better. I love that desk.

This was really interesting, esepcially seeiing that you did research for period handles. Really nice work.

My grandfather worked in a Grand Rapids, Michigan furniture manufacturing company and purchased many "seconds" for his family home. I have inherited a few of them and use them in my home. I find it very interesting watching how you repair the old furniture, hopefully mine will be taken good care of long after I'm not around.

Mr. Johnson I so enjoy your work! I will not comment on your expertise to which I have none. I'm amazed that many of the pieces that you work on come to you in a very dirty state. I would think that patrons would at least give their prized objects a good wipe down. I do realize that many are damaged because of disasters or have been in storage, but some care seems to be lacking. I personally would be embarrassed. I do so enjoy the nature scenes in your videos. Thanks for sharing!! :)

Tom, great repair project...thank you for your tutorial on clamping and patience.

a lot of knowledge, workmanship and attention to detail

Those handles at the end were absolute perfection

I love watching your videos, your vast knowledge and level of skill is amazing to watch. You're an amazing professional, wish you best!!

Enjoyed watching you solve problems and deal with the issues in this project.

Very glad you are back!!!!

It looks incredibly sturdy now......and I love the use of CLAMPS!!!

As always a joy to watch!

That first clamping on the broken leg was a piece of art in itself, kind of amazing how many you fit in there

I am a big fan of your work. Never missed a single video of yours. Your meticulous explanations of each step of the process of restoration is really outstanding. Please keep the videos coming Tom. All the best.

Man, I would have loved to see that desk with it's original dark finish....Another awesome project!

Thought for a while there that you were going to be responsible for a worldwide clamp shortage...there's surely times your ingenuity knows no bounds! I always look forward to your postings and have never been disappointed... Glad to see the return of the funny looking goats :-) :-) :-) Cheers Dave

I've watched a good percentage of your videos with open eyes. Sharing your craft is appreciated greatly; you've created a thorough, permanent library of techniques, approaches and patience. I've successfully attempted many things with the knowledge I've gleaned. This video in particular will be recalled. There's also one about reworking a Butler's Chest that I've viewed several times, as that the one that followed me home needs some serious, but delicate, attention. Best,

Another great video! My dad has done a lot of construction and woodwork he fancies himself a master....that white stuff reminds me of that years old white-ish caulking that he swore “All the professionals use!” Nothing I said even after 40+ years of restoration work could change his mind!

Pretty good you say, for being just about 200 years old, I'd say it looks fantastic !! Your patience is commendable ! Very neat little blocks with the notches cut out to fit around the outside of the legs during glue up, I'll definitely remember that one. Thanks for the video T!

Beautifully restored! I am sure your client will be pleased. The new knobs were perfect too. You are quite the craftsman.

I love the work you do. You don't too much but just enough. The end result is excellent!! no harm done.

I've learned so much from you that I no longer fear having someone ask me to repair something. Thank you

Looks amazing! Changing out the knobs made a huge difference.

I think you used more clamps on that one leg than I have in my shop :) A great video with amazing craftsmanship, as always. Thank you sir.

It looks beautiful with the new knobs! Good job!

Looks BEYOND good Tom! Fantastic job restoring and repairing a beautiful piece that's now ready for another 200 years of service!

Great work, as always, Tom! Wonderful choice with the new knobs, they completely change the aesthetic of the piece and make it look much more refined.

This is an excellent video. You are obviously a master expert cabinet maker. You have a great communicative ability. Very very useful and informative presentation.It is just amazing what you can learn by listening to these very short presentations.

Enjoyed the video Tom. That wax flows like solder when you touch the hot knife to the wax and install it in the cracks. The desk looks great. Another very nice job. Y'all take care and God bless.

That’s a nice desk. I love the dovetailing on the top and what a difference with the brass knobs!

Watching your videos is like a meditation on craftsmanship and patience. Thank you!

I had no idea what a real restoration was like. It takes hours to do a good job. Thank you for showing this to us.

You are a true artist with wood.

Great job. Love seeing these old items brought back to life!

I love these kinds of projects you do, lots of repairs and do-overs. I love to see those things that have been battered and/or neglected, brought back to life and purpose, with visible scars (life's mile markers). No one does it better, Tom. Hear! Hear!

I like your video very much. Intro always beautiful screen with wild animals. Inside very calm and thorough and factual explanation. At the end again beautiful view for restored furniture. Thank you

Great job and very well-edited video. Thanks

A year later and I’m watching again, hello Tom.

Another great job by the master. So good to see another of your videos of your work,

Because I subscribe and watch these videos repeatedly, RU-vid in their infinite wisdom recommends other furniture restoration channels however...these others truly suck in comparison. Tom rocks!

Delighted to have your RU-vid channel back!

Missed you Tom! Amazing work as usual, what a beauty this piece!Cheers from Singapore

very nice thomas. im just amazed what people sell as antiques. i have a friend that lives in a house built around 1805. the first floor has all period correct furniture. she bought a pie safe that was suppose to be from mid 1700. it was in real sad shape. i had to take it down to the frame and put it back together. i put no finish on it at all. i took over 100 20th century nails out of it threw them away. there were only 6 i think period correct nails in it i put them all back in it. it came out very nice.

Phew! A lot of work! Great work all the same Young Thomas!

Absolutely love how the animals always factor into the video. Thank you for sharing your masterful skills. I'm addicted.

I think I’ve become addicted to you. I look at every piece of furniture differently now. Thanks.

Tom have you ever come to a project where you thought oh boy I’m not sure if this could even be fixed?! I personally thought this is way over my head can handle it the side walls were completely smashed.... I cannot admire your patience and perseverance... I wished our generation could learn more from you these videos are character building for me

I love to hear your thought process when you work. Awesome as always, keep up the good work.

This is one of my many favorites. I get a little sad when the end of the restoration is complete because your videos are so interesting to watch and learn. Thank you Mr. Johnson.

Very handsome desk. A shape I really like. As usual, beautiful job.

Good for another 200 years. I appreciate the “almost forgot”s!

Your gratification must be the reveal to the customer. Such beautiful work. I'm in my 60s now but worked in my parents antique business as a teen. I really appreciate your restorations.

A wonderful job repairing the cracked side, it looked like it had been dropped down steps during a move. Taken from a possible trip to the rubbish heap to a beautiful piece to be cared for and cherished.

I just discovered your site and love it. I like to find old pieces that most people would just trash and give them new life. Your videos are a great inspiration. Thank you.

Your patience and detail is astounding. Well done, again!

Wow! Can't believe its been a year since the last time I viewed this, but as always I come away learning something new each time the more I look the more I learn, but most of all the more I enjoy myself. Thanks again Tom for all that you do. it is appreciated. Regards Ellis

Beautiful well done job 👍👍. I think it looks mighty fine 👍

Somewhere out there is a university that owes you an honorary doctorate in wood-ology. You treat every piece that comes your way like a treasure, and thanks to you, it is again!

Love it. I find myself playing along, trying to anticipate where you're going to use hide glue, epoxy, or wood glue. I love seeing everything brought back to its original glory, and the new knobs on this piece really turn this piece into something special.

I think one of the things I appreciate when watching you work is your ability to know where to draw the line on repairs. I know I'd have the tendency to want to disassemble everything - leaving me with a heap of miscellaneous pieces strewn about, along with the bewildered look on my face wondering what the heck just happened.

Excellent repair. You made it look beautiful.

This was a great video. I love the repair work you did, and even the work that was done before and you redid because it wasn't aligned well! I always say it, and will continue to say it. ..I love watching your videos. I think you're the best at what you do! Keep these videos coming! Great job Tom!

What an amazing lady brought back to her full beauty. Thanks for another riveting video Tom.

just wanted to say, you do really good work. i have been woodworking for about 40 years, and love it. love watching your videos, have learned alot from watching. keep up the good work.

I inherited many pieces from grandparents. I bless the day I found your channel! I'm working on a pedestal table and a dresser at the moment. I get such great information, techniques and tips from you.

I love that honey color wood and such a nice sized piece. I have an Irish oak desk on a grand scale, built in Dublin c1730 which was vandalized by a drunk looking for secret compartments [which it has]. It is a very deep black now. I have had it for forty years and now i am too old to get round to a repair. Someone else will have the pleasure, while mine is watching you work.

Another beautiful job ! It's really a shame for these kinds of pieces that better feet weren't designed & produced. Old casements like this beauty were, not always but most, were made with the "glue blocks" for support, and sadly most the blocks came loose and the owners, not knowing any better, just tossed them...which then stressed and cracked the outer feet....leading to the feet being shortened or entirely replaced. Another detail that cracked me up watching you tackle this carcass, is the sizes of these pieces. They are usually large, but what people forget is how much smaller humans were in the not to far back past. I guess keeping up with the Joneses in appearances' came down to who had the bigger house AND bigger furniture 😲 Thanks Tom for another great educational and enjoyable production. ❣

“I think it looks pretty good” ? It looks amazing! Fantastic job.

Your work is truly amazing. You make it seem so simple and obvious what to do. What a pleasure to watch and learn! Thank you for doing this.

Lovely Job and well done. The white stuff is wrigley's spearmint chewing gum. I chewed tons of it as a kid.used to stick it under my school desk till breaktime.

209 years old. Awesome repair Tom.

Those new period correct knobs made such an amazing difference.

I am with you virtually and as you explain things to me I nod and agree. I say, "Yep, you're probably right".

The addition of the correct era handles/knobs instantly sits well with me ...... notwithstanding all the repair and restoration of the framework etc, of course. This is a beautiful desk/bureau, my grandmother inherited hers from her great grandmother. Strangely, after my grandmother's death no-one seems to know what happened to it! I rather suspect my Mother didn't want it in the house so likely 'persuaded' my Father to give it away.

Amazing work. Aside from the learning experience, I find it oddly relaxing to watch you work on furniture. Thank you for sharing.

Great video, Thomas! I really liked the new knobs on the drawers. It really helped it look period again.

great final effect and great closing alpaca :)

Thom you're a real joker! The scene of the leg clamped made me think of an ancient torture device! If you get tired of repairing furniture you could be an awesome orthopedic surgeon! Keep the videos coming and take care. 🌹

Looks fantastic!!!

Lovely work Sir, a pleasure to watch you at your craft.

You should have at least a million subscribers. One subscriber for every clamp you have! Thank you for sharing your amazing talent.

I think it looks pretty good as well, Tom. A pleasure to watch. Thank you.

THANKS. A CALM AND ENJOYABLE TWENTY BEING WITH YOU IN YOUR SHOP.. HAVE A GREAT DAY.

Excellent work as usual !

Those brass knobs look so much better than the old wooden knobs looks so much more elegant. Unfortunately knobs like that can't be found in the local hardware stores and even if they look like it mostly they are just brass plated or even cheap plastic. You must have a ton of saved stuff that you accumulated over the years. I love that. Personally I am not too crazy about the blond woods I prefer cherry and mahogany with the warm reds. But you made this desk look like showroom new.