I just have to say that I am shocked that you do not have over a few million subscribers. Your knowledge is beyond any of the others re: furniture and the repairs of it. I have learned more from you than all of the others all put together. I am now teaching my nephew the things I have learned from you. Thank you so very much. You don't bore us or irritate us with music and you only speak when you are teaching us something we need to know and explain why. My Mechanics is by far the BEST at restoration of odds and ends but you are the MASTER of furniture repair and restoration. I will do my part to get your channel out there. I so appreciate you sharing with us. Thank you.
Thank you! Yes, I wish I had more subscribers (and views). The most popular channels are where they sand everything down with an orbital sander and make the piece look like new. I try to make the pieces not look like they've been refinished
@@johnsonrestorationYou understand the difference between restoration, which maintains authenticity of design, materials and craftsmanship and 'refinishing,' which erases history in favor of flashy effects. It's analogous to the difference between an experienced conservator's nuanced restoration of an old master painting and the work of an amateur, who efforts do more harm than good.
Got a kick out of Ella with ear protection. We miss her. Could you do an explanation in one of your videos about when to use hide glue and when to use PVA when doing similar restorations?
Goodness almost a year ! Same here I miss my little Dora who was always behind the door waiting for a kiss even if I was gone ten minutes ! My two little rescues are a different pair of kettles of fish ! BUT I would be lost without them by my side. Best wishes @@johnsonrestoration
when you think you have some nice repairs from Thomas, he comes up with ever better ones, they looked so nice at the end. In the 1st one did you reattach the feet? only They had castors on and I did not see them at the end.
Ok, this is cool, a video I don't remember watching! Very clever how you did that chamfered corner: at first I thought oh no, he's not doing a 45° angle! But as I continued to watch I was amazed at how you figured out all those angles. At about 18:48 you said you rubbed the wood down "with 4.0 steel wool" and what sounded like wood root, but that can't be right. The caption thingy didn't pick it up either. What was the white liquid you were rubbing into the veneer? And it looks like you replaced the feet but didn't replace the wheels? I think that is a good call, I don't like the look of those little wheels on big pieces of furniture, they don't look stable, (even if they technically are) and these days when you can get excellent pad sliders to help move your heavy furniture around, I don't think they're needed. The faux marble top is lovely, and looks much better without that red paint:😊
Tom, because I’m soon to start restoring a mid century solid wood cabinet to shelf unit with a warped top, I’m interested why you used hide glue on the panel and PVA wood glue on the framework.
@Thomas Johnson I found an old trunk with metal corners, rivets, straps, etc. but it was painted long ago. I’m pretty sure it was veneered. Is there a way you know of that can remove the old paint without destroying the veneer or should I just strip it all off and do new veneer?
Just catching up on some episodes, and I have spotted an interesting landscape panel painting in some of the recent films. I wonder if you have ever repaired or restored a painted surface, Tom?
You missed the wheeled leg blocks on the Butler's Cabinet? Where they the original ones? .... and call it the child in me, but when I saw the void inbeteween the two side panels, I couldn't help but think "secret drawer!"
@@johnsonrestoration Thanks for the quick response. I'm glad you were able to restore them to their place. You do such beautiful work. I enjoy watching you give love to some terribly neglected pieces.
Thank you for these wonderful videos. Since I discovered them a few years ago, I have found that my England ancestor who moved south before the civil war, was from Farmington, Maine. You are like family now. I look forward to "visits" very much.
Thomas, what books, magazines, etc... can I learn about what makes something quality furniture, how to identify the time it was made around, the hallmarks or certain styles, etc...
Thanks! There are so many books! I went on Amazon and searched "antique or fake?" a few books came up. Good luck! Another book I have that is extremely helpful is "American Antique Furniture" by Edgar G. Miller
An "Atta Boy" is well-earned for these, Mr. Johnson! What amazing restorations! Thank you for sharing with us these challenging, beautiful pieces. 👏👍✨🥰
You know, Tom, if I lived in your neck of the woods, n I had a piece of antique furniture that needed to be repaired, I would certainly get you to do the restoration. Your attention to detail is so good. I love watching you work. But, I live in Australia, so I wouldn't be able to. You have a great day n take care. All the very best from Townsville in Nth Queensland, Australia. 👍 😊😊😊
You really are a Master of your Craft. Your patience is almost unlimited. These two projects show your breadth of skills and knowledge. I watch you with admiration and envy of your abilities. Just superb.
Absolutely a teaching video and with each piece I take away a new technique or different perspective on how to accomplish a restoration. I am wondering if you did end up using the feet? Maybe I missed that. Beautiful, beautiful work as always! Thank you!
I am always amazed at your talents! Stunning restoration as usual. I always think about the original craftsmen who created the pieces you work on and wonder if they could have imaging their work surviving all these years and being brought back to life? I only have a few true antique furniture pieces myself and often look at them with the same wonder. Who made them, could they have imagined someone loving them more then 100 years later? I truly love watching your videos!
Every time I watch one of your videos I feel as though I'm watching a Masterclass series but better. Absolutely amazing work! I recently lost my shop companion, a Rottweiler named Milo, and its been very hard. I'm so very happy you have these videos with Ella sharing the camera.
Amazing - said it before and no doubt will again …. Dr. Johnson’s knowledge, skill and above all patience is “amazing” and inspirational - I may even find the courage to tackle my grandfathers book case (currently resides in the garage) one day soon ! Thank you, Tom, for your entertaining and informative videos
I remember both of these from before, but loved watching them again and of course it goes with out saying for me seeing Ella again was really great she is missed for sure. And nice to see your "Helper" again great trip down memory lane for me thanks for sharing them again Tom ECF.
I've seen other furniture restorers use yellow glue which they allow to dry on both surfaces before using heat to reactivate the adhesive for veneer projects. I'm curious as to why some prefer to use the "wet and clamp" method. Any insights?
OMG - The first piece! This, by far is my favorite restoration you did. I have watched it over and over and shown to friends. The transformation? Wowza.
You done a nice job on both of them. I like the style of the first one best and it turned out beautiful. I’m sorry for your loss but your dog with the earmuffs makes me laugh every time I see her. she had the perfect look about her with them on. Thanks Tom
I do some woodwork and have collected a lot of clamps over the years but after watching you work this project I confess I am just amazed by both the number and methods of clamping you use. Thank you for a lot of good lessons on one of the basic aspects of good woodworking.
It's a great Friday when Tom Johnson in Gorham Maine drops a new video. Lovely to see your daughter and Ella with you in the workshop. These are beautiful pieces sensitively restored. I can see why these would be your favourite projects. I"m wondering if there is a story you would share about the beautiful mural behind you in your intro? Thanks for bringing us along with you.
I have been entertained, calmed and educated by watching you work. Not only have I learned how I can use some of the same tools and techniques in my modelling, but even more valuable are the problem solving processes you have taught me. I realize that as the creator of these videos, you are mindful of time and the affects of what you may consider repetition of procedure and how that may impact the viewer. I wish you could video the entire process and offer both an abbreviated version for those who choose it and for us devotees a full length video, because I for one never tire of watching and studying your incredibly good work. It's fun to see the process; it makes me appreciate your results even more.
Ella in the snow ❤ Lovely to see. That first piece was a real jigsaw puzzle of veneer but thank goodness it was saved. I love it ! Your videos are outstanding and it's great when you explain things as you go. These were two amazing samples of your craftmanship. Well done ! 😃
I have to say that your job not only requires talent and know how, but lots and lots of patience. While I was watching you put together all those pieces of veneer, I could not help but picture you doing a large jigsaw puzzle. But as always, you came through and delivered a beautiful piece. Thank you for sharing.😊
Excellent workmanship as always Tom. The owners of these pieces must be thrilled to see them restored to such a high quality. That first piece was almost destined for the scrap heap until you performed your magic on it.
We need some new words. Amazing, awesome, fantastic - they just dont cut it. Thom you really do work miracles, right in front of our eyes. I would love to own these pieces. Thanks for the video. Your chickens are the picture of health. 👍👍
Mr. Johnson, what I like about your program is you introduce yourself and tell us where you’re from at the beginning of all your videos. It’s like you’re inviting us into your space. Of course I also enjoy watching you restore the various pieces you take on always ending with beautiful results. Thank you for interacting with your audience and explaining exactly what you’re doing. I have a niece who lives in Limestone Maine. I hope to visit there one day but never in winter.
I'm learning so much watching your videos. it's a master class in furniture restoration. I have a couple of questions. Why did you use yellow glue to glue the drawer dovetail joints? How do you decide when to use hide glue and when to use yellow glue? Also, it looks like the wood that you use when you clamp up these veneeer jobs had something on it. I often put wax paper between the suface of the furniture and the block I'm using to clamp. Am I seeing something on your blocks?
I think it might be tape. Thomas often covers pieces when they are going to be exposed to glue so they won't stick. I think it might be a type of industrial acrylic tape?
Thanks! The glues are interchangeable, but I use yellow glue for repairs, but hide glue for the joints, it will be easier to disassemble in the future if necessary. Packing tape on the blocks!
When I worked in high end fashion the designers used to give me the most complicated ideas to create for them. I got bored with the easy stuff that my collegues loved and revelled in complex, seemingly impossible shapes and got much satisfaction from my success. Today I am applying my time to furniture and practicing the art of patination. I found a large very old mirror today with a lovely foxed plate but someone has painted it gold several times so this week end I will see what is under the paint ! I almost bought a beautiful very old armoire that was only 80 euros but it didn't come apart and must have weighed over 100 kilos easily ! Was looking for a large project, maybe next time. Thank you Tom for another lovely video, just what I needed tonight sitting in front of the fire as it rains outside, my two little rescue doggies at my side. Hugs xx
Very enjoyable going back and rewatching these projects. About the first: did the feet not belong? Also: I love seeing Ella...! Greetings from Hamburg, Germany!
Another excellent example of a couple of jobs very well performed by you. Thank you for shearing this with us. Incidentally, I wonder if I can ask you a somewhat silly question: How many clamps (of all sizes) do you have? Best regards!
Often we present; A veneer of fine beauty; Sometimes it needs care. A little Haiku poem (5 syllables, 7 syllables 5 syllables) in honour of Thomas' endearing videos and craftsmanship.
Understandably and rightfully, the ancient, historic, skilled-craft guilds jealously concealed and guarded the "secrets" of their mastery and traditions so hard-won after years of pain, training, practice, and experience during their often-short lives. We are privileged to watch and witness as you share their knowledge with us, sir. It feels almost illicit. Yet we are left with SO many questions too. For example, how can you decide between "yellow" and hide glue, and when to use them? What is the dividing line-between "preserving" as-is, and restoring/repairing a "precious" antique? How do you know what is worth the effort?
Thank you! I never liked or understood why some people have secrets about what they do! I have always shared and it's always been greatly rewarded, one way or another. I made a video on glue - I nee to do a new one ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-AmFot8H_2Kk.html
O trabalho de restauração fina, que mantém o móvel em seu estado original, não é para ser feito por qualquer um. Tem que ter muito conhecimento e experiência, que só um mestre possui. Parabéns pela dedicação e forma como preserva a originalidade na restauração. Grande abraço.
Thomas: both these chests turned out gorgeous. Fabulous restorations. I can’t decide whether I have a favorite or not. The first one was so intriguing with its manufacture being known, the secret bottom drawer and drop down writing area with smaller drawers above, well maybe I’ll go with that one being my favorite. On the other hand, the Louie dresser is so elegant. Sorry , can’t decide on this . I love them both for different reasons. Carol from California
Tom after watching your video's for quite a while now I have finally come to the point where I must disagree with you on the first repair to the butlers cabinet, chest of drawers, deep sigh ... it was not pretty good, rather it was pretty damned good! Your skills are amazing. Every time I watch your videos even when watching again, I learn something. One question though, are you sure you're not some kind of wood magician? 😅 As always, keep them coming. Thank you.
The use of PV glue instead of hide glue just "feels sacrilegious" but, knowing the failings of hide glue over time, the yellow glue is the right choice, of course. Your ability to match colors always leaves me in awe. Thank you, Tom..
Sir, my dad would say, if you didn't bleed at some point during a day, you were loafing... Your thumb apparently was a causality of your hard work and brilliance. Thank you for your videos!
I totally agree with the previous comment about quietly watching you work. When it comes to veneer i can truthfully say I’m watching a master at work. You have previously answered two of questions and now I am a firm believer in hide glue! Thanks again
