Restoring a Gateleg Table - Thomas Johnson Antique Furniture Restoration
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- Опубліковано 12 кві 2018
- Tom Johnson of Thomas Johnson Antique Furniture Restoration in Gorham, Maine restores and refinishes a gateleg, dropleaf table whose original finish had long since departed. Tom has been restoring furniture professionally since 1979. Visit our website at www.thomasjohnsonrestoration.com, or write us at thomasjohnsonrestoration@gmail.com. And for those on the west coast looking for custom framing, be sure to check out Tom's daughter's shop, www.emcollier.com (@emcollierframes on Instagram).
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No music,no massive ego,no dramatics.Just a master craftsman doing is job.Very relaxing.😀🏴
Thanks!
This video slipped by me but I'm glad it popped up now.
Thank goodness for that wonderful Maine polite contrariness that drives guys like you to see the character you know is there beneath decades of all forms of natural and man-made crud.
With a combination of experimentation, trial and error, and good old Yankee know-how you find and show it.
Thanks for what, for some of us, is a small life lesson, and a nice piece of furniture to boot.
Thank you! I appreciate it. It's hard to refinish something but still try to keep it looking old
Today people only seem to want the mid-century modern world they see on HDTV. We need more people like Thomas Johnson, who really appreciates and respects the unique quality and character of the pieces he repairs and restores.
Thank you! I appreciate it
Wow! What a project! Seeing you troubleshoot this is actually more interesting than when everything goes to plan. I really admire your patience and attention to detail.
Thanks! yes, it's my intention to show all the problems going forward
Tom it's uncanny how you can take a rubbishy looking old table and turn it into a treasure. Amazing. 👍
Thanks!
More long videos! I know it takes more work, but these long videos are gems. Watching you fight with the finish on this one was very informative.
Thanks!
I inherited an almost exact model table to this from my grandmother - all it's missing is the center drawer. Hers was originally her mother's, bought in 1932. It is a prized heirloom in my home, and I'm glad to see you bringing this one back to life. It's a FANTASTIC table - a perfect buffet 99% of the time, and then when you need it seating for 4 adults or 6 kids.
Thanks! That's great! Who loses a drawer? Still, nice to have a table that means so much
@@johnsonrestoration I should have been more specific - our model has a drawer, while the one you restored didn't. Still, great table and I think every home should have one. You've also made me rethink my use of stain and polyurethane in my projects for some more traditional finishes.
I just want to say how much I'm enjoying watching your videos! Truly amazing - and I love how you always humbly say "I think it looks pretty good" at the end when I'm over here with my jaw on the floor at the incredible transformations you make with these old pieces of furniture. Great stuff!
Thank you so much!
When I got my first flat (apartment) in 1979 I had a table exactly like that here in the U.K. But it was more like the one in the video was when it arrived in your workshop and nothing like when it left. I was a bit concerned in the middle of this one, the chemicals seemed to be irritating your throat. It was very interesting how you were determined to get it right no matter what the expense. You are a honourable man who is determined to do the best possible job within your remit. Very well done indeed, thank you.
You're welcome! And thanks for being such a good fan!
So much enjoyed watching you bring this table back to life....
Better than new!
Find myself staying on to the end of the video to see what extra treat you have shared.
Thankyou.......very peaceful.
Glad you enjoyed it! Thanks!
Thomas "Overnight" Johnson. Very nice work and video. Thanks
You’re welcome!
Thank you for showing the bumps in the road. I am a contractor who has refinished my share of furniture. I find customers sometimes get nervous when problems arise. I think this is due to most DIY shows don’t show problems that arise. Life is just a series of problems to work thru. Its about your attitude toward the problems. Pros don’t quit, they figure it out and finish their projects. Tom you are a professional. A+++++++++
Thank you! Well said. When I started I was determined to keep the videos as short as possible, so we edited out a lot of problems. But some years ago we decided just to show everything. It makes the production a lot harder but I think it's better
A beautiful table - I love all the mismatched boards - gives it great character. Another masterpiece :-)
Thanks so much!
Beautiful job...anybody would be proud to own a nice little table like that...
Dave
Thanks!
when I was a child, we had a slightly larger example of this table, and nearly identical in design. It was probably made by my great uncle in the early 1900's due to the finish being the same as a "3 tear" corner shelf and "baby" rocking chair which he made for my mom's mother. The finish was some sort of died varnish or shellac, and extremely dark. The wood was most likely poplar. My mom tried to clean the finish and actually removed a little. Who knows what happened to that table. The rocker is now in passion of my grand children, and nearly 105 years old, Uncle Guy did good work for a train engineer.
Superb video as always. ;-)
Thanks! That is great that you have those pieces! Be sure to attach some info on them (underneath) that details who, what and where they were made. This will really help future descendants know what they are
Wow. This looks EXACTLY the same as the gateleg table owned by my relatives in Oregon which they obtained in 1920-30. (Later on I inherited it.) You are right that the original color was extremely dark, but not quite black. Your renewing the table to a lighter color is great. Even showing the mis-matched boards I still think it's beautiful. Keep up the great work.
Thanks! Yes, we decided to the mismatched boards to be what they were - it looked great!
I really like the color variations and am glad you stuck with that. They bring out the beauty of the wood and as you say, makes it look natural rather than factory plain.
Thanks! Good way to put it, you don't want this old furniture to look "factory". What would be the point? And yet there's a lot of that going on
Tom just wanted to say I look forward to your videos more than anyone else I'm subscribed too. Love the content and love your dedication to your craft. Cheers!
I couldn’t agree more!!!!
Thank you!
Thanks!
I’m planning a mid century modern table for my son’s apartment and a drop leaf table is one of my inspirations. Thank you for posting your videos. Always learn something.
I wish you’d give us a tour of your shop and furry/feathery friends. I’m always surprised by what you’re growing.
Thanks! I did that years ago, time for another
I do a lot of woodworking, but I am always nervous about restoration, so for the most part I do not do it. I have to say that watching your videos has been incredible. I would still never attempt things to the degree you do, but I have a few small repairs I think I may try to fix.
Incredible job!
Thanks! Yes, be brave! ( or is that be foolish!) I'm sure you can do it.
I love this little oddball table. That took a lot of work and a lot of sandpaper! I hope you made your money back!
Thanks! I did!
Last year I bought an old table from Re-store in NC. It folds across the top, maybe it's a card table, not sure. Anyhow, after watching your channel for some time, I almost have the confidence to tackle this project. I love what you do and appreciate your love of the craft. Wish me luck!
Hi Keith, thanks for watching! and yes, good luck!
Such a great video! Enjoyed seeing what happens when a project doesn't go quite as expected.
Thanks!
Another beautiful piece. I see a great beauty in miss matched boards at times. Yes, having matching boards is nice. But mismatched boards can add so much depth of character in a piece.
I totally agree! Thanks!
It is encouraging and instructional that even a master craftsman can have a problem with finishes. I'm neither, but I've learned much that will help me in future.
Thanks! Yes, there are always problems!
Heck of a job. I had a table top one time that no matter what chemicals I used or how much sanding I did this gunk would not come out of the wood. I finally soaked it in gasoline and lit it on fire and that got rid of the gunk as well as the table top. I always enjoy your videos and knowledge. Keep up the good work.
Thanks! I'm going to have to remember the gasoline thing. Could be the perfect solution
I can't wait to see that episode!
LOL. More than one project I've seen being restored on this site would have been consigned to the burn pile if I were the owner. Furniture everywhere is rejoicing that Thomas Johnson got to it first.
Tom, I just found this video. I have a table just like this that has been handed down from family. Thanks so much for the instruction on how to restore it.
Very welcome!
What a great result from a so bad state. its a pleasure to follow the process up. Congrats Tom and many thanks for sharing.
You're welcome!
I love that sofa in the background.
Thanks! Yes!
Holy cow, you have to wonder what it was being used for previously. You did a great job and I'm glad you kept the character it's a lovely little table now.
Thanks! yes, I was determined to save the character
I suspect the culprit of contamination on this piece was silicone from an aerosol furniture polish such as Pledge. I ran into the same problem on antique side table and I ended up stripping the piece. It was very interesting seeing all the steps you had to go through to achieve the final finish. Very informative! THANKS
You're welcome! Yes, Pledge gets all the blame, but really, it could be anything!
This result is magnificent, Mr. Johnson. The love and care you put into this piece is an inspiration. This video should be an example of excellence to one and all; but I hope it is so to young people just starting out in the working lives. You modeled devotion, hard work and not settling for second best. Finally, I don't know what you charged the patron for your work on this piece, but I'd bet it was not enough!! Thank you for sharing.
You're welcome! I appreciate your kind words. Thanks
Thank you for this video. It's exactly what I needed. I am restoring s similar table and was having some similar problems to the ones you came across with and after some extensive googling I found your video. Again thank you and love your dedication to your craft.
You are welcome!
I really like the variation in the table top, it makes it unique
Yes, thanks! I quit worrying about variations when I realized that if you make everything uniform it no longer looks like an antique!
Great video, I enjoyed watching your dedication to your craft and the problem solving skills that are so obviously required in this line of work.
Thanks!
Amazing work! The time and patience that it took to reveal this piece, truly shows the master craftsmanship that you possess. I have learned so much watching your videos. Thank you.
You're welcome!
Another beauty, Thomas !
Thanks!
You really had a challenge with that top; came out very nice in the end, though. Lots of patience and finish applications. Reminds me of some pieces I refinished that came out well in the end, due to perseverence and lots of rubbing. Looks great, Tom!
Thanks!
I love all the variations in the wood.
Yes, me too! And luckily, the owner thought so too!
Silicone based furniture "polish" is the devil. It is the nemesis of paint and varnish. I'm guessing this is the sort of thing that happened to that table. Thanks for your great work, and even more for sharing!
We always assume it's silicone, but we don't really know, so I thought it best not to use that word. Don't want to offend any polish manufacturers!
What should I be using for routine cleaning/waxing of my wood furniture? I was raised on the lemon scented stuff so just kept with it.
K B, Just use whatever you like :) My nanna was keeping things clean with lemon sheen stuff, not worried about some dufus like me wanting to refinish her Queen Anne reproductions. Maybe stay with what you use because it's an annoying job to decontaminate stuff to start using beeswax (this video is a great example).
But if it ever come time to refinish it, invest in silicone remover and/or lots of time and elbow grease. And don't give up! On a car panel a molecule of armour-all can doom an entire panel's paint and it will have to be started from scratch. That was not a good day, it involved sanding, wax & grease remover, silicone remover, wax & grease remover (to remove the silicone remover) lots of tack cloth and denatured alcohol to ensure decontamination and THEN I could start again.
Furniture can be somewhat more forgiving but still needs a lot of effort to overcome the mister sheen fisheye of doom. Hope I didn't waffle too much this time.
Nope, no waffling. Just convinced me that dusting is overrated!
YES!!!!! My thoughts exactly - silicone polish is an ATROCIOUS product to use ... ANYWHERE ... on ANYTHING!!!
Nicely done! Really points out how much work goes into what might seem like an easy project. Love the "ZZ Top"!
Thanks! I didn't realize I was doing ZZ Top! I'll go put them on now!
Nelson Melamund HA! Great! It took me about XX seconds to figure that out, but that was a good one.
I really like the different color of woods..it does give it a great look..it's wonderful
Thank you!
Amazing job on that difficult top. Wish I could still work on pieces of furniture. I only worked on pieces for our home. Nothing even approaching your work in any way! Your videos are very instructive, and I enjoy watching how you transform the pieces in your videos.
Thanks! And I appreciate you watching and commenting
Beautiful result! A difficult, hard-earned one at that, but it all showed in the end! Good job!
Thanks!
I love it! You have the patience of saint.
I try! Thanks!
Thank you. These videos let me relive the work I found most rewarding in my rich and varied history.
You're welcome! Now I'm left wondering about your history! Sounds like you have a story to tell
Impressive perseverance with that table top, and carried through to an excellent result! I think I would have lost patience with it and gone after it with 40 grit in a floor-sander. 😁
Thanks! It was indeed frustrating!
I enjoyed how the mismatched wood grains disturbed Mr. J
Well, not for long! I got over it
Great as always, I’ve said this before and today’s episode confirms it: you teach us a lot but far and away your knowledge of finishes and their application is intense.
Thanks! I'm glad to share. I'm happy that people appreciate it!
Thank you!
Hi Thomas, thanks for the great video. An awesome display of patience. Just a suggestion for sand paper when you run into material that clogs your sand paper. You might want to try a product called Abranet. It is an open mesh product that has a full range of grits and just does not clog. Awesome stuff. It is a little more expensive but I find it lasts quite a bit longer. It is pretty much all I use in my shop these days.
Thanks! I've seen that, in fact I think my brother uses it. I'll give it a try
Very good job Thomas .
Thanks!
Beautifully finished!
Thank you!
FANTASTIC!!!
Thanks!
definitely looks pretty good!
Thanks!
That was a lot of sanding! Admirable.
Funny, at times I use a cloth or blue shop paper instead of a brush; I am an artist, working in metric 😉
Glad I am subscribed!
Thanks! I have done that too. I'm finding that foam brushes work best for the varnish I'm using (Waterlox Original) which makes me crazy because I hate those things
What a challenge this was. You have proven again patience is of key importance coupled with your knowledge. I did not count the hours and overnight drying periods, but there was few on this one! For me, this was one of your best videos due in the main to your methodical approach to bring the table back from the brink. Thank you again for sharing your work.
You're welcome!
Perseverance has won the day!! One more fine piece! Well done Sir!!
Thank you!
Another amazing job!
Thanks!
Interesting to see how hard that top pushed back (it never stood a chance). I have one of those down in my basement. I rescued it from my father's home as he was paring down to move after retirement. 35+ years ago he had taken it from his parent's home after they passed. It's painted this indescribable shade of pink. Apparently my grandmother thought it needed a little something - and went with pink. Maybe it's time I pull it out and get to the restoration I always intended, because yes, I've had it about 15 years now.
I almost forgot. You don't have any Pushmi-Pullyu floating around out there do you? I'd love a photo.
Thanks for watching! Yes, go for it!
I forgot about pushmi-pullyu's!
Great patience and outstanding result. The title of this video should be "Silicone. It's why Restoration Experts Drink"! LOL. Thanks for another great video.
Thanks! Yes, it could drive you to drink! I was going to have a drink anyway but this provided the rational. But I decided that since we really don't know what the contaminant was that I would speculate about whether it was silicone
Watching this all I could think was that it looks exactly like silicone... I hate that stuff more than life itself. In my shop I have an explosives cabinet that is generally just left open. The silicone box is pad locked with warning stickers on it.
@@stumble130 You know Pledge was one of the culprits.
Looks very good Tom! Thanks for sharing the video with us.😎👍JP
You're welcome!
😎
Looks good, in the autopaint business we used a product called Smoothie, it was a fisheye eliminator, just a couple of drops in the paint would do the job. I'm sure there's others but this was an ole school technique that worked pretty good. Thanks for the awesome video Tom
Thanks! I'm familiar with smoothie, etc. The problem is it only works with lacquer products, not varnishes like I'm using here. but I'm learning how to deal with it without the smoothie
Incredible work, I really enjoy your video's!
You are a craftsman!
Thank you so much!
You are very welcome!
Such patience and you got your reward in the end!! I always enjoy your videos.
Thanks! Yes, it paid off
I was a furniture designer for thirty years. I warned every client about the quick modern polishes and cleaners, but it was the help, who came from every corner of the world and all different cultures, and that horror always crept in. I even gave them beeswax polishes, to no avail. Waxing isn’t as easy as you make it look, and a housekeeper feels compelled to add more to keep it shiny, so layers of chemicals and wax, used by many people were the bane of my existence. Windex was another culprit. There are some things you can’t predict.
Thanks! You are exactly right. I'm always telling people how to care for furniture, but most of my customers have cleaning people. I've been in people's apartments where they literally do not have any cleaning supplies or equipment at all
I have finally found a product here in Italy that purports to clean all that gunk off wood, so I’m tackling the furniture I brought here from chemical country. I hope it works half as well as your handy dandy product. Even sandpaper isn’t the same here, but I’ve found a cloth bought in strips that has numbers on it up to 500, so I have hopes.
Your videos are an absolute wealth of information. I've learnt an incredible amount in such a short space of time. Keep 'em coming!
Thanks! I will!
It's gorgeous. Thank you for sharing!
You are so welcome!
Gorgeous. What a job!
Thanks!
Amazing dedicated work. Nice job!!
Thank you!
That is a pretty sweet idea for a drying rack. Reminds me of the professional racks you can buy but at the fraction of the price.
Thanks!
@@johnsonrestoration I need help cause I have the same table cause the dowels broken off as need to be replaced
I love your videos, thanks for another great one!
You're welcome! Love the barrel
Excellent work done 👍
Thank you!
Great job as always Tom! Love that sofa in the background. I bet it will look amazing when it’s done
Thanks! Yes, I can't wait to do it
This is one of the best finishes i have seen, thank you for sharing your very hard work
You're welcome!
I love your work.
Thank you!
Great work as usual Young Thomas!
Thank you Sir!
Thanks Thomas I also have a gate leg table similar to that one........... You've given me some great tips.. Thanks
You're welcome!
You made that a truly beautiful piece!
Thank you!
The color variations give it character , wonderful videos thank you
Yes, they do! Thanks!
I watched several of your videos now Tom and what strikes me is that you never get nervous whatever the problems are. Comes with experience I guess. Very interesting and very educational. Thanks and I subbed.
ATB - Marc - Belgium
Thanks! Welcome!
I found this very informative, a set of companionway doors gave me a similar problem I wish that I had seen this prior to doing the work, thank you pleas keep the videos coming.
Thanks for watching!
Mismatched boards or not, the grain and colour were so beautiful, matched by the lustre of the eventual finish. A difficult task but wonderful outcome!
Thank you! I appreciate it
Wow, great job you do. I really enjoy your videos. I wish I could visit your shop one day. Thanks.
You're welcome! Next time you're in Maine give a call
Great video, super instructive! Thank you!
You're welcome!
I have to chuckle at you pronouncing oxalic acid as exolic acid.
I've watched all your videos and it was interesting to see you try your hand at French Polishing, which is what finally worked on that difficult table top.
Thanks! I'm getting better!
Well, superb work as always, so, from the UK "I think it looks pretty good".
Thanks!
Always love watching...Thanks Tom...rr in Normandy
You're welcome! France?
Yes...
Perfect Friday treat. Thanks. Those legs. You’ve got patience my friend.
Thank you!
Gorgeous! The variations on top look good when table is open! Nice balance of color when open!
When leaf down it appears sun bleached, but when open the composition of the variations is striking!
Thank you! Yes, that really worked out. Sometimes we worry too much about mismatched boards, but when all is said and done the variation adds a lot of character, and helps to make the piece not so look over-worked
So interesting. I know you told the client you weren’t going to strip the top but man, what a process for you to bring the wood back to life/health/able to take finish. What was all that black stuff? Such great work. Thank you for providing us all with hours of entertainment. Like RootedCanuck wrote, your channel is the one I look most forward to watching. Happy Friday!
Thank you Deette! The black stuff was dirt and oil, I guess, hence the contamination
Deette Kearns >>in our home that burned to the foundations we, oddly enough, were able to salvage a very few pieces of antique furniture that were irreplaceable since most insurances only replace “an end table with an end table” and come up with absurd 150 year old rules for it to be considered antique! But i digress... There is an acidic condition in soot which discolors through finishes and the water from the fire engine has corrosive chemicals that in turn flow over burning paint, roofing and etc then onto your furniture then wreaking havoc on the finish combined with heat and coated with soot. It takes patience to get it right without a complete strip down and refinish..
Deette Kearns the black is evidence of years of hard work outside and sitting down to supper at the end of the day in your dungarees.
Very sad that video about building simple 2x4 workbench has more views.This is my favorite chanel.I learn lot of things from it.Thanks Tom.
You're welcome! But that's great for the workbench guy! (or gal) I'm getting there!
Wow. Gorgeous.
Thank you!
Pretty good indeed!
Thanks!
Super!!!👌🏻
Thanks!
Beautiful
Thank you!
Gorgeous! Just subscribed and look forward to seeing more.
Thanks!
Amazing fight with that finish.
Yes, thanks!
Great vid! :)
Thanks!
I met a lady by unfortunate circumstances. We both went through a program and had bad contractors. Leave it at that. I love working on furniture, building, restoring, etc. She has put so much confidence in me and I have been doing projects for her. She gave me her family table to clean and restore. Yikes! I'm scared to death I'm going to screw something up. The table has drop down sides using a piano hinge. Just cleaning this table has been a chore. I have never wiped down furniture with acetone but I thought I would follow your steps here. This is a dining room table will the way you finished the top be durable enough? I love your videos. You do things right!
Thanks! Table tops are big projects! The finish I use, Waterlox Original is very durable. But any water based polyurethane is too. I like the color of the Waterlox
@@johnsonrestoration Thank you so much for answering. Does the Waterlox yellow or have an amber tint to it? I love the look of wax, but this is a table. It drop leaves with piano hinges. The hinges are so disgusting. I wonder how much milk was spilt through the crack. Miss the East Coast. Lived in Boston for 6 years. I see why you try to use all that beautiful wood on furniture no matter what the shape its in. Have a beautiful day.
Thomas, I completely enjoyed this episode. Your project turned out beautiful! About a year ago I found a cute little dropleaf table like the one you've finished here. . The table top is scalloped and there is a little drawer on the side. The top looks like someone tried to refinish it, but at some point - someone put a glass/bottle on the table and left a ring. I'm thinking that really spoiled the project for someone and they decided to give it away to the Goodwill, and I bought it for $6. The bottom actually looks pretty good. It helped that no one could set a drink on the legs. I will be using paint remover on the top. I am hoping that alone will deal with the stain. If not, I will follow your lead to clean it further. I actually like that you used tunge oil. The satin finish gives a perfect sheen. I actually love tongue oil because in Minnesota we have winter 6+ months out of the year. It's a finish I can deal with indoors all seasons. I usually use a spray satin laquer when ever I can. Thank you for pointing out that I should remove the top. Here I was thinking of how I might mess up the legs while working on the top. Thank you for what you do, and sharing it!
You are welcome! And thanks for watching. Good luck with the project, oxalic acid might help with the stain.