Is this Table Beyond Repair?
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- Опубліковано 22 гру 2023
- Tom Johnson of Thomas Johnson Antique Furniture Restoration in Gorham, Maine restores this gorgeous antique pier table, even through a power outage! 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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I had an oversized door on my 120 year old house. (Door was old, but probably not original.) Someone had striped off the veneer on the outside surface and replaced it with fake grained Masonite (horribly ugly). Inner window had a plastic insert. Knob and lock was so trashed it was a struggle to open and close the door. Because of you, Tom, I decided this door could be saved. I replaced Masonite with an oak veneer skin, cut out old lock section and put in a 3/4" patch about 4" x 6" and new antique door knobs and lock and got rid of plastic and resized window to fit a leaded glass one. Looks pretty darn good for an amateur (not even close to your level but...) I owe even thinking I could do it to you, Tom. Thanks. ( I did a LOT of color matching on that patch and it is pretty darn good. Again, thanks to watching you work again and again.)
I've realized that he's raised the bar on how I look at furniture and wood. I find myself being more critical and noticing things I hadn't, otherwise. Now I'm a pain in the butt😅
Good on you for taking on that project
A beautiful result… again
Surely not. merely a perfectionist, which in this kind of endeavor is a good thing.@@eddygonzalez6018
And every time you use that door, it’ll make you happy.
What a positive attitude you have Sir! Now for plan b. We just need to figure out what plan b is!!
No words of despair. No signs of frustration....just a clear focus on figuring out how to get the job done!.
Love it! ❤❤❤❤
Thank you!
I got a laugh out of that.
I am not furniture restorer, but I am very glad that furniture restorers have an opportunity to learn from you. As always, I am in awe of your patience and precision. Thank you.
You're welcome!
I have enjoyed each and every one of your videos, Tom, but this one is truly a master class. Watching you take the time to select just the right veneer through meticulously fitting it into the top of the table - it was a beautiful thing to watch. Then the color match? Amazing. But finishing it off during a power outage was an added bonus ... For us. Thank you for this Christmas gift.
I follow many restoration channels and NO ONE has ever done (at least on YT) the salvage of a veneer with this level of technical precision and artistry, we have truly had a masterclass.
You are so welcome!
Thank you!
Thank you for teaching us! ❤ happy new year! 🎆
I'm Gwen, from Manchester NH!
The figuring in that veneer all over that table is INCREDIBLE! What a beautiful piece of art. Thank you for saving it.
You're welcome! At first, I didn't realize what an outstanding veneer that was. I was so happy to save it
I learned a lot when starting out in restoration from you, Tom. In our fledgling business, we had the opportunity to buy the broken leftover stock from a retiring antiques dealer - a once in a lifetime opportunity! We filled our barn with furniture and slowly but surely restored every piece. Katie 😊
Thanks! Sounds enticing!
That's wonderful katie!!
That top is absolutely gorgeous. I didn't believe you could make that patch work with all those crazy grain patterns, but it of course ended up nearly flawless. Really impressive stuff.
Thank you so much!
You did a great job repairing the veneer on the top, Thomas. I always love to watch you problem solve in these situations and come up with a good solution without replacing vast areas of the piece. I know that this is one of the parts of restoration you really enjoy which is one reason you are so good at it! Thank you for taking the time to film your work and share it with us.
You're so welcome!
I applaud your approach to preserving the history of the piece.
Merry Christmas to your family.
Thank you!
PRETTY GOOD?!? It’s a masterpiece!!
Thank you!
Pretty good. Are you kidding me! That repair was “FANTASTIC “ once again.
Thanks!
😂😂😂 that’s exactly what I thought! If that is “Pretty good”, I can’t begin to imagine what a “fine job” would be!!
Most weekend DIYer people would have looked at that piece, peeled the loose veneer, Bondoed the piece smooth and painted it. Thanks goodness people like you exist.
Thank you! I’m trying to show people that you can repair veneer. A lot of these DIY’s just don’t know what to do
Thomas, you are a sorcerer. I remember watching my wifes daytime talk show where they had a famous make-up artist on. He said the true make-up artist will finish, and it should look like no work has been done. That the natural beauty is highlighted and imperfections blended in. You are an artist. Have a great holiday and fortuitous new year.
Thanks! I saw something like that years ago and it always stuck with me, he said it takes 13 steps to make it look natural!
What a totally amazing repair, Thomas!! You are THE BEST!! I will never complain again about how hard it is putting a jigsaw puzzle together!! LOL
Wow, thanks! You can still complain about jigsaw puzzles - they're a pain
You gave this lovely old piece the respect it AND its history deserve!
A very big thanks to you for showing us what a master of the craft is capable of and explaining why all-new veneer was not acceptable.
You’re welcome! I hope people are learning not to be afraid to repair veneer
Merry Christmas Thom. Hope you and your family are all happy and healthy. Loved every video you made. Thank you for all you taught us. 🎄
You are so welcome!
Wow , another amazing job, I thought I was a patient man, but you teach me what true patience looks like!
Last time I worked on crotch veneer repair, I started by stripping the finish and using a glycerin based veneer softener. Then clamped the whole thing flat. I think it helped make the veneer less delicate (some).
Thanks! That sounds interesting, I could have tried that with this top. I will try that in the future
I literally laughed out loud when you said flying moose!
Thanks!
Just before you mentioned flying moose, I was thinking amoeba. Another lovely video.
Amooba?
@@dlevi67 yep. Blob like single cell organism
Thanks! I guess just about anything could look like an amoeba! I didn't think of that
Your matching and patching of the veneer is pure artistry. I'm always blown away at the things you pull off in your workshop!
Thank you!
Watching your videos inspired me to attempt a veneer repair on an old marquetry sewing box with damage. And do you know....i think it looked pretty good!
Great! Good to hear!
It's a joy to spend time with you Tom in your shop on a Saturday morning. What a gorgeous outcome for this pier table. thanks for bringing us along.
You're very welcome!
I went to High School in Australia in the 60's. Girls did sewing and cookery. Boys, woodwork. To this day I do not even sew on buttons and I loathe being in the kitchen. I would have done woodwork in a heartbeat. Watching your videos makes my heart sing. To watch you do your amazing work, taking pieces that sometimes appear beyond repair and making them beautiful and alive again. Your skill and patience appears endless and watching your videos is truly a pleasure. Thank you
You are very welcome! Thank goodness they don’t exclude girls anymore! When my daughter went to middle school they had “tech ed” instead of “shop”, and included woodworking. Because my daughter had experience, working with me, she was put in charge of supervising the other kids on the bandsaw. We were very proud of her!
When I started high school in New Zealand in 1980, girls weren't even allowed to do tech drawing, much less woodwork or metal work. Except one girl in my year who was really good at art and was given special permission to do tech drawing. She was top of the class; beat all the boys hollow. Now, the head of engineering at my son's old school is a woman. I'm so glad times have changed!
"I think I see a flying moose." nearly made me spit out my coffee I laughed so hard. Thanks for another great video, Tom. I hope you and your family have a wonderful holiday season.
Thanks! That's good! I wish the same for you!
Thank you! I think that's exactly right
Wow. Nothing less then amazing. I've never seen grain like that. It seems like matching the colors can only be done after years of experience. Really enjoyed this video.
Thank you!
Merry Christmas from England
Thank you!
The end result of this restoration is amazing Tom. The top is so beautiful and was worth every bit of your effort and care. I'm glad you took a bit of time to pay attention to your cat as well, that always brings good mojo. Happy Holidays!
Thank you!
Hello Mr. Johnson, I just wanted to say that I enjoy your channel with its easy going flow that transports me from my every day cares to a peaceful oasis of furniture restoration. I love the work that goes into every piece you do and know that it’s not only a skilled profession but also a highly prized craft.
Merry Christmas to you and yours and a marvelous New Year🌹
Thank you! That is so nice
Amazing as always! I'm glad to see you take time to care for your shop cat! Echo, my shop cat will often provide me with a "cat scan" of my projects to make sure I don't miss anything. 😊
Thanks! I love that
I really appreciate you showing and explaining the origin if the piece and what its intended use was. I'm from Europe, so you often work on pieces in styles that I am not familiar with, and it's a great learning experience.
The work on the top of this piece looks incredible! I really like your approach to doing as little work to a piece as possible to preserve the history of the furniture.
Thank you! I appreciate it
Veneer repair requires the patience of Job! You are a master at patience and ALWAYS have a Plan B and the necessary tools and materials to do the repairs! Amazing! Great job, Mr. Johnson! Wishing you and Mrs. Johnson a happy holiday season from the beautiful Texas Hill Country. 🎄🎁🌟✨👏👍❤
Thank you! And my best to you and your family as well!
Merry Christmas 🎄 and thanks for all your wonderful videos. You’re a great inspiration for me and my small workshop.
All the best to you and your family
Henrik from Denmark 🇩🇰
Thank you Henrik! And the best New Year wishes for you and yours!
I've learned so much from this video- thank you!
Veneer repair is always tricky and I'm still a novice at it, but your methods and abilities here are masterful and highly instructive.
Thanks! It takes experience so keep at it!
Merry Christmas, Mr. Johnson
Thank you! First comment!
The patch you did on this tabletop is amazing. You are truly the best at your craft.
Thank you, that's nice
Wow, what a performance! Thanks so much. Absolutely the right thing to not replace that gorgeous original veneer. That patch is so good I prefer its history, personality, and character more than if it were brand new! What an inspiration.
Thanks! I'm so glad people understand what I'm trying to do
Thomas I always enjoy watching you create your magic with furniture restoration. Brilliant result.
Thanks!
Superb job, with perfect and sympathetic preservation work. There was also a bit of clamp action near the end, without which, it wouldn't be a proper Tom Johnson posting. Thank you for all your postings throughout this last year. I hope you have a lovely Christmas and a happy new year. I shall look forward to your future presentations in 2024.
Thank you very much!
I love how it turned out. Always a joy to watch. Merry Christmas Tom to you and all your family with lots of love from Ireland.
Thank you! And my best to you and yours as well!
You are truly a master of your craft. Great work.
Thank you!
Wow this is one (in my opinion) of your best I’ve seen so far Tom. Absolutely gorgeous job on blending in that new patch. Wow!
Thank you!
I'm thrilled that you could use a scrap just the right size and orientation for the patch. So satisfying to be able to use a smaller piece without cutting a hole in a new one. This is a lovely restoration. Such a joy to see and be included in your projects. Thank you so much for all the extra effort involved in making it possible. Have a blessed Christmas.
Thank you Alison! Yes, I did not want to cut a big piece, but I would have if I had too
"All right, let's do it again; let's do it better this time." Meticulously organic, words to work by. Note to new viewers: be sure to stay to the end. That patch that seems to be glaringly obvious for so long almost disappears. I want to say that I knew it would, I just didn't see how he could do it. Of course he did.
Thank you! Yes! Stay to the end!
Wow that table is a gem! I'm a big fan of American Empire. As it happens, I'm working on a similar problem right now. I don't have a prayer of matching the veneer, or your skill, but, the original mahogany burl is just too beautiful to lose, even with the damage. Thank you for the inspiration and Merry Christmas!
Thanks! I agree! There's a lot of veneer out there. I've never seen Mahogany burl
Lovely to see your craftsmanship and skills again Tom - Thanks!
You're so welcome!
Gorgeous work as always. The time and care you take to get every bit just right, never taking shortcuts or the easy way out, are an inspiration.
Thank you!
Been watching now for better than four years at least, and never come away less than in Awe of your craftsmanship. your skills and ability's shine thru each time thanks for sharing and Merry Christmas to you and your Family. ECF
Thank you Ellis! I appreciate it!
Merry snowy Christmas 🎄🎁 to you. Thomas.
Thank you! Well, that didn't happen. Happy New Year!
My goodness I bet the owners were amazed with the transformation! It looked like you actually felt at one with the original artisans who had to work without electricity when the power was out. What a lovely table and so lovely to watch you work your magic patching and colouring. Thank you for taking us with you.
A very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to you and your family Tom. 🙏👍
You're very welcome! And the same wishes for you and your family!
Impressive once again! There’s just no other restoration channel like yours! Have a great holiday season!
Ps - loved the natural light shots
Thanks! I like those too!
The flame pattern is so interesting. So glad you you work like Julian, respecting and preserving every bit of the original as possible. No need to over-paint and no need to over-veneer. Love watching artisans at work!
Thank you! It is very flattering to be compared to Julian!
I'm sure the owner is elated to have the pier table back in place. It's now beautiful, thanks to you.
Thank you!
The veneer patch is extraordinary. Not to be too hyperbolic, but it’s amazing what you do.
Best of the holidays to you and yours. From down here on the Gulf Coast of Mississippi.
Thank you! My best to you!
Thank you for a great year of woodworking classes. I so appreciate all your lessons. Happy holiday to you and your family. I’m sure this video series is a family effort!
Thank you! Yes, it could never happen without the support of my wife, Jane
Glad that you chose to repair the existing veneer, splendid result as well, looks authentic and original. Great job.
Thanks!
Your careful veneer repairs are always such a delight to watch.Keeps me glued to the screen!😏🇳🇱
I try to stick with it! Thanks!
Hermoso trabajo Mr. Johnson, fue una restauración difícil de hacer. Una hermosa mesa antigua que va a tener muchos mas años de vida gracias a usted. Gracias por compartir su arte, feliz navidad!
¡De nada! ¡Y los mejores deseos navideños para ti también!
What a wonderful Christmas present. Another amazing restoration from which I, and I am sure so many others, have learned so much. It is very clear that the clamps you use are not the newest models and I would say they are much better for it. Modern clamps are so expensive and nowhere near as sturdy or well made as some the ones you use. Wishing you a very happy Christmas and a peaceful new year.
Thank you! Although these clamps were given to me because they did distort under pressure, but the work fine for me
wonderful to watch a craftman working and so nice that
Tom is very calm with no terrible loud music playing in the background it so nice to watch Tom working love Christine xx
Thank you Christine!
Considering its condition when you started, I'm amazed! I really thought you wouldn't get this nice of an outcome. Great job.
Thanks! I was wondering the same thing!
Yet another masterclass. Even the lighting during they outage fitted!
Thanks! Yes, it worked out
Another beautiful job Tom!!! Patch work is incredible!!
Thank you!
Thomas, it is my prayer that you and Jane continue to be abundantly blessed and that your plan for easing into retirement goes well. It is such a pleasure to watch you work. You always have a positive attitude and a pleasant countenance. May you, your wife and family have a wonderful Christmas and the happiest of New Years my friend. John here, from the back-roads of Northeastern Tennessee.
Thank you John! I appreciate your support and I wish the best New Year for you and your family as well
Brilliant. Your thoroughness and patience is once again outstanding
Thank you!
Wow! Looks awesome, Tom! I really love how you preserve the historicity of the original wood in your restoration projects :D
Thank you very much! I love that word "historicity"!
TOM, I LOOKED IT UP AND SCREWS HAD BLUNT ENDS UNTIL ABOUT 1859, DEPENDING ON YOUR SOURCE OF RESEARCH. SO, NO AMERICAN EMPIRE PIECE WITH ORIGINAL SCREWS SHOULD HAVE POINTED ENDS, WHICH HELPS IN DATING THE PIECE. FASCINATING HOW A PRO DOES NOT HESITATE TO TAKE FURNITURE APART! THE AVERAGE HACK LIKE ME, FORGET IT! ANOTHER AMAZING JOB BY YOU. HAPPY HOLIDAYS TO YOU, SIR TOM!
Thats interesting!
Thank you! Good info on the screws
It is!
You sir are a true miracle worker. I thought there was no way you were going to be able to preserve the beautiful original veneer, but with superior patience talent and knowledge you have done a fantastic job.Well done Tom.
Thank you!
Incredible as ALWAYS
MERRY CHRISTMAS to you & your family
Thank you! And my best to you!
I've been watching Mr. Johnson for years and knowing what I know about his ability and talent, this episode title is simply click bait. We all KNOW in our heart of hearts that you will, in fact repair this table and it will look as good as the day it was made. And we all can't wait to watch you do it! Thanks so much.
You're welcome! Yes, unfortunately we have to do "click bait!" It's how the game is played
I am amazed by the professional work you do.
Man, your job is precious. Have a healthy and wealthy year ahead.
A fan from Iran ❤
Thank you! My best to you!
I like how you work alone and with no background music and stay focused. With the occasional glimpse of boots in the doorway or under a desk you obviously work alone. Behind every good man there is a good woman.
Absolutely! None of this would be possible without Jane. Thanks!
I'm always in awe of your skill and patience! Thanks for another great masterclass!
My pleasure!
The veneer is beautiful. Definitely the correct decision to save it. It looks like a forest in the setting sun.
Thanks! That's a nice image to think of
Thomas, “Looks pretty good.” ???????? I am in AWE!
Thank you!
Tom. Just like to wish you and your family a lovely Christmas and a happy New year. Thank you for all the work you've done over the year. It's been very enjoyable and instructive.
You're very welcome!
Once again , your repair and restoration talents are exceeded only by your historic sensibility in preserving and protecting the wonderful old relics you save. Thanks for both!
You're so welcome! I appreciate it
In a disposable culture restoration is a type of magic. Enchanting.
Thanks! I like that!
Thomas! You are an artist! Fascinating! Beautiful result! 👏👏👏👏👏❤
Thank you!
Amazing work. The sunlight lighting was lovely on camera.
Thanks! I'm always looking for those opportunities
I really enjoyed this restoration to a lovely old piece of furniture. You always amaze me with your great skill and patience in all you do.I have learned a lot from you so a big thank you.
A big "You're Welcome" back!
Absolutely astonishing work. Every minute of this video the piece started looking better and better. The end result is remarkable. Thank you for sharing on UA-cam.
You're so welcome!
Yes, I was rooting for that piece of patch…certainly this repair becomes an iconic statement of why the skill and effort you put into it illuminates every ounce of beauty to be found in antique wood, antique designs and the wear and tear of human existence…really liked seeing the repair coming to completion in the natural golden hour light.
Thank you!
You did a wonderful job restoring that piece! You have a great deal of patience. A beautiful table to say the least. Merry Christmas!
Thank you!
That turned out beautifully. One thing I'm really learning from you, after watching your videos for quite a while, is what it looks like to have patience and take the time to do a job right, being careful and tuning in the final result a bit at a time. That's a skill I never had but now in my fifties it's turning out to be really helpful the woodworking and home projects I've been taking on. Many thanks from a lifelong learner in Toronto.
Wow, thank you! Yes, you have to sneak up on the color!
I really enjoy watching the meticulous techniques you use to maintain the integrity of each piece. You're a true restoration craftsman. My dad was kind of like you in his shop. But he called it " Just puttering. "😊😊
Thanks! Yes, pretty soon they'll be saying the same thing about me!
There is a real joy in seeing that veneer flame back to life.
Oh it was! Thanks!
Thank you for explaining why you chose to patch, glue, and repair the old veneer rather than replace it. I'm always fascinated by your fussy work.
Merry Christmas!
Thanks!
And that, boys and girls, is how it's done. A true master of your craft Tom. A Merry Christmas to you, and all your extended global family.
Thank you!
Wow Tom, thats an incredible piece. You've done a hell of a job!! Very nice sir!
Thank you Tim!
Tom,
I cannot believe you have ONLY 30 hours in this job. It took an hour just to fabricate that patch! Absolutely outstanding work. I'm not sure which was more inspiring your patience or the attention to details. Once again your "pretty good" is someone else's perfection.
Thank you! very nice
I wish I was your neighbor. I've helped a friend of mine repair chairs and tables off and on over the years and I find it challenging and relaxing at the same time. Your pool of repairable furniture is incredible. Thank you for sharing your skills and techniques with us all.
You're welcome! I can only think of Mr. Rogers "hello Neighbor"
Thomas, you never, ever fail to amaze me. Such a wonderful person.
Thank you!
Your videos are always a prime time event. I waited to watch this one until I knew I had the time to watch it closely and with real attention. My heart warms up with love and joy, watching you work on all these wonderful furniture pieces. You, Thomas Johnson, are such a gift in my daily life, recovering from a horrible year. I really appreciate and love your work and your way of working and wish you all the best for the year to come! Thank you so much! Warmhearted greetings from Germany
Interesting astrophysical username... hope your 2024 is much better than your 2023!
Thank you Chandra! You warm my heart! And let me join dlevi67 in wishing you a happy 2024!
Always amazed at how you can bring back a disaster to a beautiful piece again.
Me too! Thanks
Simply incredible! This was another masterclass, thanks Tom for a great video showing your superb craftsmanship!
You're welcome!
My great grandfather was a cabinet maker from Scotland who immigrated in the 1880s, and settled near Brockton. He must have worked without electricity for all, or nearly all, his entire life since that's just about when households were beginning to be electrified. Amazing to think how much has changed in just a few lifetimes.
I hope you have a merry Christmas!
Even within a lifetime: think of this video and this conversation... not possible 25 years ago.
@dlevi67 Yes they were, although I take your point. You just didn't go back far enough.
@@the-chillian I take your point, but I _did_ go far enough. Widespread means of posting high-resolution videos and commenting on them on a publicly-accessible website were not available 25 years ago.
You could have taken a VHS tape (at a lower equivalent resolution), and then distributed it physically to all your friends; good luck reaching audiences of several thousands, never mind millions, without serious commercial backing. Blockbuster was still going very strong in 1998.
JPEG and MPEG first versions were published in their entirety between 1991 and 1993; there was nothing available _to consumers_ in 1998 that would have produced this video in a digital format. Even if you could, you'd have a few issues in making the content available to the public at large (never mind dial up at 14,400 bps - which in 1998 was the norm; I remember having trouble finding modems that could reliably support 19,200 - even with 2-channel domestic ISDN at 128kbps you'd wait a couple of days to download 50 minutes of hi-res content).
As to comments or conversations, the first "properly interactive" commercial websites date to the early 2000s - UA-cam specifically, to 2005. Yes, you could post "live" comments using BBS software in the mid-1980s, but they weren't usable in the same way as YT comments (crappy as they are). 😉
Thank you! Yes,it's all so quick. Both my and my wife's mothers grew up on farms in the 1920's, we are just 1 generation into it
Interesting! What will it be 25 years from now!
Not only a superior job, but great heart: "That took me about one hour, and that includes a little time for petting the cat." (21:30) Love it!!
Thank you! All part of a work day!
what a beautiful restoration - you've outdone yourself yet again. Happy Holidays Tom and thank you for the great content
You're so welcome!
Oh heck yeah, that veneer was totally worth saving!! Glad to hear you made it through the storm OK. I have a colleague in Maine who got a good walloping. I love that you take petting breaks! 😃
Thanks! Got to have the petting breaks!
That's got to be the best veneer patch I've ever seen, and a great restoration overall.
As a fellow Mainer, I shared in your power outage; it went on for about 36 hours for me. That was quite a storm!
🎄🎄🎄
Thanks Karl! We were out about 30 hours. The standby generator was the best thing we ever got!