I Had No Idea It Was Broken This Badly
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- Опубліковано 23 лис 2023
- Tom Johnson of Thomas Johnson Antique Furniture Restoration in Gorham, Maine restores this handsome antique vitrine. 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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What a beautiful piece! Here are some things I’ve learned from Tom:
1. You can never have too many clamps.
2. Anything can be fixed.
3. With enough patience, you can match any finish (color, sheen, patina).
4. With a workshop like his, you have the right tools for every task. (I don’t have a workshop like his - I wish I did!)
5. It’s never too late to be a UA-cam superstar!
6. Very expensive furniture is mostly glue. ;)
@@yeeeehaaawbuddy 🤣🤣🤣
Ask any woodworker: "How many clamps should I use?"
"Yes."
@@the-chillian … 🤣🤣🤣
Thank you! I appreciate it so much! (I'm not so sure about the "star" thing!)
I’ve watched many thousands of hours of UA-cam and probably hundreds of hours of your content, all of which I have enjoyed immensely. I never comment on videos (this is the first time), but thought I might express to you how the work you do, improves the lives of many of us. I’m older man and have come to appreciate how valuable a skill can be acquired over a lifetime. Me personally, I’m an artist now (after a career as an optician) and recognise the dedication it takes to master a craft over thousands of hours. I look forward to your videos and hope you have many many more years giving new life to the craftsmanship of others.
Thank you! I feel honored to be the recipient of your first ever comment! I appreciate it
This beats a Black Friday sale any day! Best day after Thanksgiving ever.
Thank you! First comment! Congratulations. I think the whole "Black Friday" thing has had it's day, thank goodness
@@johnsonrestorationTo add insult to injury, there is “cyber Monday”.
You don’t like shopping?? 😂😂
Watching your gentle patience with the several broken areas on that piece was a great pleasure, Tom.
Thanks! I like this piece of furniture!
You are definitely at the top of your game Tom. These videos should be mandatory watching for budding restorers to learn from. Your ability to bring these pieces back to life without in any way hurting the history is outstanding. Thank you so much for continuing to share your skills with us and happy Thanks giving to you and your family..
You are a magician! What a beautiful piece.
You are very welcome! We had a great Thanksgiving and I hope you did too!
Thank you!
To me you're the premier restorer on UA-cam, and it's always a joy watching your videos. Another stunning job well done Tom.
Thank you! That's very nice
I was going to say that this is an excellent tutorial on glues and glueing, but this episode covers so many aspects of furniture restoration that it can be watched over and over, each time offering up more insight. Thanks, Tom.
You're welcome! That's nice
I always enjoy watching Tom take worn and broken items and bring them back to beautiful treasures. His meticulous attention to detail is inspiring and I especially appreciate his narration of the processes he uses. I do miss Ella.
Thank you! I miss her too, every day!
So much attention to detail. I enjoy how you don't make it look brand new, but as if it's been well taken care throughout the years. The magic of putting it back together as if nothing happened to it in the last century.
Thanks! Yes, that can be a challenge, I like it
I think this looks pretty AWESOME!
Thank you for sharing your gifts of knowledge, gentleness, truthfulness!
You are a remarkable gentleman.
You're welcome! You are too kind!
The old time cabinet makers are here shown to be outclassed by our Thomas! Those joints in the door frame vertical stile......
Well done as usual by a master of his craft, so this beautiful piece will live on and give pleasure to its owners.
Happy Thanksgiving to all!
Thank you!
I can't stop thinking of my grandfather as I watch your dedication to these lovely pieces of art. Grandpa was a homebuilder and carpenter back in the late 1800s and early 20th century. He did everything by hand and would have loved your videos, as he restored furniture for my grandmother and the family.
I wanted to learn woodworking, but back in the 1960s girls were forbidden to take woodshop (the principal claimed we would be too distracting for the boys, who might cut off an important body part while using the bandsaw). Well, times have changed, the principal is in a nursing home and *girls* are using his precious power tools without damaging *their* body parts!
Thank you! That made me laugh! I was so proud when my daughter was in tech ed in 8th grade, the teacher saw how experienced she was and made her supervisor of the band saw! She now has her own business doing woodworking
What a delightful way to spend a quiet hour, watching a master craftsman at work. Tom , you restored that piece beautifully with your usual blend of love, skill, and patience. Thanks for sharing this new video.
You're welcome! I appreciate it!
Tom, you never cease to amaze. That could not have been easy, what with the delicate procedures that had to be done on the piece. Fascinating watch, really. I say again, you are a true master craftsman!
Thank you! That's very nice
Easy does it! So gentle! Amazing the glass has survived! Great work, Mr. Johnson! 👍👏✨❤
Thanks! I was very happy that glass stayed in place!
Love your videos because you share your approach in detail and include when things don’t quite go as planned
I appreciate that! Thanks!
Thomas, since you say you are not used to CA glues, allow me (not an artisan of your caliber, but having a couple decades of experience with the stuff) to humbly share a few bits 🙂
The clamps on the CA glue didn't hurt keeping the inlay in place, but for the glue itself were unneeded - and actually not the best solution (as they can get glued!) 🙂 The real game changer for CA clue is accelerator spray. A wee bit of it, and it sets instantly - no clamping needed there if the piece already has the shape.
CA glue actually holds VERY strongly to wood (or any organic materials - I use it for leather and rubber), what fails of these unions when they fail is the thin, VERY rigid layer of glue breaking under shear forces (and often taking the organic materials with it). That's why I now exclusively use _flexible gel_ CA glue. The kind that is advertised to be for rubber (like Ceys Power Flex). I usually use it for leatherwork field repairs, and it was a real gamechanger - because the "instant quick fixes until I have time to do the real repair" suddendly became good enough to BE the real repair. Also, it is actually kind of reversible by use of glue softeners.
The old CA trick that I don't think you would have an use for in your line of work is the use of baking soda as both filler and instant accelerator. Yes, it DOES give you basically an instant solid filler, incredibly strong and instantaneous, but it is kind of difficult to control with precision.
The "kicker" does make the bond weaker though.
Wow! Thank you! This is good info. I'll have to work with them more often
Interesting!
I dont understand. What the heck you said, cause I'm a retired 78 y o RN. But y I u sound pretty profound and knowledgeable your self😅😅 I like it when the internet is used to relay positive information,and not for trolling, insults and misinformation. Seems like this channel has patient, appreciative people watching it. 😮😮😊😊
Master Johnson, you can always tell the mastery behind the restoration when the piece is illuminated by natural sunlight. Your overcoming of the many obstacles in this restoration was sheer poetry in motion. Great job!
Thank you! Yes, the light was beautiful!
Watching you work with such patience lowers my blood pressure 15 points! Truly awesome work, thank you. Happy Thanksgiving!
Raises mine. I keep thinking about if I waded into this mess. :-0)
Hallo Thomas, das war eine anspruchsvolle Aufgabe und die wurde wieder meisterhaft gelöst. Es ist wieder ein sehr schönes Möbel geworden. Ich wünsche noch ein schönes Wochenende und alles gute. Viele Grüße Christel ☺️👍
That's great!
I like that! Yes, I did not know what awaited me!
Danke Christel! Ja, es war eine viel größere Aufgabe, als ich gedacht hatte!
You are an artist with any wood furniture that you work on. You do wonderful cabinet repairs, I think that you are patient. You show such care and problem solving on the pieces that you work on. You are the best in repairing furniture and cabinets on ANY UA-cam videos that I watch. I love to watch your videos,
Thank you! I appreciate that!
I am always impressed with your patience and attention to detail. Thank you.
You are very welcome!
I believe this is the Finest work I've seen you do Thomas. I'm just at the 15 min. mark so there's more to come. But I will look forward to seeing how that destroyed corner to the door looks later on.
Thanks!I hope it comes out!
Hi Tom Funny how the treatment didn’t work as planned , maybe as you inferred they treated the metal first before installing it . Which might explain the difference in levels . But as always you manage to overcome every problem that comes your way . Hence the old saying ( it’s not the getting of problems that counts it’s how you get over them that really counts ). Wonderful work as always 👍
Thanks! Yes, it's all about how you handle the mistakes!
Awesome video as always 😊. I was holding my breath that the curved glass didn't break. Well done, love watching and learning 😊
Thank you! me too!
Your treatment of the brass and your repair of the severely damaged corner are amazing. That casserole looks like something purloined from the kitchen. Interesting to see a 100+ year old manufacturing error. It would seem like the dowel fillers would have added significant glue surface and strength. I think I would have agonized over the curved (irreplaceable?) glass.
Thanks! Yes, I was disappointed in those original joints! The glass is replaceable but still...
This piece was a tough one, but Toms ability to improvise and overcome prevailed. I've often wondered how can you clamp odd shapes, Tom always manages to get enough clamps on anything. Nice job!
Thank you! In my videos you'll see a lot of tough clamping jobs ua-cam.com/video/tree4wqQF_s/v-deo.html
And that's why I watch your videos. Every time I wonder how I would fix it ,and I never have any idea how :D I am truly grateful and thank you for sharing your knowledge and experience with us :) Masterpiece work as usual
Thank you Agnes!
A finicky and difficult job carried out with aplomb. I was worried when you started with those brass inlays, because on the label it had (in added handwriting) 'mahogany and copper mouldings'. so I though 'wait! are they copper?' But then after sanding they came up brass! Excellent work, especially on that destroyed cabinet door post.
Thanks! Yes, That's interesting! I'm glad I didn't see the word copper, and used brass!
Excellent job Tom! I look forward to watching every video. Still hard to believe you only have about 30 hrs into this piece. It looks gorgeous.
Many thanks!
I’ve watched enough of your videos now to know that as soon as I saw those voids, at that pivot point, epoxy was the way to go 😂 Your videos have taught me a lot. Thank you so much.
You're welcome! That's great!
Guitar makers and repairers use a fret wire bender to put a curve on the fret wire which matches the radius of the fretboard. I think it might also work to put a bend on your brass inlay to stop it trying to pop out. A basic fret wire bender is around $50.
Thanks! Yes, wire would bend but this is flat stock!
Master Tom, I was on UA-cam wondering why I see no new tjafr when this miraculously appeared> I am 80 and this makes my day each and every episode. I have to take care of my wife so getting into the shop is not an option. Thinking of repairs or building new "antiques" is replaced by tjafr, thanks for that!
Thank you! I'm glad I can help you get the feel of the shop
Another incredible professional restoration of a very badly damaged piece of furniture. I have so much to learn but you are so good at teaching, describing step by step everything you do, so every video you make is an educational revelation. Thank you for continuing to make these videos, I know they are hard work to make but the world would be a worse place without them.
You're welcome! That's very nice
I get so much satisfaction out of watching the transformation. Your own level of satisfaction must be off the charts! Even if you do play it down with your usual understatement. Pretty good. Really!
Thanks! That's nice! But I always see the parts I thought could be better, I think that's where "pretty good "comes in
Your meticulous care of this piece was amazing. Thanks, as always, for explaining the choices you have for fixing things, and why you chose one method over another. It really helps me build my decision making skills as I look forward to refinishing one of my grandmother’s pieces.
Thank you very much! Good luck on that project!
what a nice Thanksgiving present! I had never heard of vitrine before. This is certainly a lovely piece, and was restored beautifully. But a tiny bit of me would like to see it with shiny brass! I know, I know, I'm a peasant, but I love shiny brass! My goodness, the patience to see what needed to be done. When I first looked at that "hot mess" corner, I wondered if it could ever be repaired, but as usual you pulled rabbits out of hats and did the impossible.
Hope you all have a wonderful holiday weekend!
Thanks! It would look like a jewel if all the brass was polished! I don't think it was shiny when the piece was new though
You are so patient and are such a craftsman that your videos put me in awe. You had over 100 likes added just while I watched this video. Thanks for sharing.
You're welcome!
Dear Thomas, so impressed with your patience, your unmatched skill and your effort. Inevitably, my go to when it's time to relax. So much appreciation for your will to be.
Thank you!
Another thing to be thankful for . . . a new Tom Johnson video! I get excited when I see one, like a kid at Christmas.
Thank you! That's nice
What a treat ❤❤ I’ve been watching your videos for some time as an amateur furniture restorer, and can not thank you enough for all the knowledge you bring to your audience. I am lucky to have a very similar furniture piece, this style was quite popular in StPetersburg in late 1800s, so I have a table in the same style and materials. The original top was replaced by a piece of marble 😮, 99% of brass on the legs was lost, and the side panels were replaced by something like subway tiles (to match the white marble, I guess). However, despite my table went through a couple of rough “repairs”, I am now more prepared to bring it back to life. Special thanks for the brass tips! I can more or less handle wood/veneer, but had no idea where to start with this brass
Thanks! Well, I'm not so sure about the brass! but good luck with your piece!
Happy Thanksgiving Tom....I'm thankful for your wonderful videos that you grace your audience with!
Thank you! I'm thankful I have so many wonderful fans!
Great work as always Tom! The repair of that broken top stile was impressive. Interesting to see how they originally drilled too deep for the dowels - maybe that was the apprentice's work! When you took the top off of the table you showed us the original manufacturer sticker from Paris. You said you would tell us more about that hidden area under the upper cabinet later, but the didnt get back to it. Was that a space to hold pieces that you would rotate in and out of the display or for holding more valuable pieces out of sight?
Yes, I too was wondering if maybe I missed it but I see I'm not the only one still wondering.
Yes! I came to comment this! Glad I read yours first!
Thanks! I forgot to talk about that! It was nothing really, it was glued down originally
Thanks! I forgot to talk about it!
Thanks! I forgot!
Thomas: I so enjoyed this video. This was a spectacular job. I’m always delighted when you restore an antique like this. It is a joy for me all the time to watch. Carol from California
Thank you Carol! I hope you have a great Holiday Season!
On the brass being springy. One idea might be to put the brass on the edge on an anvil. Hit the edge at an angle. That stretches the outside of the brass into a curve.
Then to put into the groove, you can just flip it over to the other side. The dented side is then hidden in the epoxy.
Enjoyed the video - thanks.
Thanks! I'll have to try that. I was wondering if I should have heated the brass
That's annealing it. It makes it softer. When you hammer it, it makes it harder. So when people work metal they periodically heat it to anneal. @@johnsonrestoration
As you were describing the drilled dowel gap repair, I kept thinking, "Wouldn't this be where epoxy would be the best choice? Only because I have watched enough of your videos. Sure enough! Cyranoacrylate has some surprising uses in woodworking, but has its limits as well. Beautiful job as always. Thank you.
You're welcome! I love it when viewers anticipate correctly what I'm going to do!
Here is a suggestion about the brass trim. Because of the curve issues it might be better to Anneal the strips in a 250 degree oven for about 15-20 minutes and let air cool until room temperature before bending them in place. They will be much softer and easier to work with. The same can be done with Copper and Aluminum.
Thanks! People have been suggesting annealing but you're the first person to say how to do that!
Your welcome.
Pretty darn good Tomas! Lots of techniques used on this one and it turned out great!
Thanks!
Such an amazing job. You really gave a sense of how much back and forth it took to get everything accomplished.
Thank you!
I am amazed at your patience and attention to detail.
Thank you!
You have the patience of a saint - amazing work 😊
Thank you!
I on purpose didn't watch any of your videos all summer and fall , so now on the rainy windy days . I can sit with a coffee and binge watch them, I'm not a big sports fan. Thank you for doing them.
You're welcome! Yes, good idea!
Thank you very much for the explanation of why you used each adhesive for each situation. It makes a lot of sense now.
You're welcome!
Thomas, you are the Hercule Poirot of solving construction mysteries and past repair attempts.
Thank you! I'll have to grow that mustache!
Amazing, the amount of knowledge you have when it comes to knowing which products to use on the various pieces you are restoring. I’m at a total loss when it comes to knowing when to use the myriad of wood finishing products available. No doubt it comes from your many years of trial, error and experience, which you are so generously passing on to others via your UA-cam channel!! Bless you and Happy Thanksgiving🙏🏻 🦃🍁
Thank you! I hope you had a good one too! Yes, you try a lot of products before you find the one that works best for you
Great Stuff from Young Thomas The Master, as to be expected. Loved that work on the brass inlays, really impressive!
Thank you Sir! The brass was frustrating!
The precision of your work is amazing.
Thanks!
That was as usual fabulous. Thank you Thomas
You're welcome!
You even included footage of the off-camera sanding. Very special.
Thanks! I was wondering if anyone would get my "off camera" joke
Bless your patience in getting this completed!!
Thank you!
Amazing work...as ususal! Looks better than ever. Always a joy to watch an expert restorer. Thank you for sharing.
You're welcome!
Thanks for another great video, it is very interesting to watch how you bring the old furniture back to life. Also great that you show us your reference book, would like to see more of them in the future. Do you know if there are any fairs or expos for furniture restoration, where you can meet peoples who work in the industry and learn about tools, techniques, finishes, materials, fillers and upholstery +++? Please keep those great videos coming 😀
Thanks! Over the past 45 years there's been a few attempts at conferences, etc. but they all seem to die on the vine
Your background showibg your shop is fantastic!! Jay Leno collects cars, you collect tools. I wish you had an apprentice😊😊
Thanks! No apprentice, but these videos are a lot better
Dear Thomas, so impressed with your patience.
Thank you!
The hands and nerves of a surgeon! Lovely and caring restoration!
Thanks!
30+ hours of labor! I can’t imagine who could afford the repair? Your work Tom is next to none, top shelf, the best, I hope it is worth it for the owner! Your honesty about the time and tools and supplies that it took shows great integrity. Suggestion……an episode telling how you got your start, who were your mentors. It was not just someone teaching this, your own talent played a big roll to get you to today. Thank you for these jewels of how you repair/restore some of the best furnitures. Great respect for you from your fellow woodworker in NW Colorado! Bye!
He grew up working in his father's shop. Some of his early videos talk about that.
And bottom shelf...
Thank you! I love Colorado! Yes, notinmanitou has it right, my father was a professional furniture builder and restorer
Yes, correct. Thank you!
Thanks!
Kentucky is watching!
So is Australia!
So is Mississippi
So is Oxford (UK)
So is Belgium 🇧🇪
That's great! Thank you!
Looks amazing! Your videos are very educational. Always looking forward for your next video ❤
Thank you so much!
That was extraordinary. A two-Manhattan watch for me and I enjoyed each sip. Thanks again for sharing your amazing talent.
Thanks! 2 Manhattans! I thought I was the only one!
I’m left speechless watching this restoration. Just superb in every detail. 😍😍😍
Thank you so much! 😀
Thank you Tom, as always an excellent video, and of course stunning work, all the best and Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours
Thank you! And I wish the best for you also
Beautiful piece of furniture. Stunning restoration. Thank you Thomas ❤
You're welcome!
You are such an amazing craftsman. I hope you train someone from the next generation to carry on your excellent work. Maybe the young lady in your last video? There are so few young people in this country that would be interested in doing this kind of work. However, if no one is taught your perfect craftsmanship, we will lose it forever. I pray that you pass on your excellent work ethic and awesome craft. I hope you can keep doing it for another 30 years.
Thank you! You are very kind. But I am doing all that with these videos. That was my daughter, she's a much better woodworker than I am!
I doubt that. LOL. But if she is learning from you, than I am sure she will be great.@@johnsonrestoration
You should show her doing some restoration some time. I would enjoy it and I am sure other viewers would too. I'd like to see if she is as good as you.
Absolutely🧡 stunning. Wonderful restoration Tom
Thank you so much Trena!😀
Watching your meticulous work always give me such a sense of satisfaction and a job well done - over and above what was required to 'make it pretty' again. You are a master, Mr. Johnson!
Thank you Maggie Sue!
I love you introductions with the birds
Thanks! Yes, got to have the birds!
What a rare, exquisite piece. I lost count of all the different skills you used on this one. Excellent work Mr Johnson!
Wow, thank you!
Thank you so much for your generosity in sharing so much knowledge with us. You are a master at your craft and very gifted. I'm your fan.
You're so welcome!
Mr.Johnson, what a lovely and unique item, and it has been restored to better than new, I'm quite sure! Is there no end to your artistry? I think not!
Thank you Sarah! That's very nice
Repairing the veneer and the broken doors shows the imp ortance. Of the right tool for the job. And the benefits of experience
Thanks!
Again super job. “Looks good” …perfect workmanship I would say.
Thank you very much!
Gorgeous results as always. The skills you’ve honed over the years really came into play on this job.
Thanks! Yes, nothing like experience, we take it for granted sometimes
Meticulous, patience of a saint and never say never. So many qualities I do not have,bI admire you greatly👏🙌☮️
Thank you!
Your skills, of course, are well known and admired, but it's your patience and perseverance that outshined everything else on this project!
Thank you, that's nice
I like that you show your thought process and bumps in the road to getting the job done.
Thanks!
Wow. What a beautiful piece. Thanks for sharing your work. I always learn something.
You're welcome!
Tom what a beautiful job you did. You are a pro. GOD bless you and your family.
Thank you very much!
Outstanding as always! Thank you for sharing your talent and expertise. 👍👍
My pleasure!
Thank you for sharing your time and expertice, Tom. What a beautiful piece of furniture brought back to life by you. I was wondering how you chose the colour of the fabric. When you showed the velvet? original, that explained all. It looks absolutely amazing now. By the way, your house is amazing. Is the mural behind the restored vitrine original? What a treasure! You must love the old wood floors.
You are very welcome! The owners chose the fabric based on the original. The mural was painted in the 1930's. We have amazing floors! I've been restoring them without sanding them down.
@@johnsonrestoration Thanks for taking the time to reply. Whoever painted the mural really respected the style of the house. I'm surprised. It could have been a much different style. You've inherited a treasure, and I'm sure have continued to respect the history in the same way. This could have gone so wrong at any time.
Wow Tom another amazing job
Thank you!
I am so happy to watch your videos. Always new tips and a chance to hear and see intricate repairs. Thank you for the care and attention to both your work and your audience.
You are very welcome!
Even though this was complex restoration, I really appreciate seeing the processes used to overcome the more challenging aspects of the restoration.
You're welcome!
Tom I think we are near in age. I bought two of those Wilton 10 in. vises @ 1979. Yours have become seasoned through decades of business use . Those vises and us have become antiques.
Thanks Mike! I bought 2 Wilton vices in 1979! They will last forever. I just googled them...they're still in business. It's funny, I have so many antique tools, and then you remember you bought them new!
Awesome. Thank you for explaining things. I've learned much from you. Please keep the videos coming!
You're welcome! I will!
What a great job you've done again. You're a master.
Thank you very much!
Another masterpiece. I always look forward to your videos. You have the patience of the saint.
Thank you!
Absolutely wonderful work!
Thank you so much 😀
So many skills displayed. I always learn some new method to address problems I haven’t yet encountered!!
Hey, you forgot to tell us about the rear compartment!!
Yes, he did, didn't he? 😉
FWIW - I am convinced that it's an 'involuntary artefact' - those cabinets were used to display jewellery and small objects, often in shops, and the space at the back was 'wasted' from that point of view, as it would have been very hard to see any object tucked that far back under the upper case, so the display space was limited to what was easily visible (and could be lit up by relatively poor indoor lighting sources).
Thanks! I did forget! Not much to it
The odd thing was that top was originally glued, someone had forced it open. But why was the tag in there?
@@johnsonrestoration I have a couple of pieces where a repairer/reseller label that is clearly much later than the piece was stuck on the inside as 'advertisement'. I suspect that just as the rear had 'instructions for use' written on by somebody that replaced the lining, the label was stuck on the inside by the furniture shop when they repaired and resold the piece... I don't think they built it!
Thanks Tom, fantastic .
You're welcome!
It's a good thing that I've never seen this kind of furniture before. I guess it's a long ways in a wagon to get here which is why this kind of antique ain't in the Big Sky much.
Thanks! That makes perfect sense! It would have never survived
You did a fantastic job on this cabinet. Absolutely beautiful.
Thank you so much!