Restoring a Masterpiece - Thomas Johnson Antique Furniture Restoration

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  • Опубліковано 11 тра 2023
  • Tom Johnson of Thomas Johnson Antique Furniture Restoration in Gorham, Maine restores this iconic Mid Century masterpiece, a Hans Wegner chair of teak... or is it? 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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КОМЕНТАРІ • 518

  • @RumMonkeyable
    @RumMonkeyable Рік тому +48

    From Empire to Danish Modern, Mr. Johnson can restore them all! Great restoration! Matching the existing finish is one of your remarkable skills! 💪👍👏✨❤

  • @sistermarysusanne7679
    @sistermarysusanne7679 6 місяців тому +2

    Every time you walk into your workshop alone I miss your dog. He was so sweet.

    • @johnsonrestoration
      @johnsonrestoration  6 місяців тому

      Me too! At first I didn't want to do it. Thanks

    • @Just2dreamsaway
      @Just2dreamsaway 4 місяці тому +1

      @sistermarysusanne7679 She; her name was Ella😁

  • @marekpaul6110
    @marekpaul6110 Рік тому +4

    The master of his craft demonstrating his skill and attention to detail. As always a pleasure to watch. Thank you.

    • @johnsonrestoration
      @johnsonrestoration  Рік тому

      You're welcome!

    • @danthefurniturerepairman9411
      @danthefurniturerepairman9411 8 місяців тому

      Dan the Furniture Repair Man there are how to videos that will help you. Dan has 2 restoration shops in southern California and posts ‘How To’ videos on You Tube to share his knowledge.
      UA-cam Channel ua-cam.com/channels/b6kJCXoWz-4QIrCYnLfD_A.html

  • @jaycorwin1625
    @jaycorwin1625 Рік тому +3

    I enjoyed this. I don't think I could watch for a while because, goofy as it sounds, I missed your co-star. Dogs have always had a huge place in my heart.

    • @johnsonrestoration
      @johnsonrestoration  Рік тому +4

      Thanks Jay. It is very difficult for me to do shots like when I come in in the morning. I miss her all the time

    • @jaycorwin1625
      @jaycorwin1625 Рік тому +1

      ​@@johnsonrestoration I don't know if there is a special term to describe pet widowhood but there should be because it is a particular type of deep mourning.

  • @jpjpvds
    @jpjpvds Рік тому +28

    When I see you working with wood I think of my relationship with my wife. I mean, after 25 years you know eachother so well that sometimes you finish the others thoughts and sentences. You know what the wood needs and wants before it even knows itself!! Beautiful restauration once again!!!

  • @sixxx1
    @sixxx1 Рік тому +6

    Love when he says, "i think it looks pretty good" Leaves the piece looking mint 👌🏽 for it's age...

  • @ellisc.foleyjr9778
    @ellisc.foleyjr9778 Рік тому +10

    I understand why you made a new piece, but someone else might be asking."Why not just use the same piece you glued back together? the joint should be strong enough right? " I have also used "spreader clamps" they work great. thanks for another great video Tom and once again fantastic video editing. as always. thanks for sharing. ECF

    • @johnsonrestoration
      @johnsonrestoration  Рік тому +5

      You're welcome Ellis! This one had already been glued, and also another one I repaired by gluing failed also, so I just had to make a new one

  • @LucyGirlCavapoo
    @LucyGirlCavapoo Рік тому +5

    Good morning ☀️

  • @gaelmalloy2021
    @gaelmalloy2021 Рік тому +17

    "I think it looks pretty good" an understatement for sure. It looks perfect!👏👏👏👏

  • @paulmlemay
    @paulmlemay Рік тому +1

    Mr. Johnson, I am in total admiration for your quality, your patience and your video production. Totally addicting

  • @iantyler4045
    @iantyler4045 Рік тому +3

    No one would know that a major repair had been done to that chair. The match is perfect. So enjoyable to watch your attention to detail and patience.

  • @richardgreen629
    @richardgreen629 Рік тому +3

    Learn something every time I watch u thanks

  • @bethcrane5780
    @bethcrane5780 Рік тому +6

    I so enjoy seeing you mend broken objects and restoring their beauty. Thank you.

  • @coreygrua3271
    @coreygrua3271 Рік тому +7

    No Festool, DeWalt, or SawStop. Just brains and practicality mixed with old-fashioned Yankee values. With retirement inching ever nearer, I savor these views more and more each time. For me, this has been UA-cam’s BEST gift; Tom, Ella, birds, llamas, and genius mixed with wood!

    • @johnsonrestoration
      @johnsonrestoration  Рік тому +1

      Thank you! That's very nice!

    • @johnsonrestoration
      @johnsonrestoration  Рік тому +1

      Thanks! Good point! At what point do you call it "hand made" or "machine made"? Most people are in the middle somewhere

    • @coreygrua3271
      @coreygrua3271 Рік тому +1

      My point here was a feeling I got watching an old Jorgensen Pony clamp being applied that I have watched on this channel a few dozen times over the years. That contrasted with so many very fine woodworking UA-cam videos that feature the latest and greatest clamps such as Bessey or Woodcraft. Here is Tom Johnson using some of his father’s tools to the same effect. There is a certain comfort in that approach for an old woodworker like me who still uses many of my own ancestral tools, showing their design genius and utility decades or centuries later. The noble effort to improve something doesn’t always improve it.

  • @jesseburch7063
    @jesseburch7063 Рік тому +1

    Man, if there's anybody better at this stuff than Thomas Johnson, I don't know 'em. Amazing work, Mr. Johnson.

  • @alisonmoffitt1051
    @alisonmoffitt1051 Рік тому +2

    I’m in awe of your ingenuity and I’m only a few minutes in.

  • @nhschreiner
    @nhschreiner Рік тому +3

    Beautiful repair. Several years ago I salvaged a similar reproduction (Yugoslavian reproduction) of very good quality and gave it to my daughter.

  • @nancyclark3049
    @nancyclark3049 Рік тому +5

    What a beautiful chair! Thank goodness you were able to save it! (as if there was ever any doubt!) Thanks Tom!

  • @09gearchange
    @09gearchange Рік тому +10

    Amazing job as always Tom. Every time I watch your videos I learn something new. I now know how to soften an overpowering wood grain to match an existing piece. Masterclass.

  • @ronjones9373
    @ronjones9373 Рік тому +2

    "I think I'll quit while I'm ahead ", reminds me of the times I have said ,"I should have quit while I was ahead"😂

  • @scottgoldsberry2730
    @scottgoldsberry2730 Рік тому +6

    I'm going to have some advice for you one day, but it looks like it's going to have to be something other than woodworking 👍

  • @167curly
    @167curly Рік тому +7

    Great restoration of the Danish modern folding chair after seventy plus years of hard service. It does look "pretty good", Tom.

  • @Lucinda_Jackson
    @Lucinda_Jackson Рік тому

    I agree with everyone else - your Maine "I think it looks pretty good" is like everyone else's "Wow! That's spectacular!!" 😂
    You restored that lovely piece of history back to a beautiful, usable chair. It's lovely and so are you for helping it live on. ❤

  • @wileycoyotesr8623
    @wileycoyotesr8623 Рік тому +1

    Obviously your restorations are outstanding, so I'll comment how much I always enjoy the openings scenes of animal life.

  • @sigrid129
    @sigrid129 Рік тому +2

    I remember my grandma having this chairs in her summerhouse, when you sat on them with bare legs, you got a funny pattern on the back of your legs. We called it the rippled effect.

    • @johnsonrestoration
      @johnsonrestoration  Рік тому

      Thanks! Yes, I've seen that with caned chairs to, where you have the whole pattern on your legs

  • @graemetimoney7002
    @graemetimoney7002 Рік тому +13

    Tom you did a really excellent job with this chair. The shaping and toning of the new piece are perfect. Well done

    • @johnsonrestoration
      @johnsonrestoration  Рік тому

      Thank you!

    • @danthefurniturerepairman9411
      @danthefurniturerepairman9411 8 місяців тому

      Dan the Furniture Repair Man there are how to videos that will help you. Dan has 2 restoration shops in southern California and posts ‘How To’ videos on You Tube to share his knowledge.
      UA-cam Channel ua-cam.com/channels/b6kJCXoWz-4QIrCYnLfD_A.html

  • @exileinderby51
    @exileinderby51 Рік тому +3

    What a lovely old chair.

  • @caroltanzi29
    @caroltanzi29 Рік тому +2

    Thomas: I love watching you work at your craft. Beautifully done. Carol from California

  • @michaelcima5772
    @michaelcima5772 Рік тому +5

    Looks great. You are a master of color.

  • @melaniewestberg2886
    @melaniewestberg2886 Рік тому +5

    Very well done! Nice finish match, superior technique choices. I"d call this an economic repair!

  • @kevinsimpson7114
    @kevinsimpson7114 Рік тому +4

    The great work just keeps on coming. Wonderful to see so many things repaired/restored in our throw away society.👍🏻👏🏻

  • @YouT-DJ
    @YouT-DJ Рік тому +8

    Nice job with the router duplication that part. I supposed the break repair would not have been strong enough even with strong glue.

    • @frankvucolo6249
      @frankvucolo6249 Рік тому +2

      I thought so too about the previous stretcher not being strong enough with the grain orientation and the fact that it had previously been repaired and failed again.

    • @johnsonrestoration
      @johnsonrestoration  Рік тому

      Thanks! Frank Vucolo is correct

    • @johnsonrestoration
      @johnsonrestoration  Рік тому

      Exactly! Thanks

  • @Joe1935429
    @Joe1935429 Рік тому +1

    A simple, elegant design, beautiful and comfortable. You gave it all it needed to be fullly restored and no more

  • @therealDRMort
    @therealDRMort Рік тому +2

    Another excellent repair from the Master.

  • @alastairmackay4589
    @alastairmackay4589 Рік тому +1

    More lovely work. Was quite enjoying reading the newspaper during glue-up too!

  • @shannonvans
    @shannonvans Рік тому +9

    I just loved seeing the steps and hearing you think through the color choices to match the original stain. It looks way better than "pretty good"!

  • @Brian-Burke
    @Brian-Burke Рік тому +3

    Incredible! That was a tough color match and you really nailed it. I'm impressed as always.

    • @johnsonrestoration
      @johnsonrestoration  Рік тому

      Thank you!

    • @danthefurniturerepairman9411
      @danthefurniturerepairman9411 8 місяців тому

      Dan the Furniture Repair Man there are how to videos that will help you. Dan has 2 restoration shops in southern California and posts ‘How To’ videos on You Tube to share his knowledge.
      UA-cam Channel ua-cam.com/channels/b6kJCXoWz-4QIrCYnLfD_A.html

  • @andrewwebb1911
    @andrewwebb1911 Рік тому +3

    So interesting, thank you!

  • @lindagates9150
    @lindagates9150 Рік тому +3

    As per usual your pretty good is extremely good. My son is making furniture for his family I will remind him to check out where to learn more about how to make his work achieve excellence I am positive he will be pretty good before he gets to extremely good. 😅❤🎉❤

  • @Flippingdrawers
    @Flippingdrawers Рік тому

    That’s a beautiful chair 🤩 great job 👏

  • @chrisfrench8323
    @chrisfrench8323 Рік тому

    Love the way you traced that spreader with a router. I learn so much by watching you work.

  • @mayorofthenonsense
    @mayorofthenonsense 17 днів тому

    Tom, this is just fantastic craftsmanship. Really well done. And all within 8 hours? I can only aspire to be that good one day..!

  • @jasonanderson1154
    @jasonanderson1154 Рік тому

    Great restoration. An element of your videos that I don't believe is mentioned enough is the quality of the camera work. Always the right angle and lighting for the best visibility. Thanks for sharing.

  • @maxkuykendall5866
    @maxkuykendall5866 10 місяців тому

    It is so great to watch a true artist at work. Skills, tools and techniques can be taught, but what sets you so far beyond most who do this is the knowledge that can only be achieved by doing, i.e. experience.
    Not unlike a body man who repairs damaged panels on vehicles. The best in their field leave no evidence of their work.

    • @johnsonrestoration
      @johnsonrestoration  10 місяців тому

      So true! Thanks! Often the same is said of my work, but yes, body work has to be perfect!

  • @angieharbison5264
    @angieharbison5264 Рік тому +2

    Amazing that you did such a wonderful restoration in only 8 hours! It’s beautiful!

  • @SugarCreekWoodwright
    @SugarCreekWoodwright Рік тому

    The more I watch you the more I learn so much. I hope one day to even come within a stones throw of your skills.

  • @pablocruzgilmour
    @pablocruzgilmour Рік тому +2

    Masterful router work, truly an inspiration. I could tell you were enjoying the fight with colour matching and grain fill. Your patience really is unparalleled. Thanks to you, I now always remember the fastest way to do something is to take your time. And you know what, I enjoy it more too. Thanks again Tom!

  • @lisawallace3124
    @lisawallace3124 11 місяців тому

    As always, your "pretyy good" is everyone else's perfection!

  • @Dgreencouch29
    @Dgreencouch29 Рік тому

    It's so nice to see your process of decisions to arrive at the stain/finish solution. It is helpful to see the art and science of the process.

  • @1mmickk
    @1mmickk Рік тому

    9:27 the sound of those two parts fitting together was epic

  • @wollaminfaetter
    @wollaminfaetter 11 місяців тому

    This is just such a nice work. I really admire your way of staining, toning.... colormatching... finishing. That is the difference between a pro and an amateur.

  • @paulstanding7267
    @paulstanding7267 Рік тому +3

    Never seen a chair like that before very unique great repairs especially since it has been broken before colour looks perfect. 😀👍👍

    • @alibobo2009
      @alibobo2009 Рік тому +1

      Marilyn Monroe had similar chairs that she picked up in Mexico. I had a pair, too, like hers, and I gave them away. Fun to think about.

    • @lb003g0676
      @lb003g0676 Рік тому

      I guess not everyone is as much of a chair nerd as me (especially with your surname!) but these are so widely copied I can't believe you've not seen one before. They're in every magazine!

    • @johnsonrestoration
      @johnsonrestoration  Рік тому

      Thanks! They are great chairs!

    • @johnsonrestoration
      @johnsonrestoration  Рік тому +1

      Thanks! That is interesting!

    • @johnsonrestoration
      @johnsonrestoration  Рік тому +1

      Thanks! I hadn't realized that

  • @T.v.d.V
    @T.v.d.V Рік тому

    A band of elastic material swung a little stretched over the glueing parts give clamping, can bring pull force onto a piece and give extra friction surface for woodclamps. I tried surrounding glued parts with lots of elastic bands. Worked very well.
    I learn so much more from this channel.

  • @susannebiberstine3866
    @susannebiberstine3866 Рік тому +3

    Excellent! Enjoy watching your work. Good work!

  • @jeanhawken4482
    @jeanhawken4482 Рік тому

    The usual care and skill with a bit of love for the artistry of the job

  • @stephenswirles8555
    @stephenswirles8555 Рік тому +2

    ACE JOB THOMAS, A SMOOTH JOB. A GIN AND TONIC MAYBE.

  • @sheilablackburn183
    @sheilablackburn183 Рік тому

    Such a lovely chair, saved by your good self Tom, great job x

  • @michaeltreadwell777
    @michaeltreadwell777 Рік тому +1

    Hi Tom, yet another masterpiece ! You never ceasee to amaze us with your skills. Thanks for sharing. Take care 🙂

  • @lorenzobeckmann3736
    @lorenzobeckmann3736 Рік тому +1

    superb color. I just made myself a router table today and used it to cut picture frame rabbiting!

  • @benefitthirteen
    @benefitthirteen Рік тому

    Incredibly rewarding to watch.

  • @jimwiskus8862
    @jimwiskus8862 Рік тому +1

    Astounding as usual.

  • @mrclaus859
    @mrclaus859 Рік тому +1

    Thanks Tom. Excellent

  • @dennishinkle5010
    @dennishinkle5010 Рік тому

    That was an amazing match of color. Looks original. Thank you sir.👍

  • @interact48
    @interact48 Рік тому

    Beautiful work Thomas as always, greetings from Lincoln England UK

  • @ronmack1767
    @ronmack1767 Рік тому

    Enjoyed the video Tom. It is amazing to me watching you match the stain color on projects. I was cringing when you were using the spreader clamp to reinstall the repaired piece. Thanks for the video. You all take care and God bless.

  • @vickiephelps5169
    @vickiephelps5169 Рік тому

    I bet Mr. Johnson could build this chair from scratch in less than 8 hours! That could be a whole new series that I would love to see!

    • @johnsonrestoration
      @johnsonrestoration  Рік тому

      Thanks! Chairs are difficult! There are videos of people making chairs though

  • @jeanine6492
    @jeanine6492 Рік тому +1

    Another fantastic restoration. You had me scared when that clamp slipped at the end; I thought it was the chair breaking for a sec! I love learning about the process of matching wood colours, thank you very much for al, your work on these videos.

  • @ddblairco
    @ddblairco Рік тому +2

    thank you, well done

  • @zestoslife
    @zestoslife Рік тому

    Really amazing eye for color and color matching. I am so impressed.

  • @donelmore2540
    @donelmore2540 6 місяців тому

    That’s a beautiful chair! I just looked the maker up. He also made “peacock” chairs. A few years ago I bought an Amish Peacock chair that I love. When we disposed of my aunt’s estate years ago, my sister-in-law bought a couple of her chairs that I LOVED and they look like some of the chairs that Johanne Hansen made. I’m going to have her check to see if the chairs are marked.

    • @johnsonrestoration
      @johnsonrestoration  6 місяців тому +1

      Thanks! Such fun! Have a good time researching them!

  • @OwlingDogDesign
    @OwlingDogDesign Рік тому

    Gorgeous work - I've learned a whole lot from you and my Colin. Thanks for the video.

  • @elizamccarthy9876
    @elizamccarthy9876 Рік тому

    I enjoyed the dry brush technique. So helpful. I wish I done done an apprenticeship with someone like you. “Looks pretty good” 💙💙💙

  • @annespellberg7173
    @annespellberg7173 Рік тому

    Nice, nice chair! Amazing work, as always. But those, are they llamas? Such cute little faces! And that fantastic guy at the end with the red swoosh. Another beauty all the way around.

    • @johnsonrestoration
      @johnsonrestoration  Рік тому

      Thanks! Those are alpacas - smaller and nicer than llamas! We were boarding them, we don't have them any longer

  • @NotJRB
    @NotJRB Рік тому

    Once again, superior workmanship. Tom's wood finishes alchemy never ceases to amaze. Each piece is pure gold.

  • @fatersaadatniaki
    @fatersaadatniaki Рік тому +1

    And I remember that you have had fixed the same type of chair on the same stretcher before! 😊

    • @johnsonrestoration
      @johnsonrestoration  Рік тому

      Hi Fater! Yes, I just glued it back, but it failed and now I'm going to make a new stretcher for that one. That's why I knew I had to bite the bullet and make a new one

    • @fatersaadatniaki
      @fatersaadatniaki Рік тому

      @@johnsonrestoration in fact I remember you said something about this stretcher being a design flaw and actually being vulnerable to stepping on it

  • @johnkelly6942
    @johnkelly6942 Рік тому +3

    That’s a beautiful chair. Nice repair.

  • @tinlizzie
    @tinlizzie Рік тому +1

    Amazing!

  • @robertbamford8266
    @robertbamford8266 Рік тому +2

    I was wondering about what secret you would use so the glue repair would hold up under the high stress on the stretcher. Even with Titebond. And then it didn’t have to! Thanks for the video.

  • @michaelhenderson5683
    @michaelhenderson5683 Рік тому +2

    Nice sympathetic repair Tom. Well done 👏👏👍

  • @jeanloreaud9282
    @jeanloreaud9282 Рік тому +1

    Encore un beau travail de réaliser,bravo,à bientôt salut Jeannot ⚒😉

  • @HKAbsolutus
    @HKAbsolutus Рік тому +2

    nice job , you should make some furniture ,

  • @sylviekoenig9960
    @sylviekoenig9960 Рік тому

    Your knowledge of wood is amazing. Your knowledge of colour is amazing. Your understanding of every single piece that goes through your hands is amazing.
    And your lamas too are amazing, as are every single animal scene that precedes your actual video.
    Thank you Tom for making this world a better one..

  • @dawnnburwell3491
    @dawnnburwell3491 Рік тому

    Once again…beautiful!❤

  • @bluesfanchad
    @bluesfanchad Рік тому

    Super job,Tom. Mohawk toner is super glossy. I always have to top with sealer and flat lacquer every time.

    • @johnsonrestoration
      @johnsonrestoration  Рік тому

      Thanks! Yes, I misted this on so light that it needed up looking perfect. I usually top coat it too, I wish the Mohawk flat was actually flat!

  • @johnsfurniturerepair
    @johnsfurniturerepair Рік тому

    lovely repair. your new piece was perfect

    • @johnsonrestoration
      @johnsonrestoration  Рік тому

      Thanks Trena! I had repaired one of these type chairs before by gluing the broken stretcher and it failed. So this time I knew I had to make a new one, and as usual it wasn't nearly as difficult as I imagined!

  • @Esprit5758
    @Esprit5758 Рік тому +1

    I love that chair! Nice work, it's beautiful.

  • @brettyoung8328
    @brettyoung8328 Рік тому

    That looks great, the replacement piece looks like the original.

  • @OddJobFix
    @OddJobFix Рік тому

    Never seen a dowel jig for round stock. I must live under a rock. Gotta go find one. Thanks as usual!

    • @johnsonrestoration
      @johnsonrestoration  Рік тому

      Thanks! That's an old Stanley 59. Of course it has difficulty with round stock too but I managed on this one. There are so many dowelling jigs these days! I should take a look at them

  • @andybyerly5629
    @andybyerly5629 Рік тому

    GREAT JOB! The tools you "used summary" is a GREAT add"

  • @_JanetLouise
    @_JanetLouise Рік тому +1

    gorgeous

  • @susiereed3612
    @susiereed3612 Рік тому

    Every time I watch your videos, I learn something new. Thank you!

  • @byrnejr
    @byrnejr Рік тому

    Nice job Thomas! Nice to see you my friend

  • @paulmaryon9088
    @paulmaryon9088 Рік тому

    As always a pleasure to watch one of your restorations Tom, hope you and yours are well, keep 'em coming, thank you.

  • @aaqilian5.085
    @aaqilian5.085 5 місяців тому +1

    Very nice work

  • @kittonsmitton
    @kittonsmitton Рік тому

    Wow, great masterclass! Thank you Thomas Johnson, I find it most helpful when you list all the tools and products you use on any given restoration along with your narration.

  • @timmaggard8862
    @timmaggard8862 Рік тому

    Outstanding job sir! Looks beautiful!

  • @rick91443
    @rick91443 Рік тому +1

    Wow, ANOTHER ONE(I didn't think interesting in the very beginning,) AND BOY WAS I WRONG, lol...cheers...rr Normandy, Fra

  • @jazziered142
    @jazziered142 10 місяців тому

    That chair is beautiful....

  • @tomcarpenter1153
    @tomcarpenter1153 Рік тому

    My wife and I have that exact chair. I've had to reglue a joint or two but nothing has been broken. We don't use it because late 70's people cannot get out of it.

    • @johnsonrestoration
      @johnsonrestoration  Рік тому

      Thanks! That's one of the problems with this chair. I think there's a lot of people who can't get out of it!

  • @Tim-57
    @Tim-57 Рік тому

    Hey Tom
    It looks like it was put there when the chair was built. Very nicely done 😊
    Take care