Restoring an ANTIQUE Spinet Desk - Thomas Johnson Antique Furniture Restoration
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 15 ก.ย. 2022
- Tom Johnson of Thomas Johnson Antique Furniture Restoration in Gorham, Maine delicately solves the puzzle of a water-damaged spinet table, c. 1910. 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 love that desk!
I was beginning to worry about your breathing, but I realised it’s the dog snoring! 😂
Thanks! She was snoring up a storm! But the camera seems to pick up some of my breathing too
Thanks!
@@johnsonrestoration The cell phone mic. is amazing. I place my phone under a pillow and ask Google a question with a soft voice and it understands. Actually I find that revelation concerning.
Beautiful work as always!! I channeled my inner Tom Johnson this week and restored an antique pine wool weasel for making skeins of yarn after spinning. It is still functional, and I plan on using it for its intended purpose. The gears on the inside that measure the skein length and performs the 'pop' were completely worn and broken, so I'm shopping the restoration of those out to a woodworker. The rest I did myself using skills and tips I learned from watching you these many years. The side panel was cracked, so I glued and clamped it, now the crack is barely visible. I scraped all of the old glue off of the spindles and 'monkeys' on the wheel (not before disassembling and numbering each corresponding piece with tape), glued them back together making sure to apply glue to both pieces, wiped it off with a wet towel before it dried, clamped the wheel around with a ratchet strap, and let the glue dry for a few hours. I then scrubbed it with some Dawn and water and a green scrubby pad. The water ran dark brown from years of dirt, wood smoke, and cigarette smoke. Once it was dry, it had a beautiful orange aged pine color. I then applied Howards Feed n Wax with a microfiber towel to every part of it and polished it well. I had four aught steel wool on hand, but since it wasn't finished, I didn't need to use it for the wax. I'm very grateful for your content, as it has given me confidence and info on how to make small fixes and restorations like this without ruining the pieces. I would never attempt this on a true antique, but for rustic items such as this, it turned out beautifully. Thanks, Tom!!!
Doesn’t it feel great? Congratulations! The thing Tom teaches/reminds me is: patience.
@@johnsrabe I couldn’t agree more. The patience to do the job right seems to be a major part of the difference between a good result and a great one. 😊
@@auntielaura5 Heck, I don’t know. For me, being slow just minimize the damage I do when I make a mistake! ;-) If that’s genius, so be it.
Oooohhhh! I've seen those in museums but never up close. I have a modern swift, which is not nearly so fancy of course. Thank you for bringing fiber tools back to life!
You're welcome! It sounds like you did a great job. I'm so happy that I might have helped you in some way
You and the man over on AT Restorations are truly master craftsmen.
I've gained so much actual knowledge from you guys that I've been able to restore furniture.
Oh not with the skills you have but you've given me ideas and techniques that have helped me know what to do.
Too many other channels automatically go for strippers, sanding or scaping,, where you show how/when to use less invasive/possibly harmful methods.
Thanks for sharing your knowledge.
You are very welcome! Good luck with all your projects!
this is my favorite channel on youtube!! tom is so informative and lets his hard work speak for itself. Ive learned so much from these videos and the audio is so relaxing 😌
Thank you! I appreciate it!
MUCH FUN AND A PLEASURE TO WATCH YOU AT YOUR CRAFT, TOM!!!
Thank you!
Thank you Tom for a beautifully relaxing time. Im staying tuned for part two. 🧡
Thanks Deena!
Love your work, as always. Love your dog too, just beautiful!!
Thank you very much!
That was one tough looking cat at the beginning! And then a cliffhanger! Will it turn out? I can’t wait to see. Thanks,Tom.
You're welcome! Yes, that cat! We'll never know
Every time I watch your video I am very impressed with your knowledge and patience.
Thank you, I will!
Hail to the Foam Brush . The best thing to come since the Q Tip.
I resisted them for years, I don't think they're good for everything, but they work great with this varnish!
Thomas you are a joy to watch, But your dead pan delivery on some of your gags is also a joy.
Thanks! Oddly enough, I'm not trying to be funny!
Thanks for another great video with beautiful craftsmanship. ‘Fish-eye-type-behavior’ is my word of today 😊
Thanks! See if you can work it into a conversation!
Will it "Look pretty good" when you're finished? Yes. It will. Without a single doubt in my mind. The Master strikes again! Cannot wait for part two. And I'd love to see your barn once finished.
Thanks! Yes! 2 weeks! I will make a video of the barn
It makes me sad when I see a beautiful old barn that has been allowed to go derelict and has started to fall apart. It makes me wonder what it's history was and what caused it to be abandoned.
Take care. Hello Bella, and future hens. God bless you Master Tom and also your family!
What a lovey piece. Looking forward to seeing the finished work. A labour of love.
Thank you Alison!
Master Johnson, You've done another beautiful job. What I really appreciate about these pieces is how the designers took many simple elements and organized them into a relatively complex piece of utilitarian furniture while at the same time retaining an interesting aesthetic. Keeping them fresh is a wonderful profession.
Thanks! Well said!
I've always been partial to the secretary.. but after seeing this beautiful piece.. I would love to find one.. amazing job Tom!!
I agree - and it does look like a spinet. 😁
Yes, me too! Thanks!
Yes. I thought a spinet was just a small piano but originally a spinet was a distinct instrument, of course it must have been similar to a piano
@@johnsonrestoration a "Harpsichord" or mini piano..measuring 36 - 40" in length
I wish I could give these videos more than 1 thumbs up!
Thanks! I wish you could also! If you like, post it on another platform like Facebook or Reddit
Great restraint on the red marks. We amateurs would be tempted to grind them off!!
Thanks! Yes, me too! But it all worked out well, I'm glad I didn't
Thank you Tom for beautifully restoring that piece. I am always impressed with your work and your work ethic.
Thank you too!
Another piece that I love. Can't wait for the sequel.
Thanks!
We have that same desk. The only difference is brass writing surface indents instead of knobs. Tom, you are correct - the original finish is far more built up and glossy.
Thanks! I'm glad to hear a confirmation on that - I was a bit unsure
Always so patiently and calmly done. You are an example of serenity to me. I’m gearing up to refinish the tops of some coffee tables. Hopefully they’ll turn out pretty good.
Thanks! Yes, good luck on those tables!
Thank you for the wonderful work. Your advice is always so valuable. Thank you for explaining all that you do. God bless you and the new chicks.
You're welcome! The chicks are doing great and all integrated with the flock
I wish I had your knowledge of stain matching and finishing. You are by far the best I have ever seen.
Wow, thank you!
I’m going to bet it turns out pretty good!👍
The suspense! Thanks!
I just love seeing Ella included in your videos!
Thanks! Me too!
Greetings from Ottery St Mary, Devon UK.
Just got home from work, got a cold one from the fridge and watched this video. Perfect start to the weekend. Cheers, take care
Me too… Got home from work, heated up some lamb vindaloo 🔥 grabbed a cold one and had my TJ video all queued up.
Thanks! I like that!
So cool! I can't eat lamb after feeding baby lambs from a bottle! Just too cute
If I think about lambs when I eat lamb, I become racked with guilt. My never having had much close contact with farm animals kind of desensitized me. Otherwise I’d feel the same way. @@johnsonrestoration
Sir, how I love and appreciate your program... your quiet world, restoring treasures almost lost, is a blessing and joy. Thank you
So nice of you! Thanks
Wow, that cat has been through the wars. Recognised the snores and the cheeps. Made a nice backdrop to the first part of this restoration. It is already looking a lot better. Thanks for making and sharing the video, interesting and informative as always.
You're welcome!
Thomas, I've been a follower of your chanel for quite a while now. I have learned so much from you, for which I thank you sincerely.
Much of what comes up on furniture restoration vlogs is 'mid century', but this piece looks very different. Never seen a design like that (mainly how the top opens up and works etc). OK machine dovetails, but they have their plusses.
You are a star, hope and pray you can keep sharing your quitly understated skill, judgement, passion, techniques etc for many more years.
Bless you.
Thank you Stephen! I appreciate that, and I hope to continue making videos!
In addition to the pleasure of watching you perform your particular brand of magic, it gives me great pleasure to hear that you are renovating your barn - as opposed to demolishing it (and selling the lumber to some flatlander to make "barn doors" for his kitchen) and replacing it with a metal "shed". Not to disparage metal sheds - they do have a place these days - but so do old and revered things. As you prove weekly with your aforementioned MAGIC!
Thanks! Yes, we like to save the old! I'm going to make a video of the barn
As soon as those marks weren't coming out I knew the good ol' oxalic acid was coming, I guess I'm learning haha!
This is definitely in my top 3 pieces you've done, you've breathed an entire new life into this. As always, a fantastic job, cheers!
Thanks! The conclusion in 2 weeks!
Absolutely love this guy. Been watching for years now. This is the peace in my life these days.
Thank you! That's nice
Such a nice desk now with that finish. I can’t wait to see the next part.
Thanks! Coming soon!
Another great job looking forward to part two.
Thanks! 2 weeks!
I just acquired a Spinet Desk! What a treasure. 😊
Thanks! Hope you enjoy it! It is a good design
Tom Johnson, the hero we didnt know we needed.
That's great! Thanks!
Love you Tom! Don't stop making videos i love your content! You inspire me to bring my furniture back to its original glory. Thank you!
You're welcome! I hope to keep making them for awhile!
Glad to see you Thomas.
Thanks! Glad you watched!
Your shop dog adds a nice touch to your videos. She looks quite like our old dog. With the distinguished white frosting and all. Nothing more loving than a lab.
Thanks! Yes, true! She's showing her age though
I admire your patience in cleaning and,preparing all the intricate pieces and joints. To me, that’s the most tedious and important part of the job.
Thanks! Yes, you can't skip the details!
Can we also see some of your barn renovation project? Great work as usual, curious to see the conclusion!
Thanks! It's on hold for the winter, but I should start a video now
Beautiful work as to be expected from "The Master" Young Thomas! (and he loves his doggy and animals too!!) Can't be bad!!x
Thank you Sir! I don't know what I'd do without my animals!
Great job Tom, glad to see the boss got his treat.
Thanks! Oh yeah!
Those 2018 newspapers made me remember the fabulous photo they never took
Thanks! I wonder which one?
@@johnsonrestoration the one talking abot Alan Bean death (astronaut and painter, athor of the "The fabulous photo we never took" painting which shows the photo he wanted to take on the moon yet couldn't)
This was a really interesting tutorial in gentle restoration Tom, definitely looking forward to Part II with Miss Ella 💓
Thanks! 2 weeks!
Finally a new video!!! I'm loving it as any of your other videos, I love your love for animals and how you treat them, I love, how you re-use things and don't throw them away after first use and I love the way you synchron your work. I really appreciate it at the moment, when I'm very occupied by the demise of Queen Elizabeth II. I'm not English, but love the House of Windsor since school days. (a lot of love in my comment but there are worse things🙂)
The love in your comments works for me. Well said!
Thanks! We certainly don't mind all the love!
Yes!
Wonderful restoration! I love watching how you decide what needs to be done for each situation.
Thanks!
Great video! So informative and relaxing to watch you perform your art!
Thanks!
I got quite excited when I saw that lovely piece because I really did think it might be a spinet! It makes a lovely desk anyhow.
It’s nice to see something being given a ‘light touch’ restoration, as it still looks like an old piece.
I wondered what that cheeping was!
My old pooch was snoring in tandem with Ella. Lol
Thanks! That's great - thinking about the 2 dogs snoring
Great work Tom. I’m looking forward to seeing the next episode.
Thanks! Coming soon!
You really brought the Finnish back to life. Can’t wait to see the final results.
I didn’t know the Finnish were dead . . . 😉
Thanks! yes, Thierry Talon is wondering about that too!
I wonder if that was auto-correct?
I like the desk design. This is the first time I seen such a spinet table. I hope you will show the barn renovation. It sounds interesting.
Thanks! Yes, I'm going to make a video of it - on hold until the spring
Awe, I miss having chickens! I love the spinet desk, you did a fine job on it!
Thanks! Yes, I really love my chickens!
Thomas, the mahogany wood in the desk is beautiful. The owner decided on the right man for the job. I am spellbound watching you. Thank you for your channel. Anyone has something to gain watching you.
Thank you very much!
Faithful old friend.
She is! We're all growing old!
As always an enjoyable video, thank you, in my 40 odd years of restoring I have never had the pleasure of working on one of these delightful spinet desks, one can clearly see how it got it's name, it almost looks like it has been adapted from a spinet case. Thanks again, hope you're all well there,looking forward to the next one!
You're welcome! At one time these desks were very popular
aww poor kitty only has one eye, he’s still cute though. Wonderful work as always Tom!
Thanks! Yes, that cat's been around!
Another wonderful video, Mr. Johnson. I’ve seen so many of them that at this point when you say, “So I’m going to try some…” I say, “oxalic acid!” 🙂
That's great! Thanks!
You never fail to impress me 👍
Thanks! That's nice
Love your dog
Thanks! me too!
Thomas , I love this channel so much. Can't wait for the next instalment. You are a very talented craftsman
Thank you very much!
Holy Cow! I am impressed with your skill and dedication to restore such an awesome old lady. We need more artists like you to keep treasures alive and functional. This would look amazing in the living room!
Thank you!
Attention to detail and care in doing this job is only typical of your excellent work. I know I keep blowing your trumpet but it’s only fair you get praise? I’m only jealous. 👍🏻😁🇦🇺
Thanks! No, go ahead - keep praising!
Bella loves working with you. She keeps you company in just about every video. Look forward to seeing the end of this one!
She does Liz! Thanks
One liquid ounce is almost 30 millilitres, Tom. 😉
Thanks for indulging us ‘metric people’! 👏
Thanks! Of course! Glad to do it
thanks for showing us the great job.
You're welcome!
Greetings from the BIG SKY. Again. I've studied desk design for many years.
Very cool! Just desk design? That's interesting
Thank you for the metric conversions with the fluids- it is appreciated.
You're welcome! I'm trying!
Good Morning Mr. Johnson!
Thank you! good morning to you too!
Gotta love a cliffhanger!
Oh yeah! The suspense!
Looking forward to part 2!
Thanks! Sept. 30
You're one of the finest craftsmen I have ever seen.
Thank you! That's nice
Very simple but very attractive desk. Came out beautifully. Great job.
Thanks! You must see part 2, in 2 weeks
I am looking forwards to your part two.
Great job as always Thomas, love the sound of Ella snoring early in the video!
Thanks! I like that too
That was such a satisfying video to watch! It's going to look fabulous. I hope Ella is still taking good care of those chicks ❤
Thanks! She's certainly very interested in them!
Wonderful !!! What a joy to witness this restoration. It will look absolutely marvelous. Thank you for sharing your skills 😊👍👍👍
You're welcome!
Not too difficult a job this week. No complicated clamp ups. I could hear the chirping in the background, I was going to ask but you answered for us. 😁 Thanks Tom.
You're welcome! how did I do a job with no clamps?
@@johnsonrestoration So many times we see you making fancy shaped edge guides to get straight edges for the clamps or many clamps in an awkward tight spot. This job had none of those problems
Wow, beautiful piece!
Thank you very much! Part 2 on Friday the 30th
nd hello from AustraliaIts a great pleasure to see the Masters at work ,i wish i could come and help you ,i say you would be a great teacher,Hello to the old fella. And hello from Australia.
Thank you! And Hello to Australia! Don't forget to watch part 2! th-cam.com/video/qp-fP43tpeo/w-d-xo.html
One more great restoration. 👌I don't doubt the outcome. 👍✌️👏👏👏
I could not help seeing Alan bean news on the paper in the background. 4 year old-paper gets used. That is recycling 👍
Thanks! Yes, getting down to the bottom of the newspaper box!
Good morning my friend! Great video! I’ll be in Maine at the beginning of October. Would love to visit my friend.
Thanks! That's fine. Email me: thomasjohnsonrestoration@gmail.com. We have a couple of things going on in early October but let me know what your schedule is
As you know I always enjoy the wildlife and I'd been listening to the sweet little chirrups wondering who it was. I remembered you had some quail in the shop a while back and wondered if it was them but it was some chicks, so sweet. Pretty little desk looks like it's coming up a treat under your skillful hand. Eagerly anticipating the finale Master Johnson. 👍😊
Glad you enjoyed it! part 2 in 2 weeks!
Oooh! The suspense! Lovely piece that's looking much better already!
Thank you! 😊
Ooops, a two parter! That's ok. Now I have something to look forward to.
Thanks! I appreciate that!
I enjoy your style and care. I watched a different channel do - Old wood table restoration - There was an old home built desk, maybe depression. It had survived two or three generations.
The family wanted it repaired. Grandpa's desk is gone. replaced by a copy. Made my heart cry.
Thank you for caring.
Thanks! Yes, you can't replace something like that
I Loved the way you gave sweet Ella Bean (your quality controller) a little kiss at the end. It says says as much about you as a person as the incredible detailed and beautiful work you do. Thanks TJ. K
You're welcome!
Wonderful! A very unique piece of furniture. Looking forward to the rest.
Thanks!
WOW! This is a two-parter!
Yes! Thanks! 2nd part out on 9/30
Thomas: as I watch this video for the second time, I realized I hadn’t told you that I have a identical piece, right now, at my refinisher, here in California. My client’s piece has a split on one of the sides, besides wear and tear. It is being restored. It’s a family piece and already has a special place in my client’s home. There was quite a discussion with my refinisher about how to go about the repair, how far to go, and the refinishing of it. We wanted to keep the integrity of grandma’s desk. Discussions with my client ensued. Decisions were made and it is being worked on as I write this. I thought that was quite a coincidence. Due to watching your video, I was able to ask several pertinent questions and have some additional information for my client. Thank you. Carol from California
You're welcome Carol! It's great that this video was timely. I like that!
I had always wondered how you fixed fisheye problems. Your patience paid off. A lovely desk. I will enjoy seeing it out back together. The red marks seemed almost like a date scribbled on the desk.
I thought they might come from a stamp. We used such stamps for incoming letters, when I worked in a bank.
Thanks! Fish-eye can be really bad sometimes, and more difficult to deal with
Thanks! Or kid's stamps that they play with
Another cliff-hanger! Wondering how it will look and how many additional coats of finish (if any) you will use...Thank goodness I have TH-cam set up to alert me of your new videos!
Thanks David! A lot of people have complained because they don't seem to be getting notifications
I’m getting your notifications.@@johnsonrestoration
Hi Thomas, thank you for your videos that have helped me. I have just bought an antique small table and a drinks cabinet. The table has a split. I went to me local hardware store and the said they never heard of us of the clamps. For all I know they are worth it. Thank you for your information. I bought an old book on furniture restoration but I always check what you do. So do I heat up the glue by water, after cleaning out the out grim in the split? I am trying all your techniques as I learn xx
Thanks! Yes, if your using hide glue. I like "Old Brown Glue" oldbrownglue.com/
Exciting conclusion! Cute. Love this project. Love the chickens and of course Ella.
Thank you!
Amazing ...as always👍
Thank you so much 😀
I like how you don't strip, sand and re-stain the items you are working with. It shows that you are restoring historical items.
Thanks! It's always a fine line - I try to keep things original but the furniture has to look good!
First time watching, really enjoyed! Your dog is beautiful! We have a yellow lab, they are wonderful!
Thank you! They are!
You just gained a new subscriber Mr Johnson, I'm amazed at the respect and care you gave that desk, so much more than some so-called restoration channels who just butcher the work pieces.
Thank you, and I'm eagerly awaiting any new videos, Sir.
Thanks! And welcome to the channel. Part 2 on Friday Sept 30
So relaxing to watch and yet educational as well. I always appreciate how you point out where the flaws were as you go along, it makes it easy as a viewer to follow along with each stage of the restoration.
Awesome! Thank you!
Love your videos !!!!!
Thank you!