Dumpster Rescue
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 7 ธ.ค. 2023
- Tom Johnson of Thomas Johnson Antique Furniture Restoration in Gorham, Maine restores this c.1850 American fancy chair that he found next to a dumpster. Tom has been restoring furniture professionally since 1979. Visit our website at www.thomasjohnsonrestoration.com, call us at (207) 222-2266, 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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My dad watched you so often. He was a wood worker himself and so enjoyed your channel. He was from Scarborough and has now been passed 4 years. He was only 84 and I miss him everyday. I enjoy watching you now as I too love wood and furniture. I am a Nana of 6 grands and hope to see how perhaps some of them will learn to appreciate the finer things in life too. Thank you for sharing your gift!
I’m so sorry for your loss. We never stop missing our parents. My sweet Mama passed away 9 years ago. ❣️
You are so welcome! I'm sorry for your loss, but I'm glad you and he shared a love of wood and furniture
Weer een prachtig staaltje vakwerk.
@djdj8110
Such a sweet comment ❤
‘Only’ 84, huh? 😂 That’s far more than most people get.
As a retired surgeon and longtime woodworker I thoroughly enjoy your videos. They are master classes in furniture repair and restoration. Your patience and techniques are stunning!
I've commented to him before that he would have made an excellent surgeon. I agree with you completely!
Wow, thank you! I could be a "furniture doctor"
Thank you! This is so good coming from actual doctors!
You're clamping setups never cease to amaze me! It is a beautiful chair, and I'm so glad you saved it from the dumpster.
Me too!! Thanks!
I'm donating my old dining table and chairs to a single mom and her daughter. One of the chairs needs repairing. Thanks to watching your videos, I was able to make the repair, although matching the stain color is a skill I need to practice. That chair is solid and doesn't wobble. My thanks for your help. I wouldn't have tried without watching your videos.
That's so good to hear! It makes me happy
I love that you value items of furniture beyond their monetary worth. Thank you for saving these wonderful pieces of history.
You are so welcome! I'm so happy that so many people understand
Master Johnson, I am always amazed at how you make things seem so easy! If I may get a bit philosophical, I think anything worth making is worth restoring. I always think in terms, not just of the object, but of the intellect, knowledge, and labor that went into its realization. That simple chair outlived its creator, whether he was an individual craftsman or an assembly line worker, his mark was left for us all to admire and enjoy. I believe your work is more important than one may realize in maintaining the memory of people past alive. It also pays homage to them and their craftsmanship.
Thank you! That is so well said. Yes, I feel a respect and responsibility to the people who produced all these objects
I love waking up and seeing that you have another video uploaded. Thank you for another fascinating restoration, sir.
My pleasure!
Love your work. It’s also good for my mental health to see restoration rather than destruction. Please keep posting.
So true, it's one of the reasons I'm always here
Thanks! I will!
And I appreciate that so much!
A road find... and you still treat it a museum piece. Classy. Fantastic video, thank you
You are welcome!
I appreciate that you took as much care with a factory-made piece as you do with a handcrafted one. Beautiful restoration.
All the more impressive, when "in theory" the piece is of low value.
It's value is it's history.
@@gordonmcmillan4709
Thank you! Yes, I always do, these pieces have a history too
Thanks! Yes, the so-called "market value" means nothing to me
Yes! Thanks
Can you imagine how many guests have sat in that chair in someone's home in 150 years. A true jewel
Thanks! It is something to think about that.
As before, you have taken us down the wonderful path of another successful restoration. Thank you.
You're welcome!
It’s beautiful chair regardless of its dubious history. The same could be said of people. We come from different histories but we all hold value to our maker. Some of us are sitting near a dumpster and need fixing up again by a good heart that comes along! The time spent in the fixing is never wasted. God bless you all! ❤quote. Linda Marshall
Thank you! And I like the analogy.
I love your optimism..."the seat might have to come apart someday"...as if someone would take the care that you do when you so masterfully repair a piece of furniture!!! God bless you for your integrity and belief that someone in the future might also care and keep wood beautifully preserved.
Well, one of us might find it!😉
Thanks! Yes, thinking of the next person!
Exactly! It might be me, or anyone
Thank you posting these videos for us to enjoy. Your skill and knowledge knows no bounds.
Thank you! I appreciate that!
Many restoration channels make vintage items look like new, perfect, smooth, bright and shiny. You respect the age of the item and it’s character. This chair went from unloved and broken to looking like it has been loved and respected all it’s life.
Thank you! Yes, I try to save some of the history
Nice save Tom! All pieces deserve second chances! Well done sir!
Thanks! 👍
What a delightful chair. Well done you and the dumpster person 👏 👏👍
Yes, thanks!
My father saved a single chair like this one years ago. It is one of my treasurers.
That is great! It makes me happy
What an enviable collection of chairs! A real pleasure to know that they were saved from what would otherwise gave ended up on a rubbish dump or fireplace. As always , your craftsmanship impresses.
Thank you! I love saving these things
He saves odd bits of veneer, AND he dumpster dives like me too! I gotta buy Thomas a beer!
Yes! At least! Thanks
First comment by the way - congratulations!
I learn something every time I watch his videos.
Thanks! I learn something every time I make one!
You just never know what you will find , and then Thomas brings them back to a stunning useful life.
Thanks!
I found myself reminiscing while watching you taking a trashed antique chair and gently bringing back to life. I began my professional career as a woodworker working for an antique dealer who also ran a furniture repair/refinishing shop. That was in the Autumn of 1977...46 years ago.
Wow! So many of us started that way. I didn't last long working for dealers though! I needed to make money
Yessir!
Our retail space was tiny compared to the shop space and "finishing booth" which looked much like yours!
We made a living repairing and refinishing furniture; sometimes fabricating replicas to match existing pieces for clientele and other antique dealers. Much of our work came through interior designers and architects. That was during the mountain /ski resort boom times of the 1980's and '90's.
I have not seen any other restorer do what you do. Make it fully functional bit stillkeep the antique value intact with loving and delicate hand. Be it a peerless piece or an ordinary day to day common object👏👏👏👏
Thank you! Well said - I like that!
Tom, thank you for all of your work recording and editing these videos.
You are very welcome!
I'm glad to hear you rescued that chair! And did a lovely job on it.
Now I'm watching for a rescued dog to show up😊
Thanks! That would be fun!
Tom, you're a charming anachronism in today's throw away society. Even your tools and products you use (40 cent pumice) speak to me about your character. Another fine job! Never change......you're a masterpiece.
The Words “charming anachronism “ just don’t sit right with me. I know what you’re trying to say, but it sounds to me as if you’re talking down to him. Maybe it’s me not understanding English nuances well enough, if so I’m sorry. It’s just that this craftsman is using materials appropriate to the time period of the project he’s working on, and you’re somehow making the assumption that it says something about his character, and not something about his deep understanding of his craft. He’s not a masterpiece, he’s a master craftsman.
@@sigrid129 It was meant to be a compliment. Sorry if it was a bit vague. I was trying to point out what makes Tom special.....I can watch other crafsmen repair furniture but it isn't the same. Tom has "tradition" and an old school way that is unique in today's throw away society. He's not about the glitz of having the latest tools......it's about the knowledge and caring about the job.
Thank you! That is so kind!
Thank you! Yes, I am a tradesman (tradesperson) just trying to do what's right. I think "ananchronism" is appropriate though!
I definitely took it as a compliment!
I learn so much from the choices you make, putting tape over the screw slots before using the putty is just one example. There is no way that your TH-cam revenue compensates you for the time you put into each video, so thank you so much for taking the time to share your expertise!
You're welcome! (and so true about the income, but when you are in business with TH-cam you have to take whatever they give you!)
Even Tom's cauls are better than most of joints! A true craftsman.
Thank you! That's nice
I think the saving from a dumpster theme is my favorite so far
Yes, me too! Thanks
Mr. Johnson, I have been a fan for years. I thought it odd when I started this video to see you work on this chair. I went through the whole thing until I found out, in the final chapter, why you decided to work on this project. {It's a labor of love.} It was a pleasure to see your collection of fancy chairs and rockers. For us youngsters, it was valuable to view them up close and to hear a bit of history. Your mural on the wall was delightful. "They don't make 'em like that any more" - Casey Stengel.
Thank you! I appreciate that!
I think it is very nice that some people just leave furniture on your doorstep. It's like they understand that some things should not be simply thrown away. Even if those things are old and broken. And that this is the place where they will find a new home after being given some effort and love :)
Thanks! Yes, I liked that too. I'll never know who it was
Thank you, I so enjoyed this. So generous of you to show your chair collection, all beautiful.
You're welcome! I have too many chairs!
Beautiful Mr. Johnson ❤ love the Cardinal in the snowing scenery 🥰
Thanks! You can't beat a cardinal in the snow!
Awesome Thomas per usual. I too love when I find stuff just being pitched, my recent wasn't nearly this old. Just a solid oak desk sitting on a trailer in the middle of a field. It was only from the mid early 90's when roughhewn was the rave. In approximately 24 pieces with the top in 5 due to splitting from the 5 years it out in the weather. It also had several pellet attack wounds in the top after a kids target practice. I ask if they wanted me to haul it off for them and a buddy and I loaded it into my truck bit by bit and brought it home. 3 months later it now resides in the wife's office. I left one single Pellet in the top to forever attest to where it came from and most likely was headed. I did this because every piece has a story that only an admirer can appreciate. It took most every trick I know and some I had to create but knowing it will be around long after my demise is a feeling that never gets old. Respect man love your channel and even more appreciate the work you do sir. Love your chairs!!
That is great! And I love the fact you left a pellet! Thanks so much
What a treat at the end seeing your chair and rocking chair collection. How lovely to see them restored, loved and used. Reckon the dustbin men (as we call them over here 🇬🇧) left that chair behind saying to themselves: " I'm sure Mr Thomas will be by shortly to rescue it." Well you surely did, it looks beautiful. 👍👏
Thanks! Yes, I wish they knew what happened!
This episode is one of my favorites. Bravo.
Thanks!
Chair to Tom, after restoration: whew! Thanks a lot man! I feel like a new chair! Nice work, Tom!
Yes! The chair has to be happy!
Lovely. Four canadian channels just had a dumpster chair challenge. In my opinion, you are the only one I've watched that can compare to John's furniture repai. Thanks for posting. Very interesting.
I was thinking the same thing.
Thanks! Yes, I was invited but couldn't make the schedule. I'll have to check them out
Thanks!
@@johnsonrestoration hope you can make it to the next one
@@patriciamay638hi Patricia 🌹
Another amazing save!! I love the detail you always put into your restorations.
Thank you!
Hi Ann 😊, seasons greetings 🌹🎄⛄
I love the pet 🐶 on your profile ❣️
You are truly a wizard !
Thanks for showing us !!
You're welcome!
Tom, I just love your program and at 86 I spent my hole working life as a photographer, but I had my life to start again I would follow you into restoration of old furniture, thank you. Arnie
You're welcome! Yes, I understand, as I am now into videography!
I still can`t get over what people throw away. I love this little chair. The graining and gilded stripes are in amazing condition, and I can`t believe the caning was intact. Great job.
Thanks! Me too!
Wishing you the best this holiday season, and thanks for the joy you provide on Friday mornings.
You're welcome! And the best to you as well
I think the metric version of a “Pinch” would be a “Smidge”. I could be wrong! 🤣🤣🤣 Beautiful restoration… as usual.
That's a good one! Someone suggested "minch"
As always, you honor the history. Bravo!
Thank you!
As always you do such beautiful, finely detailed careful work. It is a joy to watch a true craftsman. The display at the end of the chairs and rockers was very informative. I live in a different part of the US ( SW FL) so I don't see that type of furniture very often.
Thank you! Yes, I guess it is a regional thing!
A metric 'pinch' is a millipinch but no bigger than a centipinch because if it's more than a centipinch it's no longer a pinch.
Nice chair, shame they didn't throw out a whole set.
Thanks! Good info, I'll add that to my conversion chart!
I have watched a great many of your videos. As I watch you work, a phrase from old keeps coming into my head.
“Your ancient ruins shall be rebuilt; you shall raise up the foundations of many generations; you shall be called the repairer of the breach, the restorer of streets to live in”.
Thank you! That's nice - where did it come from?
I just looked it up! Isaiah 58:12
Thank you for rescuing this neglected gem of a chair - bravo!
You're welcome!
Of all the restors, you are my favorite because of your information and skills😮😮😅
Thank you! I appreciate it
I love the use of old items being rejuvenated. It looked lovely
Me too! Thanks!
Thank you as always for showing us how to appropriate and care for timeless pieces 🐝
You are so welcome!
This teaches how staying calm and patient can achieve great results.
Thank you! Always! And it's also the fastest way to get things done (counterintuitively)
Preserving history, even furniture history, is so important. It's more than antique. Thanks! ✨👍👏❤
So true! Thank you!
R E S P E C T ! ! ! For your work, your knowledge and for how you honor each and every piece on which you lay your hands, no matter the condition. With respect.
Thank you! That is true - respect for the people that made the piece, and all the people who may have felt connected to it
One of my favorite finds was a mahogany side table that was painted a horrid green and sitting on a curb waiting for garbage pickup. I used your videos to restore it and I love her now! I so appreciate you saving it from the dumpster.
Oh wow! That is great!
Loved the little chair tutorial at the end! I'll never turn down a history lesson!
Thanks Jesse!
I did not realize i had a Boston Rocker in my home. I love your videos. Thank you so much.
That's great! Use it! And thanks for watching
This chair found the perfect home to restore it to its former beauty.
Thanks! It did!
Thoroughly enjoy your videos. Thanks for passing on your wealth of knowledge and experience.
You're welcome!
What a sweet little chair and now she is ready for her second life. Well done! I love your chair collection.
Thank you!
Your attention to detail and care for the piece is magnificent. I love to watch you work, as though every piece is to be carefully handled to protect it.
Keep working and enjoy the things.😊
Thank you! I will!
I love the time and attention you gave to a dumpster find that's 'not valuable'. lol
Thanks! Yes, I don't care about "market value"
I enjoyed the exhibit of “fancy” chairs and rockers at the end. It helped put your project chair in perspective. Thank you!
You're welcome!
One very lovely restoration of an old chair. It retained it's elegance
Yes it did! Thanks Judith
I’m new to your channel and I’m catching up on past videos. I just watched the “Remember Ella” video. My wife and I have a four year old chih Tzu that we love dearly. I admire dog lovers because I think they have a deeper appreciation for life and humanity because of this added dimension of feelings for all of God’s creatures. I once told my wife that I wanted to write a country song called ‘Love me like a dog’ because they love us so unconditionally to an extent that I’m not sure we are capable of. Any, I can’t write songs much less sing one but let me just say that I share your grief at Ella’s passing and will be watching your channel regularly. Your work and talent is amazing!
Thank you Calvin! I appreciate it, and I agree. I love your song title!
Don’t remember how much stuff I have reclaimed from a skip or the recycling centre but a lot is dotted around my home that’s for sure. In fact most of my furniture is reclaimed. It’s such a joy bringing things back to life and I’ve learnt so much from watching your videos. Thanks. I actually owned a Sunbeam Alpine in the 70s and you are right they were very under powered here in the UK.
Thanks! Yes, it's amazing but my house is 75% found furnishings
What a beautiful collection. Thank you from the chair for saving it!😊
You're welcome!
Omg! How I just love your chairs and the history of them. Excellent work yet again!
Thank you!
Thank You Sir for your wonderful channel 🎉 I love old chairs an you are helping me learn how to fix the old beautys I find : ) 🎉
You're welcome! Good luck with them!
"I don't know what a metric pinch is" was the verbal hi-light. lol. I've been hoping to see a road-side-find restoration. This chair may have been worthless before restoration but is a keeper now.
Thanks! I like "minch". I did another roadside find th-cam.com/video/hfUU-VHv3II/w-d-xo.html
Nice! I grew up with similar chairs, ones found in family barns and passed down for generations. It’s nice to see such care taken with something so utilitarian, but at the same time historic.
Thanks! Yes, it's a useful piece of furniture!
My first thought was Gallé. Thanks for showing us these lovely pieces.
Thanks! It has to be!
I so enjoy watching your videos. I wish the value of older "real" furniture was appreciated, too much is in the landfills.
There's a sense pf satisfaction in having and using well made furnishings. Such craftsmanship is now rare.
I totally agree! Thanks!
The added bit about chairs and rockers was a gift.
You're welcome!
Let’s call the metric equivalent to a pinch a “millidigit.” Thanks for saving that lovely chair.
You're welcome! OK, that's good! I'm adding it to the list!
Whenever i watch you working the song by Hyram cody, john Swain, the old figurehead carver runs through my head. There are people who are full of pride because they have money then there are people like you and my late husband who have an honest pride in a job well done.
Thank you! Yes, money is over-rated (easy to say if you have enough). History is far more important
🙋♀️❤️ You're just so cool, Thomas Johnson! Thank you!
You are so welcome! I appreciate it!
The chair looks great! It’s a shame so many of them get tossed. I’m glad you gave this one a new life!
Thanks! Yes, I loved saving it
You made that chair look beautiful! I loved your rockers too. Another wonderful video. Thank you!
You're welcome!
I always enjoy seeing your videos and learning something new every time. Thanks for sharing.
You're welcome!
Wow, talk about bringing life back to something. Nice job.
Thanks!
Always enjoy your wonderful workmanship, timeless and beautiful work.
Thank you! That's nice!
Could almost hear that chair cry in relief. Very sympathetic restoration that keeps the history of the piece. Love your collection of chairs! That Galle is a stunner. I have 2 Boston rockers, 1 I bought unfinished in 2nd year college. The other is an Amish one from Ontario and was packed into the back seat of the truck along with 2 other rockers and a spinning wheel(wheel #6) we got in southern Ontario and hauled it all back to Vancouver BC. Think it is time to refinish the college one plus my other arts and crafts oak one. Have burgundy moose hide to make the new seat cushion on that one. Watching how you work through the project is inspiring me to get busy. Thank you for the inspiration.
You're welcome! Good luck with all your projects!
The chair looks great and I love the mural in the dining room!❤
Thanks! Yes, the mural is really cool
I'm always late to the "watch party" because I wait until I can give the whole video my full attention. (I've tried split-screening it while I'm working, but nothing gets done!). I love that not only did you salvage the chair, but you restored it with a thought for a *future* restoration artist. "Metric pinch!" That got me laughing!
Thank you Eleda! I'm making a list of all the definitions for "metric pinch" that people suggested
Thank you for saving our history one piece at a time!
You're welcome!
Always a pleasure to view your videos. I learn so much!
That's great!
It is a pleasure watching you work. Your skills are amazing and I am constantly learning from you. This one really was trash to treasure. Skills and knowledge of styles. Thank you.
You're so welcome!
Clearly this chair managed to spend 175-odd years without ever being wielded as a weapon in a cowboy saloon brawl or, equally dire, doing service in a household with four kids like mine.
Definitely not! I don't think a chair like this could survive kids!
Gorgeous chair! You brought it back to life ❤️ I can’t believe some of the treasures thrown away at times.
Thanks! Me neither!
As always, watching a restoration at the hands of Thomas 'Clamp' Johnson, is good for the soul and good for the furniture. Most of all you are logical, thorough and patient, and I have learnt much from watching your work,. Likewise, I too have a sentimental weak spot for abandoned and unloved chairs. Here in England, many from the 19th century were made from elm, which has wonderful figuring to the grain.
Thanks! I love "Clamp". I have worked on many of those elm chairs - yes - always beautiful
Very nice chairs and very well done job.
Thank you Thomas!
Your welcome!
Saving furniture, one piece at a time.👍
Yes! exactly! Thanks
Amazing to see what can be done with an old chair that someone just discards...........Great job...........
Thanks!
Great video, thanks! Really appreciated seeing the range of chairs at the end as well.
You're welcome! It was fun
Watching you bring the 200 year old chair back to it's beauty. When you just did it's 1st bath I could see that it was worth the work you put into it.
I wish I had the money to offer you for it.
Thanks! I would give it to you if I had a way to do that!
Thank you for raising awarness concerning the survival of this useful, beautiful and historic furniture.
You're very welcome!