Vintage School Desk

Vintage or old school

(click on photo to enlarge)

Working on this classic brought back 

many memories of my elementary school days 

It came complete with a gooey 

spill on the inside and a few pieces 

of petrified bubble gum 

After a thorough cleaning, a quick sanding

and a coat of Sedona-red stain 

it was looking allot better

After three coats of finish

it's ready for use, great for 

 home schooled

Child's Musical Rocker

No battery's Required.

This mid century rocker would not

meet today's standards for child

safety yet it is still highly collectible. 

(Click on photo to enlarge)

With a layer of rust

it was no wounder why

the music stopped.

After soaking the mechanism 

for several days I disassembled it 

and removed as much of the rust as

possible.   

Re-assembled and ready 

One of the challenges

was to re-arc one of the 

rockers that had straightened

over the last 70 or so years.   

Using my upholstery steamer I set

up a simple board steamer.

After about 30 minuets in the steamer

I clamped the rocker rail to an

arced jig then left to cool for 

24 hours.

While waiting for the rocker rails to cure

I worked on the rest of the frame.

Re-assembling step by step. 

Ready for stain and finish

Completed and ready to play  

Music to my ears

Antique Oak Chairs (1890's)

For centuries the claw or paws foot  

style has been featured on mostly high-end

furniture. 

As we reached the end of the 1800's with 

the beginning of the industrial revolution 

designs start to take on a more square and simpler design. 

                            (Click on photos to enlarge)

The damage on this pair was severe it would take most all my clamps and much of my patients to complete.                      More than a  complete tear down was needed.  

   

  

After removing the finish I set to the task of turning new oak dowels to replace the pine used from the previous repair.  

The process of cleaning, gluing, clamping and reshaping took a lot of time. 

Clamp 

Clamp 

Clamp 

Clamp 

And Clamp.

I think I went clamp happy. 

Assembled and waiting finish

"Finished"

I used a Golden oak stain 

with a Satin clear coat. 

Each chair took about 20 hours

to complete, they should last 

another life time. 

Lane Danish Modern Coffee Table

Lane Danish modern Dove Tail 

(Click on Photo's to Enlarge)

What was a hit in the sixties is now a well seasoned and heavily

 scarred table.

With each project comes unique challenges.              What I was faced with is how to remove gouges without extensive sanding that may result in an uneven surface.

I started be removing what was left of the finish.  

Then used a steaming 
technique to raise the gouges. Simply place a wet towel over the scratched area and apply heat and steam the effected area should raise.   It took me several attempts
to accomplish. 

After several step of the sanding process I was more than pleased. A coat of wood stain applied and it seams that most damage was repaired. 

 I bought this from a sweet old lady who 

was noticeably heart broken with the condition it was in. 

I hope she can see it now.

Little Drop-leaf table

After 15 years in the corner of the shop this little table acquired quite a few stains. paint droplets and dust.

   

After cleaning with dish soap and water it became clear the stains were going to be stubborn. 

When I saw this one I wasn't sure it could be saved, it looked like an oil stain.

Mom recommended using her special cleaner. 

"You know she puts that stuff on everything" 

It worked great. 

I can't believe how well it worked

Vintage G-Plan Chair

A sample of the post war modern design.

The G-plan style has been copied

by many manufactures of the time.

This little gem has seen it share of

usage. With damaged pieces chips and a 

wobbly frame it needed the works.  

Step one: disassemble and repair what was broken. 

Step 2: Sand each part and reassemble. 

Step 3: Apply stain, rub on finish, upholster cushion

and ready for use.

Seth Thomas Mantel Clock

This mantel clock built by the Seth Thomas Co. (1920's)

was deeply loved by it's care taker for many years.

One fateful day while they're family cat

was skulking across the fireplace mantel the clock was

dislodged from it's perch sent crashing to the floor.

What was found were the broken remains 

of a treasured piece of family history. 

 Glass shattered, bezel bent, resonating base board 

splintered and the clock works itself damaged. 

 

As always having all the pieces broken or not

makes the difference in how the repair will go. 

Unfortunately the pendulum 

was not only broken but missing.   

 Using a .004 fealer-gauge and 

a steel rod I made one.

What also was bent out of recognition

was the winding's locking spring.

So from a coil spring  "left", I fashioned the 

part "center" then installed.

The three pieces on the right where the original part.

After much tinkering it works.
If you ever decide to try a home
repair my suggestion is not to