1930's Rocking Chair - Furniture Restoration

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I found a Rocking Chair for sale that had been a planned project for a woman's pregnant daughter..... 15 years ago. It had been sanded and sat ever since in a back shed. I had to put a lot of work into this, but is the final result worth it?
Regards,
R.E
Edit: This chair is likely a St Croix chair made early 20th century!
#restoration #woodworking #rockingchair

[@kimmyb908]

I feel you handle each new project with such respect. I can't help to think of the person who made it years ago. I'm thankful for you and those who care to restore items.

[@RestorationEndeavours]

I appreciate that, thank you for the kind words 😊

[@michaelgarringer1844]

5th generation caner here - taught by my grandfather nearly 50 years ago. Your first attempt at pressed cane was very good! Grandpa would have been proud!

[@RestorationEndeavours]

I think this is my favourite comment ever. Thanks for the encouragement!

[@storminight]

I just asked, I bet you know!!!! I have a question you might know the answer to! Do you have to treat the cane somehow to keep it supple? I have an old cane rocker that was refinished for me with new cane. But it feels dry and brittle. What can I do? I hide it in the basement so no one breaks it!

[@brendamayfuller8803]

@@storminight Linseed oil wiped on to the back and underneath. It can be mixed with 50% turpentine to penetrate deeper, but try it on a non visible surface first. Linseed oil also works well on regular outdoor timber and garden tools to protect them.

[@terrileyda5346]

Love the close up shots! They leave nothing to guessing! Wonderful, caring work!

[@terrileyda5346]

Beautiful recovery on this lovely antique! Really enjoyed this!

[@janadarnold2500]

I have a chair like this that I redid. Used a walnut finish. Had to weave the cane rather than use the sheet cane. Very comfortable. Have hand it a long timr

[@flippop]

Beautiful work!! I also have a canes chair that I have to repair thanks for the inspo!!

[@RestorationEndeavours]

I found that the cane is less intimidating than it looks. But comes out great.

[@ithacacomments4811]

45 years ago, I found two rockers of this style in my Grandfather's shed. Each had broken parts. I was able to assemble one useable chair after taking them apart. They were covered in red barn paint. I had the rocker professionally stripped, and caned. Then, I finished it with linseed oil and a good paste wax. I passed it to my daughter a few years ago. She cherishes it as part of ner childhood. The finish is still perfect!

[@RestorationEndeavours]

Awesome. Some times its the simpler finishes that last the best. And covering them in whatever was laying around must have been the style way back then. Seems so strange.

[@barbannco]

wow ...yes thats a restoration for sure ...love watching all you have to do to get it back to this stage

[@RestorationEndeavours]

Thank you for saying, and I am glad you enjoyed it!

[@war7334]

A lot of work but it turned out beautiful.Its one of a kind.

[@jennyelliottbrown6680]

Adore this project !! My Dad was a joiner and I was brought up with wood all my life. Had a smile at the clean easy " hide glue bottle" remembering the sticky smelly glue pot of Dad's in my early years....he must have stood it on the cast iron stove top to melt as we didn't have electricity / gas only candles and tilly lamp for light and a copper boiler for hot water till I was at least 5 yrs old !!!

[@RestorationEndeavours]

That is awesome and one of the reasons why I like saving this older work. All the hours that would have gone into them in the past. Also I have been tempted lately to give the older type hide glue a try. Sounds like a mess, but worth experiencing once.

[@janadarnold2500]

I found a chair just like yours in a garage with oil dripping on it. Had to totally refinish it. Mine have cane that I had to hand weave. What a job. Really like the chair

[@RestorationEndeavours]

I am so glad that mine didn't have the holes for weaving! What a big job. Thanks for watching.

[@Whistlewalk]

It turned out beautiful! Anyone should be proud to have that on the front porch!

[@RestorationEndeavours]

Thank you!

[@ineseedwards9489]

Absolutely brilliant -you are so respectful to the old furniture , and I love the clues you find as how it might have been in the past and what has been done to it over time - and love the bird song 🎶 in the background 💜

[@167curly]

Wow! You really revived that elegant rocking chair so well! Congratulations.

[@RestorationEndeavours]

Thank you! 😊

[@lfuentes4098]

You did very well. I think you got it right! 👍🏼

[@RestorationEndeavours]

Thank you! 😁

[@Joans20thCentury]

After watching all your restoration videos I feel your work is sympathetic, intelligent and you should be very proud of your work.

[@RestorationEndeavours]

That is so nice of you to say. Thank you!

[@angelafernandachristenseng9884]

Same feeling as you. He could tell us more his background. Nobody seems to care anymore. All is disposable.

[@stephanietaylor8003]

I think you did a fabulous job and saved the piece from the dump! It turned out beautiful 😊

[@RestorationEndeavours]

Thanks so much! 😊

[@marysander8174]

I love my rocking chair.Use it everyday in my corner for devotions. Beautiful job!

[@RestorationEndeavours]

Thank you kindly!

[@juliadagnall7103]

I think the work that you do is wonderful, restoring old furniture and bringing it back to life so beautifully 🧡💜

[@RestorationEndeavours]

Thank you so much!

[@pettierobinson3081]

incredible well done job

[@janetrutherford8568]

Looks fabulous well done .

[@RestorationEndeavours]

Thanks so much 😊

[@SparrowStockwell]

That chair is so nice now. You did an excellent job! We like watching your videos. They’re very enjoyable. Bravo!

[@RestorationEndeavours]

Thank you so much 🤗 I just wish I had more time to get them out more often!

[@MNTNSTARZ80.]

You're a lot like me when I refinish and restore furniture, I may not have the "proper or professional" tools but I make do with what I do have and must say like you my stuff turns out great. I figure that when most things I work on were built there wasn't all the electric or specialized tools we have today

[@RestorationEndeavours]

Exactly. It's not always the easiest, but there is always a way.

[@war7334]

Its a beautiful piece now.I dont know what it looked like when it was first built but your jobs not hard on the eyes.Enjoyed watching this immensely.

[@RestorationEndeavours]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@ifletty]

Very well done, I like to see your respect for the pieces you bring back to life.

[@RestorationEndeavours]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@theelizabethan1]

Wow, wow, and WOW!...you've resurrected this hopeless relic marvelously.

[@terricollins8450]

I love your voice,I find it calming

[@RestorationEndeavours]

Thank you for the compliment, it wasn't my intention, but a win for sure.

[@131dyana]

Love the work you did there. Amazing.

[@RestorationEndeavours]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@chandarussell]

Oh well done. That stain colour is wonderful. It’s rich and warm. The whole thing looks great.

[@RestorationEndeavours]

Thanks so much! 😊 I do love the reddish mahogany tinge on wood.

[@rosemarshall1219]

Very cool video and restoration. I thought you were a professional woodworker. You are gifted. And cherry on the cake your dog is a beautiful greyhound❤

[@RestorationEndeavours]

Thank you so much. If I could do this full time I would be very happy but it is just a hobby. And yes, she is a lovely assistant 😆

[@cliftondavies5094]

Excellent work, you made it look exactly as it should for something that old. Leaving the unfinished bits under the seat was an excellent idea as it leaves a historical record. Ty

[@maryjarvis4245]

Hi from the U.S. My parents collected Early American antique furniture and I can remember as a child watching my father work on different pieces. I like the finish and am tickled you red caned it. Too marks!!! Love the old saw marks. Character!

[@RestorationEndeavours]

Thank you so much, I'm glad you like it. I wasn't planning to cane it, then again, I didn't know it needed it until I found those grooves.

[@LittleRestorers]

Beautifully restored chair- The stain color and wiped on poly worked out great.

[@RestorationEndeavours]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@kathleenmaloney4927]

Great job!!! I’d like it in my house!

[@RestorationEndeavours]

Glad you like it! Hopefully you find something close one day 😊

[@exoticgirl1]

That was absolutely amazing! I love the end result but the entire process was great to watch. I love your creativity.

[@RestorationEndeavours]

Thank you so much. I like to try and balance info and tips with what I do, but sometimes I worry I talk too much!

[@charlesbutsch7201]

Great rocker! I like your narrative on your method of your projects. Thank

[@RestorationEndeavours]

Thank you kindly!

[@haroldchoate7497]

This is the first time I've seen someone do the caning. I love the way it turned out. I also really like the color you chose to stain it with. Excellent job, very enjoyable and educational to watch. Thank you,

[@RestorationEndeavours]

It was my first time caning so I am glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for watching.

[@catherine5166]

You have a natural eye for this. Absolutely stunning.

[@RestorationEndeavours]

Thank you so much.

[@kimvanek2322]

It turned out so beautiful!! Sending love from Ohio!!!!❤

[@RestorationEndeavours]

Thank you so much!

[@ericalbany]

Nice job. It was probably painted in an imitation of fancy rosewood grain originally.

[@RestorationEndeavours]

That makes sense as it had some of that colour in it.

[@sumandsubstance]

I wasn't crazy about the dark stain but the final result is quite pleasing. Kudos on the caning work, you're a brave man for taking that on. 👏

[@RestorationEndeavours]

Thank you! I hadn't planned for it but I'm glad it ended up how it did.

[@legrandeileen4863]

Beautiful work. Bravo

[@RestorationEndeavours]

Thank you so much 😀

[@carmencampbell6994]

You need to get an Amazon wishlist going!! Because you are soon going to have quite a few followers, besides myself, that would love to be able to support and help your channel in some small way. Thank you so much for taking this poor abused chair and turning it back into the beauty it once was!

[@RestorationEndeavours]

Hi Carmen! I'm happy for everyone to just watch and enjoy my videos. Also, I get a little bit from the ads so, I'll be able to buy some new pieces to work on soon. And this has been my hardest, but favourite restoration so far!

[@shellydehart8217]

I think it turned out beautiful. Was a little concern about the color of stain but after seeing it finished with the Cain it was perfect. I appreciate you explaining some of your tools n what your plan is on a certain piece. Believe it or not it’s very helpful. This is my first time watching your video n I’m now a official new subscriber. I love watching those who restore furniture. I love antiques n have quite a few that I’ve refinished but I’d be totally lost having to break them down n mend different pieces as you did. I’ve got a long way to go to be able to that. I think at 72 I’ll just continue refinishing them n leave the wood working area’s to a pro LOL. I consider this a restoration n you did amazingly well. I’ll be looking out for more of your videos. ♥️😊👍👍👍👍

[@RestorationEndeavours]

Thanks for watching! A lot of times I will plan out what I think I should do, and if I need to, teach myself and then give it a go. A bit risky I know, but that's part of the fun!

[@josephkerley363]

That was a rescue/restoration and quite good at that!

[@RestorationEndeavours]

I'm glad you think so! Thanks for watching 🙂

[@shelleythornton6938]

it turned out great . such a pretty color.

[@RestorationEndeavours]

Thank you, but I think the video doesn't do it justice, so nice as the sun hits it.

[@beadowarrior]

Beautiful. Easily one of the better done restoration videos I've seen. And I liked the little explainer popups, very useful if Aussie isn't your first language, lol!

[@RestorationEndeavours]

Awesome, thank you!

[@jebsails2837]

Greetings from up and over. Great job, it also works. The red / brown finish may have been an attempt to mimic rosewood or red mahogany, both popular in the last 250 years. Here chairs with thin width rockers are referred to as "carpet cutters". You also find many have had the part of the rocker which extends out from the front leg cut off, so we don't trip as we get older. Thanks. Narragansett Bay

[@RestorationEndeavours]

That name definitely sounds fitting if it sat in the one spot long enough. The paint idea makes sense too, though I have also seen a lot of very old country house sporting similar colours and it makes me wonder if it was just whatever they had left over.

[@mightyporky]

A trick to "tighten" loose dowels or tenon is use shavings from a plane. Glue this to the part and it works easily and very strong.Nice work btw.

[@RestorationEndeavours]

This would have been handy for the chair I am currently working on. Will definitely give it a try. Thanks!

[@carolspencer9396]

Awesome. You improvise very well, may I add.❤

[@RestorationEndeavours]

Thank you very much 😊

[@texanasimmons1761]

I think you did a fantastic job with all the problems you had in this project. I think the only thing Id have done differently was to fill all those nail holes from when it was uppolstered

[@Sarah-ci2ks]

You did a wonderful job, the rocking chair is beautiful ❤❤

[@RestorationEndeavours]

Wow, thank you!

[@designabeej]

Looks bloody brilliant 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼

[@rosaliemarcotte6389]

Great job and a beautiful chair.............

[@RestorationEndeavours]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@lainieinjax1]

The results are amazing as is your craftsmanship. My only question is why did you not try to fill the nail holes?

[@RestorationEndeavours]

Thank you for saying! I am a fan of leaving defects/damage that add character. Especially in this case where I feel filler would have stood out and had to have been extensive. Though maybe a dark ebony filler could have worked too.

[@Fruity_lexia]

Love it. I like the way you used some nice Aussie hardwoods to make your repairs. They're so underutilised.

[@RestorationEndeavours]

Yes they are! Thanks for watching 😁

[@julianneboys4062]

I really enjoyed this. Well done 👍 😊

[@RestorationEndeavours]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@Greenacres1958]

Cockatoos are amazing.

[@emmahardesty4330]

Great, good job. I imagine that old chair going "Ahhh, at last."

[@RestorationEndeavours]

That was me after I finally got to sit in it 🤣

[@margiestevens2384]

This is a beautiful restoration. Very good work will be interested in seeing what you’re up to next.

[@RestorationEndeavours]

Thank you very much! Let's say, a bit of old school upholstery is in the cards. Hopefully it won't take me too long.

[@redgreenfan4055]

I really like how you make do with what you have on hand. This was a great result.

[@RestorationEndeavours]

Thank you kindly. Sometimes the problem solving with what I have available is part of the fun.

[@kathleenmaloney4927]

❤I love that you are using only hand tools…more like the original craftsman used!!! You do good work. I’m glad I found your channel.

[@RestorationEndeavours]

Thank you! I have been trying to get more hand tools so I can stop using powered things, but finding nice old tools is hard. Thanks for watching.

[@SuperZmeister]

This was a pleasure to watch, and bit frustrating too. I hope by now you’ve acquired a bench vice and bench stop. You exhibit a real talent for this kind of ‘hobby’ getting very pleasing results. Keep at it and develop your own ways of reaching the desired goals. Taking something that many of us would consign to the scrap heap and making it into a usable object really takes determination and skill. Congratulations on your successful outcome.

[@RestorationEndeavours]

Thank you so much. I have gotten a little bit of money from ads now and put it towards a bench vice and some stops! I probably should try and sell some of these items too, but I end up liking the ones that aren't already owned by others. I'll run out of space soon!

[@vincentdarrah]

you are a VERY talented carpenter

[@RestorationEndeavours]

Thank you for saying, I try my best with what I have.

[@howlingwind1937]

I know it's an old video, but the chair came up beautiful. Well, for not being a,professional restorer I think you did a grand job. Cheers from Tassy!

[@RestorationEndeavours]

Thank you very much!

[@howlingwind1937]

@@RestorationEndeavours you're welcome, I enjoy watching you restore old furniture and give them a new life. Cheers from Tassy!

[@jannamarie3990]

I think you did a great job! Love the color

[@RestorationEndeavours]

Thank you so much!

[@dannraff]

Fantastic work you really nailed it no pun intended .

[@RestorationEndeavours]

Only a little! 😂

[@lesleydavies3063]

Gorgeous finish xxxx

[@RestorationEndeavours]

Thanks!

[@sararegato471]

NICE JOP, YOU ARE AMAZING!!!

[@RestorationEndeavours]

Thank you so much 🙂

[@Nonamagic]

Really gorgeous

[@RestorationEndeavours]

I agree, it needed a lot of fixing, but it was worth it in the end.

[@teresacunningham7975]

Amazing job!

[@RestorationEndeavours]

Thank you!

[@garrychang3022]

Our Aussie always doing a good,beautiful job!!!👍👏👏👍❤️👍！！！

[@RestorationEndeavours]

Thank you very much!

[@m.pav.8397]

Your work is awesome! Keep up the great work!

[@RestorationEndeavours]

Thanks, will do!

[@angelafernandachristenseng9884]

Oh, moreover you have a fancy, stylish dog! Come on… instead of a mutt, like the rest of us, a greyhound! To reupholster a chair with cane is difficult so very expensive (at least here). Well done again. Loved bits of the “old version” left behind. 👏🏼

[@RestorationEndeavours]

Again, thank you so much. Candy is just a big dog shaped cat really. And yes, the cane cost more that buying the chair!

[@MrJuanchocolo]

Excellent work, I think this chair remained as it was originally.....I am from Colombia, and here these chairs are called momposinas (from the colonial town Mompox), and they are very popular, people from the hot lands use them to take them out of the houses at night and have social gatherings... I didn't know they were called Lincoln... thank you teacher for the class, greetings...

[@Restorology]

Excellent work. I have been curious about working with wicker because I come across old pieces with it frequently and it is always broken. You have a nice collection of wood working gadgets. I need to step up my game if I am going to do more furniture repair and restoration. Cheers!

[@RestorationEndeavours]

Thank you very much! It was a pain, and more expensive than I had planned, but it ended up coming out so nice. While I do love doing the tools, I have just seen so many nice furniture pieces pop up lately. To many restorations and not enough time. Keep up the good work mate!

[@petervandermolen9835]

You brought new life to this piece, and did so marvelously! Who cares what that is called?

[@RestorationEndeavours]

Thank you. I am now just doing what I enjoy and hopefully the majority of people watching do too!

[@lrrypittman4907]

Your doing great keep it up

[@RestorationEndeavours]

Thanks, will do!

[@midcenturyflipper]

Well done!!!

[@RestorationEndeavours]

Thank you!

[@СветланаСургина-л6к]

Вы молодец с заботой относитесь к старине и бережливы достойны уважения

[@RestorationEndeavours]

большое спасибо

[@DelnoraY]

Well done, wow!

[@RestorationEndeavours]

Thank you 😀

[@מאירהרבינוביץ]

Very beautiful job

[@RestorationEndeavours]

Thanks for saying 🙏

[@H70334]

Great job with a greater result! To me it looks as original as it was in the past.

[@RestorationEndeavours]

Thank you very much!

[@PaulSimmons-l4j]

This was a rebuild more than a restore, excellent work. I have a similar rocker that is in excellent condition

[@sallyweiner4180]

Beautiful!

[@RestorationEndeavours]

Thank you!

[@NanaRobinsBrats]

Beautiful job

[@RestorationEndeavours]

Thank you! 😊

[@jenksify]

Who care if it's restoration or renovation or remodeling. As long as you're happy with the results is all that matters. As for me i love the way it looks.

[@RestorationEndeavours]

Exactly. I have had a few people debating it in comments. If I'm happy or the person I'm making it for likes it, then it's all good.

[@colleenkidwell5820]

Amazing job bringing this rocker back. It may be Elm, which was a popular hardwood in the day.

[@RestorationEndeavours]

Awesome info! I will go look at some Elm and see if it is. So hard to tell sometimes.

[@stephenlaverty2073]

It’s a great finish to the chair well done 👍

[@cantiliver26]

Beauty-full.

[@killy1958able]

Gorgeous 😊

[@some-idea]

Lovely attention to detail. With regard to the nailed joints, you really want to get all the nail out if you can. Those small hole saws they use for making beads on a lathe work well. Drill through a guide block until you have the hole established. Can be filled with a plug after.

[@RestorationEndeavours]

Thanks for the tip!

[@hettisela4009]

You did a beautiful job!

[@RestorationEndeavours]

Thank you!

[@freddieslaughter1107]

Good job

[@edgrapes2199]

Love your dialogue during the video.

[@RestorationEndeavours]

Thank you, it takes a while longer but I think it makes things clearer.

[@luciarobledo6790]

Good job. The only thing I would have done differently was to put a lighter color stain, or leave it natural. Very good to put the cane back on it.

[@RestorationEndeavours]

Maybe a light brown could have been nice too. And I was actually looking forward to upholstering it, but when I found it, I couldn't resist giving it a go.

[@Cradley684]

Great job Mate, have a nice day down under. Brian UK !!!. 😊😊😊.

[@RestorationEndeavours]

Thanks for stopping by!

[@carolmoore3706]

Hi i just come across your channel I love your work. Good job

[@RestorationEndeavours]

Hey, thanks! Glad you enjoyed it.

[@beverlycheek6719]

We have a large store here in Columbus Oh that is very much like this one. Size and layout. Many pieces comparable to the ones in your store. I have to says the prices in the store here are much lower than in your store. If you are ever in Columbus try Grand Mercantile. Love your work Barry. I can watch it for hours. B

[@mkemp5983]

So glad you saved this chair!

[@RestorationEndeavours]

Me too. I didn't think it would be this nice, but it's now a 'pass on' piece.

[@lindamarsh6711]

Wow, it’s a stunner! Great job! Hope you are wearing a mask in case of lead paint. You never know!

[@RestorationEndeavours]

I am! It makes me quite paranoid actually.

[@KS-ts3le]

I enjoy the conversation and knowledge you bring with your work, I prefer the noise of the tools instead of the minuteness music.

[@RestorationEndeavours]

I prefer it too and only a few people seem to do it. Also the reason I have been trying to use only hand tools lately. Thanks for watching!