200 Yr old Clock Restoration: PART 1

This week Trena completely restores a tall clock case from Scotland in the early 1800s.
Thank you so much for watching! If you enjoy my video and would like to say thanks you can also now buy me a coffee! This will just help me to be supported while I continue to make these videos for everyone to enjoy. Cheers to all my wonderful subscribers! www.buymeacoff...

[@matthewcondon1985]

I'm sitting in my clock repair shop working on a clock while watching the video. So nice to hear the owner know all about his clock. A lot of clock owners don't know anything about heir clocks.

[@johnsfurniturerepair]

Awesome!

[@tonyjover]

I wondered what happened to the super-long version that I started watching yesterday before it disappeared. 😀

[@refiii9499]

I’m so glad to hear you mention Baumgartner. I watch all his videos. He may even give you a helping hand as to which solvents to use to clean and remove that old varnish to not hurt the gem of a painting on that clock face. This is gonna be a cool restoration.

[@johnsfurniturerepair]

Be sure did. He was consulted

[@TheDelightfulCrafter]

YES!!! I love his channel and watch all of his video….

[@fdort3971]

​@@johnsfurniturerepair how do you spell his full name please? Never heard of him. I used to watch a British show called "the repair shop". I laughed so hard (and gagged) because apparently a common restoration technique for removing dust and grime from old paintings is literally spit! I'm pretty sure the saying "spit and shine polish" came from shoe shining but now I wonder...lol

[@everestyeti]

I used to be the custodian of some long case clocks, dating back to 1750. The case you have would probably have been made out of whatever the farmers could find and would have depended on where they live in Scotland, the majority would have been Beach, Oak and Pine.The reason for the rust is simple, in the UK and especially Scotland, we are never very far from the sea, it's a problem everywhere, especially with nails and screws made 200 years ago. Am really glad it's been given to you to do the restoration, I have no doubt that you will do a wonderful job.👍

[@johnsfurniturerepair]

thankyou

[@user-bh1lk9rj7j]

We have a Scottish clock movement made by F. Scott Lauder from the same time period. We bought it from a collector breaking up his collection in eastern Pennsylvania in the 1970’s. It’s now a family heirloom, well loved.

[@robynduplooy3039]

Oh yay! It's back! Was watching yesterday when it suddenly disappeared.

[@kmarch6630]

I thought I was going crazy. I watched some of your video yesterday then it disappeared. I'm happy you reposted!

[@grammybear4226]

🐼 Big Bear Hugs from a 68 yr old grandma in Kirby, Texas, USA 🐼 ❤

[@robertkelly9788]

In this day and era of regular and incessant distraction- in constant anxiety about the next NEW thing....it is such a joy to see our past cultural icons live again....and at least some of us can appreciate the skills it took to create these pieces once upon a time...and now...the skills it takes to bring them back from the brink......a joy to watch. Bravo.

[@johnsfurniturerepair]

Thankyou!

[@lindsaythompson726]

You are so talented.

[@larrytomlinson2606]

I watched the almost 3 hour version of this restoration . I was extremity impressed! The results of your clock face restoration was absolutely TOP NOTCH work. Wow, just wow!!! And the center top finial you made is amazing. Great job.

[@johnsfurniturerepair]

Awesome thanks Larry!

[@redhawk4859]

Love it Love it You are the Greatest

[@anitamorales1506]

I got to watch the whole thing yesterday, but my comment wouldn't post. I am awed, amazed and oddly proud of what you have done with that piece. I was not at all surprised by the perfect woodwork, but your fearless work on the clock face wowed the world. I imagine this is a job you will never forget! I know I won't.

[@johnsfurniturerepair]

It was very satisfying

[@anitamorales1506]

@@johnsfurniturerepair I have been Blessed with many tasks in my life that stretched my comfort zone. Every one of them increased my confidence. I am glad that Julian was willing and able to help you a little and give you the thrill that success brings.

[@anthonychavez3742]

Awesome project. I can’t wait for a grandfather clock to walk into my shop for a restoration.

[@johnsfurniturerepair]

I want another. They are an absolute pleasure to restore

[@barbaralevel7225]

Nice to hear his story about the clock. He loves this piece.

[@teribloom2562]

The clock face restoration was fascinating!

[@lisachesters4991]

Got to see the whole thing yesterday - amazing Work.

[@johnsfurniturerepair]

One of the lucky ones

[@PghFlip]

He looks so happy!!!!

[@pattym4543]

I started watching this video yesterday and got to the restoration of the clock face when the video disappeared…ack! Up to that point, I was mesmerized! The case restoration was an skilled artistic feat. Trena, as you show your working steps, you provide what we need to see along with your explanation is just the right balance to understand thes process. I was also delightfully surprised that you restored the missing art of the clock face…wow!!! Now I can’t wait to see the completion of this beautiful cherished piece. Thanks for your dedicated skill. You are a master crafts woman! 👏👏👏

[@johnsfurniturerepair]

Awesome. It will all be up very soon. Cheers!

[@mightyporky]

Ima think someone has watched Tom Johnson....very nice Trena

[@johnsfurniturerepair]

A fan for years but Ive been in The business (most years with my dad) for 25yrs. Cheers

[@mightyporky]

@@johnsfurniturerepair I knew that, just teasing. btw the finial is about perfect

[@pamcarlin5613]

Love the customer story

[@donwilliams3626]

Time flies when you are having fun. This one had so much history, so much of a story to tell, it takes a village to make this clock.

[@johnsfurniturerepair]

Yep

[@js8039]

This will be your masterpiece.

[@johnsfurniturerepair]

There have been many but this one is one of the special ones for sure

[@olivernash2240]

Simply the best!,,👏👍🤗

[@leslieblackshear802]

I put it on pause yesterday and was hoping to get back to it this morning then I got this alert. Wow! Amazing. Sorry I missed the ending of the 1st one. It was a long one, but I bet a good one.

[@johnsfurniturerepair]

It will be back in episode form. Cheers!

[@jalechavez6042]

Guauuu....!!...Esperare Ancioso la Segunda Parte...!!!..Un Beso Lindaaa...ji ji ji

[@megwolff58]

Really enjoyable video, Trena, Thanks! I am always surprised that the bases of long case clocks are so flimsy considering the weight they carry. When I was little, people used to put heavy cast iron objects in them to prevent the clock falling on children!🙂

[@sandradavid4080]

I missed the long version- I would love to see the whole process even if if had to be over several videos.

[@randyattwood]

Challenging project with many different aspects which are each fun to watch you tackle.

[@ratballs007]

Nice Compact content, very entertaining, didn't know you could paint too ! imagine "Even a clock is right twice a day " ....

[@patk1284]

there was a point in the early restoration, when you were chiseling and carving, it popped into my mind of Disney's Geppetto so if you don't mind you could be Ms Geppetto! so fascinating to watch your meticulous work, I appreciate you taking the time to show us your craft! my name is Patrick but for temporary purposes you could call me Pinocchio in keeping with my mental fantasy!

[@johnsfurniturerepair]

Lol. Thanks!

[@lynnew5619]

Looking forward to Pt 2!

[@philrockabilly]

Brilliant....will watch them all before final comments but be assured that if I did comment on all of them it will be Brilliant 😉 Looking forward to this series. 😀🇬🇧 Phil

[@techonthecheap8527]

Love the customer involvement. Unique approach. It's great to hear their input!

[@pablobruning4508]

My English wife has Scottish roots as do I, an American. So loved this restoration. Watched all episodes. Wow!

[@tomrodgers8097]

Awesome! Love the history of this piece.

[@Cradley684]

Doin a great job Trena can't wait for next video, have a nice day , Brian UK !!!.

[@pjchris90]

I watched it all yesterday before the video was taken down and before I could comment. Wow, the woodworking was up to your usual fantastic skills, but the clockface? Stunning. Absolutely stunning. You should be working in a museum restoring art.

[@johnsfurniturerepair]

Awesome. Thanks for watching the marathon!

[@hm3doc8404]

Whew glad to see it back I had to leave during the watching of the video when I got back I was so disappointed I couldn’t find it! I am super interested in the dial work !

[@ragnes18]

can't wait the next episode thank you!!

[@ralphsullender2474]

You never cease to amaze me.

[@alangilchrist7562]

Trena, I love the history behind the antique pieces. Thank you very much for sharing it!

[@stayingsane5213]

Very nicely done The base did not look as bad as it actually was. Glad he brought it in when he did. I work on clocks (mostly the movements) so I'm really happy to see that you were able to revive that dial. Thanks for sharing

[@johnsfurniturerepair]

Awesome. Thankyou!

[@paulstanding7267]

I am so glad he decided to bring you the clock it looks like one my grandma and grandad had in there living room and was from Scotland like most of the furniture were made by farm hands during the dark winter months clocks and house furniture anything to do with the house they would make. Timber was normally green still moist not dried like to day unfortunately woodworm is a very big killer of furniture if not detected early looking forward to seeing the finished item looked stunning. Take care.

[@johnsfurniturerepair]

Awesome thanks!

[@peterouellette3874]

Nice going

[@cherylbellardino5211]

Looking forward to seeing the rest of this restoration project!

[@wileycoyotesr8623]

Trina, I find you honest and also fearless to take on projects.

[@johnsfurniturerepair]

Thankyou!

[@sallylines3141]

I found this video a year late! 😂 it’s been fascinating, I would add that these old clocks always had problems with the feet as they were placed on stone slabs and got water damaged with constant floor washing over the years. When I was at school in the 50’s we were told it was interchangeable to either use the 4i’s or a iv. Brilliant video I’m so pleased to have found it.

[@mcdugalmcstiffy6889]

I'm glad you mentioned Baumgartner- fascinating work.

[@catherineengle4196]

Wow what a project. I know you will do an extremely beautiful job on this piece. God bless

[@djparn007]

Wonderful 👍👍

[@joevano]

Watched the whole thing yesterday… you guys are in for a treat! I got chills seeing the finished product. Unbelievable Trena!! I seriously doubt Baumgartner Restorations could have done any better! Excellent job!

[@johnsfurniturerepair]

Oh wow! Well I think he could have. Lol. But Thankyou

[@isaach1447]

Great restore.👍🏼It’s amazing how much work you put into doing as little as possible! Of course you have one of the few jobs where that’s a compliment😆

[@johnsfurniturerepair]

Lol

[@johnotimi6813]

I loved this restoration, it really shows the great craftsmanship you have acquired over the years, working with your family (John) and in your own shop. I was enjoying the extra long video and seeing the finished product that I was going to rewatch it again but it disappeared, anyway will enjoy watching Ep 1 and wait for Ep 2!

[@johnsfurniturerepair]

Thanks!

[@marcnshawny]

What a wonderful, charming introduction to your project. I'm always interested in the stories behind the pieces, particularly old, beloved ones. I hope we will get to see his reaction to the finished work.

[@benjaqsonworkshop9974]

It is such a pleasure to watch you work and to hear your thoughts and feelings about each piece. Thank you for sharing your insight and skill.

[@antonellorivano4934]

Complimenti ....un ottimo lavoro...

[@scottgm321]

Here I watch an astonishing craftswoman repair a beautiful piece of history, and all I can think is. Where can I get one of those chocolate chip cookie pencils? Lol It’s so fun to watch you work. Thanks for the video.

[@johnsfurniturerepair]

Lol. My daughter gave it too me. Maybe your hungry lol

[@petestaint8312]

Another masterpiece! Great job, Trena. 👍

[@luisdardis5223]

YOU ARE SUCH AN AMAZING ARTIST!! SUPERB!! AYE!!! CONGRATS!!

[@johnsfurniturerepair]

Thankyou

[@luisdardis5223]

@@johnsfurniturerepair Don't mention it!!

[@sylviaprudhomme5417]

That is a very unique clock. Can tell he loves it. So glad he brought to you❤❤❤❤

[@Wordsnwood]

I was watching you work on the base and it just seemed like the damage kept getting deeper and deeper. Really impressive how you worked to save it... As for the panel, I might have been inclined to put new wood on both sides, to try to balance the look of things. However, I think you are much better at matching colours and stains... I usually just build new projects

[@johnsfurniturerepair]

Thankyou! I wished I had a better piece of oak but I had what I had

[@cps5698]

An interesting historical note; oftentimes, the person in one's community who made clock cases also made coffins.

[@johnsfurniturerepair]

Yes. Lol

[@marciadanielson79]

Missed seeing more of the work you did off camera

[@johnsfurniturerepair]

Sorry there is so much. One day I’ll do a everything video for my hard core viewers like yourself. Lol.

[@ClockFixer]

Nice job! As a Clock Maker i find myself doing more woodwork than actual mechanical repair on movements!

[@user-rq9po2zv4k]

Дякую вам за працю 😊❤

[@davidnelson6893]

What a cool clock

[@stephenburns3678]

Thank you

[@vinod1908]

What a perfectionist you are Trena! Hats off!

[@beckysdolan7540]

What a beautiful clock face. So interesting to hear the story behind this beautiful piece. I love watching your videos Trina. You do such detailed work and you're very knowledgeable. ❤💯

[@johnsfurniturerepair]

Thank you so much!

[@marianmain]

3:31 I literally shouted “oh please let it be a thistle! Make a thistle Trena!” 🤣 I haven’t watched all the videos so I don’t know what you will make but it’ll be incredible no matter what. You are SO talented. Such an inspiration to me! Binge watching all your videos 🖤

[@johnsfurniturerepair]

Aweaome. Thankyou!

[@robertadriver6931]

Your meticulous work on saving as much as possible of the original oak was a great indication of your attention to detail of this piece. Working on the clock face required a delicate touch & a steady hand to return this work of art to its original vibrancy. Did you or the owner of the clock have the clock's workings cleaned & fine tuned? Beautiful job.

[@johnsfurniturerepair]

Thanks. The owner is in search of a clock repair person to finish the works. Cheers

[@frankstoverpurebloodsaltya6441]

Well done Trina!!! Look forward to seeing the rest!!!

[@26beegee]

Beautiful work!

[@HannahMattox]

I'm slowly working my way through your channel. I am loving your work, girlfriend! And it was cool to hear you mention Baumgartner, my husband watches his channel!

[@fedupwithvulgarities7355]

Thank you, thank you, thank you for introducing us to the owner and sharing his reaction on seeing his beautifully restored clock. 🌞😘🌺🌸💐

[@photoinmotion999]

I find very interesting to hear your thought process on wether to replace, restore or modify the piece while trying to keep its integrity.

[@kenrk]

Glad to see the video is back, I'm guessing the long format didn't work out? Just curious how you can determine if the wood worms are still present and what could be done other than replacing the wood section if they are?

[@johnsfurniturerepair]

I usually poor alchohol in Swiss cheese holes and if there are bugs they come out. If there is an active infestation it needs to be fumigated and then I would proceed the same.

[@SPMech1]

Amazing 👏

[@SteifWood]

Good, I have a family heirloom wall mounted clock nearly as big as this one that also dates from the late 19th century. It needs care, maybe less than this one, but I'll follow your videos. I'm sure it will inspire me to set aside time and money to do some work.

[@johnmcglynn4102]

I am currently (and have been for some time.....) restoring an Art Nouveau breakfront and one thing in common with the piece you have here is ---- the dirt! Amazing how filthy these pieces seem to be! Really looks like yours stood in water for a period. I sympathized with you at a number of points - especially the decision to replace the bottom banding and repair the front by cutting away and regluing. Mine had a peculiar astragal molding that did not wrap the cabinet. Why? No idea. It will have a new astragal molding that will wrap. Routed it out myself. New door hardware, new hinges, it goes on and on.... Anyway, will be finishing up mine, well, sometime soon? Haha. Thank you for a nice video.

[@johnsfurniturerepair]

Awesome sounds very interesting

[@comsen1]

What a fantastic job you did on that clock Trena. You truly are an artist in the way you restored that face, amazing. That little label you found look to me to be a date, I think 1969 and a price maybe 7/6 not sure could not see it clearly, but that would be pre-decimal currency, so maybe seven shillings and six pence. Maybe for some repair carried out back in the day. Anyway well done, great job👍😊

[@larrykelly2838]

Wow, that clock requires a lot of repair.

[@johnsfurniturerepair]

Yep

[@gregeconomeier1476]

One night I had trouble sleeping and noticed the night stand was making crunching noises. I investigated the next day and found a pile of saw dust under the stand. The local bug company put it in a pressure vessel with some love gas for a few days and the little buggers made no more cruncing noises.

[@heybabe8438]

Your work your work ethic and talent are amazing you're really a master craftsperson .

[@johnsfurniturerepair]

Thanks!

[@wandaarganbright4056]

In the UK they call woodworms "the wee little beasts!" Perfect description of them.

[@allanknoll551]

I wish we could have seen the finished clock project! We would have loved to see the clock face refinished!

[@johnsfurniturerepair]

More episodes to come! Cheers

[@maddieadams75]

Beautiful restoration ♥️

[@haplessdilettante]

Your papa must be beaming.

[@jrmintz1]

Wonderful! Can't wait to see the next part.

[@markwhite8497]

I totally like this vid

[@stephenwharton4354]

What a talent! Such An eye for detail. Any proud parents in your family? :)

[@scottcates]

I am super curious how woodworm-damaged wood responds to resin stabilization. Cactus Juice, for instance.

[@johnsfurniturerepair]

Not sure

[@milsonfialho2725]

As always there is more than meets the eyes. So far i am pleased with the results. Ps: why not split the difernce of the width and add it to the corners of the base front panels?

[@johnsfurniturerepair]

That would be fine too

[@milsonfialho2725]

@@johnsfurniturerepair i rushed to conclusion ,because i am a monday night (quarterback) furniture repairman. Thank you for answering my questions.

[@RobbieSongwriter]

Ummm Part 2?? I was REALLY into your vid, and then stay tuned. ?? Am I just not seeing the connection to part 2? Anyway - fascinating as usual. I like that you share your thought process to changing your mind about what approach you take to some details. Been Jonesing for your vids. Thanks for sharing.

[@johnsfurniturerepair]

Thanks!

[@normanmerrill1241]

Where were the worms? Nice work as usual….be safe

[@johnsfurniturerepair]

No beetles alive

[@leobrent7926]

Those wood worms though... they really did a number on that thing. I can see why you would wanna pour alcohol on the wood, they are easier to catch when they are drunk lol. Last night you took down the long version of this restoration before I was able to watch it :( please don’t make us wait too long for the next installment of this.

[@johnsfurniturerepair]

It’s on the way as we speak

[@JimmiePorterAtStuartArts]

I’ve worked on a couple similar clocks, and the bottoms were blown out of both. I believe the heavy weights were accidentally dropped when trying to hook onto the cords that drive the movement. Looks like a fun project.!

[@johnsfurniturerepair]

Yes I believe so

[@randallalley5592]

I once heard Peter Gabriel say that he had a clock with no minute hands, just an hour hand pointing to '1ish', '2ish'', ect.

[@CaseXRP]

You mentioned 'high' glue? What are you referring to? I restore old furniture myself and sometimes so called fishglue is used (Sweden), not sure if this is the same. Let me know. 🙂

[@edsmith8153]

She said hide glue

[@CaseXRP]

@@edsmith8153 Found it, it seems to be the same or similar to Swedish 'fish glue'.

[@johnsfurniturerepair]

Fish glue is similar but has leas strength. Hide glue is used more often in woodworking. Cheers!