Thrift Store Rescue #16 | Repairing A Vintage Folding Chair | Furniture Repair and Restoration

In this video I repair an old folding chair that I found in a thrift store.
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[@maddiebee123]

"I just let it be how it wanted to be" -words of wisdom said by many before -but every time it is repeated, it sounds refreshing and right.

[@jessicakosak4138]

I think my blood pressure just lowered by 20 points after watching this 😌

[@danielmarak8568]

So true. A great way to relieve stress.

[@evelyn_r]

So pretty, I’m so happy you didn’t strip it and refinish it as it has so much more character this way 💖💖💖

[@DashnerDesignRestoration]

Thank you.

[@Ntyler01mil]

Beautiful job. This is the calming content we all need right now.

[@mcm.walnuter3479]

Yay! Dasher Dan 😀 made my day. I've watched all your videos and learned a lot. I'm doing a mcm coffee table right now - taking apart and applying wood glue and clamps!

[@DashnerDesignRestoration]

Have fun with your project. Thanks for watching!

[@montyholland3357]

That males two of us. I'm doing a MCM coffee table I found curbside.

[@chipthedipyaknow]

I also appreciate an object that also tells a little bit of a story. One could look at this chair and see the history of this chair. I believe the reason that churches prefered to use this chair because it gave you a sense of eternity the longer that you sat in one of those. I imagine when the chair broke they just disposed of it to anybody that wanted it. Finally to do service as a plant stand because it looked interesting. Did you want to tell you that in some instances the chairmakers would pin their rungs to help hold the set of the joint because glues took longer to dry back then. Thanks for the great content.

[@scottmclennan6114]

Almost looks like a campaign chair. Nice resto.

[@9mann315]

Just wanted to say thanks for posting. You're videos are informational, entertaining and soothing. And you inspired me to redo a project that had been sitting for a long time. Thanks.

[@YesISkate1]

wow such a beautiful chair

[@zanizone3617]

"It's a quiet day in Minneapolis". Wow. It took me aback for a second.

[@Mack34783]

Please never change how you edit these videos.

[@annpane1227]

I love your talented projects' results, and it goes without saying, your relaxing and comforting voice.

[@ianmurrell209]

The chair turned out great and I love the colour. With the broken rods on the back I'd suggest you split them on the line of the brad. Pull out the two halves and then with pointy-nose pliers grab the brad in the hole and pry it up. It would save carving out the wood to grab the brad. Also the brads might have been in the original construction which negated the use of clamps and drying time. Keep up the wonderful restorations.

[@bren70ssss94]

I'm sure I heard a woodpecker in the background , he sounded impressed 👍😁

[@sarahrenfrow9795]

I think it looks good! Enjoyed!

[@edmundol6169]

Have you ever used "Wonderlokking Tite Chairs" cyanoacrylate? Very low viscosity stuff that sinks entirely through cracked wood, so you know you've got coverage. It's good for the occasional impossible-to-disassemble joint and seems extremely strong. Also good for a hammer head that won't seem to stay tight. Your videos are great, lots of useful ideas.

[@BuftaChYmes]

Keeping the character of the chair is nice. Stay safe Mr. Dasher. 👍

[@briancalvey4997]

Thanks for a really nice video. I wonder, since the broken dowel was going to coming out anyway, if you might have dealt with the nails last, and avoided the dremel damage...?

[@helenschneider4289]

Good video - it's a good time to work through the backlog of things at home. I am doing the same with thrifted clothes I need to repair and alter.

[@unworthy42]

I really like your channel. Please keep making these videos. 👌

[@grizzzlebees]

Great job, as always. Love your videos. Be well

[@DashnerDesignRestoration]

Thanks, you too.

[@matthew4878]

The was the calm before the storm. He had no idea.

[@diamondperidot]

I am so glad you did not try and make the chair look new. The wear & tear is part of the charm of the chair.

[@andrewbawden7477]

If you’re replacing the long dowel, why not split the dowel in half and drill out the dowel then push the nail up and out? I feel like you damaged more than necessary

[@JJ-zg1hh]

68 dislikes? You lot need your heads examining. Great video.

[@jth1987leb]

Saab 93 combi on the steer

[@figrollin]

Really enjoyable video :) Does that cool, forked, angled prong tool (used to remove the nail at the beginning) have a name? Looks useful.

[@DashnerDesignRestoration]

I think it's a staple remover.

[@j.armandogarcia9638]

no is good you restoration

[@TheindefatigableGovernor]

What year do you think this chair was made, and by what company? Thanks.

[@olejoergenmalm16]

Is this chair from a school? 'St. Peter's Lutheran' in St. Clair, Michigan?

[@DashnerDesignRestoration]

I assumed it was a church but I guess it could be a school, too.

[@Li_ShuWei]

9:18 very much like what a dentist would do on a cavity:)))

[@barryallin8161]

Nicely done repair/restore, thank you. However I did cringe to see you cutting off the broken dowel with a brass back tenon saw, adding more damage to the leg. PLEASE get yourself a flush cut saw or a Japanese pull saw for jobs like this, which would avoid scratching the surrounding area. Stay safe.

[@harveypost7799]

4:00 Y didn't u sand refinished seat while u had disassembled.i will find out.

[@shakeval]

Little bit of hot vinegar on a shiny new rod would take it back to grey or some cold blue liquid would turn it black

[@DashnerDesignRestoration]

Thanks. I'll try that next time.

[@shakeval]

And keep the old rod if you do that, never know when a small rod is helpful

[@markphillips6154]

NawThat seat should’ve been sanded down and cleaned up at Stillwater like the old

[@anniejones2640]

I'm a middle aged woman current living in a small apartment in Dallas, Texas and your videos bring me so much pleasure. I used to have a house and one of the pleasures I had while married was working on projects in the garage. I brought me joy to find things that just needed a little work before they became part of my life. Thank you for your videos!

[@DashnerDesignRestoration]

That makes me happy to hear. Thank you!

[@montyholland3357]

I'm a middle-age man in NE Colorado. I totally understand. My ex and I liked doing the same thing. I still do. I have a MCM end table I'm giving some TLC to and a chair my chiropractor used as a saw horse amd got with the saw. Lol

[@anniejones2640]

@@montyholland3357 Man I miss it! I wish so much I had even a patio area for smaller projects. The smell of sawdust is like the smell of fresh cut grass... smells that just make you feel good!

[@montyholland3357]

Sawdust is one of the best scents in the world.

[@montyholland3357]

I tell everyone he's the bob ross of furniture repair. Lol

[@cathyswope5174]

Why do I love your videos? Not just your calm, soothing voice, but also the tap tap tap of the hammer. The hum of the Dremel. The headless Minneapolitans walking by. The beautiful results. It's a good day to watch a Dashner video.

[@beeonthyme5760]

The headless Minnesotans haaaa

[@brandierae]

So true!

[@dalekthump2590]

the time between sounds is like perfect. Many videos today is constant stimulation with no silence. These have nice silent breaks after talking that are so peaceful

[@l1zrdking]

It took me three tries to finish this because it was so relaxing I kept falling asleep. I dig keeping the worn look, especially the stencil on the bottom, preserves its character.

[@beverlyw56]

I was amused with this project because I am from Michigan, about 30 miles from St. Peters. I always called these chairs finger pinchers, because the are so awkward to fold.

[@jmsmom67]

Oh my god Yes!

[@shakeval]

You know dude, if you are having some trouble finding stuff to make a video on you could do some on tool upkeep and refurbishment, I'm sure you have some things laying around that could be sharpened or taken apart and oiled/lubed up etc.

[@pteddie6965]

Since I was employed by a church all of my working life, this chair immediately caught my attention. I have spent many worship services sitting in chairs that looked just like this. I think that this is the first time that I have differed with you on the extent of a restoration. I would have preferred that you took this chair closer to its original look, I have to say that I still like how it looked after you completed it. Thanks for posting this. Stay safe.

[@DashnerDesignRestoration]

Maybe someday down the line I’ll do a complete refinish. Thanks for watching and be well.

[@deansheridan]

Huh? He cleaned up. What could make it look more original?

[@Shane-Singleton]

I agree with you to an extent, Eddie. I think that I would have repaired the finish damage on the bottom seat where it looks like somebody sat a bucket or something. But then carried out the rest conserving the finish and repairing as was done in the video. .

[@howellomaha]

@@Shane-Singleton I bet a plant used to sit on that chair. Round circle and water damage: I recognize that look too easily from my own life lessons on plants and furniture.

[@Shane-Singleton]

@@howellomaha I imagine you're probably correct. Seems like that chair would make a fairly unique and cool looking plant stand.

[@Ketaset999]

The secret to getting the nail out without hurting anything: press a hot soldering iron to the nail. Let it heat until smoking (it may take a while depending on your tip and if it has a good blob of tin to conduct heat). The nail will conduct the heat and burn its way free. Works wonders on ring-shank nails and stuff in pallet wood. If you plan to sand a bit a map torch will get really stubborn nails that are poking through the material in a hurry. This isn't great for finishing nails with heads below the surface, but it does make it a lot easier for the ones you can get a tiny bit of purchase on.

[@margeryk000]

Thanks for helping to dull the dreariness of staying at home. Hope your garage has lots more goodies in store. Thanks for sharing another great video. Keep it up and stay safe. ATB

[@DashnerDesignRestoration]

Thanks for watching and be well.

[@eboyle504d]

I admire your courage and confidence in taking things apart, knowing you will be able to put them back together again. For some reason, I can’t seem to overcome that fear. It’s part of why I keep watching.

[@lizday8140]

What a sweet piece. So much character, with its wear. My dad "evangelized" a lot in the 70's, and before these types of chairs were replaced with metal folding chairs, we visited a lot of churches with rec halls filled with these.

[@kevinw3671]

Nice piece. I hope you have more left in your garage to keep you busy till we get past this.

[@DashnerDesignRestoration]

Thanks, I'm trying to pull stuff out every day.

[@Peggyt-jp6mt]

@@DashnerDesignRestoration LOL I am doing the same with the food in my freezer. This is a great opportunity to "clean house". ... from Oakville Ontario

[@VeryHarmonious]

@@Peggyt-jp6mt Here I thought I was the only Ontarian to discover his channel!

[@Peggyt-jp6mt]

@@VeryHarmonious To be honest, I am not fond of mid century furniture and I dislike red/brown stain but I love listening to his voice.

[@elliepascoe5954]

In my old school building there were chairs that looked a lot like this one. A fine old chair, love the way you treated it 😁🇳🇱

[@aaronandrews3059]

Beautiful chair. Looks like someone used the chair as a plant stand before you got it. What was the name that was stenciled on the bottom? Looks like the name of a ship possibly? Hope you and your family are staying safe.

[@DashnerDesignRestoration]

Hi, It's stenciled with the name of a church - St. Peters Lutheran, St. Clair, MI. Thanks and be well.

[@aaronandrews3059]

Awesome. Thank you.

[@Dog.soldier1950]

Aaron Andrews knowing Lutherans, they’ll want their chair back😉

[@jglow8337]

@@Dog.soldier1950 Hahaha!

[@corydriver7634]

Dogsoldier 1950 I’m a Lutheran and I’d take offense to that if it weren’t true😆.

[@consideredwhisper]

Hi. Nice job on that sweet chair. I am in England, also in lockdown and mending furniture that's been hanging around awhile. Yesterday a mid-century teak coffee table, today two vintage vintners stools. Tomorrow it might be that 1960s wooden sofa frame that I've been bumping into for months... it'll be a beauty. Keep up the good work!

[@Zone10Permaculture]

Are you on Instagram? I'd love to see your finished projects.

[@cynthiafisher9907]

It was refreshing to see you do a partial restoration, keeping the worn look of the chair. It helps to show its history. Thanks for sharing!

[@montyholland3357]

I have an amazing MCM coffee table I'm restoring and a chair. THANKS to your channel I've gotten back the urge to restore furniture again. My ex and I used to all the time. Kinda lost the desire afterwards, ya know. THANKS for a wonderful project 😊.

[@generatorjohn4537]

I was so glad to see that you kept the stenciled name of the church on the chair. My uncle worked on a project and aquired several of those style chairs. Always came in handy during family gatherings. As usual your videos never disappoint, thanks again.

[@Linda.Rides.A.Vacuum]

You are an amazing woodworker - my father would do projects like this ❣️ love watching your talent

[@bifster7384]

Its fun to see you focus more on the structural integrity of a project that needs to work as intended not just look brand new. Comment for the algorithm.

[@MarioLorenzo]

I've been subscribed to your channel for some time now because I've always enjoyed your calm vocalization of your thought process and your steady ingenuity and deliberate drive to finish each project. But now in these times of distress, it is cathartic-like and calming to watch your videos. Thanks. "I didn't want to force it to be square, I just wanted it to take whatever shape felt the most natural . . . so I just let it be as it wanted to be."

[@corydriver7634]

To get those nails out holding the dowels in, did you consider driving it straight through with a nail set? I’ve found this technique works well. When enough of the nail sticks out the other side you can grab it with vise grips and twist as you pull. If you’re afraid of blowing out the other side you can back it up with a block of wood. Sometimes heating the nail by touching a soldering iron to it for a second or two help also. The finished product turned out nice, thanks.

[@joyceballeck8865]

My Daddy who did so many and beautiful refinishing projects did a chair like this. I treasure so much. I love your channel & always think of Daddy when watching💕

[@GregAlanEdwardsEmmanuelRidge]

That’s a great $5 chair! You made it last another 50 years and didn’t change a thing!

[@jglow8337]

Nice! Bet it feels good to finally get to a project piece you purchased over a year ago.

[@jeanniealford4234]

I love your video. This is just like the chairs in my home church, built in 1950. I had just thought about these old chairs a few weeks ago and wondered if they are still used or where I could find some from my WV church. I now live in GA. Glad you have restored one like the ones I remember. Thank you.

[@debracox9277]

Unintentionally ASMR. I love your videos. They are informative and so great to watch. I love the history. Your voice over is so soothing. Asmr for sure. Great stuff all around. Keep up the great work!!

[@1959Berre]

To remove the nail, cut the dowel flush; drill the dowel in the center and through the nail and remove the dowel stump until the hole is empty, except for whatever remains of the nail. Now you have access to the nail from the inside of the hole. You can grab the nail in the hole with narrow pointed pliers and push it out instead of pulling it.

[@prairieplains]

I remember sitting on chairs like that one in Sunday school. And playing with the loose slats. Thanks for the flashback

[@susanwoodcarver]

I love that chair and how you cared for it. I enjoy and always learn so much watching your videos. Thank you, and stay safe.

[@jerrywoodlee2345]

Why didn't you sand everything while you had it apart?

[@기타선생]

how you leave those imperfect things and respect time they have been through. it's kind of humble. I like these.

[@andyb2339]

I love your philosophy of just letting the chair "be who it wants to be" :) I wonder if a little spot welder or soldering iron could be used to attach another piece of metal to the nail for some pulling purchase. I've seen this done on metal machinery when bolt heads break off.

[@floief]

When I was a kid my uncle had a huge old Victorian home. As he got older a lot of it was closed to maintain a smaller living area for him and my aunt. In what was the grand dining room, against the wall stood 6 or 8 of those exact chairs. Funny, I hadn't thought of that in years. Thanks for the memories :)

[@chucknelson4556]

To each his own. I would have cleaned it up like new.

[@ymottspice]

Thanks for another great video. Your content is always interesting, and your voice is always soothing.

[@jb5017]

The Bob Ross of restoration. Fab!

[@srr8890]

Watching your channel feels like watching National Geographic....VINTAGEWOOD.... And then there's your Majestic voice, without any deafening Artificial Music... So Pure & Blissful. 😍

[@qilin3530]

I love how soothing these videos are and it always makes me happy to see a new one posted, thank you 😊

[@franternes2590]

Had to laugh at the stenciled lettering on the back. I have a chair from my old grade school still stenciled with the school name. Somewhat similar chair, given away before the school was torn down.

[@futureforecast1388]

I love how you are thrifting in your own garage.

[@lisagrafton2529]

That chair is from St. Clair, Michigan! I grew up in St. Clair, Michigan, and many of my relatives are still there. I haven't finished watching this, but I'm hoping you didn't get rid of the writing!!! Do you sell your finished pieces?

[@lizaleaves]

New subscriber in Apple Valley here! Your videos are so relaxing, so satisfying, and so lovely. I appreciate you putting out a video despite thrifting being a non-option! Thank you for sharing your work! ❤️

[@anthonymoraes3251]

Love your videos! Especially now while I’m stuck here under quarantine in the epicenter, NYC. 😢. Do you have any tips on how to match stain colors? You seem to get great results and what color gel stain did you use on this chair? Thank you again for helping us all get through these rough times...Your videos keep me sane...❤️

[@brandonmasser5248]

Soo I’m used to using Mohawk products. So when I used Polly and it blushed due to the humid day. I should have know when applying it. Anyways, I tried a noblush spray and it lifted the Polly and ruined it. So I had to wet sand the finish off and re apply. My main reason for this is how he heck do you remove blushing from Polly without lifting the finish? In other words prevent orange pealing

[@amaliasabbat2971]

I just found these chairs in the trash I’m going to try restore them but they are missing the backs so gonna try using jute webbing hopefully it looks okay! Do you have any tips??? They’re a bit wobbly I’m not a wood worker but I think they’re cool! Wish me luck

[@jodidavis6595]

Shelter in place…meanwhile a cyclist road by 🙄 Thank God my state never put us thru that. SC 💪🏼 Nice wrk as usual

[@eveningvisit]

Hi! I have a chair just like this. After someone rushed to sit on the chair, I noticed it’s begun to wobble. It’s also joined by rivets and I’d like to ask you how would you approach tightening or replacing the rivets to stabilize the chair?

[@Wild_child_V]

I might be wrong but I remember you used to make them with very little commentary, they are very soothing to watch and I love watching them before sleep, I wondering you'd make the videos in that style again? Or try captions? Anyway they are amazing, keep up the good work!!

[@tedbaker8291]

I love not overdoing a furniture "touch up" but that seat was begging for more attention. The chair was clearly ab/used as a plant stand. It deserves to age gracefully, not advertise its past. Something to subdue the water rings, then some color so that what's left doesn't jump out. Just sayin.

[@rickyrollerv2]

Very nice. Nice to see that you left the marks on that one. I remember always choosing to sit/lie down on a beaten up deckchair at my grandma's house. Can you give more info on how you tackled the problem with the lose back pins? Thanks for sharing.

[@caribmedical57]

What a pleasure to watch. You are an artist. I loved that chair. I would buy it in a heartbeat. I'm sure you have plenty of goodies laying around your garage. Keep those videos rolling! 😄😄😄

[@Jerbod2]

Personally I'd have loved a full restoration. But hey beggars can't be choosers.

[@wrtsprt]

Nice how the new rod blends in .. well done! Beautiful chair.

[@mattherrington2582]

Love the video - have a similar project -any idea where I could source replacement hardware? One of my pin hinges is broken. Thanks!

[@birdie399]

Really enjoyed your commentary, no lecturing. The restoration was very sympathetic. Thanks for the video.

[@user-jc8py7dw7r]

Love your chill vibe, guy.

[@taylorwallace9725]

I didn't realize until the end of the video what the print on the chair said - I was extremely surprised to see St Clair! I was born in a hospital less than a mile from that church but was immediately adopted by a family in Pennsylvania. Such an odd coincidence as I've been watching your videos for at least a year now!

[@erikas974]

Great video thank you. The past few days I am upcicleing an old pine study desk to be a so cold kitchen island bench on rollers. Had some issues but slowly I am getting there. Not sure how and what to do with the top. I want to use it to prepair food and also put my sawing machine when I need to do some sawing. Q: do I put some stainlessteel on it or leave it and put some food safe oil and when I use it for sawing just put a cover on it? Which one would you do? Thank you

[@ALWhiteAuthor]

Well whaddya know... I have some family members who attended that church many years ago.

[@donnalynpompper4308]

Thank you for sharing, Mr. Dashner. I concur with your decision to "let it do what it wanted." I would have given the seat just a little more TLC to tone down whatever that circle is on the seat, though.

[@prmolina]

I like that you didn't newify it. The level of restoration some people go to is just over the top. The end result is nice but. idk. Restored. If that makes sense.

[@lwilton]

Suggestion: get yourself a pair of diagonal wire cutters. You can grab just the tip of the head of the nail and level it upward pretty easily. They will hold far better than a pair of pliers, and you don't have to dig out near as much around the head (usually nothing) to get the nail out.

[@caroltanzi29]

How did I miss this ? Fabulous, wonderful! I love those old chairs. I hope you’re using it.

[@Rusty_ok]

Nice project. Turned out great. Now I am going to be looking for an old wooden chair that needs some love for my next project. Interestingly it would have not have taken much more time to strip the old finish back to bare wood and give it a fresh look with a new finish. Thanks for taking the time and effort to video and post this.

[@hernancoronel]

Hi thanks for the video, I would have liked if you cleaned up those spots on the seat because it would make it look much better while still keeping the vintage look. Keep up the great content!