Repair and Veneer - Mid Century Coffee Table Makeover

[@chillyspoon]

You tried something new, it went a bit pear-shaped, you learned loads = time well spent!

[@RagnBoneBrown]

Thank you!

[@williamswood-works]

Hear hear, All that's been wasted on this project was time and a few materials, but the lessons learned are worth a lot more!

[@dienekes4364]

Wow! Almost no one ever posts videos of their "less successful" projects. I think it's absolutely great that you had the courage to do so. It certainly helps the rest of us amateurs not feel so bad about the projects don't go so well for us! :-) I "thumb up"ed the video and am definitely subscribing to your channel!!!

[@NickPantazis]

My friend! Nothing comes easy in life and nothing becomes easier without cost. Thanks for sharing all this work. Greetings from Athens, Greece

[@toastersock]

I'd say it was the water based finish that caused the veneer to bubble up, I suggest applying a hot iron (no steam!) to the surface and see if that removes them. If bubbles still there use syringe with fine needle to inject ca glue into bubble and iron down...

[@RagnBoneBrown]

Thank you, worth a try! Will update in future video

[@twigwoodzim]

yup, this is the definite first try option

[@dlsdyer9071]

Yes, I was wondering if the natural tendency for rippling would be a problem when I saw them in the veneer when first presented. I really hope the above fix will work.

[@karenanderson7873]

Exactly my thoughts. And then lay several doors on top.

[@marthapotter8283]

Don’t get discouraged Keith. Not every project has to be perfect. I bet lots of people still learned a lot. Greetings from Canada 🇨🇦. BTW I’ve been binge watching your channel and you’ve come a long way. Really enjoy your presentation method. Stay safe.

[@thewoodworker1703]

Absolutely brilliant effort keith , that's how we as makers learn , by our and others mistakes ! Not many makers would post their "failures" for fear of rebuttal , i think more of a maker doing so. Please please have another go at it and share with us ! i am sure i am not alone when i say this !

[@MissLady-pq4hc]

If anyone can make that table beautiful you are the person to do it!

[@universuliubirii7934]

I am greateful to show us the reality and to learn from you're experiences or , just simply to learn to be real . Thank you ! 🙏👏👏 Love and blessings from Romania ! 🙏🙏

[@elizabethamizdail7939]

Nothing is ever a failure, just a learning experience.

[@webchimp]

Especially if it's something you've never tried to do before.

[@koensonck9700]

Absolutely try again. Failure is part of the process and if it works out better the next time you’ve learnt from your mistakes.

[@RagnBoneBrown]

Thanks Koen 👍

[@dpfunk78]

Really appreciate you showing a project that didn't go perfectly. I'd love to see you give it another go.

[@tarickman]

You’ve got this! Your tried you learned that’s what’s important and besides the thing I love about you as a maker is you tend to step back reflect and find a way to make things work. You problem solve.

[@hizo64HH]

Glad you were honest, still came out better than the first time I worked with veneer.

[@LazyDaisyDay88]

Every day is a school day! I learned lots too. Would love to see you tackle this again.

[@szbyzan]

I always learn something from your videos. I do hope you continue to work with the table. It looks like it has a lot of promise.

[@igorfedik5730]

I would never think it was possible to fix a table that was twisted that badly. Nice job!

[@Whistlewalk]

Can't win 'em all. Lessons learned are every bit as valuable as a 'success'.

[@rebornspawn]

Keith, you win some and lose some but you never truly lose as there is a lesson in everything. Once you see past your defeat, it is not a defeat at all. Your lesson from that is, your picking up a new skill and we don't always grab it first time. It's your first attempt and should no way be your last. I've been watching you for a long time now and watched you come so far. Your not one to be beaten friend, we've all seen your determination! Step back, take a breath, re-evaluate the situation, go back in with a better understanding. I know how hard that can be sometimes. But perceiver, stay strong.

[@theweepinghunter]

i loved this and do not think it is a Failure it looks 200% better than be for i have learnt from this so thank you keep up the fab work and THANK YOU

[@MoodyScout]

I really like that you posted this project. It's a maxim that people tend to learn a lot as a result of our failures, and it appears you have! I know *I've* learned a lot from this. It's a great message to send.

[@dgdiggz3918]

awesome. I'm really glad you showed us even when it didn't work.

[@timothyhood2827]

From my point of view, I learn just as much from the obstacles you presented as I ever do from a flawless make project. So keep up the good work and try to re-remake your table. Good show.

[@taylorzamora7426]

Thank you for the transparency! I’ve learned a lot from this.

[@Mr_Judge_Benny_Hinn]

A table only a mother could love! Think of the table as a prototype and try again!

[@suzys4316]

dont give up Keith, if at first you dont succeed try and try again, if you hadnt pointed them out i dont think anyone would of known , you learnt something you didnt know before so all good for future projects

[@Michal9220]

If I were you, I would tackle it again. The table looks great and despite the failure with veneering it you've pushed your limits and learned something. That's why i think you souldn't abandon the project :)

[@juliodifelippo]

I think its a great result, for the first time you make it. Dont give up. Try it again. Saludos desde Argentina.

[@zallibik9931]

Please do tackle it again.... and your honesty is inspiring keep up the awesome videos mate, they are much appreciated.

[@jeflarremore7170]

I find my best ideas come when I put a project down for a while. You fixed the warp very well.

[@RagnBoneBrown]

great advice!

[@garenne0169]

It seems not bad at all. Congrat Keith and thanks to share with us not only the magnificent success. 😁👍🏻

[@brindmusicnerd]

Thank you for having the courage to share your learning process and all the errors come with that - it is really refreshing and valuable. And absolutely have another go 😁

[@HuffleFlumpf]

You should definitely give it another shot! I really enjoy all of your videos and I learn a lot, even when things don't go according to plan.

[@shane555]

Fair play to you for having the balls to go ahead and upload this and be so upfront about the problems. Lessons learned and I take my hat off to you for your perseverance, very admirable!

[@marknadin770]

You don't learn if you don't make mistakes great vid.

[@stewartmcmanus3991]

Not a failure, a priceless experience. Think, instead of a five quid table it could have been a customer job worth an arm and a leg !!

[@jp_makes]

Thanks for being so honest in the video, I think you should definitely try to make it work again, some decent suggestions involving syringing and hot ironing in the comments already. Glad to learn from the video and the comments! Really good looking table too!

[@veragailfaircloth117]

It's never a failure if you learn !!!! 👍👍👍

[@michaelguida448]

To paraphrase Thomas Edison "I didn't fail, I just learned 100 ways how not to make a light bulb". We never fail if we learn something in the process. Still a great video and I have certainly enjoyed binge watching them As a real beginner at woodworking I have learned much from you. Thanks for posting

[@TheWardagh]

Staggering patience! Thanks for sharing

[@walterrontsch4186]

I enjoy your videos. Not a failure, just ONE way that didn't come out the way you wanted; you may discover others - but hopefully not on this project!

[@TheMrWoodsman]

Sometimes Scrap is Scrap, I would not have bothered, but respect to you for passing a skip and not chucking it in.

[@dougdevine27]

Thank you so much for showing a "failure." That helps all of us learn...and gives us novices confidence to try something. After a while watching flawless videos, I start thinking, "Sure, they can do that but no way I could." But, every now and then, a video like this comes along and rekindles my motivation to start (and complete) a big project.

[@RagnBoneBrown]

Thank you!

[@annemartin8269]

Thank you so much for showing your mistakes! As a beginning woodworker, I watch others do projects and they make it look so easy so I have been feeling really dumb about my projects that have gone awry. You have way more equipment than I do and obviously have far more experience, so it’s really great to see that even experienced folks learn new things and it does not always go perfectly. Wow, I so appreciate your sharing! I would be interested to see what to do with the table next. Thank you!

[@RagnBoneBrown]

Yes! I learn best by doing 😀 I already tackled the table again in another video 👍

[@kimwold]

I love and really appreciate the honesty: "it's easy to pretend on the video it went, but it didnt"... ,we learn with you, thank you so much!

[@tadams7447]

Love this! Yes, please tackle again. Very interesting and you're absolutely charming.

[@damienparsons8662]

Really appreciate your honesty :) thanks for sharing your project.

[@1DaleMorris]

Hi Kieth - Thanks so much for posting this. There is a serious lack of negative results on youtube. Everything other makers touch seems to be easy all the way, and for those of us bumblers, it can be a big de-motivator seeing everyone else succeeding so effortlessly, when all we seem to do is come up against adversity. Really great to see someone with your experience and your thought process behind these things - I would definitely like to see the project through to completion.

[@63256325N]

Looks a lot better than it did. Thanks for the video.

[@RichardMartin]

It’s only a failure if you don’t learn anything from it, and you’ve learnt loads. Thanks for sharing this Keith, shows not everything we do is a success.

[@thesmallshed]

The man that never made a mistake never made anything, the lessons learned made the project worthwhile. For the future it's a balance between trying again, and learning more, or doing stuff to earn a living, I hope you manage to find time to have another go, it wasn't that far away first time around.

[@RagnBoneBrown]

what a great saying! Thank you!

[@2Resseguier]

That was fun to watch, thank you, and it honestly looks good. I am sure you will find a solution for he bubbles!!

[@DragonGateDesign]

I don't know if I'm a fan of mid century modern or not, but this is a very nice turn out. Awesome job

[@JohntheSchreiner]

Definitely seems like a good learning project, and the fact that its minimal cost forward helps. Looking forward to seeing what comes of it.

[@phunkissartisticcreations2316]

"Confession time" We can't thank you enough for your honesty. So many times we see videos where the finished project is being 'shown off' and we can see imperfections that are never addressed. We feel that there is no reason to hide errors if we or someone else can learn from them. Cheers!

[@Gwynbuck]

I admire the fact that you admitted you made a mistake. It encourages the rest of us mortals, we're not the only ones that make balls-ups. I did enjoy the video and now I'm going to watch part 2.

[@mark_loveless]

I found the fact that you posted a "fail" video very courageous. I actually learned a lot watching *you* learn a lot, and at the end I was also thinking of ways to either fix or redo things. I too have had some wins and loses dealing with mid century veneers, so yes please go for a redo. I am pulling for the sanding/flattening/reapplication route myself, but plenty of cool ideas elsewhere in the comments. Good luck!

[@SimpleTruthsWork]

Thanks for sharing your experiences even if at times the project does not go as planned. It helps us learn as well how to overcome similar challenges.

[@richardlyons7582]

Go for it Keith, you can learn a lot more from problem solving, than when all goes well.

[@petershevlan2513]

If you leave it in a warm place it may contract again . The man who never made a mistake never made anything

[@KIKAandDAVID]

Love watching your videos, I don’t typically comment on any videos but wanted to give you the encouragement to try again :)

[@RagnBoneBrown]

Thank you!

[@jamestongas3554]

Kids yes definitely give it another go. That veneer is incredible. Well live and learn. Great job using the epoxy and sawdust to fill in those gaps. I'll keep that in my mental file if I need to ever have the same situation. To be continued..... BTW still looks great!

[@MrBiggybit]

Please! Try again! This Is extremely knowledgeable for all of us, even if you fail and fail again

[@ddm3125]

Thanks for sharing your learning experience!

[@justinwilsoncustoms6520]

Love the honesty Keith 👍

[@porshenn]

Thank you for your honesty! Bad experience is still the valuable experience! Keep going!

[@manamez]

Never give up; never surrender!

[@RetroTech100]

Its a shame it didnt work out as it would have been great. Its cool you didnt hide the fact that it went wrong. Hope it hasnt put you off veneering too much. Hopefully you will revisit the table. Great video as always.

[@neilbrown3902]

I appreciate your honesty. I always look forward to your new videos. Keep up. The good work, even if it goes sideways

[@doktoruzo]

It looked like it was going well. It actually looks ok...at a distance maybe. Give it another go. Very interesting video even though the end result wasn't perfect.

[@garethsharp4039]

I'm sure you'll get this nailed at some point Keith. Keep the faith pal!

[@iQuincyboy]

Not at all a failure, the video was both a pleasure and an education. Thank you and please do crack on! Cheers

[@lfuentes4098]

Sure would loved to see more veneer. Looks quite difficult but I very experience, even a bad one is a learning experience for sure.

[@markharris5771]

As a newbie I think this video is really helpful in many ways, and I can't thank you enough for posting it. I certainly find it incentivises me to carry on when things go wrong, and to be honest with my mistakes. The outpouring of advice you have received help everyone and I know the things now to avoid. If it’s any consolation I really liked your idea for the table and you did extremely well flattening it etc. Please do carry on, I believe with your ideas you will end up with a very nice table eventually.

[@peterpanassow7814]

Still looks awesome! 👍

[@BunchofTigers]

I look forward to your videos each week. Very relatable stuff, as learning by mistakes is my go to as well.

[@RagnBoneBrown]

thank you!

[@rickdearmont9950]

100% you should keep at this table! Great project to learn on. Not much more than time invested. 👍🏻

[@kanalratte5397]

Really brave choice to post this even if it wasn't a full success. Great video still and there's still a lot to learn from you in this video, because beside the bubbles it looks better than before, thanx for still posting this and keep up the good work . This made me become a subscriber now. 🙂

[@carmenm.4091]

You’re so inventive. That’s a great quality. A problem solver, open to learning new things. Shall i go on? 😉 And you don’t give up easily. I think the veneer was to dry, then you ‘moisturised’ the veneer with the varnish that gave the fibers flexibility and it started to bubble up. Better luck next time.

[@vincebaker3384]

yes I'd like to see you revisit this again

[@thegingerhustle3173]

Give it another go buddy, don't let it get you down still proud to be a subscriber. Probably even more so with worts and all

[@tjacksonwoodworker3726]

I agree with uou that veneering is not easy..but as with all things with doing comes learning. I enjoyed your video! Perge!

[@alex43111]

Great offort sp far Keith, cheer up and have another go at this table.

[@MJ-fm4wy]

Great ideas and lots of info for this project. :) I really liked the new look of the legs. That style is very popular in many furniture designs again. I replaced my sofa legs with a similar style.

[@zephatjeeeeeeeee]

well mate thats how we all have learned, by falling down and getting back up! no worries though because failure makes u a better craftsman! just go at it again, and like some suggest use a hot iron in combination with some super glue to get the bubbles down! most centrainly they are from the water based varniss! and yes u have spend time but learning again takes time! well have a good weekend mate! cant wait for next week friday , cheers bud!

[@SecretStashBrosBuilds]

Restoring something from trash to treasure is always difficult, In the future me and my dad might try this concept in a future video. Great Work!

[@Andy-sj2hl]

I'd like to see you take another crack at it. A video like this can be more informative and interesting than one where everything goes perfectly..

[@stuartfisher5171]

Keith, the important thing is to learn from your mistakes, you have highlighted your errors to help others. I have done a small amount of veneering, I use good old pva, and you can set this with a hot electric iron wrapped in brown paper so as not to scorch the veneer. give it a go, you are helping us all, keep it up, great vids.

[@murfman1984]

I’d certainly like to see this table again. It has a great look as is, and I’m confident you can get it looking perfect after taking a step back and regrouping.

[@dano4003]

Keith Practice makes perfect... try it again, nothing to lose at this point... dan in the USA

[@maryallen6334]

Not a failure --- a learning experience

[@joytotheworld6804]

I remember my Dad using a hot iron and cloth to remove bubbles 😀

[@StamosTee]

You did a great job. The make over is really nice. Your first try with veneer was more successful than mine (It ended up with veneered fire wood 😂).

[@pbonniejean]

It's no failure if you've learned from the experience. As for the veneer bubbles, in my experience, Ive sometimes used a fine razor to slit the surface. Then a fine syringe filled with the same adhesive, contact cement, to work into the bubble underneath. Use it sparingly, and then use gentle pressure to get it into every corner. Rub from the outside edges in to the slit to ensure even covering of cement, without any thickened blobs anywhere. Clean any residue that comes out the slit with white spirits. If you are not sure what adhesive was used to bond a veneer to a base, you could slit the bubble to release any air from underneath, cover with a thick soft towel, and lightly press with a dry iron. sometimes this is sufficient drive out the airspace and bond the adhesive again. Best wishes. I enjoy your videos.

[@malayahandcraft2794]

I'd still buy this! It's a beautiful piece!

[@antonywalker9730]

Great vid. Thomas makes it look easy. I'll look forward to the replay!

[@saschma3543]

Love how you managed to flatten the table top. Pretty good work. Cant wait to see you save the top 👍

[@Areklata]

Keep up. Never give up !

[@eyesofthegoddess2967]

Perhaps try to do a slim cut into the bubbles and use a seringe to push glue under the veneer, then clamp it. This may help I think. Great work as always and we always learn from you.

[@shanemilehi]

Solve the problem man. You will figure it out. Good video as always anyway

[@matthughes6566]

Great video as always. Definitely try again. As a future video suggestion, I'd love to see how you go about identifying wood species in these restoration/reclaimed wood projects?