Repairing and Restoring Dining Chairs

In this video I show you how I repair and restore 6x solid beech dining chairs. The mortice and tenon joinery had to be dismantled, old glue scraped away, new glue applied, and I also had to plug some bad joints with wood. I also re-finish the chairs using some of my home made oil wax finish.
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Large machines:
DeWalt DW745 Tablesaw geni.us/VOlbB (Amazon UK) geni.us/rEWQt (Amazon US)
Charnwood B350 Bandsaw geni.us/3V5ozJh (Amazon UK) geni.us/qBSc49N (Amazon US)
Record Power Benchtop Sander geni.us/A5A6 (Amazon UK)
Clarke Bench Grinder and Belt Sander geni.us/MnY9OZj (Amazon UK) geni.us/WUpRKOu (Amazon US)
Hitachi Cordless:
Hitachi Combi Drill DV18DBXL geni.us/WjUSDdc (Amazon UK) geni.us/B6IY (Amazon US)
Hitachi Impact Driver WH18DBFL2
Hitachi Circular Saw C18DBAL geni.us/6Fyn (Amazon UK) geni.us/4G38C (Amazon US)
Hitachi Jigsaw CJ18DSL geni.us/vcxNBp (Amazon UK) geni.us/LkafJ (Amazon US)
Hitachi Angle Grinder G18DBAL geni.us/RZE7 (Amazon UK) geni.us/IpujAYj (Amazon US)
Hitachi Planer P18DSL geni.us/l3a3aUd (Amazon UK) geni.us/vVA8r (Amazon US)
Hitachi Oscillating Multitool CV18DBL geni.us/2Pu3MU (Amazon UK) geni.us/VcZGmq (Amazon US)
Hitachi 18g Finish Nailer NT1850 geni.us/CqtVT (Amazon UK) geni.us/BOBk (Amazon US)
Hitachi Framing Nailer NR1890 geni.us/sXWN (Amazon UK) geni.us/lAOPP (Amazon US)
Makita Cordless:
Makita LXT Impact Driver geni.us/GStw2D1 (Amazon UK) geni.us/k4V7 (Amazon US)
Makita Cordless LXT Drill geni.us/vhy77 (Amazon UK) geni.us/UXrb (Amazon US)
Makita Cordless LXT Circular Saw geni.us/IIDBT (Amazon UK) goo.gl/c8Zq3F (Mano Mano) geni.us/LAMRG (Amazon US)
Makita Cordless LXT Router geni.us/CclN (Amazon UK) geni.us/NDfoS3k (Amazon US)
Makita Cordless LXT Oscillating Tool geni.us/URFyX (Amazon UK) geni.us/7tPa (Amazon US)
Makita Cordless LXT Jigsaw geni.us/d5hTL2 (Amazon UK) geni.us/Iou4 (Amazon US)
Makita Cordless LXT Random Orbit Sander geni.us/ImytTJ (Amazon UK) geni.us/QNL6F (Amazon US)
Makita Cordless LXT Hand Planer geni.us/VMLGG0 (Amazon UK) geni.us/EXB6sT (Amazon US)
Makita Cordless LXT Angle Grinder geni.us/ns9Qq (Amazon UK) geni.us/wtzl (Amazon US)
Makita Twin Rapid Battery Charger geni.us/kGY3kz5 (Amazon UK) geni.us/scduQg (Amazon US)
Corded tools:
Mirka Deros 5650 Orbital Sander geni.us/E57p (Amazon UK) geni.us/A9dQwrm (Amazon US)
Bosch PBS75A Belt Sander geni.us/bnMsAcE (Amazon UK)
Evolution Heat Gun geni.us/4KdoW (Amazon UK)
Evolution Precision File Sander geni.us/GEi8R5 (Amazon UK)
Silverline Silverstorm Electric File geni.us/1V3C7 (Amazon UK)
geni.us/x9tqAXC (Amazon US)
Draper Biscuit Jointer geni.us/8xsSb (Amazon UK)
Air Tools:
Makita Brad Nailer geni.us/vONoiTR (Amazon UK) geni.us/34XQO (Amazon US)
Clarke Stapler geni.us/ZuyMB0 (Amazon UK)

[@FirstLast-qb9iq]

Just came to see how to take glued wood apart and ended up watching the entire video. Very satisfying

[@gloriathompson3607]

Wow what a fantastic job. You don't realise until you see it here the time and effort you put into repairing furniture like this. Beautiful

[@huttonnick]

Nice job, meticulously completed. I had a wry smile when listening to your comments at the end about paying the bills and spending the day in the shed by yourself .... as far as I can tell you are loving the dream!!

[@colinaskey9777]

Hi Keith,another nice little video that is easy viewing,I personally think you did a first rate job on the chair restoration, and I agree with you that some of the work done on the chairs was of a poor quality,but that 8s to be expected on massed produced furniture, I would like to give you one very valuable piece of advice!,never refuse work when you are in business for yourself,it is a learning curve, and a very hard on e at that,people become multi diciplined by takings on any job that is thrown at them,take care,live long and be happy

[@RagnBoneBrown]

Thanks Colin!

[@phunkissartisticcreations2316]

Great rehab of those chairs and I'm glad the client opted to have them repaired rather than pitching them and buying new. We never saw glue get squeezed out of wood like that before, that was wild! Thanks for the great information in this video.

[@jpmcclos]

Clamping the small piece to cut (on the band saw)....brilliant...never crossed my mind to do it that way. Thank you.

[@mikelacey9384]

Nice one, always learn loads of tips from you and, I like your nice clear / plain descriptions of what you are doing - Thanks

[@MissLady-pq4hc]

Please keep making these videos. Very relaxing.!

[@user-oy4gf6ck5u]

Well although it wasnt your favorite project i enjoy the video and i found it very useful . You did a clean job and i guess your client would be happy .

[@raymondmalone9721]

Great job👍. Love these type of videos as shows solutions to real problems

[@theopiner402]

I am glad you have been able to get more into working for yourself. I am sure that must be a great feeling!

[@almagill]

Nice video Keith, thanks. Loads of useful tips... especially as Ive just remembered there are six chairs up in the attic that I've been telling the Mrs I'd get round to refurbing... for the past oh dear how many years.

[@sharit7970]

Masterfully done, thanks for sharing!

[@familyread7889]

Can't beat being in shed/garage listening to a good podcast mate!!

[@philwebb8049]

Good stuff as always Keith. Love your Channel, looking forward to the next video!

[@TheWardagh]

Working my way through the back catalogue. Some great stuff in there. Putting the plane in the vice and using the clamp at the bandsaw were very clever. Thanks for sharing 👍🏼

[@RagnBoneBrown]

Thank you

[@toucanproductions2935]

Thank you for the videos. I really enjoy them, please keep them coming. Also I’m always down for a good podcast recommendation.

[@wayward_dom6865]

Great vid as usual, I have an old school desk with a few joint issues which I will get round to doing sometime. Your tips will help greatly 👍

[@cobberpete1]

SNAP... Just last week I did exactly the same job. I was so surprised by some of the poor workmanship in commercially made chairs. I too had sloppy joints so used Epoxy as the added gap filler.

[@clydebear6914]

Top advice. Worked a treat for me. Many thanks.

[@wavedash-]

Always love seeing your restoration videos. New stuff is cool and all, but teaching people how to give old things a new lease on life is just as useful, if not more so

[@ourfloridagarden4191]

We are so happy for you that you are able to cut down on the day job and do what you love. Rock on.

[@RagnBoneBrown]

Thank you!

[@BigTubz]

Great project Keith. Fantastic multiple usage of your clamps. The lighting in the shop is great and I'm glad you're listening to your tunes through the headphones now. I enjoy hearing the clanging of tools rather than Kate Bush at X3 speed.

[@Cradley684]

Nice job Keith, all the best with the other chair's, have a nice day !!!

[@Maggiewaggiemoo12]

So glad you’re able to do what you love part time now. Fingers crossed you’ll be full time soon. X

[@sillybeeful]

Jeeze what a superhuman effort 😳

[@gerberagirl5]

Awesome job Keith. Cute cap!

[@ianvicedomini2648]

A nice repair Keith and all together a great job. Great video chap

[@markharris5771]

Whoever first routed the chairs has made me feel quite competent. Great videos with lots of tips again, I hope the self employed is going well.

[@Thesidingsworkshop]

Wow some of those mortices are shocking.... reminds me of my "you don't want to do it that way " father in laws work lol

[@Badgerworkshop]

Cant believe how those were made. Look so much better after you were finished.

[@janinelew2483]

There’s something relaxing when watching your videos. I haven’t graduated to mortises yet, but I see what not to do.

[@Bill.L.Carroll]

Good professional repair on those shoddy made chairs, mate. 👍

[@verasantos6615]

Well done!

[@chrisnorton2837]

Nice job! Those chairs are better than new now.

[@michaelevans1658]

Good restore Keith I love doing restorations could not believe those mortices.

[@giodrakes]

You are awesome, :D Great job with the chairs! And I love your comment at the end. Congratulations on dropping the day job to 3 days a week, so you can spend a little time doing more of what you love, even if some things are a bit tedious, that is still a better way to pay the bills. I'm so happy for you :)

[@ezbozovago]

very informative, thank you

[@henry-jacquesbussiere9863]

Bravo ! super réparation intelligente.

[@eddyflynn213]

We get asked to do this job on a weekly basis in our community workshop/men's shed thanks for showing it in its entirety this is now chair repair training video if that's ok with you keith

[@wizz4392]

Good job Keith

[@TheStrongwomans]

Lovely job🙋🙋🙋

[@eduardovalino7054]

Hi Keith, your work really show some kind of professionalism and honesty in doing it well. The presentation is well defined and educational..Only the thing that you missed is to show the actual completion of the chair after the job to see the difference before and after, this concept in your video will boost the interest of your viewer to see more on how you made it.. Thanks for your video..I hope to see more..

[@supercheekykiwi]

You sure went above and beyond to fix the chair. Not sure if I would have been that patient

[@rakeyohn222]

Nice job; Keith.

[@63256325N]

Thanks for the video.

[@stuartrhodes3086]

Hi Keith, great stuff as always. Just bought some of your food safe wax finish hope to try it out soon. Made a bowl without a lathe but I have never made a video so didn’t enter it. The wax is to finish it so will post it on Instagram when it’s done with me review of the wax

[@RagnBoneBrown]

Be good to see it. Thank you

[@tonyefc8423]

As a former joiner, i enjoyed the video. Good attention to detail. A lot of restorers would have done a botch up job, but you did it well, not cutting corners. Well done.

[@RagnBoneBrown]

Thank you

[@andywood1966]

Sounds like it's all going to plan for you, you have a great channel that's very enjoyable to watch :-)

[@IEnjoyCreatingVideos]

Nice video Keith! Thanks for sharing.😎👍JP

[@jockflynn54]

Great video and a bit of a tedious job with the glue but a nice clean finish, keep these videos coming

[@alisonhill2210]

Very honest video.

[@bosse641]

Well done.

[@SirBenJamin_]

My god. That glue ooozing scene went right though me. Won't be able to unsee that for a while. Trypophobia

[@gerberagirl5]

Ewwe me too, .. Chills! I couldn't stop itching!

[@JojoJojo-ih7nv]

شكراً ، جزاك الله خير 👍

[@PRACTICALLY_BLIND]

Great stuff as normal mate.

[@eddieespinosa8743]

Good job

[@negotiableaffections]

Very worthwhile work, Keith. It does look mind numbing but, as you say good headphones [and a touch of Zen] and the time/work goes by. Worthwhile? Because restoring for a customer is possible worth more than commissioning new things. Great job.

[@SCRAPWOODTOCRAFTWOOD]

Wow can't believe those chairs where made so badly but as alway keith you pulled it off and fixed them great job mate

[@jerrylohr3491]

I'm late to the party, but must say that it's very enjoyable watching you restore furniture. Good job fixing up that shocking bad joinery. A word of caution--the sides of your plane are prone to crack if squeezed in the vice. Always place the plane low enough in the vice that the pressure is on the sides of the sole, not on the wings.

[@thewoodworker1703]

Nice job keith , i like these kind'a videos, interesting, and i can pick up some tips !

[@RobSchofield]

Thank you, exactly what I needed on a similar job. I owe you a beer.

[@athmostafa2462]

NICE work pal 🤔👌

[@bogsdolics]

Hi Keith good video , chair repairs are a pain , I sometime use wooden tooth picks to fill small gaps you can snap them in half and put the pointed end in first and hammer in from the other end ,G.

[@debmacie1612]

My dad, the amateur wood worker, used to use wood toothpicks and wood glue to fill weirdly shaped holes. When it was dried he could drill out the new shape. I thought of his hack when I saw this video.

[@mikazud3177]

I'm currently studying my second year as a furniture Restoration + upholstery. I like to watch your videos because of new ways of working and i learn much, but I'm afraid I can not get a job when we have a job traineers because in Finland this area is scarce

[@mikazud3177]

And good video!!!

[@andrewdavies1312]

I have 6 chairs myself that need renovating. They have a dark coating on them that needs takinfnoff because it's cracked and worn. And seats need re covering. This video has prompted me to do it sooner

[@NomadMakes]

Wow! At least 3 great tips in one video :D Me like!

[@Oelkins2207]

Glad to see your getting more commission work, even if this one wasn’t the nicest!

[@ryanaskew5517]

Hi Keith! 👍🏼

[@theresanovak4199]

If it’s boring for you to scrape old glue, what does it say for me that I find it so entertaining? 😉 Another enjoyable video!

[@bigpete4227]

Sounds like a good life.

[@keithcrain]

I would have liked to see the finished set.

[@PJG1710]

Nice Video. My question is how do you repair the side apron...Apron: Side bracing piece that supports the seat and ties front/back legs together.

[@donjohnson24]

Great job Keith, but it was worth watching the video to see the use of the clamps in spreader mode. I cannot believe that when I was recently trying to get some chairs apart for restoration I didn't do the same. I know I'm old and have memory problems, but every advert for this type of clamp mentions their use as spreaders, and yet I totally ignored it - Doh! Thanks.

[@RagnBoneBrown]

Hi Don, I’ve done the same before, it’s easy to forget that they do that! 👍

[@garenne0169]

Nice job keith. And the dark side of this work is....a part of the work 🤗. All jobs have also a dark side unfortunately....

[@BischBaschBosch]

Those mortises...Jesus H Christ! Still, good job on giving the chairs a new lease of life Keith and fair play to your client wanting to save them. Too many folk just take their wobbly wears to the dump these days.

[@briarrose5208]

Spreader clamps, brilliant! The joinery in that chair was crap! Brilliant fix but def a job for a pro. What a lot of work to get those chairs in shape!

[@sandman2651]

good repair, on a side note i have just bought a 12x8 shed people have said i should have a 25mm gap between insulation and outside wall,i noticed on your vids on building your own shed that you used poly on roof section and block insulation but no gap so was wondering how it is going and is there any damp?i was going to use builders damp paper then loft insulation then board over and paint but have been told this would cause damp any help would be great

[@RagnBoneBrown]

No damp or signs of moisture, it’s been good

[@FSGAMER35]

8:48 I can't unsee this

[@VampyRagDoll]

Wow, those chairs look like they were originally made by bodgit and scarper.

[@MechanicalMooCow]

VampyRagDoll The Trotters first foray into joinery

[@RagnBoneBrown]

Haha

[@saeklin]

I can't fathom how the slots were so messed up... mass production mistakes? Reclaimed wood? Previous repairs or upgrades? Good job on your part, in any case.

[@RagnBoneBrown]

I believe they were handmade in the UK!

[@jussttg]

so how much you charge for these chairs? i mean it still has an old cushion which would need to be repolstred. Is in it cheaper and faster to get new or used good quality set of chairs?

[@GM-dc8vr]

8:48 just about screamed.

[@KSFWG]

Any idea who or what company made those chairs ? Those mortises were worse than mine!!

[@RagnBoneBrown]

I believe they were handmade in the UK!

[@niwty]

Hi Keith nice job on that mortise repair and congrats on making your “hobby” part of your day job. I wish you every success with it mate. Can I ask, I take you didn’t do anything with the seat cushions? Did the client do anything with them do you know? The only reason I ask is because I tried donating some chairs to a charity (British Heart Foundation) and although the chairs themselves were perfect (yew) they wouldn’t take them because the cushions didn’t have “flame retardant” labels on them. Have you come across this in your new venture?

[@RagnBoneBrown]

I would have liked to re-upholster then but it isn’t something that the client asked for. Yeah it’s a good point, the foam inside them may not be up to current standards depending on when they were made...

[@eddyflynn213]

Hi Keith have you ever tried the veritas chair doctor I have purchased it but not used it yet

[@RagnBoneBrown]

No I’m not familiar with it

[@donjohnson24]

Not brilliant!

[@1959ticktock]

Very interesting Keith. If you postulated a business plan to present to, say, a bank, when asking them for a loan to start your own woodworking / restoration business, and included the proposition that someone would pay you to renovate six clunky old Beech chairs that were terribly built in the first place, I think you'd get laughed out of the room. But someone has. In my experience reality has little to do with men in offices. My those joints were atrocious.

[@viryl]

How much do you charge for a days work?

[@ldiazmdiaz]

Jesus...Those maggots like gives an effect of a "sci-fi" movie are going to give me nightmares!

[@MechanicalMooCow]

Even the most shockingly aweful students I was alongside when I was at college never botched mortices so awefully... how the fuck do you manage that and STILL think, "yeah, that'll do..."

[@hadireg]

👍👍👌

[@jrphartley]

Some great advice but I would have liked to see the climax of repair - the finished chair under use and not creaking.

[@JK-kk6fc]

Kieth I need help, I’m on a budget but I need a bandsaw. Any suggestions? 😀

[@eddyflynn213]

J K try Aldi

[@JK-kk6fc]

Eddy Flynn tried them, no longer on sale. Thanks tho 👍🏻

[@RagnBoneBrown]

Keep an eye out on eBay and Gumtree and try and find something decent locally secondhand or you might get lucky with an Aldi some time. They’re meant to be ok

[@JK-kk6fc]

Rag 'n' Bone Brown I actually never thought of buying a used one 🙃 thanks Kieth 👍🏻

[@JK-kk6fc]

Guys I’ve found a bandsaw for sale in jtf clearance warehouse. It’s 250w and can cut 80mm x 200mm would this be any good for light simple diy jobs? 😁

[@ksp1278]

You did a great job. I`m curious what those chairs cost to buy. Must have been expensive to make it worth paying you to fix them rather than just replacing them. The original workmanship was shocking.

[@RagnBoneBrown]

Yeah I believe they were handmade in the UK so must have cost a fair bit

[@alfredneumann4692]

Had to remember, there are 6 chairs in my garage, waiting for repairing ;-(

[@lindamorrow7573]

Show us footage of your cat..😻🐈‍⬛🐈

[@RagnBoneBrown]

I do, almost every week

[@DAILY_BISCUIT]

If you put new glue over the old glue and leave it for a few min It will scrap off easier

[@cameronadz5583]

It turned out nice, shame he didn't ask u to do a new material on the cushion. I personally thought the material looked outdated but good job anyway

[@RagnBoneBrown]

Yeah I’d have liked to re-upholster them too

[@p_mouse8676]

I really would use polyurethane glue in this case. Because it expends, it's perfect to fill those gaps

[@caskwith]

It foams up, but has no strength in that foam. A good PVA will be just as strong.

[@monophoto1]

Actually, I think I would prefer a two-part epoxy. The problem with PVA is that the old glue may seal the pores in the wood and prevent penetration by the new PVA. Epoxy will still adhere to the surface.