Repair and Veneer - Mid Century Coffee Table Makeover

In this video I work on a mid century modern coffee table which I picked up at a house clearance for just £5. It had some serious issues - a warped and twisted top, weak structure and an ugly tabletop. The question is, can I turn it in to something beautiful with some restoration works and a new veneer?
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[@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!!!

[@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!

[@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.

[@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 👍

[@MissLady-pq4hc]

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

[@NickPantazis]

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

[@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.

[@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.

[@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 ! 🙏🙏

[@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.

[@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!

[@igorfedik5730]

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

[@Mr_Judge_Benny_Hinn]

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

[@hizo64HH]

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

[@Whistlewalk]

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

[@LazyDaisyDay88]

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

[@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 !

[@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 !!

[@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 :)

[@petershevlan2513]

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

[@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

[@dpfunk78]

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

[@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.

[@TheMrWoodsman]

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

[@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.

[@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.

[@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

[@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!

[@veragailfaircloth117]

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

[@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.

[@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!

[@dgdiggz3918]

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

[@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.

[@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!

[@zallibik9931]

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

[@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.

[@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

[@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!

[@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!

[@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 😁

[@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.

[@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.

[@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.

[@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!

[@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.

[@manamez]

Never give up; never surrender!

[@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

[@tadams7447]

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

[@taylorzamora7426]

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

[@porshenn]

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

[@MrBiggybit]

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

[@neilbrown3902]

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

[@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.

[@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!

[@ddm3125]

Thanks for sharing your learning experience!

[@garenne0169]

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

[@TheWardagh]

Staggering patience! Thanks for sharing

[@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.

[@eddyflynn213]

This so timely it's weird ,only this afternoon I was sanding the top of a sideboard and I went through the veneer so I thought about trying to re-veneer it, now I know it's not as easy as it looks thanks , Eddy

[@justinwilsoncustoms6520]

Love the honesty Keith 👍

[@marknadin770]

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

[@dangermartin69]

It still doesn't look that bad. It certainly looks better than when you got it. If you redo the veneer, try those products where you spray one side with cement and the other side with activator. It hardens in only a few minutes after they make contact.

[@damienparsons8662]

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

[@vincebaker3384]

yes I'd like to see you revisit this again

[@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 👍

[@danlynch1154]

I agree that using a water based finish with veneer. I would put this away for awhile but come back in the future.

[@juliodifelippo]

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

[@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.

[@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.

[@garethsharp4039]

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

[@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!

[@richardlyons7582]

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

[@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.

[@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.

[@malayahandcraft2794]

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

[@nathanlucas6465]

I built a pair of speakers when I was at school. They were made from MDF and veneered with mahogany. The veneer was glued with scotch glue (horrible stuff) then varnished with water based poly. It bubbled in the same way as yours has. What I think has happened is that the water from the finish has made the wood expand slightly, and the glue has let go where it hadn't bonded that well. I managed to remove some of the bubbles with a hot iron, so that might be worth a shot

[@RagnBoneBrown]

I think you've hit the nail on the head there - that makes perfect sense! Thank you!

[@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!

[@peterpanassow7814]

Still looks awesome! 👍

[@EvanDunville]

I have also had a frustrating experience with contact adheive trying to stick down some alumium. Im impressed you were able to get the table flat again. That in and of itself was impressive!

[@2Resseguier]

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

[@luvwud]

I would agree with earlier comments that the water based top coat was the cause. Could you use the current 'faults' and highlight them like a live edge. Just a thought. Glad you still posted we all learn this way. Keep up the good work.

[@saschma3543]

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

[@63256325N]

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

[@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!

[@joytotheworld6804]

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

[@antonywalker9730]

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

[@rickdearmont9950]

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

[@kerryfoster1]

I've only ever used contact adhesive for laminated tops and it works well. Veneers I've only used hot glue veneers applied with an iron These have the glue on them. Advantage is you can move them slightly. Mind you I've never done a whole table top! Good luck ' your projects are fascinating!

[@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 😂).

[@charlescastle1236]

Don't give up we only learn from our mistakes.

[@eisbaerbel]

I am far away being professional. You made this video showing a failing project but, hey, at least you made something and improved this poorly looking table(top) a lot. Please, feel encouraged to continue, you have the skills and the passion. It is the latter that counts... Thanks for your vids and best regards from Germany...

[@chrislogan8283]

Hi keith when i was a shopfitter and the formica used to bubble up or had patches where it dident stick down we would run an iron over that area the heat used to re activate the glue it worked very well best of luck' chris

[@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!

[@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.

[@cwh050]

A suggestion to fix the bubbles: try injecting some thin superglue using a syringe and small hypodermic needle. The superglue you’ll get from a model building shop, the syringe and needle from a Pharmacy.

[@cwh050]

...and then something heavy on top to hold it down until the glue dries.

[@chrisharrison6532]

Never a moment wasted success or fail as long as a lesson is learned we will move on with experience

[@coreygray5435]

Excellent video. The struggle is real. I recommend using a roller when putting on the adhesive for a more even coat. Then use a formica roller on top. Keep up the excellent content.

[@markgoode4109]

Sorry the veneer didn't work out how you hoped. I'd be interested in seeing you have another go. Perhaps not the video you wanted to release, but I still learnt a lot. Best wishes

[@iQuincyboy]

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