Restoring an Antique Tilt-Top Table - Thomas Johnson Antique Furniture Restoration

Tom Johnson of Thomas Johnson Antique Furniture Restoration in Gorham, Maine restores this Chippendale-style, possibly 18th-century tilt-top table built of curly maple whose top was ruined in a basement flood. Tom has been restoring furniture professionally since 1979. Visit our website at www.thomasjohns..., or write us at [e-mail]. And for those on the west coast looking for custom framing, be sure to check out Tom's daughter's shop, www.emcollier.com (@emcollierframes on Instagram).

[@carriebtc]

As always, excellent job Tom. Thank you for sharing your craft with us. Cheers

[@johnsonrestoration]

You’re welcome!

[@gmaddocks]

Mr. Johnson, you are a true craftsman!

[@johnsonrestoration]

Thank you!

[@sooth15]

Looks great, Tom! The colour match turned out beautifully!

[@johnsonrestoration]

+sooth15 Thanks Sooth! Yes, I was very happy with it.

[@Jonahlight]

Impressive work! I love they way you restore furniture with utmost care and dedication! You work so neatly!

[@johnsonrestoration]

Thank you!

[@phonedude58]

Beautiful table, great work...you sir are a master!

[@johnsonrestoration]

Thank you so much! 😀

[@fredbach6039]

Fabulous job on the tabetop. Color is absolutely perfect. Good tip about the waxing on section at a time. Thanks!

[@johnsonrestoration]

You are so welcome!

[@Zone1242]

Excellent work as always Tom, really enjoy your videos. Cheers, John

[@johnsonrestoration]

+Zone1242 Thanks for watching, I appreciate the positive feedback

[@marymathis9299]

Gosh, that was great, love watching your technique and thanks for including the critters - they all look really content and happy to be there with you. And, yeah, better hurry back and insert, "There, that looks pretty good" before we come unglued!

[@johnsonrestoration]

I don't know how I missed that! I'll see if we can go back and add it!

[@olgapaulus7299]

Looks beautiful!

[@johnsonrestoration]

It is! Thanks!

[@matthewstrickland3646]

I think your work is absolutely brilliant and I've learned more than I could have ever wished for just from watching your videos.

[@johnsonrestoration]

+Matthew Strickland Thanks Matthew, I appreciate it.

[@johnsaia9739]

Spectacular job! Looks very original and the way you layered the stain with the tung oil to reage the wood is fantastic.

[@johnsonrestoration]

+John Saia Thanks!

[@olgapaulus7299]

Turned out so beautiful ❤️ but we would not expect less. You restore beautiful like always.

[@johnsonrestoration]

Thanks!

[@ferraridinoman]

Good man, Craftsman!! Beautiful work!!

[@johnsonrestoration]

Thank you!

[@jamesmccurley3808]

I really like your gentle approach to restoration. The finished piece looks beautifully old.

[@johnsonrestoration]

+Woodfellow Thank you! That's my goal.

[@MississippiHappy]

Hey Tom . . . again, thanks for taking the time to create this video and sharing it with the rest of us . . . One of the best things I've learned from watching your videos is the combination of the 0000 steel wool and wax . . . Having worked with wood for nearly 40 years, I've never seen that and I wasn't taught that either. That simple step has added another dimension to my woodworking.

[@johnsonrestoration]

+Jeff Pruett Thanks Jeff, I appreciate the feedback. I'm always learning from other people, everyone has their own favorite methods

[@HomerevivalinteriorsUk1]

I was waiting for the famous quote ' looks pretty good ' I think this is the only video I've watched that you haven't said it 😃 Love you videos

[@johnsonrestoration]

+Home Revival I can't believe that I didn't do that. I never realized it, and neither did my editor until you pointed it out. Thanks, Tom

[@HomerevivalinteriorsUk1]

your welcome Tom. :)

[@RichAdamsFineArt]

Gorgeous work. Nicely refinished with an improved table at the end, the customer should be thrilled.

[@johnsonrestoration]

+Rich Adams Thanks Rich. What's that clock in your photo?

[@RichAdamsFineArt]

+Thomas Johnson Antique Furniture Restoration - I am a furniture maker and have created some clocks along the way as well. I really enjoy your channel and learn a thing or two from every video. Thanks for sharing!

[@peachstreetrestyle2518]

Great job on this table! I haven't seen curly maple tables in VA or NC. I'm sure people have them, but I haven't seen one for sale. I love the ones you've restored.

[@johnsonrestoration]

Thanks so much!

[@evelyn_r]

I loved how you decided to liven the colour of the top 💖

[@johnsonrestoration]

Thanks!

[@Ack5100]

Glad to see you back!

[@johnsonrestoration]

+Andrew Ackley Thanks! Over the holidays video production got behind

[@timbuckii8504]

Beautiful Job, Thomas!

[@johnsonrestoration]

+T. Case Thanks!

[@firecracker4151]

Just beautiful!

[@johnsonrestoration]

Thanks!

[@willemkossen]

Very nice result. I hope the people who own it will take good care of it.

[@johnsonrestoration]

+Willem Kossen Thanks Willem, I think they will.

[@LostMountainRestoration]

Thanks and welcome back. I was having llama and chicken withdraws - lol. Great job and thanks for the lesson.

[@johnsonrestoration]

+Lawrence Jackmin Thanks for watching! And those are alpacas!

[@LostMountainRestoration]

See there? I just learned something else from your videos. LOL.

[@charlesbutler4646]

Beautifully done.

[@johnsonrestoration]

Thank you!

[@marcdai]

Congratulations another beautifully restored furniture that has been manufactured by the craftsman who had the passion o work well done , just like you btw!

[@johnsonrestoration]

+Marc Daigneault Thanks! (what does btw mean?)

[@marcdai]

btw mean nothing, I used Google translation, I'm french speaking woodworker and I used Google translator to write to you and the end of my sentence was ''good as you''

[@harrynewell912]

Beautiful result.

[@johnsonrestoration]

+Harry Newell thanks!

[@MrDonkrypton]

Well, I think, it looks pretty good. Sorry, but someone _had_ to say that!

[@johnsonrestoration]

Thanks!

[@billfromelma]

Hey Tom, you must of been reading my mind. Last night I was watching a few videos on here and was wondering were you were. Really happy to see this video today. That piece came out stunning. I always learn something watching your videos . By the way ! I'm a big sucker for quilted maple. ( one of my favorites ) . Thanks for sharing.

[@johnsonrestoration]

+billfromelma Thanks Bill. I'm trying to put them out every 2 weeks but sometimes Life makes it tough.

[@joemalicdem]

I love what you do. I wish I can work as an apprentice in your shop.

[@johnsonrestoration]

Thanks! you can always start on your own!

[@jimmyjames3220]

Hi Tom that table looks amazing! When you mentioned considering the condition of the finish before restoring, I was pondering on that last week. My mothers grandfather's mantel clock from 1918 was painted white and had glitter thrown on it then to be painted again to cover that up LOL. I thought there's no way I could make this clock worse by restoring it. Anyways thanks again I really enjoy hearing how you explain your approach.

[@johnsonrestoration]

+Jimmy James Thanks Jimmy. Yeah, I say go for it. Just be careful and see whats underneath the paint.

[@jimmyjames3220]

Hi Tom thanks for the advice! Underneath the paint was nice oak. The clock had water damage and I suspect why it was painted. I spent 3hrs picking white paint out of the grain! A light sanding, gel stain and finish had it turn out nice. Thanks again! Jimmy

[@bh20pal]

Looks pretty good.

[@johnsonrestoration]

+bh20pal Yeah!

[@chucklitecky6890]

It's good to see another video, please keep them coming.I'm working on a three drawer bachelor's chest and would your use of steel wool and wax over Tung oil might also apply to a shellac finish?

[@johnsonrestoration]

+Chuck Litecky Yes, you can use the same techniques for shellac. Usually shellac will have a lot higher sheen, but in a good way.

[@mikeb3519]

Finally! Methadone never quite did it for me.

[@johnsonrestoration]

+Mike B Whoa! I don't know if that's good or bad but I'll assume it's a compliment! Thanks for watching!

[@carolcarola9719]

Do you keep the sanding and finish operations separated, so as to avoid contamination? Your video are most informative and you are so talented especially in colors and tint.

[@johnsonrestoration]

Thanks! My shop is too small to have a separate area for finishing. But with basically a one person operation, it's not a problem.

[@wateralliancemuskoka5728]

Hi Mr. Johnson - when you wax with steel wool after using an oil finish, I have found that the wax gets driven into the grain of the wood and dries white - I have found this on lighter woods such as curly maple or flame birch. Is it just a matter of pressure being applied? Happy to be given some pointers, love the videos.

[@johnsonrestoration]

Thanks! It sounds like you don't have enough finish. Even with an oil finish you want the grain to be sealed somewhat. Also, try using a tinted wax, there are a lot out there.

[@mosesgarcia78539]

Thanks Tom for all these videos. What type Tung oil do you use?

[@johnsonrestoration]

You're welcome! Waterlox Original Formula www.waterlox.com/original

[@SparrowStockwell]

That’s a pretty little table.

[@johnsonrestoration]

I've always liked these, just classic

[@andybyerly5629]

WOW! Great Work. Can you refer me to one of your shows where you restored a piece suffering from an alligator-ed shellac finish? Will polishing it with 0000 steel wool and alcohol last or will it alligator again?

[@johnsonrestoration]

Thanks! The only way I have ever had any success with an alligatored finish is to sand with 220 or 320 and then recoat, maybe more than one coat, sand again and polish out with steel wool

[@andybyerly5629]

Thanks I'l give that a try

[@rogerkock2456]

Could you clarify something. I thought this piece was "tiger maple", you called it "curley" and doing some online looking does not answer this. Are the names interchangeable?

[@johnsonrestoration]

Thanks! Yes, interchangeable. But at the lumber yard it's "curly"

[@carolcarola9719]

Xxxdo you try to sand in a different location than where finish is applied?

[@johnsonrestoration]

Thanks for watching! I'm not sure what you're asking

[@4lper87]

Hi Mister Johnson. Another beautiful Video. I Just restored my old Commode with youre advices and it looks "pretty good" =). can you tell were i can buy these pipe clamps and the big feather clapms to clamp veneer? is there an websites or something?? Have a nice day

[@johnsonrestoration]

+Alper Ilhan Hi Alper, thanks for watching. The pipe clamps are from Jorgensen, they sell the head and the tail and you buy threaded pipe at your local plumbing supply. I'm not sure what you mean by "feather clamps", which ones do you mean?

[@4lper87]

Thanks for the quick answer Thomas. I buy some bessey pipe clamps. I think its also good :) with feather clamps i man the orange clamps wich you use for veneer damages. The Hand clamp. I Font now in german its called feather clamps.:)

[@NewApologist]

Tom, do you prefer a brand of Tung oil over others?

[@johnsonrestoration]

Thanks! Yes, but what I'm using is not pure Tung Oil, it's a tung oil Varnish - Waterlox Original Sealer/ Finish

[@juliettpapa]

Would you reveal the concentration of the oxalic acid? 5%? 10%? And the "duration of soaking"? (is this correct english?) By the way: doesn't it look pretty good? :-O

[@johnsonrestoration]

Thanks! Depending on the severity of the water damage, I put between 2 tablespoons - 4 tablespoons in a quart of hot water. The next day rinse with plenty of cold water

[@macfisher4004]

What do you think the original finish was, or the one you removed?

[@johnsonrestoration]

+Mac Fisher We will never know what the original was. Just like now, people tend to use whatever they have on hand. I feel certain that table had been refinished, probably more than once. The way it came off with lacquer thinner makes me think it was either lacquer or shellac.

[@TheSharkeyandgeorge]

how much is this worth? Im sitting at the exact same table but in quartersawn oak

[@johnsonrestoration]

+TheSharkeyandgeorge That's a tough one, I don't do any buying or selling. This table could be 18th century, your's is 1890 - 1920. The reality of it is that it's not worth a lot. Just enjoy it!

[@dikotakreighbaum2430]

👍👌

[@amw6778]

7:00 Tom say's 'Tung oil doesn't need sanding between coats'... Tom then proceeds to sand between coats?

[@johnsonrestoration]

Thanks again! That's right, it doesn't need to be sanded as the finish will chemically bond to the coat underneath. But that doesn't mean you can't sand if you want to - usually to level it off and fill in the grain better

[@_trismegistus]

Why should antique table tops be lighter than the base? Is this just to keep the antique character where the top would most likely be washed out compared to the base over time?

[@johnsonrestoration]

That's exactly right. If everything is the same color it suddenly doesn't look so antique anymore.

[@_trismegistus]

Thomas Johnson Antique Furniture Restoration thanks for the reply!

[@pastorlantz4933]

Hey what's up, no -"I think it looks pretty good."

[@johnsonrestoration]

Thanks! Must be the one time I forgot! I heard about it too!

[@a_a_a_a_a]

You forgot to say "I think it looks pretty good" at the end. Does it not look pretty good? I think it does.

[@johnsonrestoration]

Oh my God! I don't know how that happened, but yeah, it looked pretty good! Maybe we can go back and stick it in

[@greameanthony691]

Nice timber like that should of been hand French polished not tung oiled. Its not a everyday table that is getting used. I know your not a french polisher but maybe you could of got it french polished by sumbody else. But maybe the customer didnt want pay the money for the french polishing too.

[@johnsonrestoration]

Thanks! It wasn't about money. I like to use varnish on table tops, and I feel the French Polish would have been too glossy