This is a relatively common build. Followers of Paul Seller's make and post images of "Seller's-inspired," "my-interpretation of," or "Purist" examples of his clock, which originally appeared on YouTube in a free online course he offered. This example of mine is in the "Purist" style. I typically look at pieces online or in a magazine and then draw a picture of what my take on a particular piece would be and come up with some measurements, which get refined a number of times, decide on a wood species, and hit the tools. The problem for me with this kind of adaptive learning is that half of the education, as in the instructional/teacher insights is omitted. I wanted to build my first Seller's clock as Paul did. I wanted to go through the processes he does. More than a clock, I wanted to understand how this master applied his trade, in terms of design, tool choice, order of steps, and methodology. And, I certainly wanted to do that...
I love the feel of old furniture, the kind of stuff that my grandparents had. The kind of stuff my parents hated because it had fallen out of style or favor. The furniture made from the Depression era until the 1950's was typically hardwood and its joinery was often unique-good old fashion screws. Its manner of construction relied far more on mechanical fasteners than its predessor, but lacks the fastener widgets, do-dads, and pressboard of today. It was typically sparse, but made well, and generally affordable. I have three re-furbished pieces, two from this time period and one more modern. I want to share these because I think they prove that a well-used piece is not necessarily a throw away.Platform Rocker
My grandmother had a chair almost exactly like this one. In fact, I recall many people owning a chair like this one as they were quite popular. I have seen similar chairs in old Ethan Allen catalogs, this one did not have a maker's sticker still on it. It is solid maple. As seen in the photo it was in dire condition when I obtained it. It had belonged to my wife's mother, which is a testament to their popularity. One arm was broken in half, several parts were missing, and the original cushions were like bags of sand that had been hand-sewn in an old pair of curtains. I think she offered us the chair as a second-thought before sending them to the dump.
I sent the cushions out to a profession reupholster to be remade and set about repairing and refinishing this old chair. I have seen so many of these chairs with broken arms. My impression is that the break has more to do with design than craftsmanship. People pull and sit on these arms. They were often used as seasonal chairs, where they were often kept on convered patios and such. This one certainly was no different, but the bottom of this chair is as solid as the day it was made. I finished it with a 50/50 wipe-on poly blend.
Walnut Coffee Table
The second piece I found in my son's attic. The table had been left behind by a previous owner. The top on it had been replaced with pine that had cuped so badly it was practically a bowl. The stain didn't match the base and again this piece was also headed for the dumpster. I stripped the old crackling varnish off the base and applied a black water-based stain. This was really for two reasons. The first is that the legs on antique furniture are always darker than the top, and the second is that with the base now black I didn't have to worry about matching anything. This is by no means an antique. The base was made of poplar, but solid. I obviously used walnut for the top, and a rickety piece it was. After cutting out the bugs and rot, I had just enough to cover the base. Sapwood, heartwood, who cares? Given the condition of the board I finished the table with a 60/40 wipe-on poly and then a finishing epoxy. The table was a gift for my daughter and her boyfriend; it is a piece they treasure.
Bed-side Table
No piece I've ever done made me chuckle as much as this piece. My mother purchased a side table from a department store. It was ugly new, even before she beat it to death. It's legs were chrome, or some facsimile of chrome. The top was made of a dense pressboard with a contact paper-like wrapping, made to look like a gray marble. It was hideous. My mother used it so much she had worn a hole in it. My mother, subsequently, had to move to assisted living and while I was cleaning out her home my youngest daughter grabbed it. I yelled, "not that." She replied, "but I want it." You probably already know how the rest of that went. So, mostly because I couldn't stand looking at it, I reimagined it. I sized up a new piece of pressboard and cut some thin strips of maple to cover the sides and ends. The I covered it with a pecky maple veneer. I do own a small vacuum press.
It is quite affordable and is marketed toward skateboard makers. The transformation, however, was stunning. I finished this piece by spray painting the chrome legs metalic gray. I think it looks a world better, but I still chuckle every time I look at it.
It is quite affordable and is marketed toward skateboard makers. The transformation, however, was stunning. I finished this piece by spray painting the chrome legs metalic gray. I think it looks a world better, but I still chuckle every time I look at it.
The Point
Simply, there is so much you can do with second-hand furniture. It takes a little elbow-grease and creativity but the end results can be stunning. More over, you can revitalize those pieces of furniture that in years past gave you so much comfort or bring up fond memories. But, the pieces don't need to be antiques or even old. You don't need to start with a neglected masterpiece, virtually any piece can be transformed. You don't necessarily need a big shop and countless tools. Additionally, the skills you acquire through refinishing are more than applicable to other types of woodworking. So, look around and find a piece you can give a second life to or drop us a comment and tell us about your refinished pieces.
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