Shopsmith Forums

This chair was passed down through my great aunt's family who farmed in Central Texas in the early 1900's. It had been sitting outside in the weather on my mother's back porch for several years when my wife convinced me it might be worth repairing and refinishing. Took it completely apart, re-glued the split seat, sanded, re-assembled with new brass screws, and refinished. She was right - it turned out to be oak and in good shape under the surface weathering. See before and after pictures below.

Very Nice!

Very nice work! The grain really pops on that chair.

A lot of labor but a terrific result! Old furniture often has very good wood in them - makes them worth refinishing.

Looks like you kept the patina. Good. Never sand the old patina off. Steel wool better than sandpaper for such work.

Bentwood was widely used in furniture. I wonder how it could be revived toady as a woodworking tool/method.

And that floor looks perfect for a shop...

That's super! Maybe some 'mates' to that lone chair will show up, too ?

SteveMaryland wrote: ↑Tue May 14, 2024 6:30 am Looks like you kept the patina. Good. Never sand the old patina off. Steel wool better than sandpaper for such work.
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And that floor looks perfect for a shop...

I thought about that before I started but the chair’s original patina was long gone. The chair now has a place in our home where we can see and use it daily. It’s value to us comes as a reminder of my family’s roots, not as an antique for resale.

As for the epoxy flake floor, it extends into the garage beyond the shop door as well. I really like its appearance, durability, and ability to hide dust, but I can’t count how many times I’ve been down on my hands and knees with a strong shop light looking for small dropped parts. A sweep magnet helps, but I’ve learned to be extra careful when taking things apart!

nuhobby wrote: ↑Tue May 14, 2024 7:42 am That's super! Maybe some 'mates' to that lone chair will show up, too ?

It’s one of a kind at this point. Besides, as much work as it took to repair and refinish if any more did show up I’m not sure I’d be up for the job!

WOW! Great transformation. I'm not sure I would have seen it as a possible save. Glad you did.

Nicely done!

Very very nice!