These guys help me keep working on trash picked stuff in my basement: www.patreon.com/wordsnwood Seriously, I've been fascinated by these type of bookcases for 20 years, and here I got one for free!
Very nice work my friend! I don't think I would've had the nerve to try and refinish that old piece. But I think you did a fantastic job! Well done! Take care!
Nice video. I am a chemist (retired). Denatured alcohol is a mix of about 95% ethanol 5% methanol. Alternatively Isopropyl alcohol can also be used to dissolve shellac. I would be very careful with methanol, it is very toxic.
That's what I was thinking as I watched, regular rubbing alcohol will dissolve the shellac. I've accidentally spilled alcohol on something I didn't know was shellacked. That sucked....
hmm, i really should look into shellac as a finish. I like the idea of it being repairable long term. seeing how well this came back to life it's looking like a good idea. maybe not for a dining room table though.
I subscribe to a lot of woodworking channels, and I really have a hard time with the guy who talks too much...40% woodworking / 60% looking at some guy staring into the camera who is blathering on to feed his need for attention. However, I actually appreciate your narration through your projects as it shows how you step through it. It shows the natural problem-solving progression through a project. So, keep it up.
You did a great job. I enjoying repairing pieces that are meaningful to others. Every job is a learning experience. You have a countryman that I follow that is an expert in restoration. Called Fixing Furniture.
GREAT job Art. I think this project was "restored"/refinished very appropriately. Even I could have sanded the whole thing and put a finish on it,. Thanks for keeping a piece of history! !! !!!
Great work Art. Thanks for sharing. I don’t know if you ran across Thomas Johnson in your research. He shares a lot of his process, tips and tricks in his videos.
I've thought about making one to nest in with these, but I'd have to see if I can find one of those mechanisms for keeping the door from racking. (I mean you can build one without, but that makes it so much better) No promises, but it would be fun!
Good job on bringing an old piece back to usable(and attractive) condition.Unfortunately it says a lot about our modern society where someone just tosses something out instead of trying to fix or repurpose it! The way it stands now,that piece will be around for another hundred years. BTW I have one also,a four module one thats in good nick.I didnt realize the value of it till now. Keeping it forever!
I've had one of these for many years but I had no idea that they sold for so much. It's an elegant piece of furniture and the contents don't collect dust ! Fortunately, mine does not need the renovated.
Very cool piece(s)! I suspect that when you were brushing it with methyl hydrate, it was mostly dust and dirt that was coming off rather than stain. The dust and dirt had around a century to work into the shellac, after all. If you just kept washing with solvent, you could pretty completely remove the original shellac finish. Note that some people are very cautious about methyl hydrate. The MSDS notes that can be absorbed through the skin and affects the nervous system. Use appropriate PPE if you're going to have a lot of exposure over a prolonged period.
Hello Art. Holidays are coming. Can you do videos with small easy to make holiday woodworking gifts? You wooden pumpkin video was great. Thanks for all you do.
These guys help me keep working on trash picked stuff in my basement: www.patreon.com/wordsnwood
Seriously, I've been fascinated by these type of bookcases for 20 years, and here I got one for free!
Very nice work my friend! I don't think I would've had the nerve to try and refinish that old piece. But I think you did a fantastic job! Well done! Take care!
Nice video. I am a chemist (retired). Denatured alcohol is a mix of about 95% ethanol 5% methanol. Alternatively Isopropyl alcohol can also be used to dissolve shellac. I would be very careful with methanol, it is very toxic.
Good info, thanks!
That's what I was thinking as I watched, regular rubbing alcohol will dissolve the shellac. I've accidentally spilled alcohol on something I didn't know was shellacked. That sucked....
hmm, i really should look into shellac as a finish. I like the idea of it being repairable long term. seeing how well this came back to life it's looking like a good idea. maybe not for a dining room table though.
lacquer also "burns into" itself, but yeah, it is neat how repairable shellac is.
I subscribe to a lot of woodworking channels, and I really have a hard time with the guy who talks too much...40% woodworking / 60% looking at some guy staring into the camera who is blathering on to feed his need for attention. However, I actually appreciate your narration through your projects as it shows how you step through it. It shows the natural problem-solving progression through a project. So, keep it up.
Thanks for the kind words
You did a great job. I enjoying repairing pieces that are meaningful to others. Every job is a learning experience. You have a countryman that I follow that is an expert in restoration. Called Fixing Furniture.
I’ve seen a few of his, thanks
Nice work Art.
Thank you! Cheers!
GREAT job Art. I think this project was "restored"/refinished very appropriately. Even I could have sanded the whole thing and put a finish on it,. Thanks for keeping a piece of history! !! !!!
Deciding when to stop and when to keep going is tricky… thanks, Mark
Looks awesome Art!!!
Wow that turned out great!
Thanks, Forby! I liked this more and more as the project unfolded
Great work Art. Thanks for sharing. I don’t know if you ran across Thomas Johnson in your research. He shares a lot of his process, tips and tricks in his videos.
Really enjoyed your work on this. Very cool find. I've seen people put lights in those cases for art/ collectibles displays.
lights would be cool.
Might you design and make a build video for barrister bookcases?
I've thought about making one to nest in with these, but I'd have to see if I can find one of those mechanisms for keeping the door from racking. (I mean you can build one without, but that makes it so much better) No promises, but it would be fun!
Nice find, well done👏
Thanks 👍 I liked it more and more as the project went along...
Good job on bringing an old piece back to usable(and attractive) condition.Unfortunately it says a lot about our modern society where someone just tosses something out instead of trying to fix or repurpose it! The way it stands now,that piece will be around for another hundred years. BTW I have one also,a four module one thats in good nick.I didnt realize the value of it till now. Keeping it forever!
I was surprised at the prices as well, thanks!
👍👍👍👍👍
🙏🙏🙏🙏 🙌
I've had one of these for many years but I had no idea that they sold for so much. It's an elegant piece of furniture and the contents don't collect dust ! Fortunately, mine does not need the renovated.
The prices startled me as well.
Just saw one on etsy for CA$1,956.80!! 🙄
Does not shock me at all... Still shocked that someone just put it on the street.
Very cool piece(s)! I suspect that when you were brushing it with methyl hydrate, it was mostly dust and dirt that was coming off rather than stain. The dust and dirt had around a century to work into the shellac, after all. If you just kept washing with solvent, you could pretty completely remove the original shellac finish.
Note that some people are very cautious about methyl hydrate. The MSDS notes that can be absorbed through the skin and affects the nervous system. Use appropriate PPE if you're going to have a lot of exposure over a prolonged period.
Good point about the dust. Hadn’t considered that.
Hello Art. Holidays are coming. Can you do videos with small easy to make holiday woodworking gifts? You wooden pumpkin video was great. Thanks for all you do.
Thanks for the suggestion. We'll see!
PS: Try this playlist: ruclips.net/p/PLOhWTdGWcewOk0cINXvddkLkTDbQUVzHJ
Nice rescue Art!! JimE
I’ll likely never get another one like it, so I’m very glad that I did.
Great job, Art!
Thank you!