Restoring a Broken Desk - Shellac Finish and Wood Repair by Fixing Furniture

This roll-top desk was broken and had a very worn finish. Learn how to patch broken wood, match wood stain, revive an old finish, and re-glue parts to restore wood furniture. We teach the skills of furniture repair, so you're going to learn something new in this video.

This desk has a broken pedestal that has come apart. It needs to be disassembled to repair a piece of wood that broke off. Watch how Scott prepares and patches in new wood to glue in a new piece. He then stains and finishes the wood to match the existing wood.

The desk top and the top of the gallery have a damaged shellac finish. In many cases, applying a new coat of shellac is easy... but this desk turned out to get messy. The old finish reacted to the new finish. Scott shows tips and techniques to deal with challenges like this.

Bonus - there are some old treasures hidden inside the roll-top cavity.

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#restoration #broken #furniture

[terrydawson]

I’ve been refinishing and repairing antiques for 45 years (self taught). I learned more from your video than from any other! One video and you have a loyal fan! Your teaching technique is spot on! Thanks 😊

[Richard-vwno]

"A roll top desk hiding an accidental time capsule." What a novel idea!

[franktuckwell]

At one time i worked for a saddler and leather workers workshop. We did all sorts of work for all sorts of people including the Foreign Office, who sent two diplomatic bags for repair and instructions to please mend one and use the other as a pattern to make five more. Whilst taking the one apart, we found a secret compartment, so rang up the customer to ask about it. A black van turned up in about three hours and removed both bags, they didn't know about the secret bottom. The firm got compensated for loss of work. This was in 1970s UK. Your secret catch reminded me of this. Have you ever found a hidden compartment whilst mending furniture? Great vlog.

[salqat]

You may consider me as a wood furniture lover. This video of yours, opened a new window for me. Thank you.

[Bob]

I've saw some "restored" furniture in a shop. There was a multitude of different pieces that looked "brand new". After watching your restoration I can see the problem with what I saw in the shop is that the furniture looked "brand new". Your restoration made the furniture look "real" if can can use that term. Your restoration as well as what I've seen in museums or classic houses/buildings looks as if the antique/classic furniture is authentic and well cared for but not "rebuilt".
Thank you for sharing your talent, wisdom and Knowledge.

[johncourtneidge]

Thank-you for an excellent video *and* an excellent, complete guide to materials, books, tool.

Well done!

[sindicta]

I love your calm demeanor, the lack of obnoxious music/quick camera cuts, the helpful explanations and the humble attitude. The fact that you respect the desk is an heirloom and don't act judgmental or crack any rude jokes is really something to be valued.

And obviously your craftsmanship backs it all up!

[donnaaranda]

Woodin it be nice 👍 love it. Great song too.

[kathryn]

I loved the part where you pulled out all the stuff that was stuck in there. I watched every bit, I was absolutely mesmerized. Thank you. Another grandma!

[citibear]

This is the first video I have watched from your channel, but it certainly won't be the last. I have Subscribed, and Liked👍this video. I find it very interesting. Nice to see a Canadian 'Norm Abrams'. Hello from Regina SK!

[HighlandersWorkshop]

This guy is the Canadian Bob Ross of furniture. Love watching him work

[FIVETS_ADVENTURES]

My wife and I are restoring an antique sewing machine, the draws are in the most need. We watched you video about a month ago and I remembered seeing you getting old glue to release. I searched my history to find your video again and find how you got the glue to come free. I used your tip and it worked great. Thank You

[Doris-yv]

that is great a video about working in small space, just what I need !!!

[melainenicholson]

Outstanding! My son, who's 30 now, used to believe only the fanciest people had roll top desks. I shared your restoration and he shouted, "Vindication!!!" Because, apparently, only the fanciest person is worthy of this desk, now.
Thanks for sharing your work. It's truly fascinating.

[maureenreagan]

I know this is gonna sound weird, but…..I’m really glad your fingernails (and hands) are really clean. It helps the aesthetics of your video.

[who]

Simply awesome teaching content without any distracting, repetitive music!
It’s refreshing to be able to watch without it.
All too many YouTube videos are somewhat ruined by it.
I’ve asked other people and they’ve agreed.
Thank you for not having any in yours.
I thoroughly enjoyed the way you showed us how to restore this piece. Unbelievable repair patching the wood!
What a beautiful desk it is once again, thanks to you! ☺️

[malcolmharing]

Liked your video immensely. I am fortunate to have inherited a massive roll top desk from my father who got it from a basement in San Francisco . Its antique and huge. It needs the the roll top rewired. But its solid oak with similar drawer locking mechanism. Its so large the top is a separate unit from thr bottom unit. It is twice the size as the one you repaired.

[juliebrooke]

You are an excellent teacher. You don’t just clearly explain what you’re doing but also why you’re doing it that way. Extremely informative. I loved the discovery of all that stuff that had been jammed in the back.

[mlaiuppa]

You need to do 20-40 passes with 5 min between each when you French Polish, that airplane technique. It’s time consuming but easy snd the results are outstanding. I refreshed a vintage coffee table and a sewing table and the results were wonderful. I’m going to be working on a small dresser next and then restoring an abused armoire. The Sam Allen book is a great guide.

[timothymbess]

It was fairly common for roll top desks to have that locking drawer mechanism. It creates a series of dependent locks, so that the user could simply roll the top down and lock it to the desk surface, which in turn, locked the drawers as well. Clever system for locking up the whole desk without having to install a bunch of locks and tumblers on every individual drawer.