Don't Do This! || Rebuilding a 100 year old piece of furniture

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[gregswank]

That piece reminds me of the furniture my grandfather used to make. Stained Plywood, no joinery, nailed together, and custom built in odd sizes and shapes to fit a particular spot. My dad had an office in a front room with a step down where the entry curved to open to the living room. My grandfather built a desk that fit up against that curved railing in a way where it would never fit anywhere else. Everything was clean, functional, and unique. Now I'm sitting at a desk I made in my office, stained plywood, 2*4 frame, custom unique size, and built to fit the room. Not bad for only having an old Black & Decker circular saw and a palm sander when I built it.

[andyb]

The toe-kick that you made from pieces left over from the top was a great addition. That was kind of a genius method for narrowing it down piecemeal as opposed to doing a complete disassembly.

[lindacurtis-smith]

Dang Son! You really put your heart into it. That piece now has a second life and will live on and on. Outstanding job! :)

[BobCrosley]

Loved the result! Great point about overbuilding. My ex has a set of barrister bookcases she inherited from her dad. If you built a set the exact same way, and did a video about it, the entire comment section would be full of comments saying it will basically fly apart into hundreds of pieces within a week. They’re sixty years old and still going.

[jennessalynam]

I loved how you kept everything original by cutting each piece down to size and then putting it back together. At first when you said what you were gonna do I was like that sucks that you're gonna cut it all up especially since it's a piece of history but once you were done I really like it. Great job, Jason. Thanks for sharing this with us.

[oldtop]

I've been using channel locks for pulling nails for decades. The only ping is the dent it will make in soft wood, but that's easily fixed with a scrap of 1/4 ply. I "discovered" Japanese pull saws in the last 5 years. I have traditional saws, but I'm now a HUGE fan of those puppies! They aren't terribly expensive, and just a joy to use. The West has some saws that are better for some things, but for detailed work look to the East - just a lot easier.

Your project piece was likely in a store somewhere - thus the depth, style, metal and simple design. Nails were cheap even when screws came into play. I've used the same drawer slides on things that I've built. They are easy, cheap, and they work for many projects. Very common years ago (and they can be more complex btw).

SO glad you used hand tools for this! We tend to forget that there are other ways to do things. I switch back and forth between power and hand tools, and sometimes the hand tools are actually faster.

[quietrc]

Great point about us overbuilding stuff nowadays. It’s not bad to overbuild, sure, but it is bad and incredibly silly to be one of those people that constantly comments “that’ll never last/hold together if you don’t blah blah blah.”
Great work sticking to hand tools!

[JoeSeppy]

Busted! Power tool used to remove the casters, BOTH TIMES!!. What the heck! But wow that would have been a challenge for sure. Fun to watch as usual. And as some one already said, "You Nailed It!!! (except for the casters!!)

[MrCaptflack]

Why didn’t you just cut a hole in the wall and push it in ? 😂😂😂

[paulforster]

As requested “Jason learn to use a hammer correctly. Hold it at the end of the handle”
There you’ve been told.
The grain pattern on the left side plywood panel is the best reason to reuse those old panels again
Great content 👍🏼

[TheDrblu]

I think you would have been much better off if you took photos and measurements at the antique store and then just Norm Abram'd it at home. Then you start another series and call it "The New Oregonian Workshop"!!!

[rey-dqnx]

The woodworkers presented on YouTube are all skilled beyond measure. But what sets him apart from the rest is his sense of humors. He is very funny and entertaining.

[greencanofbeer]

You have so many great builds documented. This is what it is all about. Simple. Repurpose. Perfect. Function meets form in the purest form.

[Sweedof]

Great modification to the original piece! Love your videos. I applaud your effort and dedication into only using hand tools to rebuild this.

[mishellekochel]

Perfect example of a true craftsman, my friend. Great vid. I wouldn't have changed a thing, but def used power tools!!

[jerrybell]

You did a wonderful job preserving this piece yet retaining it's authentic look. Great job, you wife should be very proud of you for keeping it history.

[TheRealJonahWicky]

My first thought was 'Oh no, you're going to ruin it!'. But that's a very utilitarian piece, and I think the original maker would approve. And kudos for doing it all by hand.

[DL-S-jz]

Amazing work as always. The will power needed to not modify those top right drawers to straighten them out is amazing, especially considering how immaculate your "build" work always is!

[DerekKnop]

Repairing, repurposing, and reusing existing furniture is just as valuable of a skill as building from scratch. It was nice seeing you apply your skills and your humor to giving that, thing, a new life.

[jamiemajerick]

The base you made was the perfect touch. Nice work ❤