ED65":2yaqm88r said:
Hate to have to say it but Thomas Johnson's standard isn't high enough to make sending something of great value across the country to him worthwhile.
Having watched a lot of his videos (probably all of them going back many years), I am amazed you can write that.
Presently I have a set of Sheraton/Hepplewhite* dining chairs, which I've been given. They were "restored" by someone who does a lot of museum work in the UK, and frankly I think they have been ruined. The person concerned had no idea of the issues with joints, especially side rail to back legs ones, nor any ability to cut repair pieces accurately. Of course I don't know what instructions were given at the time, but sticking in cross-grain dowels (clumsily) actually weakens the joints, mostly, as well as destroying the look of the piece. I don't know what I am going to do with them - the cost of putting right the original "restoration" is beyond me. The work has done damage rather than helped in the most part.
In contrast I've seen TJ's restorations to be sympathetic, clever, skilled and very strong where necessary. He offers options, asks his clients what they want done and follows the instruction. You can't ask for more really.
In the case of my chairs, I wish he'd had them rather than the London-based person who did the damage.
If you are going to trash someone either present evidence or don't do it.
E.
*of that period, say 1870s - a crossover between the two designers, and I can't really work out which school they belong to. They are an unusual and pretty, but not mechanically great, design.
