Antique Restoration Techniques
Skill Level : Beginner / Intermediate
Cost : £590
Duration : 5 Days
Other – Students should bring small items of furniture to work on
Dates :
18-22 April 2016
22-26 August 2016
About the course
This course is designed as a practical introduction to working on and restoring antique furniture and will cover many of the main areas and techniques required for repair and refinishing.
Ideally students will have some woodworking experience or have attended our ‘Sharpening and Tuning’ course, so that structural repairs and splices etc. can be attempted with confidence.
This course is, however, equally relevant for the complete beginner who can use the course to enter the world of furniture restoration and gain the confidence of working on their own furniture in a controlled and supportive environment.
Specific techniques will be covered in a logical progression, with plenty of time set aside each day for project work, when students may work on the pieces of furniture that they have brought with them, or concentrate on increasing their skills in particular elements of the course which most interest them.
Students are invited to bring up to four pieces of furniture to work on, and for advice and guidance on an appropriate approach for their repair. Due to the relatively short duration of the course, projects may need to be completed at home.
Subjects Covered to include:
Useful tools and jigs
Dismantling furniture – releasing and cleaning joints
Re-making / repairing joints
Glues – types, properties, preparation, uses and application
Assembly techniques – cramps and cramping techniques
Veneers – re-laying, removing, making and patching
Cleaning old surfaces – chemical and mechanical- the controlled approach
Reducing stains and water marks
Cleaning ormolu and brass fittings
Polishes – making shellac and wax
Finishing – basic techniques of applying shellac and wax polish, cosmetic colouring systems
Metal work – ageing and colouring
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