ABOUT BILL JOHNSON

 I have been a part time woodworker for more than 30 years. Now, after retirement from the corporate world I am able to make it my fulltime pursuit. I am a self educated wood worker by virtue of the many excellent woodworking books and magazines that are available today. My engineering background also provides a disciplined approach to the design and building process. I use a computer design program to make detailed drawings of each part and to work out all the details before starting to saw wood. This process saves mistakes and is particularly helpful to generate full size templates of the many irregular shaped surfaces associated with period furniture.

Documentation for the furniture I build comes primarily from material that has been published by experts who have had the opportunity to study and measure original museum quality pieces. It is fortunate that this literature exists because access to original furniture from the 18th century in museums and private collections is very limited in today’s world.

I also repair furniture - both antique and contemporary. Glued joints frequently loosen and it is becomes necessary to disassemble all or part of a piece inorder to restore its integrity. If a part is damaged beyond repair, I can make a replacement from the same kind of wood that was orginally used and match the finish. However, I do not take on projects that are primarily of a refinishing nature. In view of the difficult economic times that we are now experiencing I would encourage people to consider a quality repair as a way of stretching their financial resources and saving a valued item.

I am also available to do custom wood turning. I can help the woodworker with turned parts that he or she may not have the equipment or desire to make. I have made replacement stair railing spindles for contractors.

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