Restoring an Antique Tea Cart made by Gibbard Furniture Co., Canada's Oldest Furniture Company 1835



See how this damaged and worn out tea cart comes back to life as Scott restores the finish, wheels, and structure. This tea cart was made by the Gibbard Furniture Company, Canada’s oldest furniture maker, established in 1835. As in all our videos, Scott shares tips from the furniture restoration trade to help viewers learn how to be successful in their own restoration projects.

Links:
– History of the Gibbard Furniture Co., Napanee, Ontario, Canada https://youtu.be/GT6LJkke6Uo
– Closing of the Gibbard Furniture Co https://www.thestar.com/business/2008/10/10/curtain_lowered_on_upper_canada_icon.html
– Stain Markers for Furniture Restoration Video https://youtu.be/DgQGijY8P2g
– 1-on-1 Coaching by Scott via Zoom https://woodenitbenice.ca/collections/woodworking-advice-sessions

OUR NEWSLETTER – Sign up at https://WoodenItBeNice.ca

See the tools we use in our workshop and the tools we recommend: https://www.amazon.com/shop/homeimprovementwoodworking
🇨🇦 Canadian link – https://www.amazon.ca/shop/homeimprovementwoodworking

This video is hosted by Scott Bennett, Owner of Wooden It Be Nice – Furniture Repair in Brooklin, Ontario, Canada. https://WoodenItBeNice.ca

#restoration #teacart #gibbard

source

37 thoughts on “Restoring an Antique Tea Cart made by Gibbard Furniture Co., Canada's Oldest Furniture Company 1835”

  1. Thoroughly enjoyed the restoration. I like the way you explain the process, so easy to follow and learn from. I didn't realise the Robertson screw goes back that far. I thought it was a relatively new item. Hope you recover soon and I look forward to your next video.

    Reply
  2. Just discovered your channel. Thank you for this!!
    Quick hint on superglue: It's strong in tension, weak in shear. If you finger gets stuck to something, I twist (rather than pull) will almost always break the bond without any drama.  
    Former paramedic here, we dealt with superglue issues more than you'd think.

    Reply
  3. The cart turned out beautifully. Your explanations as you go are the best I've seen. I won't be a furniture repairer in this lifetime. But I appreciate and admire professionals like you. You are a great teacher and an expert craftsman.

    Reply
  4. Not sure if it was said yet. That “unique screw” is someone who had a screw that was too long and they cut the end off with a set of pliers. I do that sometimes when I couldn’t find enough screws in my shop, but need to just get the project done. Nothing special, but too funny 😂

    Reply
  5. I imagine the flat edge on that screw is because it's a wheel. This way it can be screwed into a pilot hole, but the friction of the wheel won't drive the screw deeper into the wood causing it to jam up or split. It should similarly prevent the screw from stripping the sides, since it can't catch and tighten itself.

    Reply
  6. That is a beautiful job. I love watching your videos even though I’m not able to do any of the jobs myself. How I wish I could, I have a curio cabinet that was damaged in hurricane Katrina. Unfortunately it’s still in my garage hoping that one day I will be able to have it repaired. Thanks again for another great video.

    Reply
  7. Scott, could you use a Spanish windlass to tighten the wheel joints? It's just string or cord, tied around and then tightened with a stick or rod twisted in the string. Like a tourniquet.
    Great job on the repairs, especially the finish.

    Reply
  8. Excellent tutorial! Loved this one and the one on the roll top desk. I'm in the process of refurbishing a roll top, and reviewing my work on the tea cart….might need a redo! Thank you for your work in producing these videos, very much appreciated!!

    Reply
  9. wonderfully informative video about a superb restoration. THANKYOU, sir you are a master and I am bingeing on your videos. As someone who just loves older furniture made by talented craftsmen, this is a treasure.❤

    Reply
  10. I am so glad I found this video. I bought a tea cart with an art nouveau inlay on the top. Unfortunately it has many of the same problems as your tea cart. I’m sure I will be really watching this video as I tackle it

    Reply
  11. This is something I wanted to do in Retirement. I even bought an old short bus with a lift on it. I was going to turn it into a mobile workshop and with the lift, I would have a way to get the piece into the vehicle. Unfortunately, my spouse was diagnosed with terminal CA and we needed the money, so I sold the bus. So, this has been very informative for me. I do a few pieces a month and resell them for a little pocket cash and enjoy it a lot. Not the business I had wanted, but still doable as a small side gig. Thanks for the information that you share with us.

    Reply
  12. I inherited most of my hand tools from my dad. In that set was a huge Robinson. Hung on my bench for 40 years. This is the first time I have seen a use for it! I am an old woodworker, but even after so many years, I still get that feeling when I see that shellac finish on Black Walnutt. Now if we could only bring back tea time…

    Reply
  13. Nice work with wood. I applaud you for your best effort; Looks like you are not that good with CA glue (there are tricks demonstrated on other YT videos) and you did not grasp the basics of wheelwright techniques.

    the evidence; you said the spoke showing no glue and I do not see glue residue on the spline. That is definitely a wheelwright crafted wheel.
    did you check check a few of Engel CoachShop youtube channel for basic wheelwright technique(s)? do not even use glue in spoked wheels!

    Reply
  14. Oh, just a tip from a layman's perspective, there is a tool from a car part store that is fantastic for cleaning out screw heads. It's a pointy metal tool called a metal scribe tool hook. It works so well. Reminds me of the old school dentap tools lol.

    Reply
  15. I had a maple tea trolley very similar to this lovely antique, but mine was bought new about 60 years ago. When we moved house we couldn't accommodate it any more but my older son was pleased to have it. I was very fond of it too. Beautiful repair! 😊👍

    Reply

Leave a Comment