Old World Vs. New World

As I am sitting here waiting for glue to dry (I do that a lot!), I was just thinking about how this business is, in many ways, completely out of step with the modern world. To one extent or another, we all have become accustomed to instant gratification. Flip a switch, the lights or heat come on. Turn a key and your car (or truck) starts. Not to mention the wonders of the internet, cell phones, ipads, pods, tablets and so on. People are used to getting what they want, when they want it. In other words, NOW! The antique furniture repair/restoration business however is a completely different process. Due to the nature of furniture, wood, strippers, thinners, glue, stains, lacquers and so on, it can by necessity be an extended process. When you try hard to restore a piece to it's original glory (or something close to it!) you must take your time and do the job correctly. Years back, when I was learning the business I was always in a rush. I didn't want to wait for the stripper to work, or the glue or stain to dry or... you get the picture. Over time, however, I learned to slow down and today in my work, I try to allow 12-24 hours between steps to ensure the last step is completely dry and I'm ready to proceed. I hate having to go back and re-do the thing I just did! Fortunately, nearly all persons understand that it can be a slow process and in my 18 years in this business I have had very few customers who simply did not understand why the old Morris chair they found under a tractor in a barn couldn't be finished in three days. Thanks for reading and I'll see ya next time!