Nakashima-Widdicomb Mirror restoration

[Brian Holcombe]

Morning all! I have repaired and restored a Nakashima-Widdicomb mirror, and thought you may want to look in on the process.

https://brianholcombewoodworker.com/2016/12/15/nakashima-widdicomb-restoration/

[Andrew Hughes]

Execellant repair Brian.

[Patrick McCarthy]

Nice, as always, but
what I really enjoy and find helpful is the thoughtful explanation as you explain the various reasons you took certain steps.

thank you much, Patrick

[Brian Holcombe]

Thanks Gents!

[David Eisenhauer]

Nice work as usual. Do you think Nakashima designed this to be constructed with dowels or did the furniture company take a "labor shortcut"?

[Pat Barry]

Nice work Brian. Did you have to strip the old finish? Also, is that a new mirror or is the original?

[Brian Holcombe]

Nice work as usual. Do you think Nakashima designed this to be constructed with dowels or did the furniture company take a "labor shortcut"?

Thank you!

Dowels are very common in top end manufactured furniture, so I think most furniture companies are just geared up to design and build with them and so they do so. The exceptions are usually the exception and not the rule. All things considered it lasted 50~ years and only broke when the frame fell, it was't the breaking point which caused the frame to fall.


Nice work Brian. Did you have to strip the old finish? Also, is that a new mirror or is the original?

Thank you! I didn't strip the old finish, in the process of resurfacing all of the boards the finish just went with the shavings. The mirror glass is new.

[Brian Holcombe]

In part two of this series I build the supporting frame made to allow the mirror to use a wall cleat rather than rely upon the original hooks.


https://brianholcombewoodworker.com/2016/12/22/nakashima-widdicomb-restoration-part-deux/

[James Pallas]

Brian Nice rehab. I very impressed with your ideas on frames. Getting frames to hang neatly on the wall is a science by itself. You've done the work now I can borrow, good deal for me:)
Jim

[Brian Holcombe]

Thanks James! My idea is unique in this application but very much also borrowed from the antique frames I've peeked behind, so you are welcome to it.

[Rob Luter]

Well done sir. Some of my most satisfying work has been charitable repairs on broken/damaged pieces. It does a heart good to bring a treasure back from shambles to like new condition.