After my ill-fated attempt to sign up for an upholstery class at a local community college, I found some excellent online tutorials and decided to teach myself. However, setting me up in my own upholstery workshop had taken a backseat to moving into the new store, but when we got another pair of Kofod-Larsen chairs the other day, I mentioned (OK, whined) that I really needed a pneumatic staple gun and air compressor before I recovered the seats...hence, today's shopping trip to a local upholstery supply store.
$400 later, my SIL unloaded a top-of-the-line Fasco stapler, a 1.3 horsepower, 4 gallon, twin tank Hitachi air compressor with a maximum psi of 135, a 25-foot coiled hose and my very own rubber mallet and staple puller into my living room. I must say it all looks lovely with the 5 bolts of upholstery fabric that were already there.
He thinks he's found the perfect work table for me...with a red formica top, no less...and now the hunt is on for an industrial sewing machine, preferably a Consew Model 226.
We started making plans to clean out and renovate my workshop, which has been a catch-all this past year for overflow from the shop/Etsy store, such as odds 'n' end lamps, pottery and refinishing supplies...plus their bicycles and a couple of infant carseat bases, which they're supposed to post on Craigslist.
Today's purchases marked the end of procrastination and committed us to actually following through on the upholstery idea. When I said, "I guess I need to learn to upholster now, huh?" my SIL replied, "Yeah, unless you want to find a bill for $400 on your doorstep."
My first project will be the Kofod-Larsen seats, which will be so much easier than the last ones I did with a hand stapler. The next item of business will be a cute little swivel rocker that has been languishing in the workshop for a while, followed by a chair we've had since our antique mall days. Ironically, someone contacted us about it yesterday, so it may sell before I have a chance to recover it.
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| My new air compressor...all 60 pounds of it. Huh? That's portable? |
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| My pneumatic stapler, hose, mallet and staple puller make me legit. |
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| We got another pair of Kofod-Larsen chairs like these. The backs have already been refinished. Now I need to recover the seats. |
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| #2 Project: A cute little swivel rocker that will soon be orange |
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| This will probably be #3 Project, unless it's sold first. |
Love the Grammo sentiment, he sounds like a special #1 G.S! I look forward to hearing about your new venture as it unfolds, if I was closer by, I would join you:)
ReplyDeleteYes, Grandson #1 is a great kid, that one! Grandson #2 will be talking soon, but in the meantime, he just holds out his chubby little arms to me and looks angelic. :)
DeleteHa! If I was closer to Grammo, I'd be one of her biggest customers! Thank goodness for my bank balance, I'm on another continent.
ReplyDeleteCan't wait to see how your upholstering goes. You'll inspire us all!
I don't know how inspiring I'll be...but I promise I'll be entertaining, even if my escapades just give you something to giggle about. :)
DeleteThis is wonderful news ..... can't wait to see how you get on!
ReplyDeleteI'm eager to start, and I'll keep you posted of my progress.
DeleteGood luck! You've certainly got the tools for the job. I can sympathize about the hand stapler. They are just not made for women's hands!
ReplyDeleteYou're so right about hand staplers. The last time I did chair seats, my hand was useless the next day. A friend just told me about a kind that you just push down...no trigger to pull...so I'm going to check it out for light jobs, and if it's everything she says it is, I'll post about it.
DeleteLooks like you're armed for bear! The Kofod-Larsens don't look too problematic. The other pieces look a lot more challenging. I posted awhile back on my blog about the Berry staple remover that I own and love and it's even made in Texas! http://amodernline.blogspot.com/2011/11/plycraft-shell-chair-restoration-part.html It's one of the most efficent hand tools I own. Good luck with your projects! Be looking forward to some "after" pics...
ReplyDeleteThe Kofod-Larsen chairs will be a breeze now that I have the new stapler. The seats are slightly concave, but I'm armed with good upholstery grade adhesive. I'm already rethinking my first project, and it may be a Danish chair with loose box cushions...LOL
Deletethose swivel rockers are always so comfortable. almost bought one at a yard sale last year but when i looked at the bottom, it looked like a rats nest!
ReplyDeleteIsn't it sad that so much of the furniture we love has been stored where animals can nest in it or chew it up?
DeleteI'm so jealous of your new supplies!!! I cannot wait to see what you do ;) Good luck!!
ReplyDeleteI'm really thrilled that we're moving forward with the project. I can't wait to find a machine and get my workshop looking all spiffy!
DeleteI have staple gun envy. Can't wait to see the finished products!
ReplyDeleteWe'll see how much you envy me when I post a picture of my finger stapled to a chair...LOL While I'm fairly handy with tools, there have been times when I've made some less-than-smooth moves. I'm thinking this wouldn't be a good tool to do anything klutzy with.
DeleteAll the best in your new career! I have a feeling that you will be good at it and that you will find a lot of enjoyment in it.
ReplyDeleteI would have no idea how to use those tools. ( :
I don't know how to use them either...LOL
Deletebest wishes for the project(s) you are going to undertake!! make sure u do a separate series on ur work :)
ReplyDeleteI promise you'll see pictures...probably ad nauseum.
DeleteAwesome! It's never too late to learn new tricks. I can't wait to see the reupholstered chairs.
ReplyDeleteI believe the older you get, the more important it is to keep learning new things. I'm excited about this!
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