I have a some bellows that came with our house. It had gotten ratty over the years and it was time for an overhaul. The leather had a hole in it, so air would puff back out when working the handles. I restored this due to part nostalgia and part utilitarian use. The medallion was missing. I am sure I can find something down the road to replace it. The shellac finish was chipped all over with wear spots on the edge. There was a strip of leather going to each tack at the edge of the leather that was all but worn away. I removed the tacks and slid the nozzle out. There were staples along the edges holding the leather in place. All the old leather was removed along with a lot of dust and ash. I hand sanded it to remove the old finish. I believe the wood is birch, not maple as I was expecting. The little imperfections were left in place. Continued...
I used four coats of shellac and two coats of semi-gloss polyurethane for the new finish. The leather flapper and the hinge were in very good shape, so I left them as they were. I only have one picture of the re-fastening of the leather. It was kind of going quick. It really needs a medallion. I believe the edging leather was a little thinner than the actually leather on the body of it, but I am pleased with the results.
Really nice. Most people would have thrown it away and bought a new one. I'd like to do mine one day.
Thanks. I have my grandparents bellows from the late 1960's in mint shape, but it is tucked away probably never to be used.
Can you tell me the difference between varnish and shellac? Also, I assume that is new leather? If so, where does one find it?
The leather was from a discarded sofa that I cut some pieces out of. Varnish has resins and drying oils and is usually clear. Shellac is the resins of the lac bug that are processed into flakes. It is mixed with denatured alcohol or similar solvent and applied. From what I have read, hard candy coatings are shellac. Made with non denatured alcohol.
We recently discarded a sofa and loveseat, sitting near the trash trailer now soaked from 3' snow last week, suppose any of that is salvagable?
Slice some off and see what happens. This was a friends sofa that sat out for a while. It was black, but the weather wore the coloring out and actually made it a little more worn looking.
Love it Jon! I have two bellows, one from the early 19th century and a set from the early 20th. Both need restored. Great tips, yours came out fantastic..
Just over 4 years and I found a stamped brass eagle. It was on an old paper towel holder at our new place. I knew some thing would turn up eventually. I just don't have a stove now to use it with. A lititle patience and things will fall into place.
That's sweet! Great job! I'm sure your finding all sorts of stuff there! I can't imagine what's under the ground. Do you metal detect at all?
I do have a detector. My brothers and dad all do as well. My brother brought his Saturday and said there are so many targets to dig up. My other brother found this cultivator in the woods. I many clean it up and paint it. My wife said it would look great in a garden. Looks like some sort of garden is going in. I missed the bulletin.
Found a sickle in the crawlspace and a millstone in the weeds. Dang, this is not helping get things done around here.
