Welcome to the Dovetails site

 We have been very busy, there has been a turn for the better as far as restoration work is concerned, it has meant a waiting list is forming again and we have had to turn down a couple of ship jobs

French Polishing Classes @ Smith and Rogers

The first french polishing class was yesterday, it was an interesting event with a huge amount of information to impart in very little time. We had a class of six students, each by the end of the day had managed to prepare colour and polish a piece of wood. Some had brought their own piece for those who did not there was a piece of american black walnut supplied to work on.

I think all were pleased with the eventual results, though I don't think anyone realised the time and preparation that polishing actually takes. All class members had to mix their own colours using spirit stains, mix and use different types of polish, become familiar with using a mop, a rubber ( a pad used by french polishers ), this we all done with varying levels of success! We then waxed and buffed giving the piece a lovely depth of finish.

Ian Mc Aslan at Smith and Rogers the company who had actually put the course together was fantastic. He had laid on all products each student required and made the whole undertaking run like clockwork. He had even produced a small polishing kit for a student to purchase at the end of the event it must have taken hours. He also supplied a lunch and copious quantities of tea and coffee.

Smith and Rogers have been supplying polishes for the past 130 years They are situated in Elliot street in Glasgow and have a huge range of polishing supplies. There staff are extremely helpful and knowledgeable about their products. They supply both modern and traditional materials.

I have added a new section to the site before and afters ,I am hoping to put up some examples of our work ,it is just in preparation just now but I am hoping to get a few hours to fill it up once I have collected more material. Finding time to spend on my projects is proving difficult I think I have too many irons in the fire . I am usually exhausted after a day at the plot or the shop by the time I get home it is hard to start concentrating on the computer stuff .  Hence the reason I am up at 5 in the morning catching up.

 We have a wee network of restorers we can recommend if required just use the contact details at the contact us section of this site and I shall try and sort something out .