Books and Resources to Start Strong
Before you invest in equipment, you need to understand the craft. These books will teach you restoration techniques, business fundamentals, and how to price your work so you actually make money.
The Furniture Doctor by George Frank
This is the essential reference for furniture restoration. Frank covers wood repair, finishing, upholstery basics, and how to diagnose what’s wrong with a piece before you touch it. If you’re working with wooden antiques—which you will be—this book saves you from expensive mistakes.
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Restoring and Repairing Antiques by John Hulme
Hulme’s guide covers practical restoration across multiple categories: wood, metal, glass, ceramics, and textiles. You’ll learn when to restore versus when to leave patina alone—a distinction that separates professionals from amateurs and affects what you can charge.
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The Complete Modern Herbal by Rosemary Gladstar
Antique restoration uses natural finishes, stains, and cleaning solutions that you’ll make yourself. This herbal reference teaches you what actually works—vinegar solutions, linseed oil mixtures, beeswax polishes—instead of relying on modern chemicals that damage patina.
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Pricing and Profit by Kristin Zhivago
Restoration work is time-intensive. This book teaches you how to calculate labor costs, overhead, and margin so you don’t spend 40 hours on a chair only to make minimum wage. You’ll learn to price by the hour, by the piece, and by complexity.
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Equipment You Need
Your startup equipment needs vary based on your specialty—furniture, metals, ceramics, or textiles—but there’s a core set of tools that applies to most restoration work. Start with hand tools and basic supplies. Expensive machinery can wait until you have consistent work and income.
Hand Tools and Basic Repair
- Chisels (set of 4-6 sizes): For removing old finish, separating joints, and detailed carving work.
- Hand planes: Essential for smoothing wood grain and leveling surfaces without modern sanders that can damage patina.
- Scrapers: For stripping old finish without harsh chemicals or electricity.
- Sandpaper assortment: Multiple grits from 80 to 220, plus specialty papers for delicate work.
- Block plane: For angled cuts and grain-direction work on furniture edges.
- Clamps and bar clamps: For holding pieces during gluing and repair.
- Hand saw and coping saw: For cutting joints and detailed pieces.
- Mallet and hammer set: For joint work and gentle persuasion without damaging wood.
Finishing and Surface Preparation
- Natural bristle brushes (various sizes): Synthetic brushes leave marks in natural finishes.
- Steel wool (00, 000, 0000 grades): For smoothing finishes between coats.
- Lint-free cloths and cheesecloth: For applying stains and finishes.
- Tack cloths: For removing dust before finishing.
- Paint thinner and mineral spirits: For cleaning brushes and thinning finishes.
- Stains and finishes: Linseed oil, shellac, lacquer, water-based stain, and traditional paste wax.
- Stripping compounds: Natural or low-VOC removers for old finishes.
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Specialized Restoration Tools
- Veneer repair kit: Includes specialized tools for matching and replacing veneer on antique pieces.
- Mortise chisel set: Deeper chisels for joint work specific to antique construction.
- Dowel kit: Various sizes for reinforcing joints invisibly.
- Wood filler and matched stain: For filling small holes and gaps while matching grain.
- Upholstery stapler and staples: If you work with upholstered pieces.
- Needle and thread variety: For textile repairs.
- Small saws and jeweler’s files: For detailed metalwork.
Shop veneer repair kits on Amazon →
Safety and Workspace
- Safety glasses and dust mask (N95 or better): Required for sanding and stripping.
- Chemical-resistant gloves: For handling finishes and strippers.
- Work apron with tool pockets: Keeps your most-used tools accessible.
- Work table or bench: Sturdy, flat surface for detailed work.
- Task lighting (LED adjustable lamp): Good light reveals defects and finish quality.
- Fire extinguisher: Required if you use flammable finishes.
- Ventilation fan or respirator: For working with solvents and strippers.
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Measurement and Inspection
- Calipers (digital and manual): For measuring joint gaps, thickness, and details.
- Magnifying glass or loupe: To inspect finish, joints, and wood grain matching.
- Straightedge: For checking if surfaces are level.
- Tape measure: Standard 25-foot.
- Marking tools: Pencils, marking knives, and chalk for layout work.
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What to Buy First vs Later
You don’t need everything at once. Your first purchases should enable you to take small jobs and generate revenue. As clients pay you, reinvest that money into specialized tools.
- Month 1: Hand tools (chisels, planes, scrapers), clamps, sandpaper, basic finishing supplies (brushes, linseed oil, shellac), safety equipment, and a good work table.
- Month 2-3: Specialized stripping compounds, upholstery stapler, veneer repair supplies, and additional clamps if you’re handling larger pieces.
- Month 4+: Power tools (orbital sander, rotary tool with accessories), professional-grade finishing equipment, and specialty items based on the work you’re actually getting.
- Year 2+: Workshop equipment like a bench grinder, wood lathe, or ultrasonic cleaner—only if your business justifies the investment and workspace exists.
New vs Used Equipment
Hand tools are one area where used is smart. Vintage chisels, planes, and hand saws are often higher quality than modern budget alternatives. Estate sales, pawn shops, and woodworking forums frequently have excellent older tools at 30-50% of new prices. Sharpen them, and they work as well as the day they were made.
Don’t buy used finishing supplies, strippers, or chemicals. You don’t know storage conditions, shelf life, or whether they’ve been diluted or contaminated. Buy fresh supplies—they’re inexpensive and directly affect your results and reputation. Similarly, power tools should be new or certified refurbished with a warranty. A used orbital sander that fails mid-job costs you more in time and customer relations than the money you saved.
Where to Buy
- Estate sales and auctions: Excellent source for quality vintage hand tools at fraction of new price.
- Woodworking specialty stores: Staff can advise on tool selection. Prices are higher than big box, but quality is verifiable.
- Rockler and Woodcraft: Comprehensive selection of hand tools, finishing supplies, and specialty items.
- Local hardware stores: Build relationships with owners who can order specialty items and offer professional discount.
- Chemical suppliers: For bulk finishing materials and strippers, wholesale suppliers offer better prices than retail.
- Art and craft supply stores: Source for brushes, safety equipment, and specialty materials for textile or ceramic restoration.
- Facebook Marketplace and Craigslist: Used hand tools from other woodworkers or retired craftspeople. Always inspect and test before buying.