Thursday, October 29, 2009
Wood 1019 Spot Repair II: NIWF Tours Schneiderman's Distribution Center
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Wood 1019 Spot Repair II: Class of 2010 visits HOM Furniture
Working out in the real world gives the students a first hand view of what they might face on a day to day basis once they leave DCTC. Some of the Employees at HOM are past graduates of the program so they speak the same language of wood finishing. This unique experience helps to shape the students knowledge of some of the careers that may be opening up to them as graduates of the National Institute of Wood Finishing.
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Wood 1019 Spot Repair II: NIWF Does Conservation Work at Historic Fort Snelling Chapel
Our goals were to clean and conserve the pews, kneelers and surrounding wood. Each student dug in with a few pews each, using mild cleaning solution, replacing worn finish where needed, spot repair as needed, and finally padding shellac to give an authentic, original look, feel and lustre to that well worn interior.
We were guided by past NIWF grad, Travis Beard, who volunteers on the Fort Snelling Memorial Chapel Foundation, and has been working in the chapel for a while, cleaning and restoring the woodwork, carvings and wooden statues.
Monday, October 26, 2009
Another Testimonial From a Past Grad
"In May of 1997, I attended a woodworking trade show in Little Rock, AR. It was through this show that I made a chance contact with a former graduate of the DCTC Wood Finishing Technology Program. The successful graduate explained the course work, skill sets learned, and the joy of knowing how to repair furniture. From this meeting, I was inspired to contact Mitch Kohanek at DCTC.
I graduated the Wood Finishing Technology Program at DCTC in June of 1998.
After graduating from the Wood Finishing Technology Program at DCTC, I was employed with a high end commercial furniture dealer in the Twin Cities area. My position was Manager, Restoration Services. I was tasked with starting a furniture service department at this company. Upon the completion of 2.5 years of employment, I was given the opportunity to purchase all of the assets of the service department and provide service through a sub-contractor arrangement.
In mid 2001, I relocated back to north central Arkansas, the area where I was raised. I started a furniture services company in Harrison, AR. My services include furniture refinishing, pre-finishing, and furniture touch-up, serving both commercial and residential customers.
The skill sets I learned at DCTC from Mitch Kohanek has allowed me to repair and finish anything with great confidence. All of the technical skills learned at DCTC Wood Finishing Technology Program are applied in my current business.
Mitch Kohanek is an inspiring teacher who can communicate his skills to those who care to learn."
Thursday, October 22, 2009
Wood 1019 Spot Repair II: Joe Renchin Spends the Day Talking Upholstery
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Wood 1019 Spot Repair II: Ken Norgard Visits to Demonstrate Leather & Vinyl Repair
Monday, October 12, 2009
Wood 1019 Spot Repair II: Jerry Behrens visits DCTC again to talk touch-up
Friday, October 9, 2009
Wood 1019 Spot Repair II: Past Grad Dave Smith, Guest lecturing at DCTC
Dave came in today to show us some of his techniques for some advanced spot repair. Here we see him replacing a broken piece from a chair with an epoxy fill.
After filling the void, he shaped it to the original shape of the chair.
Next he painted in the background color.
Finally, with some skilled in-painting, it begins to take on it's original look. With a bit more attention and some coating on this chair, this repair would become almost invisible.
Throughout the year, we continue to learn techniques like these, and it's always a pleasure to have past grads come in to show their skills! Thanks Dave!
Thursday, October 8, 2009
A Testimonial From a Past Graduate
After graduation I worked for a refinishing shop that readily employed NIWF graduates because the owner knew the graduates were qualified, professional, and required little training. This employment was valuable in that it taught me the real world of furniture finishing as a business. That is, dealing with customers, how to make a profit, and what it takes to run a finishing business.
I moved to Virginia 4 years later and started my own business. Make no mistake; this was not easy. I now have the largest finishing shop in my town. I have 4 wonderful employees who love the work as I do. We are still struggling but business gets better each year.
Because of NIWF, I have the most rewarding career. I and my employees enjoy coming to work every day.
Dick Patch
2000 Graduate
Roanoke VA