[VIII]
FINISHING AND RE-FINISHING
'Tis toil's reward that sweetens industry—Ebenezer Elliot
In the commercial production of furniture the cabinet-maker has nothing to do with the finishing of his work. This essential part of furniture making is turned over to artisans who are finishers by trade. In a separate part of the factory they attend to the cleaning and filling of the wood and to whatever finish is applied to the work of the joiner. It is hardly necessary to add that the finishing of all kinds of woodwork is quite as important as any other feature in its production; for, however good the lines of design may be and however thoroughly the design may be carried out in the construction of any piece of furniture or other woodwork, it may be and often is spoiled as a work of art in the finishing.
Finishing a Library Table
[Plate VI]
But the amateur cabinet-maker should be his own finisher. He should familiarize himself with the various kinds of finish that may be applied to the different woods. He should know the object of filling wood and how it is done. He should understand the processes of fuming, staining, and varnishing so well that he can produce with certainty the results desired.