American Craftsmanship ~ Amish Craftsmanship & Finishing

MILLCRAFT

One of the hallmarks of Amish woodworking techniques is the precise and sturdy joinery used in making Amish furniture. Many pieces are made entirely of solid wood, often with no screws or brackets or pocket-hole joints holding any of the pieces together. Amish craftsmen often use mortise and tenon, dovetail, mitered or tongue and groove joinery along with a multi-step sanding process. They also hand apply all rubs, stains and finishes, including conversion varnishes, which is a coating that provides superior moisture resistance and is one of the most durable finishes available in the furniture industry. The skilled artistry of Amish furniture techniques, will ensure that your product is not only unique and beautiful, but that it will also last for generations.

CANAL DOVER

We utilize a spray and wipe staining technique as the first stage of our overall finishing process. The stain is sprayed onto the furniture, it soaks in, and then we hand wipe it off, which exposes the natural grain of the wood. After the stain has been sprayed, wiped and cured, a sealer is placed on top of it to lock in the stain and to protect the wood. After it has been sealed, it is placed in an oven and then sanded afterwards. This process opens the pores back up, knocks down the finish and preps it for the top coat. We use a sealed top coat booth with a down draft to prevent any particles from getting into the finish, making it smooth and clean. Then we apply a very durable catalyzed conversion finish to allow it to breath while protecting the wood from moisture. Finally, the piece is placed in the oven again to bake on the finish, and within 3 hours you have a finished piece ready to be delivered to your home.