My name is Jeff Neill, I have worked with my hands all of my life. I started as an apprentice in the field of drywall, learning to tape, texture, and spray paint. Then I learned about stains and finishes applied to new construction millwork as well as furniture refinishing.
The smallest piece I have worked on was a tiny rocker for a doll. My oldest piece was a trunk with a metal stamp on the inside from 1818, made from pine with each side dovetailed, assembled using square nails and steel brads. One of the most rewarding experiences was a tearful hug from a grandmother who had waited and saved for years to have a table restored. She just grabbed me and squeezed; it was a very emotional moment for me as well. The majority of my clients are retirement age and value passing on their furniture to the next generation. So I take pride in using everything I have learned over the years to do my best work on each piece.
The most challenging projects are grand pianos. The process requires patience, and the goal is perfection. The steps in mastering refinishing pianos were taught to me by Jeremy Neff, the former owner of The Strip Shop in Eau Claire who also owns and operates Neff’s Piano Shop on Water Street. Jeremy walked me through the process of disassembling, felt work, filled pore finishes, the hand rub process, and reassembling a piano into a functioning instrument.
