Jack Chidgey
                                Master Metal Restorer

                                                                           By
                                                              James R. Walker

(Note, this article originally appeared in RM June 1985.  Jack is still going strong, though.)

When you walk into Jack Chidgey's shop, in San Diego, CA, you immediately know his services are much in demand. Mention his name to most any antique dealer and you will get a favorable response. With a steady stream of old and new customers his involvement ranges the whole spectrum of metalware. You are likely to find anything from antique car parts to brass beds, silver teapots to musical instruments.

 

About a third of his shop area is devoted to plating, buffing and lacquering, each area partitioned off from the other. He plates silver, gold, brass, nickel and chrome. His buffing room is well lighted and has a large five horsepower   industrial   polisher/buffer.   His lacquering equipment is set up for both air-dry and epoxy lacquer.

Here is what he says about himself;

"In 1950, I started an apprenticeship  repairing all  types of musical instruments.   This was at a music store in Seattle, Washington. I worked under the direction of Mr. John Clarey who was a Conn School graduate. Mr. Clarey was quite demanding in all the repairs I did for him which I felt was good because it helped give me a good background. Years ago I decided I wanted to get into a trade that not too many people worked at because I felt that my work would be in demand; to this day I feel that theory was correct.

“In 1954 I   started   another apprenticeship   in   the   field   of silversmithing and plating. I felt the two trades go hand in hand -working with metals. After finishing the apprenticeships, I opened my own shop in the fall of 1958 and have been quite busy ever since.

“Over the years I trained five or six young people and they are all out on their own now. I made it a policy never to hold back my trade secrets. I have felt it quite important to pass on to all that worked for me the things I learned. For fifteen years now my oldest son Don has worked with me and it's my hope that he will take over the business when I retire."

 

Jack Chidgey's style of business is low key and friendly.   He lets his quality of workmanship speak for him.

 

 The only complaint I've heard about Jack Chidgey's shop is that it takes quite a while for him to get work back to the customer. I can sympathize; most repairers are in the same boat. There are so few metalware repairers around that all are bound to have plenty of work. Your reward for developing an outstanding reputation is to be even more swamped with work. All in all I would say he handles this problem skillfully and cheerfully.

 

(Jack’s shop phone number is 619-238-0464)