5 Most Overrated Woodworking Tools
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- Опубліковано 21 жов 2024
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Are you wasting money on overrated woodworking tools? In this video, I reveal the 5 most overrated tools that every woodworker should think twice about before buying. Discover why these tools might not be worth the hype and learn about better alternatives that can save you time, money, and frustration.
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00:01 Intro
01:06 Domino Joiner
05:44 Miter Saw
08:38 Pocket Hole Jig
14:12 Inaccurate Measurement Devices
20:44 Carpenter’s Pencil
24:27 Conclusion
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My miter saw is one of the most used tools in my shop. I usually use the table saw for actual miter cuts, but hardly anything touches my table saw without being cut down to length on the miter saw first.
I have a very small shop (10'x10'), so I don't have a lot of space to waste. But my $100 10" Metabo HPT non-sliding miter saw is worth every inch it takes up.
I agree. I have a small workshop as well and it is very nice to cut boards down before getting to the tablesaw. Which i generally have to set up outside to cut plywood or larger items.
Before I got into woodworking, one of the first tools I bought was a miter saw. I use it so frequently for DIY projects, and prefer it to the table saw.
@@DavidATakes I don't just use it for rough cuts. Most of my 90-degree cross-cuts happen on the miter saw. If you keep it square, it's more than accurate enough for anything I do.
And it's easily my most productive tool. I don't have to change blades, adjust blade heights, pull out sleds, remove blade guards, adjust fences. I just measure, mark, and cut. It does one job, and it does it well.
@@garysnotsowildadventures3045 If you are only cutting boards to rough length, why not just use a circular or jig saw? You could recapture some of your shop space back.
@@cottrelr My post was meant as a reply to someone else. I saw in your original post you use it for much more than rough cuts.
My advice is to buy what makes you happy.
If you can’t afford it, you’ll never be happy with it. Should you find it underutilized you will no doubt decide it is overrated. Finally, if you make a purchase to resolve an ego problem, it really doesn’t matter whether it is ever used, like the treadmill that is never used or a boat that has never been in the water. Woodworking is pretty much a solitary endeavor. If you can satisfy the desire to build something…. great! If someone appreciates your work, so much the better.
In the end, tools are just tools. It’s the artist, the musician, the architect, the lyricist, the novelist, the woodworker that truly matters.
Very well said. That's the bottom line. Do what you enjoy.
People travelled from place to place for thousands of years without cars too. Those tools make it easier.
Warning bells to any new woodworker watching this video, and perhaps the rest of this man’s channel. I have not watched his other videos, but at least this one is fraught with assumptions and an apparent misunderstanding between the concept of overrated vs unnecessary for the hobbyist, overkill, superfluous, etc.
Domino: While it could be that some people think dominoes add strength to panel glue-ups, I have never heard such an assertion. Without a significant sample size, which you do not reference, it seems bizarre to make the conclusions that you have. The domino is for joinery, and granted, is unnecessary for many hobbyists. It does essentially one task very well, but one that could be done with a router, dowels, hand tools, etc. The domino is for speed, and while I think mostly apt for professionals, as a hobbyist with limited time, it means I can more quickly make furniture. Domino: Overkill if you can’t comfortably afford it, but not overrated.
Miter saws: I’m lucky to have a 600 sq ft shop. My previous two shops were 100 sq ft at best. During this time, my miter saw was a miracle for making repeatable and clean crosscuts quickly when I didn’t have room for a table saw. New-flash, but not everyone has a garage or basement they can place a table saw. To make the statements you have is a bit of a pill to swallow for viewers desperate to get into the craft but may just have a spare bedroom. (If any of you are reading this: Yes! You can do woodworking in a small space! Don’t let this kind of content discourage you.) Next time you try to make a video talking about tools you do or don’t need, try to think more about how other people have different living circumstances than yourself. I currently have both saws, and a bandsaw for that matter, and still use my miter saw constantly. Not having to break down a setting on my table saw for a quick crosscut is fantastic. This said, I would go without a miter saw before I gave up my table or band saw. Miter saws: maybe overkill, but not overrated.
Inaccurate measuring devices: To be blunt, I thought this section was a bit silly; odd at best. if you renamed this section to “cheap measuring devices from china” I would agree with your conclusions that these particular tools are junk. This said, WHO are you talking to that is expounding the virtues of tools from temp/alibaba/no-name-brands-on-Amazon? For you specifically, and this is the odd part to me, why would you think these are worth buying? These are clearly rip-offs of woodpeckers tools, which are indeed accurate. Some are gimmicky, yes, but they are not inaccurate. (I am not a woodpeckers fanboy, but do own two of their squares.) With this said, I could understand if a new woodworker thinks they need all of the woodpeckers tools they see on youtuber’s walls. You don’t, you need one or two reliable squares. Woodpeckers: Overkill, not overrated. Gimmicky cheap measuring devices: crap, but, duh?
Pocket hole jig: I think like the domino, you’re misunderstanding the use of this method of joinery and have latched onto a few bizarre conclusions, also involving panel glue-ups oddly enough. Personally, I wouldn’t choose to glue up a panel with pocket hole screws - I would just use glue and clamps (and would throw some dominos in too for alignment ;)). But, for someone without enough big clamps, pocket hole screws can be a workaround for “clamping” them together. Not really recommended, but it’d get you through a bind. Anyway, they’re for 90 degree connections! You’re right, you can probably generally rely on glue and clamps, on a drawer or carcass for example. But hey, pocket hole screws mean you can take clamps off and keep working. Fun! Pocket hole jigs: Misunderstood (by you it seems?), not overrated.
Carpenter pencils: It’s ok to just have four categories if you can’t think of a good 5th one.
Lastly, please stop relying on adages similar to “my dad did such-and-such and he was always fine.” Judging by your appearance, your dad probably didn’t wear seatbelts either for at least part of his life.
Progress is good, change is good. I hope my son gets into woodworking, and I hope that he teaches me new techniques and tools when he is my age.
Ditto.
Thanks for posting this, saves me the time of writing something of similar nature and probably spend that time disproving his claims on japanese handsaws, so newbies wouldnt have to deal with the monumental amount of disinformation and ignorance thats on display on this channel. How can a guy say "woodworking gives us an opportunity to learn" and then comment on a technique he doesnt personally use "I will never understand why somebody would do that", while said technique can be perfectly viable for some circumstances.
Thank you for pointing all this out so clearly.
He is absolutely right...I now realize : if it don't fit in my tool belt...I don't need it. You guys knocking him are so inexperienced.
good progress is good. beneficial change is good. if you change for the sake of change, it's probably not going to be better, just different. progress isn't good unless it's progressing you towards something that enriches your life. just pointing out that your comments are as generic and blase' as some of his in the video.
I don't agree on all his points, but there are good things we can learn from previous generations. you sound like one of those peeps that disregard everything their parents and grandparents tell them, then go on to make the same mistakes they made. I suppose you aren't really that ignorant, your just responding to his video in a snarky way. I don't disagree with many of your points, but it doesn't mean that there isn't something worth learning from the video, and your need to throw out an insult to his father really undermines the value of your comments. You could have done all of that without insults, but I guess the internet has a reputation for a reason.
The 45 degree doweling jig works well for many things and that what I try using whenever possible, and it was cheap! "Pencil lines make good joinery, knife lines make great joinery."
My compound mitre saw would be one of the last tools I would get rid of. You need to show me how you square the end of an 8ft length of timber on a table saw.
Use a handsaw and an alignment piece. He's right when he says people have been doing this for a long time without fancy tools.
@@BaumisMagicalWorld But after handsaw, they used handplane to make the cut right and flat.
@@thePavuk Nah, just use a chisel and a file in combination with a square. I do the same because a proper handplane is bloody expensive. Sure, not a viable thing if you are making furniture to sell, but works just fine for a hobbyist.
@@BaumisMagicalWorldabsurd. The miter saw is much faster, especially for repeatable cuts, and greatly improves accuracy. Of course we could all make cabinets with hand tools, but I'm lucky enough to be able to afford better modern tools and actually enjoy completing a project in a reasonable amount of time. A hand saw...smdh
@@travisriddle8747 Good for you. And yet the topic was about people who do not want/can't afford to buy/own a miter saw. Way to miss the point, buddy. But hey, at least you got a miter saw, lel. smdh
Don't disagree on the overall tone, but taking issue with tools like the miter or track saws? It's not whether you *can* do the same thing with another tool like a table saw, it's whether you can do it accurately and safely in a comparable amount of time. Maybe your dad did it all on a table saw, but back in the day a table saw was a pretty significant investment and there weren't a lot of specialized tools like consumer miter/track saws even available. Maybe some of those jobs are possible, but how long did it take you to figure out how to do it correctly and safely? Or find someone to show you how?
Kind of comes off like the guy watching his friend invent the wheel and then saying, "Whatcha need that for? Ya got feet, don't ya?"
It's veering into old man shouts at cloud territory.
For general construction, a miter saw and a carpenters pencil will get you a long ways
A normal "B" pencil works just as well and is cheaper and easier to sharpen (use your kids pencil sharpener😂). My sliding Mitre saw does just about all my cross cutting.
I haven't seen too many miter saws on construction sites. I see a lot of circular saws and rafter/speed squares.
@@kwilliams2239 my cousin’s crew has 2-3 compound miter saws on site on all the jobs that are either remodel or new construction (not gutters or roofing as much)
@@kwilliams2239every finish carpenter uses one.. we just had 4 saws setup on one mansion the other day lol
Not only general construction. DIY projects that crop up now and then are made easy with a solid affordable cheap mitre saw. A tool shed of tools makes one feel confident. Things need repairs and things break down and get worn in any household.
carpenters pencils, speed squares and spade bits are totally practical for job site building but not at all for a fine woodworking studio
Agreed but even for some exterior carpentry, I like to carry with me quality steel 12" rule, quality thin steel 6" rule, sharp pencil, level one long on short, quality square with no markings, medium tri-square, bevel device as well as large carpentry standard like roofers square.
It is less about high tolerance and more about can you make it look and function correctly or as intended.
For me carpenter pencils are ascetic for carpenters like having a copy of the racing post and and setting up a "work station" with a portable burner and kettle to make strongly brewed tea. These pencils can only be caried balancing on the ear and most people simply can't balance them on their ear, they have the wrong ears. These are the rules.
a miter saw is an excellent way to get into woodworking especially when you consider the cost. You can get an excellent miter saw for 100- $150 bucks. A mediocre table saw is about $450.
Re the pocket hole jig, just because woodworkers may use these for inappropriate joints doesn't mean the jig is overrated. That's unfair. As you mentioned they are invaluable for face frames and certain other uses.
I think he did rescue his statement on pocket holes. I can see how people could over apply the pocket hole joint to situations that might be better suited by another type of joinery. I love mine and I have built a lot of plywood shop furniture with pocket holes. Joints are strong as heck and the tools I store inside the cabinets don’t judge me. Maybe overrated is the wrong term. Maybe it should be one of the most overused tools for situations where the pocket hole isn’t a great choice (but that would be a horrible name for a UA-cam video).
I fell for the pocket hole jig when I started. Built an entire 4’x4’ herringbone tabletop, because I got sucked into bad teaching from a YTber. The entire project was a bust, and I recovered over 100 pocket screws.
@@gadfly149 I got lucky starting out. Someone told me the bright idea "Hey use the pocket hole jig but drill all the way through and use dowels."
I wish I’d have invested in a nice dowel jig before the Kreg jigs
Great video. As woodworkers, we often get caught up in the hype of whatever tool is being pushed in the marketplace. Two decisions should be made based on the need of the user and what makes the most sense for the type of work someone does. I absolutely agree that the Domino is not something everyone absolutely needs to have. I make a lot of small tables, and I personally find the domino a huge time saver for attaching table legs to aprons. I occasionally make larger tables for friends. I either use traditional Mortis and 10 and joinery or I use my router to make floating tenons. Although the large domino would work well for this task, I certainly don’t make enough of these larger projects to justify the very expensive purchase. When I first got interested in woodworking, I had very little money so I had to be very careful about tool purchases. I had a small table saw a couple of antique planes. I restored and not much else. I had to learn to use the tools I had to make the things I wanted to make. I believe this was a great help to my development as a crafts person.
I’ve had these same thoughts. Lost pencils: I saw (maybe even from you) the idea of shrink tubing a magnet to my pencils and safety glasses. Now there is one of each stuck to every tool. Adding a small, 6 foot tape measure with magnet to each tool has avoided many frustrating searches.
Miter: My miter has been tucked away under my table saw wing for years. If I need to break down sheets or lumber, I use a track saw or a circular saw.
Enjoyed your video. My dad told me early on and it was reinforced when I took mechanical drafting in HS, form follows function. I believe in it for designing and building projects as well as tool selection. My dad didn’t use a table saw but had miter saw so that was my default when I started to buy my own tools. I'm on my third table saw in about 30 years. I'm using a low end table saw at this time and experimenting to get better before I get a better one.
I feel the skill of the maker is more impotant than the features of the tool.
Thanks again for a good video and sharing your tool and maker philosophy.
Hello, Mr. Murphy;
I'm 69 & I agree, people think they need this tool or that tool but it just ain't so.
I learned to do old school carpentry right out of high school.
Used skilsaws & table saws mostly.
But I count myself very fortunate to have been taught to use hand saws, & other hand tools.
Since I've been 'medically retired' I've been learning some 'hand tool woodworking'.
Yeah, a production shop needs power tools.
But some of the finest furniture ever made was made by hand,
A carpenter's pencil is mostly for rough framing work, so it's named a "carpenter's pencil".
I usually have my PentalGraphGear 1000 mechanical pencil in my shirt pocket.
To make a precise mark we use a marking knife, to make it more visible, trace it w/ a pencil.
Keep up the good work.
Have a GREAT day, Neighbor!
This all depends on what you enjoy. If you enjoy cutting dovetails by hand, have at it. I don't. I get my enjoyment seeing the project come together. I also like to use power tools. Every time I use my Shaper, I'm like a kid on Christmas morning. Amazing tool. Required? Of course not, but it's the most fun I've had, outside the bedroom. It's all in what you find enjoyable.
@@kwilliams2239this is an elderly man’s equivalent to “ Get off my lawn “
@@wgoconnor33 Which one? I'm 72. 😁
"My granddad got by without a table saw, so a table saw is not needed. He also used a handpowered drill, so all these new powered drills are a waste of money."
Avoid unlogical and bad arguments. It destroys the entire point you are trying to make.
I use carpenters pencils to plug the holes left from when I use my pocket hole jig. I used my domino to make my wonky worktop where I store my inacurate chinese squares and measuring blocks.
Newish wood worker here, learned from my pops decades ago and just now starting to get back into it quite heavily. My pops will always be my go to man for tips and advice but i love your channel and just dropped a sub. Your content gives quality and i prefer to learn from great wood workers, not the flashy techie type. I love the old and correct ways to build high quality projects!
I enjoyed your video, only I have 2 things I would like to point out. #1, Pocket holes are a great joinery method when used properly. #2, I and many of woodworkers I know use a miter saw for many projects. the table saw is difficult to crosscut long boards when purchasing long hard woods for cutting boards and other items. not saying you are wrong, but a miter saw a very useful tool in the shop.
From a do it yourself type of person that's not a carpenter by trade, those tools are awesome! Much respect but they do really help me. Thanks.
I agree with all except the miter saw. Is it necessary? Maybe not but I definitely don’t think it’s overrated. It’s an extremely handy tool to have
I continue to watch you because of your background. Thanks for the wisdom.
"Dominos are only for alignment".. You're saying an end grain to long grain joint is no stronger than just a glued butt joint? Jesus, this guy has me defending Fescult, WTF?
this guys videos will have you defending all kinds of things. I use mostly handtools and when I sharpen I mostly use a jig, being obligaterily annoyed when someone says "you really should just sharpen freehand". Meanwhile I watched video from this guy where he says "you should always sharpen with a jig, okay??" really? always? everybody. this channel is just full of half truths pushed forward as facts and I pity any newbie who watches this not knowing any better.
My worst, never used purchase is my portable electric planer. 18v. I hate that thing. It either takes off too much or is too small.
I buy mechanical pencils during back to school sales.
I think I agree with you on everything you said.
Look, the amount of tradesmen/craftsmen that can actually make an independent joinery workshop profitable is tiny compared to the amount of people who fuse their workshop joinery with their on site carpentary. The items you're talking about are designed for efficiency and speed. Not everyone has whatever time is required to make the perfect piece of furniture or cabinetry. We have tight time frames and tight prices to adhere to. The tools you talk about have been designed to help us achieve this goal so we can pay the bills 😂
If you're a budding craftsman or novice fine furniture maker, this video is definitely for you. But don't hate on the accuracy of the domino cutter... game changer 👍👍
I got a Dewalt Miter saw on sale for $400 and I don’t regret it. Now I will say, you are totally right, you don’t need one, you can use a table saw. It is just a convenience thing. I find it more convenient to use a Miter Saw than a table saw. I like to use a table saw for ripping boards.
All the other points you make I 100% agree with but I do like my Dewalt Miter Saw lol. I also find it safer to use and haven’t been at it for 50 years either. Not saying it is less safe to use a table saw for those miter cuts but it is intimidating, especially for cutting small pieces.
As far as accuracy is concerned 45 years ago when I was an apprentice wood butcher, the journeymen told me the following: framing a 16th don't matter drywall an1/8 as long as it's on the bottom of the sheet or in the corner. Finish trim outside as tight as you can get it, inside tight to point you can get a blonde's hair inside of it.
Fair list, but I do have to disagree about the domino. The main selling point isn't necessarily alignment, it's speed. I know the traditional woodworkers out there shun things like that, but for me personally, while I enjoy the process of woodworking, the project itself is why I got into woodworking. Because I can make what I need, exactly how I want it. I don't need hand cut dovetails when simpler joinery will suffice (and I know I;m the odd man out here, but I don't find dovetails the most appealing to look at).
So if I need to build something like a step stool, hand cut mortise and tenons will work. But dominos will too, and be a lot faster. I guess I'm just a destination woodworker, rather than a journey one.
All that said, I don't have a domino. You mentioned dowels, and I agree here, to an extent. I've tried the cheap $30 doweling jigs. They're absolute garbage. I invested in a dowelmax and it's my primary method of joinery now, and it's the single reason I don't have a domino. It's extremely accurate, makes very strong joints, and is plenty fast enough for me. Jessem makes a nice doweling jig too.
Everything else, you're spot on. I literally just listed one of my pocket hole jigs on ebay. I don't use pocket screws much these days. I don't use my miter saw very often and it's just taking up valuable space in my shop. I decided a long time ago to buy good measuring tools, so I have a mix of mitutoyo, shinwa, starrett, woodpeckers and PEC in my shop. Quality measuring tools really do make a difference in workflow. And I got rid of all my carpenters pencils years ago as well.
Thanks for posting.
The thing that bothers me is when woodworking channels start using CNC router machines. I think it's a big trend that requires more tech and more time and more technical skills. It's all unneeded.
Somewhere someone is making a video about overrated tools no1 Accurate measuring tools you don't need a fancy Sarett for woodworking its overkill...
I'm just pre-retirement and starting up my woodworking hobby in earnest and am planning (for 6 months now) the tools I need to buy and after hearing you and a few other you-tubers as well as the comments below I am crossing the miter saw off my "buy" list and putting that money to buy some higher-grade chisels, better table saw blades and better dust collection. Thank you everyone from a very appreciative woodworking newbie!
May I suggest hand tools? 😊
There is one thing that you may wish to consider: safety and accuracy. Those guys have 30 years experience and can build not so cheap (wood and tracks and clamps) and accurate sleds. As a beginner you will find the miter saw to be immensely safer and accurate without having to create a perfectly square sled which will take any new woodworker quite a few attempts.
Good luck cutting down an 8’ 2x4 with a table saw.
@@LivingTheLifeRetired I have my table saw set up to process 4x8 ply, so a 2x4 is easy. No luck required!
A good table saw, a miter saw, thickness planer, disc/belt sander, and bandsaw are where I'd start. Maybe a lathe if you plan on doing a lot of turning, if not don't bother with a lathe. The best thing to start with is a good table saw, buy something more than one of those jobsite portable saws which are far from accurate in some cases, just get one that isn't wobbly, and isn't on a mobile stand because you really want stability when you are doing wood working...cast iron top is a great way to go....a mobile base if needed so you can roll it up against a wall when you aren't using it if space is an issue, but don't buy those cheap jobsite table saws for a wood working shop. You might be able to get a regular miter saw that isn't a sliding type as a lot of the cuts you would do in a home woodshop aren't going to be as wide and tall as you would be doing at a jobsite for crown molding, siding, flooring, etc. A thickness planer is a nice timesaver for wider boards to get them nice and flat, for table tops, book shelves, etc. A disc belt sander is nice for sanding larger pieces, and followed with a random orbit sander or hand sanding whichever you prefer. Bandsaw is great for re-sawing larger thicker materials, plus they do work pretty well for cutting curves. I'd also throw in a drill press, whether it a benchtop or a freestanding model, it makes drilling straight holes much easier than a portable drill.
The point that needs to be made about the Domino is workflow. The Domino allows professional woodworkers to be competitive out of their garage. It’s also for people who don’t have the time or lack the wherewithal to take a more laborious approach to joinery.
hahaha "lack of wherewithal" and the dump a grand on a 1 trick tool?
@@brucewelty7684Actually yes. Professionally, time is money. It depends what you are doing, cabinets from sheet materials, household units quickly and to a price, then definitely it pays for its self quickly. Hobby woodworking, no, as time is not money. See the 10 Minute Workshop channel builds to see how it is done with a domino in a small space with no table saw. So really, in that situation you could say you don’t need a table saw. As I said, it depends what you are doing.
You can do the same thing for a hell of a lot cheaper with a standard biscuit jointer or doweling jig...don't kid yourself with the "professional" wood workers BS....they only use them because they were either given the system for publicity for their channel, or they were dumb enough to overpay for a proprietary system that doesn't work any better than stuff that's been on the market for decades and doesn't require proprietary disposables. If you want to buy that stuff great, but it don't mean you are a professional.
@@wildbill23c I agree with cheaper unless you are in the professional space where time is money. Like it or not the domino is fast and efficient at producing cabinets out of sheet materials. And jointing in general. If you want to see this in action go look at 10 min workshop builds. He is not sponsored, just a bloke working out of a small workshop with no table saw. Maybe you don’t need that vastly expensive and highly dangerous table saw?
@@wildbill23c Biscuits add nothing to the strength of a joint. If the biscuits swell, it's game over. Start over. Dowels have to be dead on accurate to work. This is difficult, to impossible, to do over a 4' board, for example.
I did spring for the domino and I like it. Dominos provide little advantage for edge joining but they are pretty good for mortise and tenon. I’ve had a dewalt biscuit joiner for thirty years and I always struggled with it until I realized it wasn’t parallel from the factory. Since I calibrated it, it actually works well. I agree with your thoughts on over-using pocket screws, but it is such a cheap tool, it needs to be in your toolkit. Plus, when I am in the field and I need to add a fastener I can’t do any other way, I can make a pocket with a 3/8 inch paddle bit.
Aaahh measuring devices.
If I am doing something that requires accuracy I try and keep measurement using graduated devices to a minimum.
That may sound illogical but most of the time being a small amount wrong isn’t a problem. What will cause a problem is similar components being different sizes or out of square.
I try and make one measurement and then use something like a pinch stick or sliding track to duplicate that measurement. I find that tracksaw guides are a real plus point for this approach.
Using this system minimises errors caused by old guys’ eyesight and sausage fingers etc.
I’m not sure I have explained this very well but I know what I mean 😊.
Thanks for an interesting video.
From the overrated tool camp: The track saw. I make the same cuts with a straight edge and a circular saw, and it works great. No need for the the more expensive track and the specialized saw that you would have to get.
I do agree with you but I do believe the track saw is more for convenience and speed. I personally do the straight edge and clamps myself because I can't afford a track saw and for their price I can't bring myself to buy one. Although I do think they have their place, they are nice tools for sure but honestly for the average home shop I think it's not necessary unless you are very frequently ripping large stock for an assembly line style project. It's at that point where moving and clamping your edge is a pretty significant waste of time. But I'll stick with the edge and clamps for now 😂
Bought a few “measuring” devices on line and after one use, put them in a donation box. Just get the quality devices when I need them and then I’m set for future projects.
Never did see a reason to get a domino joiner when dowels and biscuits have worked well for me in the past.
Have a pocket hole jig and have used it in a limited capacity. Yes, mechanical pencils or a marking knife are all I use.
I’m your age and I agree with mostly what you said. I believe the difference with what you say wood workers, most of the new stuff you see on you tube is for DIY, not craftsman. The person who wants to go the market/fleece market with his cutting boards. All tools have a purpose and use and when used properly they are great. Domino is for fast less accurate needs. I prefer dowels also but it time consuming and newer DiY don’t have patience, I get that,I’m married and the projects are never done fast enough. I would recommend a compound miter saw to a new DIY over a table saw. Learning curves slow and steady. First tools for wood working in my opinion-circular saw or the newer track saw, jig saw , miter saw , dowel jig and sure pocket hole jig if you want to make cabinets.
I will mention, about 28 years ago, I did buy a biscuit joiner. and I've built dozens of pieces, mostly 1/2"/3/4" ply boxes with it. I know that butt joints in plywood, aligned with biscuits, is a terrible way to build things, but I've not had anything fail, not anything! And many of those boxes held up to 100-lbs of music gear (I was a weekend bar musician) and those boxes got loaded into vans/trucks, dropped to the ground, wheeled over gravel, thrown on stage, hit with beer bottles, then reverse the whole cycle, up to four times a week. They never failed.
My current shop assembly table and drill press table are also built with biscuits/ply, and they'll outlast me. I haven't touched that joiner in 20 years now, but I build mostly smaller projects and enjoy hand-cutting dovetails, mortices, etc.
But I'll never bad-mouth my ol' biscuit jointer.
And, wait until the wood or the biscuits swell.
@@Seeker3876 ??? It's been 10-30 years; how long do I have to wait?
Biscuit jointer is fine, they're relatively cheap and the biscuits are easy to find...unlike that dedicated ridiculously over-priced Domino system. I've built a lot of stuff with biscuits as well over the years, and dowelling jigs too and never had an issue.
Biscuits are only for alignment. The strength is in the glue and end-grain to side-grain isn't the best glue joint. It works, if there is no side pressure on the joint.
I have a biscuit jointer somewhere. I used it once and hated it. It may have come out of the box defective but it didn't do what I wanted it to. Also, beware of swelling biscuits. If you can hide the pockets, they're far better.
Those big ass pencils I use them only for.rough cuts with my hand saw and then I use regular pencil, always sharpened , why? Because my dad gave me a box full of pencils and I don't want to throw away useful resources, I am halfway finishing that box tho 😂
I'm new in woodworking and I agree with you absolutely.
Aldo I find miter saw useful for precise repeated angled cuts - I don't trust my skills that much. Rather use a handheld circular saw to ruffly cut long board and use my table saw for precise cut afterwards.
I was taught that the flat looking pencil is a framers pencil and a carpenter pencil was just a fat round pencil with a thicker lead. Much easier to sharpen down to a fine with a knife but I still use a mechanical pencil for important measurements.
Well, I got my 7.25 miter saw for $60 bucks and I like it, not fancy, some may call it cheap but it works!
Pocket holes was the hook that got me into woodworking but soon started looking beyond it to develop in skills.
Good video, I agree completely with most of what you say, except for the mitre saw, I use mine many times a day. Would not be without it.
I bought a biscuit joiner 18 yrs ago and I use it all the time.
The tool makes grooves on long boards accurately and effortlessly.
I use it to make a slot for the Z-clips when I screw table tops down to the apron.
And I still use this tool when lining up boards for glue-up.
When I join legs, aprons, skirts, etc I use dowels. The strength of dowels has never failed me.
(Yeah, I'm old-school 😋 )
A regular biscuit jointer is great, that ridiculously overpriced proprietary Domino system isn't anything spectacular and a total waste of money for 99% of people.
Things I don't have in my workshop here in the UK.
Domino jointer (dowels work just fine if you feel the need).
I use a mitre saw as a chop saw for carpentry, as cutting long lengths isn't possible without moving my table saw. Apart from that, it's easier as you say for external corners on crown moulding.
Tried pocket holes - hate them, as there's ZERO satisfaction in what I produced using the system.
I've a natural aversion to digital tools, as it's guaranteed the battery will be either dead or have corroded the circuit board when you most need it.
Mechanical micrometer & dial calipers for me.
Carpenters' pencils are great, for carpentry.
I don’t think any of the tools (except the cheap Chinese measuring tools) are overrated. It a matter of choosing the right tool for the right job.
I agree on most of that except the miter saw. There's no way you can set up a table saw as fast when you need many different angled cuts especially when you need to work outside the workshop.
The miter saw is a relatively safe tool compared to the table saw which is the culprit for most work accidents.
Sir god bless you i love your honesty and your attitude reminds me of my old man who passed away long time ago.. Big cheers from Kuwait 🇰🇼❤🫡
A simple question about gage blocks, in my 47 years of precision machining I never saw stainless steel gauge blocks, did you mean steel?
If I said stainless steel, that was inadvertently. I’ve never seen stainless steel ones either.
I agree:
1. Dowel pins work great for me. I don't/won't spend the money on the domino system, and yes, I see every UA-cam woodworker has one.
3. Pocket hole jig/joinery -- I hate the look of them (even when their hidden). I try to do all my wood-to-wood joints with actual glue and joinery and clamps -- no metal fasteners whatsoever.
4. Guilty of purchasing some Woodpeckers measurement tools that are expensive and mostly unused.
5. Mechanical pencils are great! I have them everywhere!
About #2, the miter saw -- I don't have one, but I think I'd like one to use for repeated crosscuts for legs, etc. Yes, you can do it on the table saw and it would be more accurate, but I think there's times when the convenience of the miter saw would be nice to have and futzing with table saw would annoy me.
Good video. Good to think about what you really need (or not).
Probably irrational, but firm dislike of pocket screws over here. And they aren't cheap either.
I like dowels. Probably irrational, but I like them. Got myself a dowel making jig. Cost me next to nothing, solid anodized Alu, carbide cutter, from "that evil place" Temu... Works like a charm. Any size. Any wood. Any off-cuts I used to light up a BBQ with are now usable. What's not to like? 😊
Completely agree on the miter saw front. Not building houses out of 2x4s here. Smaller cuts - x-cut sled. Safer, dead accurate, repeatable if needed, and waaaay more versatile.
The secret is not to buy expensive power tools but a variety of affordable tools and hand tools. You never know when you will need them. Tools are like real good friends who will help you when you need help. Treat them with respect and care
I don't agree about the miter saw, I do agree that you can do the same thing with a table saw but not everyone has or can afford a table saw.
Thanks for the information! I have a Makita miter saw and the Kreg foreman pocket hole machine. I can't imagine not having either one of them. Blessings!!!
I have a tiny {tiny} workshop, and the miter saw is critical for me to avoid moving everything around to do things on the {jobsite} table saw. I’m prefer the table saw for box joints etc, and favor the router less, but the miter saw saves me a ton of time in a tiny workshop.
Yes, my machine room in my Workshop is about 10m2. I literally cant put large stuff through my table saw. But my mitre saw table on one side of the Shop (with end stops for repeatable Cuts) is a life safer when cutting down larger Stock. Even Plate Material (mdf, ply wood) I often roughly cut to size outside with my trscksaw before it goes on my table saw.
$1k+ for domino joiner? Holy crap I'm glad my line of woodworking doesn't require those.
I bought one used. Since I've had it I've never used my biscuit joiner or mortiser, and I've used my pocket hole jig once. I sold the latter two and my pocket hole jig sits in the back of a cabinet mostly collecting dust.
People using pocket hole for everything aren't really interested in woodwork per se, they just wan to make stuff without the learning curve.
I use pocket hole for exterior carpentry, without a jig but a usually a pilot hole because in certain areas it just simple way of getting stuff done and you won't see it unless you a seeking it out. The hole will close up in a lot of cases with treated wood, especially with those narrow head decking screws. For fine wood a lot of time if it can be hidden you can hide more structure and get better joint still. Yes it has change the design of some cabinetry, but if I want that style of cabinets I will get a kitchen fitter, etc.
Carpenter's Pencil is primarily a Carpenter's Tool and so is the Miter Saw for Framing & Decks. I do use my Miter Saw in the shop sometimes mostly when I don't want to change the setup I have going on my Table Saw.
Also my fancy Combo Square (Cheap Stanley) I found in my Grandfather's Shed after he died in 1990 made me a million dollars in the Structural Steel business. I always get a kick out of these guys spending a hundred dollars or much more on some fancy square to make a simple birdhouse or whatever in their home shops. I did buy a cheap pocket screw jig recently for maybe 5 Bucks off one of the discount site. There's been a few times in the past when I could've used one and I'm sure that time will arise again one day.
I've got a new Stanley combo square and thought for sure I'd have to tune it. I was wrong, it was dead square from the start and has stayed that way in the year I've had it and it gets tossed in the truck tool box a lot. Some things Stanley still gets right.
I have a table saw, a mitre saw, and a radial arm saw. The most used tool by a long shot is my mitre saw. By a long shot. What a mitre saw does, it does very well. Far better than a table saw. If you are doing cabinetry and furniture and a lot of rip cutting, then sure a table saw is going to be your favourite saw. But otherwise,....
That said, a radial arm saw can pretty much do everything a table saw can as well, and possibly even better in some cirumstances.
I have one of the five items you listed. Frankly, I needed it, it was cheap, and right there in the store. Just way too easy not to grab it off the shelf and throw it in the cart.
The carpenter's pencil is in my toolbox. 😂
I really did need it or some. I have no pencils or pens. I also don't have a marking gage. I was tearing out trim, painting, building cabinets. I needed it. Now it's just something I like in my toolbox. 😂
I see no use for the others you have listed. They seem to be a waste of money when I can use what I already have.
I bought a nice Craftsman cast iron compound miter saw at a garage sale for $25. Use it a lot.
Domino is speed. Good grief how much time have I saved over pocket holes or dowel jigs. It is fast, time is money.
Wise words from a wise woodworker, not like those paid youtubers trying to sell product. You have my sub. Thank you
I feel that most table saws are much better than the people who own them. I have an older Delta table saw I bought off of Marketplace for $100.00. It needed some work but when I was done it is more accurate than my old eyes. And I don't spend upwards of $200.00 on blades either. Thanks for your video.
I bought one of the most expensive dual spindle dowel joiners on the market for... $160. Does everything I would get out of a domino for way less cost and the ever so slight increase in time of putting in two dowels instead of one domino. Totally worth it to me.
I’ve been doing woodworking for a long time. I’m 70
And you are absolutely right. Great videos thanks so much for the info. Especially the new workers
Get good 1 2 3 blocks
Thank you for the kind words! Great to hear that the video hit the mark for you. Appreciate the support! 😊
15 -20 years ago the biscuit joiner….🤪 just came across a container of them dad bought years ago and had a chuckle.
Great video, thank you. I bought a sliding compound miter saw years before I could afford a table saw. I still use it when I need a quick cross cut on a long 2x or 1x something. Is it over rated for woodworking ? Perhaps, but it can be useful at times too.
my issue with the mechanical pencils is that the lead always has some backlash and it moves laterally.
Im first gen woodpecker and it's so great for a wise skilled woodpecker to consider the point of beginner with small purses or wallets. Thank you for all the great lessons you kindly share for nil...
I don't necessarily consider these tools as overrated. I would consider them somewhat unnecessary for most woodworking. For example if I was building a high end commissioned table, with a deadline of next week, well then yeah, maybe a Domino might be nice. I'm like you, I love dowel joints, and have two really nice dowel jigs from Canada. They are both deadly accurate and create a nice strong bond.
As a new woodworker in my opinion making a mortise and tenon joint would be quite difficult as it requires precise measurements and more skill than I have at the moment. I’ll work on that.
Takes way too much time doing them by hand too, all these "fine wood workers" don't do them by hand either, they got jigs and a router, or a jig and table saw to cut them as they're not gonna sit there with a hand saw for hours cutting all those joints...the joints are good, but time consuming when trying to cut them by hand and to have them actually go together when you are finished is a whole different story....
Dominoes? Mehh, dowels do work. You can use jigs to line them up, you can use fatter and longer ones for the bigger joints. I could join bigger boards to make a heavy duty bench top by cutting 20 or 25mm dowels from round wooden stock from the hardware store
I don’t own a table saw,mitre saw or a pillar drill and I do just fine thank you sir great video.
I started out with hand tools, but after a while realized if I wanted to get anything done I was going to need to get power tools LOL...so in came the table saw, miter saw, etc. Far more productive when I'm trying to get stuff done, but still do stuff with hand tools on occasion. I use the circular saw all the time to cut sheet goods down to more manageable sizes to easily finish cutting down on the table saw or miter saw.
I was on the fence about a domino. And I think they’re great. Fast. In the end I went with the Jess’em pocket mill pro. That on sale with the workstation, large station and small station cost $450. Pure carbine drill bit will last forever.
If it as fast. Mmm. No. But we’re talking 1 minute and now 3 minutes. Since I use it mostly for prefinished cabinet builds. It’s very needed. But then again you can cut grooves and dados and use some screws and get great results even faster.
If I had a job tomorrow that was an entire kitchen and it needed to be done that week. Sure. Domino. (If it’s all prefinished plywood and they said no to screws.) sure. Domino. But the pocketmill pro works very well for me. But the more I learn, the more I realize. Yeah dowels work fast and easy. And it’s really important to not get stuck in the, this is the only way, domino or nothing mentality. I like the just try every way, and find what works for you. The situation. The location. The needs etc.
Ps. I would never trust screws with no dado, rabbet or grove. Especially not upper cabinets. Lower. Whatever. Gravity is with you. Upper. No. Gravity is against you.
I watched all the way through the intro to #5 just to see if you'd break out of Mean Shop Teacher mode, but...geez. Technically I agree with most of what you're saying, though based on only a few years of framing experience I cringed when you said that 1/8" off in a framing cut wasn't a big deal. But...geez, man, mellow out. If you're going for the audience that is "Middle School kids hoping to get yelled at" then you nailed the tone.
I don't own a domino, but the thing about them is super fast and convenient, they are a floating tenon and they do add strength IMO..I use bisketer for alignment on all panel glue ups and it's just reassurance on alignment for me, they work...a miter saw for me again is convenient, I mill all my own lumber and it's fast to break down material, it's all about convenience, no don't need it but makes my job easier, so there lies the value for me, radial arm saw I use for joinery, half laps, tenons with a dato stack, super easy and convenient again, so why work harder if you don't have to I guess is my point...
For my peace of mind, I need to declare all bigger powertools to be overrated. Mostly because I don't have a shop or a house. So, hand tools are what I can afford and use without torturing the neighbours.
Domino - I agree.
Chop saw - agree to a point. It's not worthless to have, especially if you plan on doing lots of square or miter cuts, and newer miter saw's are quite accurate. Necessary? No. I've done plenty of crosscuts with a framing square and circular saw, and I know guys that do it every day on the site and get dead square cuts. But then again they've been doing it for decades, so I guess skill trumps gear in that case. You want speed? line up 4-5 boards on your bench, clamp them down, and cut them all at once. if they're square enough to do that on the chop saw, they're square enough to line up and do 4 at once. That being said, a miter saw can speed up production for most people, and is an easy go to for a new woodworker who wants speed as much as reliability in their projects. YMMV.
Pocket jig - this one can really be controversial. I've seen opinions that range from putting it under your pillow at night because you love it so much to people having pocket hole jig burning parties. Seriously, if you want an easy way to build cabinets this is it. drawers? same thing. Modern tool for modern cabinetry. necessary? nah. but costwise, it's not really expensive either, so why not? And anyone who uses pocketholes on the exterior of a quality piece needs to get smacked with a cheap chinese knockoff mallet. but that's an experience issue, not a tool issue.
Measurement devices - Other then "you don't need woodpecker tools" and "don't buy cheap" that pretty much covers it. that and all you really need is a good combo square and a straight edge. To start. you'll eventually build a garage full of tools like everyone else, many good, some bad. And I avoid woodpecker on principle. Buy a good Starett square with a 12" and 24" blade and you got most your needs covered. cheaper then woodpecker, and machinists use them, they've been the gold standard for generations.
Pencil advice is solid. Plus mechanical pencils are cheap these days. other then that good video. provoke much thought and discussion, even if we disagree or agree.
I HATE dowels. They take way too long to deal with, for me. Domino is about speed and accuracy for me. I blow through full size tabletops in 30 minutes.
I think all this is called moving forward, making life easier, and doing things faster. Doing wood work the old way is all very good if you’re farting assing about in your weekend double garage workshop. But as a carpenter and joiner and everything else in the woodwork world for coming up 50 years you need to move forward if you’re going to make a living.
Im still using hand tools and power tools that are 35 years plus and they sit along side with my newer stuff. There so many other things we could go on about but I’ve ran out of time.
But don’t forget theres the carpentry side, the joinery side and the cabinet maker side, the furniture side, the veneering side, the turning side, patten makers ( not so much nowadays) i do all the above and have the tools to go with all the sides and still love the job i do.
O the carpenters pencil is for building houses, don’t try building a house with a mechanical pencil unless you are really stupid leave it in the workshop 😊
Very provocative video its going to be interesting to see were the comments go. 😮
Excellent commentaries. I agree with most of what you say but disagree with a few. However, my disagreements are situational. I no longer do much woodworking for other people.
The miter saw is my most used tool. I would actually prefer a radial arm saw which I used heavily in my first woodworking job. It can cut long strips. A miter saw can't. My current shop is 14' X 16' so a table saw is out. If I really need to use a table saw, I go to a community shop.
My second most heavily used tool is a straight edge (clamping preferred) and what we used to call Skill saw.
When I was a cabinetmaker, we did pocket screws a lot. When pocket screw jigs started being marketted, I bought one. I've never used it though I sometimes throw a screw hole in a very tight space that even a pocket screw jig won't fit.
As you were trained in drafting, you were likely trained to roll your pencil between your fingers while drawing long lines to keep the point in the right place (self sharpening). I still do that but also keep sharpeners around the "shop".
There's another tool that I'd like to put on an overrated list. That's a random orbital sander. Unfortunately I've become adicted. When they first came out, I was doing table tops. There's nothing better to flatten table tops than sandpaper wrapped around a very flat wooden block and time - a lot of time. Apparently the need for precisely flat surfaces isn't as important these days.
Another tool I can't see a need for - especially at it's cost - is a track saw. Maybe if I were a professional. But do professionals actually make enough money?
“I don’t do the specific types of projects that these tools were intended for, and admittedly good at, therefore they are overrated”
I don’t metalwork, therefore all metalworking tools are overrated.
that mitersaw issue....I use the miter for crosscutting, so a suitable blade on that saw, and my tablesaw for length cuts with a suitable blade...less bladeswapping imo
The (carpenter) pencil, if you scribe against a ruler, and you cut on right side of the line, you dont need the fancy markerknife just understand your kerf!
I definitely agree that the Domino is not a required tool and there are many other ways to create the same joint. Definitely agree that it's expensive! However, I don't think it's fair to say that it doesn't create a strong joint. Floating tenons are widely used and have always been considered a stronger joint than the butt joint. Just like a dowel joint is stronger. The one true thing that the Domino gives you is ease of use. It's hard to compare any other joint to how quickly and easily you can setup and create a floating tenon with the Domino.
I’ve never considered using pocket screws for anything but cabinet faces.
What purpose does the hand scythe have in your shop?
It serves a very important purpose, along with the other tools hung on that wall… decoration. Without intentionally trying, I’ve collected a few antique tools over the years. So, when I set my shop up, I decided to hang them on that wall, as the wall isn’t usable for anything workshop related (there’s a handicapped ramp there). That was before I started shooting videos for Sawinery and so the scythe, along with the other tools, still remain.
You really need to add Japanese chisels to this list, what a waste of money they are. Also, a decent mitre saw is a much better proposition than silly jigs on a table saw, especially for anything narrow and longer than a metre. Although you are right about the thick leads, and that it is not a precision tool, it also sounds like maybe you are not familiar with the correct way to use a carpenters pencil. Mechanical pencil leads break too easily on wood, especially rough wood.
I to have thrown money away on cheap Chinese gadgets, the "T" square you have is one. I did not like it from the first time I used it. I do however use my miter saw quite often. Keep up the good advice.
Great video!
Based on the comments here, the Domino seems to be a production tool for people cranking out projects for profit; not the Weekend Woodworker. I don't see one in my future, nor a biscuit joiner for that matter. I use dowels where I need alignment.
My old miter saw has been sitting idle for years as my table saw skills progress. My pocket hole jig is also very idle.
Most of my measurement devices are very accurate, and expensive. The one you didn't recognize in your collection looked like a kerf maker???
I do have carpenters pencils for marking up for sanding, but I have mechanical pencils all over my shop.
Looks like I agree with you!
Buiscuits are compressed wood, and the moisture in pva glues expand them as the glue is absorbed and hardens
The kreg pocket hole sytsem are mostly for quick construction . Your clamp rack would be stronger if you used dadoes for the cross parts.
Carpenter pencils are for rough framing . The gimicy sharpeners that put a round point are junk . I made a block of wood and drilled 4 holes in it for pencils and it sits on back of lathe . .,my two prefered coats that I wear while turning one has a brest pocket slot for pencil and my surplus army bdu shirt has three on the back of the left forearm
I use the metal/wood dust after drilling etc to fill up gaps and holes. Put the dust there, soak with instant glue, then polish after it hardens. No waste.
I have a miter saw, by Omga, an Italian firm. Its entirely accurate. More accurate than the table saw. But I wouldn't trust one that tilted over or slid out on rods. I actually use it in conjunction with a Mitutoyo electronic rule to make a series of slots in pear wood to one 1/100 mm accuracy (that's better than half a thousandth of an inch).
I've been wanting a gadget to set angles on my table saw. I see people using the digital electronic level and angle gauges and I see people using the gauge that you showed us in this video. Is one better than the other or do they both do about the same thing?
The electronic angle gauges are good, if they're calibrated properly, you get what you pay for with those things. An electronic level doesn't give you angles, it just tells you if something is level or not, and a regular bubble level is a heck of a lot cheaper.
There are all sorts of angle finders out there, some manual, some electronic....the problem with electronic ones is the batteries always are dead at the most inconvenient times, and most of them require hard to find expensive batteries. I just use a protractor if I need to set angles on the table saw which is very rare as I prefer the miter saw for cutting all the angles for projects and leave the table saw set for 90 degrees as much as possible.
@@wildbill23c Thanks for the information.
Really, its a matter of what works best for you. I use different methods at different times, mostly based on what is closer and easier to grab. The only thing I would make sure of, is that whatever gauge you use is accurate.
@@sawinery-woodworking I think I'll just keep using my machinist tools. I already have them and trust them. I've never cared for anything that used batteries except for my cordless drills.
I have one of those electronic angle gauges, I use it and I like it. But to set the table saw I actually use a protractor app on my phone. I built a holder for the phone and epoxied in a couple of rare earth magnets to hold it to the blade. The app was free, the magnets were a buck or two at HF and the wood was scraps. I will also say that my miter saw is dialed in and convenient to set up and is my preferred method to cut angles and miters unless the material is too big (or too small).
Im so happy i found your channel as a new wood worker iv learned alot from your channel and thank you for being so down to earth and can i ask were did you find the book on joinery i sure like to get that book
You can find it on Amazon. It's "The Complete Illustrated Guide to Joinery" by Gary Rogowski.
Generally I don't use a carpenter's pencil, but when I do I sharpen it with a handplane. When i need precision, I use a knife - the humble Stanley 10-049. By the way. Milwaukee now sells an 'ultrafine' pen that's very good for finish carpentry. i do use digital inclinometers and protractors for setting tools, esp both the table and radial saws.
The bit and brace have been around for centuries , and used properly for the intended job , though slow , are perfect . Especially if away from power, doing timber framing or log cabin construction
Just found your channel love your content! You’ve definitely stepped on some toes with this one!😂😂😂😂 For myself I like the pocket hole joinery but I definitely understand where you’re coming from! I’ve been a wood worker for 50 years myself so I’ve seen much of what you’ve been discussing along my journey!
I would take a Domino jointer any day over a biscuit joiner. Yes, it is expensive. And, yes again, joints can be made without it just fine. I happen to like the Domino, my preference. I already have the Fetool shop vac, so it was not that much. I agree you do not need the domino joiner for strength. I just like to use it. There is just some thing about the biscuits that doesn't set right,. One could almost put the Kreg jig in that category also. You made a great point about the Kreg jig for joinery. I have used it, but It doesn't set right with me about it being a proper way. It is strong, but leaves the feeling there is a better traditional method. You stress time honored methods and I don't think anyone can argue with you on that. I certainly won't argue with time honored methods that were used before power tools. Keep up the good work. I do agree that the tables is the most essential power tool in the shop. That said, I do like the convenience of my mitre saw. You do a great job of explaining.