I must compliment the outstanding instruction in these two videos. I really enjoyed them! Everything was presented at a good & learnable pace. You kept to your knitting and showed how the project could be accomplished with very basic tools. I appreciated your clarifying critical cuts and fittings and so many of the nuances of both using the tools to achieve desired results and successfully completing the project. Thank you very much!
Absolutely fantastic video and a wonderful outcome. Thank you so much for taking the time to film these; it's just so good to see something useful being made that doesn't rely on hundreds of pounds-worth of electrical machinery. Subscribed!
thank you sir! I am planning to do this on an antique bureau where somebody in the past decided to put nails right into the mitered corners of the legs, making a lot of damage to the mahogany! I would rather see splines than old nails that are doing nothing
I’m just easing myself into woodworking to hopefully have a hobby for when I retire in a few years. I’ve been watching loads of UA-cam and started to get a bit dismayed. I started to get the feeling that your potential to produce fine pieces depended on how much fancy machinery you could afford to purchase. This video just blows that sentiment right out of the water! Incredibly inspiring and motivating. Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge and skills.
Hey, I'm glad you enjoyed it. You really don't need a lot of gear to get started. A tenon saw, a chisel and mallet, a no 4 plane, marking knife, ruler and a square and a couple of clamps and you can create amazing things.
You are an amazing teacher! Thank you so much for all your explanations and making this so easy to understand. Getting into woodworking can feel rather daunting for us “newbies,” but this is a great help! Cheers!
Hi Anthony, thank you. My only aim is to give new starters the encouragement to understand that they can make great things with just a handful of tools, some patience and some practice.
Wow, a lot of fine craftsmanship displayed here! You are a excellent teacher getting to the point without a lot of fanfare. Thanks for sharing you skills.
I enjoyed that, and might give it a go if I can get the wood. Sawing a piece in half is not gonna work for me!!! Will have to buy something the right thickness
I learned so much watching this two part series. I'm a pretty mediocre wood worker and I'm trying to improve while mainly using hand tools. This series is a goldmine to me. Thank you very much. #subcribed!
I am just amazed. I have learned (and re-learned) a lot from watching your two videos on this mitred box project and now I want to make one, or a dozen. BE WARNED: This hobby is addictive, right? :-) I spent my entire Christmas money budget (and then some) on some power tools. Now, I realize I've got to start saving up for things like a tenon saw, several hand planes, and some small chisels (I have a set of larger ones) in the 1/8" range for doing the dado/groove parts. I don't feel confident enough with my ancient table saw to do that stuff yet. But I have chiseled a ton of grooves and mortises for various project over the years. I just didn't know about all the extra steps to make things easier. Thanks for posting these! I look forward to watching your other, and future vids, on woodworking. Especially the ones involving the basic tools.
Hi Mike, thanks so much for your comments over the last few days. On the subject of acquiring new tools - I have a few things I have bought new, such as a nice veritas dovetail saw, veritas router plane and a lovely Tenon saw from Footprint in Sheffield, England. However, the majority of my go to tools have been acquire second hand from flea markets, junk shops and occasionally eBay. If you have the time to fettle some old tools and bring them back into usable condition then a nice tool kit needn't break the bank. Regarding new videos, I have a load of footage ready to be edited for a half dozen or so projects which should start appearing soon. Some will use a few more power tools in the mix, some are for real beginners which may be pitched below your current capabilities but there will definitely be plenty of projects with an emphasis on hand tool usage.
I look forward to seeing them. I doubt there's too much below my current skill level, as honestly, I really feel like a beginner again. It has been too long. I have already learned several new ways of doing some things I thought I already knew how to do. I will definitely check out our local flea markets when the weather is nicer. Thanks for the tips! Keep the videos comin'! :-)
Hi Will. Excellent! I can't claim ownership of many of the techniques I use, but I'm very happy to pass on what I've learned and so glad to hear you have found that useful.
Very enjoyable video Steve, lots of wonderful tips & skills well explained. For those of us novices with limited budgets, this type of tutorial is invaluable. Thank you for taking the time share your knowledge .... Cheers
Thank you Steve. I get more enjoyment out of using hand tools than machines although I won't pretend that resawing a board by hand is my first choice if I have my band saw standing there.
Just starting my woodworking journey,will be copying a few of your designs. Have you any recommendations for a decent rip saw as I will be dimensioning by hand. Thanks Phil
Hi Phil. Good question. If you can pick up a decent vintage saw second hand, or any half decent brand new it will last a long time - you are best going to a store and feeling a few to see which handle profiles fit nicely in your hand. If you go down this route you will also need to learn how to sharpen it and get an appropriate file and make yourself a jig. This is not are massively difficult skill to learn and probably one to which any hand tool work should aspire, but it will take some time. My advice if you are starting out is to pick up a cheap hardened tooth none 'resharpenable' saw from a bog box/DIY store. These will be cheap, sharp enough for your needs and will last long enough for many projects. You can then look to getting a higher quality tool as your skills grow.
Hello and thank you for this brilliant video! May I ask why you start the cut, when cutting off the lid, on an angle before going perpendicular? Thank you very much for your help
Using a slight angle means make it easier for the saw follows the knife line at first, once the saw cut has been established I bring the saw perpendicular to complete a nice straight cut.
I have been making this box over the last couple of weekends, also using your mitre jig. I found that if set the splines at the top and bottom as you demonstrated, I cut through into both the groove at the top and the rebate at the bottom. The splines are 6mm thick which is the same distance as the groove from the top of the lid, and also the depth of the rebate. Nothing shows through as the bottom covers that error and the spline has not actual broken through the inside of the mitre. However, I think this all happened because I made the splines too deep across the corners. How far from the corner did you set yours? It looks like 20mm but hard to tell for sure.
Thank you. If we ignore stuff like the time taken for glue and finish to dry then I would think that there was about 8 hours work in the box. Using power tools would have definitely saved time when ripping the lengths and cutting the slots for the miter keys/splines, which I have built a table saw jig for. Some people may also use a planer/thicknesser to smooth things after the rip cut, although even if I do this I'd still usually do a final pass with a hand plan and scraper. I could also have cut the mitres using my table saw, but in that case we should add all the time it's take over the years to calibrate and set things up for accurate cuts, nothing show up a lack of precision like trying to get four mitred corners to form a square box!!!! A lot of the calculation of time saving also depends on how you have your shop set up. I have limited space and so I have to set up my table saw before use and then pack it away under the bench, all of which takes time and for small jobs I can beat that time with a hand saw. For me power tools really come into their own when doing a batch of the same project, that's where you can really star to save a lot of time. I do use power tools a lot in my work, but for one off jobs like this, I prefer the luxury of a quiet and less dusty shop. I'm also keen to show that it's possible to create some nice projects using a minimum of hand tools and some patience. I appreciate a well stocked shop full of every machine imaginable, but I do think sometimes people are put of starting a project because they don't think it's possible without lots of expensive machine tools.
Hi Cindy, the knife I use is a Stanley Pocket Knife - it's available pretty widely in hardware and DIY shops - Amazon has it here: www.amazon.co.uk/Stanley-Folding-Pocket-Knife-598/dp/B0001IWDBU
Hi, that's a great question. Often I'll make a grove and add a floating bottom, similar to the top. I didn't in this case for a few reasons: 1. I wanted to demonstrate how to cut the rebate/rabbet without needing a router or rebate/rabbet plane. 2. The materials I was using were pretty stable and so I didn't have too many worries about expansion causing problems. 3. The glue joint would be plenty strong enough for the box's intended use. 4. The width of the material I had to hand was dictating the height of the box and I was anxious to save as much internal capacity as possible and so didn't want to loose the extra height that insetting the bottom would have required. Ultimately, insetting the bottom in the same way as the top would make for a stronger, more stable solution and would certainly look better when looking at the box from the bottom.
I like the idea of using the piece of board as a guide
Yes, it's usually the simplest ideas which are most effective.
I must compliment the outstanding instruction in these two videos. I really enjoyed them! Everything was presented at a good & learnable pace. You kept to your knitting and showed how the project could be accomplished with very basic tools. I appreciated your clarifying critical cuts and fittings and so many of the nuances of both using the tools to achieve desired results and successfully completing the project. Thank you very much!
Wow, thank you! I really appreciate your kind words.
Man where was this video right before Christmas? :). Great work!
Thank you. You'll be ready for next Christmas! ;-)
thank you very much, very informative and what a relieve (no "awesome" and "Wow" hysteria)
Thank you Mario, I'm glad you found the video useful.
Absolutely fantastic video and a wonderful outcome. Thank you so much for taking the time to film these; it's just so good to see something useful being made that doesn't rely on hundreds of pounds-worth of electrical machinery. Subscribed!
Thank you. I will have more videos soon. I have been busy with other projects for a while.
Thanks for describing every stage, it made all the difference, it's what made me subscribe 😀
Thank you. I will start producing more videos soon!
thank you sir! I am planning to do this on an antique bureau where somebody in the past decided to put nails right into the mitered corners of the legs, making a lot of damage to the mahogany! I would rather see splines than old nails that are doing nothing
Thank you. Yes, it's great when the functional components are also nice to look at.
I’m just easing myself into woodworking to hopefully have a hobby for when I retire in a few years. I’ve been watching loads of UA-cam and started to get a bit dismayed. I started to get the feeling that your potential to produce fine pieces depended on how much fancy machinery you could afford to purchase. This video just blows that sentiment right out of the water! Incredibly inspiring and motivating. Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge and skills.
Hey, I'm glad you enjoyed it. You really don't need a lot of gear to get started. A tenon saw, a chisel and mallet, a no 4 plane, marking knife, ruler and a square and a couple of clamps and you can create amazing things.
You are an amazing teacher! Thank you so much for all your explanations and making this so easy to understand. Getting into woodworking can feel rather daunting for us “newbies,” but this is a great help! Cheers!
Hi Anthony, thank you. My only aim is to give new starters the encouragement to understand that they can make great things with just a handful of tools, some patience and some practice.
Beautiful!❤
Thank you!
I’m speechless. This is going to haunt me for a while... until I can achieve this level of wood working mastery (wizardry?) :-)
It just takes a little practice and some time getting familiar with the way your tools behave.
Wow, a lot of fine craftsmanship displayed here! You are a excellent teacher getting to the point without a lot of fanfare. Thanks for sharing you skills.
Hi, thank you very much for your kind comment.
You had me at the 45 degree shooting board.. I have so much to learn and you are filling some gaps.. Thank you!
Thank you. I too watch a lot of video and am always picking up little tips that fill in knowledge gaps.
Excellent !! And very skilled craftsmanship. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐👍
Thank you very much!
That proved to be most delightful in the making.
Thank you.
Thank you the videos!!!
Thank you. I'm glad you like them!
What an excellent classic job you have done !! absolutely gorgeous box and craft 👌 .
Thank you so much 😊
I enjoyed that, and might give it a go if I can get the wood. Sawing a piece in half is not gonna work for me!!! Will have to buy something the right thickness
Yes indeed, starting with the right thickness stock is definitely the preferred way to go.
That is a beautiful box. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks for watching!
Awesome
Thanks
Absolutely awesome job! Thanks so much for sharing! :D
Thank you. You are welcome.
Great job, i have been watching a lot of woodworking project videos as i have just retired and need a hobby, yours was very informative, thanks
Thank you very much! Best of luck with your hobby.
I learned so much watching this two part series. I'm a pretty mediocre wood worker and I'm trying to improve while mainly using hand tools. This series is a goldmine to me. Thank you very much. #subcribed!
We're all learning! The important thing to to enjoy it. I'm glad you are finding the videos helpful.
I am just amazed. I have learned (and re-learned) a lot from watching your two videos on this mitred box project and now I want to make one, or a dozen. BE WARNED: This hobby is addictive, right? :-)
I spent my entire Christmas money budget (and then some) on some power tools. Now, I realize I've got to start saving up for things like a tenon saw, several hand planes, and some small chisels (I have a set of larger ones) in the 1/8" range for doing the dado/groove parts. I don't feel confident enough with my ancient table saw to do that stuff yet. But I have chiseled a ton of grooves and mortises for various project over the years. I just didn't know about all the extra steps to make things easier.
Thanks for posting these! I look forward to watching your other, and future vids, on woodworking. Especially the ones involving the basic tools.
Hi Mike, thanks so much for your comments over the last few days. On the subject of acquiring new tools - I have a few things I have bought new, such as a nice veritas dovetail saw, veritas router plane and a lovely Tenon saw from Footprint in Sheffield, England. However, the majority of my go to tools have been acquire second hand from flea markets, junk shops and occasionally eBay. If you have the time to fettle some old tools and bring them back into usable condition then a nice tool kit needn't break the bank.
Regarding new videos, I have a load of footage ready to be edited for a half dozen or so projects which should start appearing soon. Some will use a few more power tools in the mix, some are for real beginners which may be pitched below your current capabilities but there will definitely be plenty of projects with an emphasis on hand tool usage.
I look forward to seeing them. I doubt there's too much below my current skill level, as honestly, I really feel like a beginner again. It has been too long. I have already learned several new ways of doing some things I thought I already knew how to do.
I will definitely check out our local flea markets when the weather is nicer. Thanks for the tips! Keep the videos comin'! :-)
Excellent!
Another Sub ! Great stuff. Some good tips too. Thank you and a Merry Christmas !!
Thanks Richard
Hiya .... great inspirational 2 vdeos. Thank you
Thank you for watching.
Thanks for this posting. I have learned more about good hand sawing from you then my woodworking course.
Thank you. I admit that sawing is probably the weakest of my skills, so any project that requires it is all good practice.
I have been using your saw technique a lot lately. Love it..
Hi Will. Excellent! I can't claim ownership of many of the techniques I use, but I'm very happy to pass on what I've learned and so glad to hear you have found that useful.
Very enjoyable video Steve, lots of wonderful tips & skills well explained. For those of us novices with limited budgets, this type of tutorial is invaluable.
Thank you for taking the time share your knowledge .... Cheers
Thank you for your comment Dave, I'm glad you found the video useful.
Inspirational mate thank you!!
Thanks for watching.
Well done! I also primarily use hand tools and enjoyed this video.
Thank you Steve. I get more enjoyment out of using hand tools than machines although I won't pretend that resawing a board by hand is my first choice if I have my band saw standing there.
Very nice! Thank you.
Thank you!
Nice job.
Thank you.
Just starting my woodworking journey,will be copying a few of your designs. Have you any recommendations for a decent rip saw as I will be dimensioning by hand.
Thanks Phil
Hi Phil. Good question. If you can pick up a decent vintage saw second hand, or any half decent brand new it will last a long time - you are best going to a store and feeling a few to see which handle profiles fit nicely in your hand. If you go down this route you will also need to learn how to sharpen it and get an appropriate file and make yourself a jig. This is not are massively difficult skill to learn and probably one to which any hand tool work should aspire, but it will take some time. My advice if you are starting out is to pick up a cheap hardened tooth none 'resharpenable' saw from a bog box/DIY store. These will be cheap, sharp enough for your needs and will last long enough for many projects. You can then look to getting a higher quality tool as your skills grow.
Hello and thank you for this brilliant video! May I ask why you start the cut, when cutting off the lid, on an angle before going perpendicular? Thank you very much for your help
Using a slight angle means make it easier for the saw follows the knife line at first, once the saw cut has been established I bring the saw perpendicular to complete a nice straight cut.
I have been making this box over the last couple of weekends, also using your mitre jig. I found that if set the splines at the top and bottom as you demonstrated, I cut through into both the groove at the top and the rebate at the bottom. The splines are 6mm thick which is the same distance as the groove from the top of the lid, and also the depth of the rebate. Nothing shows through as the bottom covers that error and the spline has not actual broken through the inside of the mitre. However, I think this all happened because I made the splines too deep across the corners. How far from the corner did you set yours? It looks like 20mm but hard to tell for sure.
I think I probably made sure to offset the splines from the internal housings to keep them cleat of each other.
Awesome video, and very handsome box. How long did the whole project take? And dare I ask how much time it would have taken if you used machine tools?
Thank you. If we ignore stuff like the time taken for glue and finish to dry then I would think that there was about 8 hours work in the box. Using power tools would have definitely saved time when ripping the lengths and cutting the slots for the miter keys/splines, which I have built a table saw jig for. Some people may also use a planer/thicknesser to smooth things after the rip cut, although even if I do this I'd still usually do a final pass with a hand plan and scraper.
I could also have cut the mitres using my table saw, but in that case we should add all the time it's take over the years to calibrate and set things up for accurate cuts, nothing show up a lack of precision like trying to get four mitred corners to form a square box!!!!
A lot of the calculation of time saving also depends on how you have your shop set up. I have limited space and so I have to set up my table saw before use and then pack it away under the bench, all of which takes time and for small jobs I can beat that time with a hand saw. For me power tools really come into their own when doing a batch of the same project, that's where you can really star to save a lot of time.
I do use power tools a lot in my work, but for one off jobs like this, I prefer the luxury of a quiet and less dusty shop. I'm also keen to show that it's possible to create some nice projects using a minimum of hand tools and some patience. I appreciate a well stocked shop full of every machine imaginable, but I do think sometimes people are put of starting a project because they don't think it's possible without lots of expensive machine tools.
You are a good joiner. I subscribed. I will watch your videos with pleasure.
Thank you. I haven't posted a new project for a while but I have many ready for editing so will be posting new projects soon.
This is a perfekt for school
It would be great is this kind of project was taught in school.
Where can I get the knife 🔪 you use. Ps im in the UK 🇬🇧
Hi Cindy, the knife I use is a Stanley Pocket Knife - it's available pretty widely in hardware and DIY shops - Amazon has it here: www.amazon.co.uk/Stanley-Folding-Pocket-Knife-598/dp/B0001IWDBU
Hi, why make a groove for the lid, splines for the corners but glue the bottom? Is there any reason?
Hi, that's a great question. Often I'll make a grove and add a floating bottom, similar to the top. I didn't in this case for a few reasons:
1. I wanted to demonstrate how to cut the rebate/rabbet without needing a router or rebate/rabbet plane.
2. The materials I was using were pretty stable and so I didn't have too many worries about expansion causing problems.
3. The glue joint would be plenty strong enough for the box's intended use.
4. The width of the material I had to hand was dictating the height of the box and I was anxious to save as much internal capacity as possible and so didn't want to loose the extra height that insetting the bottom would have required.
Ultimately, insetting the bottom in the same way as the top would make for a stronger, more stable solution and would certainly look better when looking at the box from the bottom.
@@adventuresint-shirtswoodwo3905 thanks for the answer!
👍👍👍👍👍👍
Thank you.