Videos featured in this video WORKBENCH VIDEOS ua-cam.com/video/C2hJIiswWlQ/v-deo.html ua-cam.com/video/FBdUUlqlZig/v-deo.html TABLE SAW FENCE VIDEOS ua-cam.com/video/Ur6KQR9Sba0/v-deo.html ua-cam.com/video/BAsbY0NKS2M/v-deo.html PUSH STICKS ua-cam.com/video/F9vU2c0jT0o/v-deo.html ua-cam.com/video/6xq1Ebb9xO0/v-deo.html CIRCULAR SAW TRICK ua-cam.com/video/CRElsW1aoqE/v-deo.html JIGS ua-cam.com/video/FkBMfFyHstQ/v-deo.html ▸HONGDUI Table saw Fence and Gauge Combination - www.banggood.com/custlink/GG3IC9lWld TOOLS SEEN IN THIS VIDEO ▸ MIcro Jig Grripper - UK LINK - amzn.to/4dMK4eG US LINK - amzn.to/44SVnh9 ▸ MicroJig Dovetail clamps - UK LINK - amzn.to/44Y7QAj US LINK - amzn.to/4bqFhhh ▸ Starrett Combination square - UK LINK - amzn.to/3vUSKOI US LINK - amzn.to/3SAHU9h ▸ Nitrile bonded cork sheet - UK LINK - amzn.to/3W8QHRR US LINK - amzn.to/3xPQQQw The US product looks to be silicone and cork. Worth checking glue potential before purchasing. ▸ Stair Gauge - UK LINK - amzn.to/40wwTsC US LINK - amzn.to/4hkNA0I
You're right about the negativity. I grew up with a ton of negativity in my family and have been trying to stay positive as an adult. One of the reasons I like your channel is your positive attitude about everything. The humor is excellent too. Hope you have a great 2025.
I don't watch because you're perfect. I watch because I get good ideas. If I would do something differently it doesn't mean I'm right or you're wrong. I'm always open to a better idea, and so are you. One cannot learn what they are certain they already know.
This right here is the beauty of your channel. Most other channels would do “the thing” ignore the comments, gobble up the views, and move on to the next thing. Reflection and humility = relatability, and relatability is your greatest strength Mark. 👍👍👍
💯 agree. The people I respect the most (regardless the subject matter) are those who not only admit their mistakes and listen to constructive feedback, but then offer up what they learned in the process to help others who haven't been through that process yet. We're all standing on the shoulders of giants and it's people willing to openly learn and educate from their own experience who make us collectively taller.
This one video is the reason why I like your channel. It's because you show that anyone can make a mistake and how to rectify it. Keep up the good work.
Just got yourself a new subscriber. Your humbleness in addressing "mistakes" you've made and the comments to them was refreshing. I look forward to watching more of your work.
Ignore all the personal hit pieces people put out. They're vicarious woodworkers and don't really care about you. You're already doing more than they are. Honest criticizes want to elevate and help not tear down and belittle. They do that to themselves. God bless. I enjoy your monologues, they contain nuggets I can glean!
One of the best things about woodworking and making is that there is no right or wrong way to do something, just your way and my way, whatever gets the job done :)
I believe mistakes are the best way to learn Mark so a massive thank you for your honest and open approach. We all benefit from this so much. Love your presentation style, so for me, you don’t talk too much 😂 Found your advice about the workbench really useful because I was going to copy your build literally! In short, keep up the work. It’s all great. Cheers Mark
Anyone that think you talk to much can mute! I love your format and have learned so much since coming across your site. I love your honesty and the fact that you do not hide mistakes, cause that is how we learn too...
Greetings from New Jersey in the US... Thank you so much for your videos, and particularly this one! Your videos are entertaining, informative, humble, and honest. Your efforts are very much appreciated. Your concept of workshop wins is one of my biggest takeaways from this video. It's just so smart to take a small amount of time to do something productive that will ultimately make certain tasks easier. BRAVO SIR!! Please keep up the great work.
Great video Mark, this is one of the things I like about your channel, your honesty and willingness to show, as well as talk about the mistake you make along the way. Nobody is perfect and if anyone says they do not make mistakes, I would not believe it. Keep the great content coming.
I hope commenters have been gentle and constructive with their criticisms to you. Likely not. You are such a positive person, you don't deserve rude hater comments but I admire you for taking them and keeping your spirit so positive!
you know, on the whole I am very lucky. 99% are positive offerings of constructive criticism and I will take that. Other channels are not so lucky. And thank you.
I very much like your push stick and push pad with the handle far back behind the rear. It lets you complete your cut without having your hand over the blade at any time. Cheers.
Thanks for talking about the blade guard. It winds me up when I see UA-cam videos where the blade board isn't fitted because beginners could think thats ok. I find it refreshing that you can talk openly about your mistakes.
Agreed. Personally as a viewer I don't mind seeing the blade guard or feel it detracts from the viewing experience. I can still see the wood being fed into the blade, and I mostly just think, "Oh, this UA-camr is putting safety first. Cool."
I hate the trolls on UA-cam I say to them get a life and learn how to live and let live. Keep doing what your doing your content is great and your the most honest dude on UA-cam
Hi Mark Social media has lots of drawbacks when you put yourself out there you open yourself up to all kinds of challenges don’t change a thing about your style or delivery Your channel is on of the few that remain open honest and more importantly relatable to us in YT land thanks for all your endeavours
Keep producing what you do, keep talking and ignore the nah sayers… I started my adventure because of you, truly because of you…. The simplicity give inspiration, the mistakes we all make but you put everything in to perspective and it gives me a boost and look forward to your video’s 👍🏼
I consume a lot of inspiring woodworking content and it gives me a lot of ideas to think about. But I learn a lot more from creators giving tempered, well adjusted "mistake" videos. Thanks!
Keep talking ... I really enjoy your videos. I have independently made just as many mistakes as you without your help 😀. My workbenches are two office desks from where I used to work. I added some wheels and an MFT on one. My wife tells me I am always making things to make things, and she's right. Good fun isn't it? All the best Mark. Derek, Tadcaster, North Yorkshire.
I like your tongue in cheek comments :). Great tips - luv the updates. As for the rollers on the bigger fence plate, they’re mounted on a top T-track. Your “basic” fence plate has one of those, so need for a separate plate; mount them to the “basic” one. In fact, you could fold the, up when not necessary, instead of removing.
What I like about this community is the willingness of most to admit and show mistakes where they could easily have been edited out. On my management courses I learned ‘keep it sweet and simple’ KISS for me it should be ‘keep it simple stupid’. And at least you always use your riving knife. Keep up the good work and have a successful week 🌞
Don't listen to the naysayers Mark, Keep talking it's what make you you👍. I recently had to change the wheels on my workbench from 50mm wheel to 100mm wheels, the smaller wheels couldn't take the strain anymore. This lifted my bench up considerably (bigger wheel bracket as well) and now I'm looking at ways to lower the table down a bit. I think we'll always be looking to improve/change things no matter how perfect we think stuff is🤔. Good video as always Mark.........simply genius 🤪
@startmaking1 I can recommend the change Mark (apart from the added height in my case). The bigger wheels make the bench soooooooo much easier to move👍
Nice share Mark. Mistakes or just the best you could do at the time. We all get things wrong for sure, but honest mistakes are ok. Safety is the individuals choice, that's why I don't have a table saw. Your site is great, honest and a brilliant resource. Keep it up. No time for people who just want to bring others down. You have improved my woodworking such a lot. Thanks matey.
Hey Ian. My table saw is still the one tool I respect more than any other. I totally get why people avoid them . I really want a saw stop, not to use it wrong but as a fail safe. Maybe in time. Appreciate the comment bud. tHank you.
I just finished up the second glue-up of my new workbench, which is the first real workbench that I've ever built. Fortunately so far I've avoided a lot of mistakes. One thing that helped was for me to just build stuff without a workbench for a while and see what it was that I had a difficult time doing. I've also spent 3 months watching workbench builds and seeing what's possible. Mine will ultimately be 4'x8' but it's a bench for just my table saw and then three 4'x2' benches, each slightly different but mostly using some common parts so I can cut a lot of them at once. I built a portable MFT table a few weeks ago and that's been helpful, but now it'll be integrated into the new workbench although it will also still be removable if I need to take it somewhere. I've got a pretty decent dust collection system as well, and my crosscut sled is a hybrid of three different videos that I've seen on youtube. It's going well so far; just need to take my time and be sure to spend enough time actually drawing up plans. I wish I'd learned some sort of autocad program a while ago, but I've spent probably 10 hours or more just making accurate drawings of what I wanted to build and that's already saved me a bunch of time and prevented several mistakes.
Love this Mark! The bit at the end: trolls and gatekeepers... so true! You have kept me busy during 2024, and have inspired me to 'keep making'. I'm looking forward to 2025 in the workshop. Wishing you, your family, and subscribers a happy, healthy and dusty new year 😊.
I was thinking about Stair Gauges when I saw your tip on using speed squares for angles, and although inexpensive they are Not Free. A small piece of scrap wood and a bit of tape is close enough to free. I still think your tip is valid and useful for someone starting out on a tight budget or very occasional use. Just my two pence (coincidently about the same cost as a piece of scrap wood and a small amount of tape)
Great info on blade guard. I try to use mine as much as possible, but I’m still new enough I don’t trust pushing stock and not seeing when it encounter the blade. Stupid excuse, it there you have it. I have the same table saw you do. It should also have a kickback claw, as well. I believe it’s under the back right corner. You have to pull a pin out (toward center) to release if from the holder holder. It does require the blade guard to mount.
A great video as always. :) My turn to give YOU some advice Mark - don't be too hard on yourself, making mistakes is a part of the learning process. Your videos capture many many people so you are doing really good. :)
Love the channel Mark. Though like you said just walk away if you don’t agree but we are all here to get ideas or to get those pesky problems sorted in the shop. Keep it up and look forward to what’s ahead this year. 👍🏻🇦🇺
You quickly became my favourite channel on UA-cam. I love your can-do attitude and your willingness to admit mistakes. Your bench cookies are great as they are, but hockey pucks are cheap. (Yes, I am a Canadian, how did your guess?) If you remove the bottom "floor" of plywood from your dust extractor cubby, you will regain 19mm, plus the thickness of the 2x4 and floor gap.
I'm quite far into the process of setting up my workshop. I've watched 100s of UA-cam videos that have given me ideas of how to build or of which ones to buy, all at a price I'm not willing to pay. You on the other hand have given me ideas I can afford and items I actually need. We are all learning, that's the best part of this journey. Your time and presentations are greatly appreciated 😁👊
I've watched several of your videos, and this one is my favorite. Because of it, I have liked and subscribed to your channel. Thanks for the content. It's really good!
Great video. Peoples work bench are definitely for their own needs. In the past I used a 22 inch tall bench to help build cabinets. I needed something flat to build on and my floor was not flat + I did not like building on the floor. I later use that bench on a rolling base to make it taller for hand work. Keep up the good work and best wishes in the new year.
Thanks for the ideas over the last year. We all make mistakes, What's great is you acknowledge them and inform us to save us making the same ones. Keep experimenting and making things 😄 Also, with the push sticks, if you steepened the angle of the handle and made it a little shorter, you'd be more over the wood your cutting which might be safer perhaps?
As a small channel even I feel the pressure of building everything the right way. Then I remember that my channel is not educational so I keep doing things my way. (There is no way around justifying that circular saw track though. Maybe you were rushing to send out a video. I am sure you have a good reason behind it)
lol, I know how you feel. And that is why I always try to stay in the inspire category rather than teaching. As for the track, it's odd to me that I didnt even consider a different way. I think it is from years of the circular saw being my only means of cutting and only ever using it one sided. I released the initial video the same day that Alex from grey otter did his and from 1 minute of watching his I knew I had got it really wrong,. Thats why these videos are vital for me.
Great video brother keep up the good work, and don't let the negative people get to you . I respect your honesty and positive attitude. Thank you for the lesson on humility.
I watch, coz you motivate me to go to my shed and make something. I am definitely just a old guy making things that I enjoy. From rubbish to sawdust. But I'm having fun and finding my own calm space . Keep doing what you are doing, coz 74k watching- think you are doing ok by us.
Wow, I lost all my comments when I hit the wrong key with my hammy hands. Anyway, the gist of it was that this video is a bit like, "Zen and the Art of Woodworking." Woodworking is not for dopes and you do well because you are willing to be introspective and admit you were wrong, but then move forward and correct the problem. Remember that haters will hate, dismiss them. Then, your final thoughts were brilliant! As a former infantryman, I live by the acronym: KISS (keep it simple, stupid). Lots of us want to pat ourselves on the back for having done something very intricately, but the same result could probably have been achieved easier and quicker. Mark, keep doing what you do. Thanks for your thoughtful content, it helps all of us.
Hey bud. Ah yes fat fingers, the bane of my existence. Love that KISS, I need that in big letters somewhere in the workshop. And thank you for continually watching, offering honest feedback and support.
If I wasn’t already a subscriber, this would make me one. This is probably more instructive and helpful than your non-mistakes, because (among other things) you show why each error was less desirable. But you also bring in the experience of all your viewers-outstanding!
A thicknesser sled is by far the most used jig in my shop mark - and thankfully I was using mine the other way round from the start (courtesy of reading your comments!) Great video, admitting your mistakes is the only way to improve!
All advice is good it just needs to be used with common sense and a bit of "what works for your situation" mistakes are natural you just need to LEARN from them and learning from those that have made mistakes before you is essential and that i think is the BEST part of all of you You Tube creators you show us the things that work and dont work , some platforms dont!!!! thanks for ALL of your advice, knowledge ,experiences and tips from others out there!! enjoy the new year and i hope to see MANY more fun, instructional and Honest videos from your site
I could not agree more. When I started I watched a lot of makers who seemed to be perfect and I found it a little demoralising as I was so prone to mistakes. Thank you for all your support.
I built my mobile table saw bench to fit and store my tablesaw sled with a few drawers underneath and it slides in on top and flush with em with a pull handle that is also a small hand guard from the blade made sense to me since it fit right in-between the support legs when I was redoing the bench
Everyone watching videos are looking for ideas,"what are other people doing?" I take it as that just another way of doing things. Nice job on your ways.
Just an idea (or 2) for you ....... If your dust extractor is 10mm too tall why not cut a hole in the base that it can slide into and fix a lower platform below your existing base? You could have a round hole and slide the vac base first into the hole tipping it upright when it is in enough! Handles. Buy one of the grippy adhesive handles for racquets. It is a very good grip (you don't want your expensive squash racquet to go flying out of your hand into the wall) so gripping your handle is easy ...... you get a choice of colours too!
Hi Mark, Good advice as ever, full off tips ans ideas and improvements to the workshop. The good thing about your channel it's honest and a good mix of what works and what doesn't work, it's real that why I enjoy your channel. Keep on making video's and I will keep on watching them. As always a great video catch you soon, take care
Good honest video. We learn things on everything we make, whether a jig, bench or piece of furniture. There s a wealth of knowledge and valuable feedback in 70k subscribers 👍🏻. It’s a journey and acknowledging where we could do things better is how we develop and build our skills. Keep up the good work.
Nice that you have reflected...... your skills have really moved on from your early start and your subscriptions reflect that....well done....its always a pleasure to watch you .....talk too much? maybe but at least you have a voice thats not too abrasive.......thankyou as always for the content and time in editing and producing videos
I used to follow one of those fb groups or youtube channels you mentioned. I left because it moved from teaching to just being a mouthpiece for high end tool.
Great video mate! Love the honesty. I am building a workbench atm. Seemed like we had some similar ideas. Looking forward to see you in 2025 and all your really cool ideas
It takes a lot of guts to admit when you get things wrong, then actually make a video about it. In the unlikely event I get something wrong someday, I may consider doing the same.
Keep it up mate - you are one of my “go to/how to do it” channels. We all make mistakes - I think that’s half of the fun - as long as we make mistakes carefully and safely then all’s good! Ignore the trolls - they lack imagination and probably don’t even make stuff! Now, have you done a vid on birdboxes - I’m having a grand old play with designs and fixings and and and…… all the best for another year. Oh, and I should have added - my workbench is an abomination, but it will do for now and isn’t slowing me down in making stuff! :-)
Thank you so much . I really do appreciate it. I did a bird table once and surprisingly it is still standing as it was very early in my journey. Not done a box yet,
Thanks Mark for yet another great video, always enjoyable, informative and fun, keep 'em coming, stay lucky and.... for what it's worth I don't think you talk too much!!
Great video! Regarding the vacuum being too tall to fit under the workbench. Since the ceiling cannot be raised, could the floor be lowered? Just a thought, doubtless suggested by others already and/or considered by you and may be impractical. Keep up the fine work and may this new year bring continued success.
It's a good thought. I think I didnt do it as there is a 2 by 4 frame piece below the floor. I do have another plan though as in truth this vacuum is not all that good. and there are far more smaller ones that work better.
With the spot you wanted to put the vacuum, if you remove the floor board, you can tuck the vacuum behind the face board and set it down to the floor. As far as the people saying you talk too much, they can just stop the video! I have enjoyed EVERY one of your videos that I have seen so far, and never once have I thought you were talking too much! Even if I might not agree with something you say, I can still look at your opinion, and see how it may, or may not work for me!!! Keep up the great videos, and remember, it's YOUR channel, and you can talk all you want!
Mark, your bench cookies and dog cookies are another good place for the, netting style, gripy shelf liner. 3M Spray Adhesive work well, for mounting it. (on anything) 😁✌🖖
By they way ... when playing around with electrical stuff ... remember ... (hopefully) you will never find a switch on an angle grinder staying "on" after power loss. It's allways jumping back into "off" and you have to restart the grinder. Otherwise ... think what happens when you put the plug in and the grinder starts on itself.
Thanks Mark for an excellent video. The smartest woodworkers always show their "oh shit" moments or jobs they wished they had done differently but these then become the upgrade jobs and learning experiences (and hopefully without too much blood). 🏴👍🏻
Thank you for sharing your not perfect work as well as things that could make them better. I think it helps most people. I would like to know about the metal dog hole fillers please.
Thanks as ever Mark, these learning from mistakes videos are as important as anything else posted. Curious as to whether your vacuum would fit in that space below your bench if you cut a hole in that lower shelf, or is it sitting on the frame?
Annoyingly I considered this but there is a 2 by 4 frame in the way. I could flip the table and move it. Actually, I dont know if I am strong enough to flip the table lol.
Hi Mark, All feedback is a gift but some gifts are just plain stupid! ;) Your ‘warts and all’ approach is one of the main reasons I tuned into you in the first place. I’m currently halfway through my workbench build but it’s taking some time because I’m making it completely from reclaimed wood (channeling my inner Dainsy) but your lessons along the way have been invaluable in giving me ideas of things to do and not do. Talking of Hongduing (see what I did, there?) I love the little side clamp you made for the Hongdui mitre and fence. It’s my number 1 lust item and when I finally pluck up the courage to spend that much on a mitre & fence, I’m going to be storing it channelling my inner Francis. One question, where did you get the extruded aluminium for your extended fence from? Finally, as for comments about you talking too much, other channels are available. Keep making!
Hey Roger. Love the feedback comment bud. And thank you. Wow, a bench from reclaimed wood, I cant imagine the extra work this is adding. I am making a small side table from wood from a desk and it is driving me nuts all the extra steps. But then free is free I keep telling myself. I only just moved the fence to the side of my workbench and in truth it was because when it was hung on the wall I was too lazy to grab it and thats just silly. It's a brilliant bit of kit. I dont know if it is better than any others as I have little to compare it with but I dont treat it perfectly and it is still dead on accurate. All the bells and whistles I dont really use, 90 and 45 degrees and the stop guide is about all. I dont even use the measurements as that would mean removing the crown guard to get the fence close enough to the saw blade. I got the aluminium extrusion from ooze nest. You may want to spend longer than I did researching as I am sure you can get some that fits clamps and t track bolts etc better than the stuff I got. The smaller one I will use a lot, ie without rollers , is light and that is why I didnt look further. I hope this helps and I want to see a picture of the bench when it is done. Cheers bud.
Nice video. I've been asking myself more and more whether it is even reasonable to expect myself to get it right the first time. Especially if I am making something that I want to have aesthetic appeal I just plan to do a series. Drawings help, planning helps, but it's not real to me until it's in my hand. Should tools be any different? It's like an editing process. Maybe it's better to get your idea down and out, be creative, and then refine or discard.
Videos featured in this video
WORKBENCH VIDEOS
ua-cam.com/video/C2hJIiswWlQ/v-deo.html
ua-cam.com/video/FBdUUlqlZig/v-deo.html
TABLE SAW FENCE VIDEOS
ua-cam.com/video/Ur6KQR9Sba0/v-deo.html
ua-cam.com/video/BAsbY0NKS2M/v-deo.html
PUSH STICKS
ua-cam.com/video/F9vU2c0jT0o/v-deo.html
ua-cam.com/video/6xq1Ebb9xO0/v-deo.html
CIRCULAR SAW TRICK
ua-cam.com/video/CRElsW1aoqE/v-deo.html
JIGS
ua-cam.com/video/FkBMfFyHstQ/v-deo.html
▸HONGDUI Table saw Fence and Gauge Combination - www.banggood.com/custlink/GG3IC9lWld
TOOLS SEEN IN THIS VIDEO
▸ MIcro Jig Grripper - UK LINK - amzn.to/4dMK4eG
US LINK - amzn.to/44SVnh9
▸ MicroJig Dovetail clamps - UK LINK - amzn.to/44Y7QAj
US LINK - amzn.to/4bqFhhh
▸ Starrett Combination square - UK LINK - amzn.to/3vUSKOI
US LINK - amzn.to/3SAHU9h
▸ Nitrile bonded cork sheet - UK LINK - amzn.to/3W8QHRR
US LINK - amzn.to/3xPQQQw
The US product looks to be silicone and cork. Worth checking glue potential before purchasing.
▸ Stair Gauge - UK LINK - amzn.to/40wwTsC
US LINK - amzn.to/4hkNA0I
A word of advice my Dad gave to me. "The man that never made a mistake never made anything". Life is a learning experience. Embrace this.
Such great advice bud.
You're right about the negativity. I grew up with a ton of negativity in my family and have been trying to stay positive as an adult. One of the reasons I like your channel is your positive attitude about everything. The humor is excellent too. Hope you have a great 2025.
Thank you for sharing. I have to consciously choose to be positive too. It's not always easy for sure. But it is really important imo.
I enjoy your honesty. A day you didn't learn something was a wasted day.
Great sentiment Michael Thank you.
I don't watch because you're perfect. I watch because I get good ideas. If I would do something differently it doesn't mean I'm right or you're wrong. I'm always open to a better idea, and so are you. One cannot learn what they are certain they already know.
This right here is the beauty of your channel. Most other channels would do “the thing” ignore the comments, gobble up the views, and move on to the next thing. Reflection and humility = relatability, and relatability is your greatest strength Mark. 👍👍👍
Hey bud and happy belated birthday., Hope you treated yourself. And as always, thank you for the kind words.
💯 agree. The people I respect the most (regardless the subject matter) are those who not only admit their mistakes and listen to constructive feedback, but then offer up what they learned in the process to help others who haven't been through that process yet.
We're all standing on the shoulders of giants and it's people willing to openly learn and educate from their own experience who make us collectively taller.
This one video is the reason why I like your channel. It's because you show that anyone can make a mistake and how to rectify it. Keep up the good work.
Yes it you still talk too much
Thank you very much. Now if I can just find a way to make a few less mistakes the videos would be a little shorter lol.
Another thing a cheaper option than the bench dog disc's is to washers ( a lot cheaper).
@Bobtheslob-bi9ng I'm definitely not brilliant Bob. Far from it.
Just got yourself a new subscriber. Your humbleness in addressing "mistakes" you've made and the comments to them was refreshing. I look forward to watching more of your work.
Thats really kind Michael. Great to have you around the channel.
Thank you. Absolutely love you videos. Keep them coming and keep talking. 😊😊😊
Man, that is really kind and so generous. Thank you very much.
Ignore all the personal hit pieces people put out. They're vicarious woodworkers and don't really care about you. You're already doing more than they are. Honest criticizes want to elevate and help not tear down and belittle. They do that to themselves. God bless. I enjoy your monologues, they contain nuggets I can glean!
Thank you very much. I chuckled at monologues, describes it perfectly.
One of the best things about woodworking and making is that there is no right or wrong way to do something, just your way and my way, whatever gets the job done :)
Could not agree more. Well said.
Thanks for giving a good example on how honesty looks like. Love it. Keep it up. You inspire me to keep making
Thats very kind., Thank you.
Thank You for using your blade guard and encouraging it’s use a simple way to prevent many if not most table saw injuries
Well done!! Already one of my favorite channels and my level of respect for what you do has greatly increased. Thank you.
Thank you so much . I really do appreciate it.
I believe mistakes are the best way to learn Mark so a massive thank you for your honest and open approach. We all benefit from this so much.
Love your presentation style, so for me, you don’t talk too much 😂
Found your advice about the workbench really useful because I was going to copy your build literally!
In short, keep up the work. It’s all great.
Cheers
Mark
Thnak you for all of that Mark. Much appreciated.
Thank you for the follow up show. Really appreciate the honesty. Keep on making great content!!
Thank you Tom.
Anyone that think you talk to much can mute! I love your format and have learned so much since coming across your site.
I love your honesty and the fact that you do not hide mistakes, cause that is how we learn too...
Agree!
Thank you so much . I really do appreciate it.
Greetings from New Jersey in the US... Thank you so much for your videos, and particularly this one! Your videos are entertaining, informative, humble, and honest. Your efforts are very much appreciated. Your concept of workshop wins is one of my biggest takeaways from this video. It's just so smart to take a small amount of time to do something productive that will ultimately make certain tasks easier. BRAVO SIR!!
Please keep up the great work.
Wow, what a lovely comment. Thank you. Im so happy that the workshop wins resonated with you. Its helped me no end.
Great video Mark, this is one of the things I like about your channel, your honesty and willingness to show, as well as talk about the mistake you make along the way. Nobody is perfect and if anyone says they do not make mistakes, I would not believe it. Keep the great content coming.
Thank you Jim. Very much appreciated.
I hope commenters have been gentle and constructive with their criticisms to you. Likely not. You are such a positive person, you don't deserve rude hater comments but I admire you for taking them and keeping your spirit so positive!
you know, on the whole I am very lucky. 99% are positive offerings of constructive criticism and I will take that. Other channels are not so lucky. And thank you.
I very much like your push stick and push pad with the handle far back behind the rear. It lets you complete your cut without having your hand over the blade at any time. Cheers.
I really like them, though a few people dont. Makes me feel safe though.
Thanks for talking about the blade guard. It winds me up when I see UA-cam videos where the blade board isn't fitted because beginners could think thats ok. I find it refreshing that you can talk openly about your mistakes.
Agreed. Personally as a viewer I don't mind seeing the blade guard or feel it detracts from the viewing experience. I can still see the wood being fed into the blade, and I mostly just think, "Oh, this UA-camr is putting safety first. Cool."
Thank you very much.
I hate the trolls on UA-cam I say to them get a life and learn how to live and let live. Keep doing what your doing your content is great and your the most honest dude on UA-cam
Thank you so much . I really do appreciate it.
Great video Mark. Very relatable especially the work bench.
Thank you Ross. Much appreciated.
Hi Mark
Social media has lots of drawbacks when you put yourself out there you open yourself up to all kinds of challenges don’t change a thing about your style or delivery
Your channel is on of the few that remain open honest and more importantly relatable to us in YT land thanks for all your endeavours
Keep producing what you do, keep talking and ignore the nah sayers… I started my adventure because of you, truly because of you…. The simplicity give inspiration, the mistakes we all make but you put everything in to perspective and it gives me a boost and look forward to your video’s 👍🏼
Hi David. Wow, thank you very much. That means so much. honestly.
More talking, please!
LOVE your channel
Thank you Mike. Very much appreciated.
I consume a lot of inspiring woodworking content and it gives me a lot of ideas to think about. But I learn a lot more from creators giving tempered, well adjusted "mistake" videos. Thanks!
Thank you so much . I really do appreciate it.
Keep talking ... I really enjoy your videos. I have independently made just as many mistakes as you without your help 😀. My workbenches are two office desks from where I used to work. I added some wheels and an MFT on one. My wife tells me I am always making things to make things, and she's right. Good fun isn't it? All the best Mark. Derek, Tadcaster, North Yorkshire.
Making things to make things, that should be the name of this channel lol. Brilliant. And thank you Derek.
Everyone has an opinion, but not everyone is right.
Keep up the great work 👍
especially me lol.
I like your tongue in cheek comments :). Great tips - luv the updates.
As for the rollers on the bigger fence plate, they’re mounted on a top T-track. Your “basic” fence plate has one of those, so need for a separate plate; mount them to the “basic” one. In fact, you could fold the, up when not necessary, instead of removing.
I tried sadly but it all god too bulky. But it is possible.
What I like about this community is the willingness of most to admit and show mistakes where they could easily have been edited out. On my management courses I learned ‘keep it sweet and simple’ KISS for me it should be ‘keep it simple stupid’. And at least you always use your riving knife. Keep up the good work and have a successful week 🌞
THX for the continous good advice and great attitude!
And thank you for the support.
Just a simple thought for your shop vac, consider cutting a hole into the shelf so it can slide through it and fit under the bench
I think there is a 2 by 4 cross piece below it. I will have to take a look,. Thank you.
Don't listen to the naysayers Mark, Keep talking it's what make you you👍. I recently had to change the wheels on my workbench from 50mm wheel to 100mm wheels, the smaller wheels couldn't take the strain anymore. This lifted my bench up considerably (bigger wheel bracket as well) and now I'm looking at ways to lower the table down a bit. I think we'll always be looking to improve/change things no matter how perfect we think stuff is🤔.
Good video as always Mark.........simply genius 🤪
Thank you Martin. Appreciated as always. I think I need larger wheels now too. Mine is so heavy lol.
@startmaking1 I can recommend the change Mark (apart from the added height in my case). The bigger wheels make the bench soooooooo much easier to move👍
@martinthorp7609 cheers bud. Will take a look
Nice share Mark. Mistakes or just the best you could do at the time. We all get things wrong for sure, but honest mistakes are ok. Safety is the individuals choice, that's why I don't have a table saw. Your site is great, honest and a brilliant resource. Keep it up. No time for people who just want to bring others down. You have improved my woodworking such a lot. Thanks matey.
Hey Ian. My table saw is still the one tool I respect more than any other. I totally get why people avoid them . I really want a saw stop, not to use it wrong but as a fail safe. Maybe in time. Appreciate the comment bud. tHank you.
Great video mark, takes a man to admit his mistakes 🍻
I just finished up the second glue-up of my new workbench, which is the first real workbench that I've ever built. Fortunately so far I've avoided a lot of mistakes. One thing that helped was for me to just build stuff without a workbench for a while and see what it was that I had a difficult time doing. I've also spent 3 months watching workbench builds and seeing what's possible. Mine will ultimately be 4'x8' but it's a bench for just my table saw and then three 4'x2' benches, each slightly different but mostly using some common parts so I can cut a lot of them at once. I built a portable MFT table a few weeks ago and that's been helpful, but now it'll be integrated into the new workbench although it will also still be removable if I need to take it somewhere. I've got a pretty decent dust collection system as well, and my crosscut sled is a hybrid of three different videos that I've seen on youtube. It's going well so far; just need to take my time and be sure to spend enough time actually drawing up plans. I wish I'd learned some sort of autocad program a while ago, but I've spent probably 10 hours or more just making accurate drawings of what I wanted to build and that's already saved me a bunch of time and prevented several mistakes.
Wow, that bench sounds brilliant. Well done. Love the planning.
Love this Mark! The bit at the end: trolls and gatekeepers... so true! You have kept me busy during 2024, and have inspired me to 'keep making'. I'm looking forward to 2025 in the workshop. Wishing you, your family, and subscribers a happy, healthy and dusty new year 😊.
Thank you Iain. Thank you for coming along for the journey. Very much appreciated.
Just wanted to wish you well with your channel and say I've really enjoyed watching over the last year and look forward to seeing more of the same 👍
Thank you so much . I really do appreciate it.
I was thinking about Stair Gauges when I saw your tip on using speed squares for angles, and although inexpensive they are Not Free.
A small piece of scrap wood and a bit of tape is close enough to free. I still think your tip is valid and useful for someone starting out on a tight budget or very occasional use.
Just my two pence (coincidently about the same cost as a piece of scrap wood and a small amount of tape)
I love that thought. I only mentioned the stair gauges so people can choose. Chances are I will lose mine and still resort back to a block of wood.
Great info on blade guard. I try to use mine as much as possible, but I’m still new enough I don’t trust pushing stock and not seeing when it encounter the blade. Stupid excuse, it there you have it. I have the same table saw you do. It should also have a kickback claw, as well. I believe it’s under the back right corner. You have to pull a pin out (toward center) to release if from the holder holder. It does require the blade guard to mount.
I will take a look for it. Thank you for the advice.
Respect bro.everybody will get things wrong but it takes a real man to swallow his pride and admit it and right previous wrongs
Thank you. And to be honest I find it quite cathartic too.
A great video as always. :)
My turn to give YOU some advice Mark - don't be too hard on yourself, making mistakes is a part of the learning process. Your videos capture many many people so you are doing really good. :)
Thank you so much . I really do appreciate it. Very good advice.
Excellent video as always. Keep up the good work.
Thank you very much.
Love your honesty.
Thank you.
Love the channel Mark. Though like you said just walk away if you don’t agree but we are all here to get ideas or to get those pesky problems sorted in the shop. Keep it up and look forward to what’s ahead this year. 👍🏻🇦🇺
Thank you so much . I really do appreciate it.
You quickly became my favourite channel on UA-cam. I love your can-do attitude and your willingness to admit mistakes. Your bench cookies are great as they are, but hockey pucks are cheap. (Yes, I am a Canadian, how did your guess?)
If you remove the bottom "floor" of plywood from your dust extractor cubby, you will regain 19mm, plus the thickness of the 2x4 and floor gap.
Absolutely the best video you have ever done BRAVO!
Thank you very much.
I love this. Thanks for your candor!
Thanks bud. Enjoy your weekend.
I'm quite far into the process of setting up my workshop. I've watched 100s of UA-cam videos that have given me ideas of how to build or of which ones to buy, all at a price I'm not willing to pay. You on the other hand have given me ideas I can afford and items I actually need. We are all learning, that's the best part of this journey. Your time and presentations are greatly appreciated 😁👊
I've watched several of your videos, and this one is my favorite. Because of it, I have liked and subscribed to your channel. Thanks for the content. It's really good!
Great video. Peoples work bench are definitely for their own needs. In the past I used a 22 inch tall bench to help build cabinets. I needed something flat to build on and my floor was not flat + I did not like building on the floor. I later use that bench on a rolling base to make it taller for hand work. Keep up the good work and best wishes in the new year.
Thanks for the ideas over the last year. We all make mistakes, What's great is you acknowledge them and inform us to save us making the same ones. Keep experimenting and making things 😄
Also, with the push sticks, if you steepened the angle of the handle and made it a little shorter, you'd be more over the wood your cutting which might be safer perhaps?
As a small channel even I feel the pressure of building everything the right way. Then I remember that my channel is not educational so I keep doing things my way. (There is no way around justifying that circular saw track though. Maybe you were rushing to send out a video. I am sure you have a good reason behind it)
lol, I know how you feel. And that is why I always try to stay in the inspire category rather than teaching. As for the track, it's odd to me that I didnt even consider a different way. I think it is from years of the circular saw being my only means of cutting and only ever using it one sided. I released the initial video the same day that Alex from grey otter did his and from 1 minute of watching his I knew I had got it really wrong,. Thats why these videos are vital for me.
Great video brother keep up the good work, and don't let the negative people get to you . I respect your honesty and positive attitude. Thank you for the lesson on humility.
Thanks Jimmy. Very much appreciated.
I watch, coz you motivate me to go to my shed and make something. I am definitely just a old guy making things that I enjoy. From rubbish to sawdust. But I'm having fun and finding my own calm space . Keep doing what you are doing, coz 74k watching- think you are doing ok by us.
Great video. Going to watch several times to catch all the tips
Thanks Martin. Very much appreciated.
Love it. Keep it up.
Thank you.,
Wow, I lost all my comments when I hit the wrong key with my hammy hands. Anyway, the gist of it was that this video is a bit like, "Zen and the Art of Woodworking." Woodworking is not for dopes and you do well because you are willing to be introspective and admit you were wrong, but then move forward and correct the problem. Remember that haters will hate, dismiss them. Then, your final thoughts were brilliant! As a former infantryman, I live by the acronym: KISS (keep it simple, stupid). Lots of us want to pat ourselves on the back for having done something very intricately, but the same result could probably have been achieved easier and quicker. Mark, keep doing what you do. Thanks for your thoughtful content, it helps all of us.
Hey bud. Ah yes fat fingers, the bane of my existence. Love that KISS, I need that in big letters somewhere in the workshop. And thank you for continually watching, offering honest feedback and support.
@@startmaking1 Looking forward to the next one.
If I wasn’t already a subscriber, this would make me one. This is probably more instructive and helpful than your non-mistakes, because (among other things) you show why each error was less desirable. But you also bring in the experience of all your viewers-outstanding!
Thank you very much. Thats really nice to hear.
A thicknesser sled is by far the most used jig in my shop mark - and thankfully I was using mine the other way round from the start (courtesy of reading your comments!) Great video, admitting your mistakes is the only way to improve!
It's a really good one isnt it. Simple too.
Wow... so much talking...
Kidding! Love the honesty!
Thank you. Very much appreciated.,
Great info, thanks for sharing! I was considering several of these upgrades and this was really helpful!
All advice is good it just needs to be used with common sense and a bit of "what works for your situation" mistakes are natural you just need to LEARN from them and learning from those that have made mistakes before you is essential and that i think is the BEST part of all of you You Tube creators you show us the things that work and dont work , some platforms dont!!!! thanks for ALL of your advice, knowledge ,experiences and tips from others out there!! enjoy the new year and i hope to see MANY more fun, instructional and Honest videos from your site
I could not agree more. When I started I watched a lot of makers who seemed to be perfect and I found it a little demoralising as I was so prone to mistakes. Thank you for all your support.
I built my mobile table saw bench to fit and store my tablesaw sled with a few drawers underneath and it slides in on top and flush with em with a pull handle that is also a small hand guard from the blade made sense to me since it fit right in-between the support legs when I was redoing the bench
Brilliant thinking. Simple Genius right there.
This video is Simple Genius! Great video
Thats very kind. thank you.
Everyone watching videos are looking for ideas,"what are other people doing?" I take it as that just another way of doing things. Nice job on your ways.
What a great way of looking at it. Thank you.
Just an idea (or 2) for you .......
If your dust extractor is 10mm too tall why not cut a hole in the base that it can slide into and fix a lower platform below your existing base? You could have a round hole and slide the vac base first into the hole tipping it upright when it is in enough!
Handles. Buy one of the grippy adhesive handles for racquets. It is a very good grip (you don't want your expensive squash racquet to go flying out of your hand into the wall) so gripping your handle is easy ...... you get a choice of colours too!
Exactly what I thought when he said that...there's quite a bit of room under that ply base that could be used
I agree,but,just cut that shelf out. The leg next to it should have enough weight on it to stay put.
Love the ideas thank you.
Hi Mark, Good advice as ever, full off tips ans ideas and improvements to the workshop.
The good thing about your channel it's honest and a good mix of what works and what doesn't work, it's real that why I enjoy your channel. Keep on making video's and I will keep on watching them. As always a great video catch you soon, take care
Intelligent, honest and articulate.
Thank you John. Very much appreciated.
I made the MatchFit jig like yours, but for 2 uses: 1) Jointing Jig like you showed, and 2) As a tall table saw fence
Love the second idea. This is simple genius.
Good honest video. We learn things on everything we make, whether a jig, bench or piece of furniture. There s a wealth of knowledge and valuable feedback in 70k subscribers 👍🏻.
It’s a journey and acknowledging where we could do things better is how we develop and build our skills.
Keep up the good work.
All true words Andy. Thank you.
like the honest comments we all make mistakes , no one is perfect and we all learn from mistakes made
Thank you Brian.
Excellent Mark
Thank you Chris. Very much appreciated.
Nice that you have reflected...... your skills have really moved on from your early start and your subscriptions reflect that....well done....its always a pleasure to watch you .....talk too much? maybe but at least you have a voice thats not too abrasive.......thankyou as always for the content and time in editing and producing videos
I used to follow one of those fb groups or youtube channels you mentioned. I left because it moved from teaching to just being a mouthpiece for high end tool.
Thats fair enough. thank you.
Great video mate! Love the honesty. I am building a workbench atm. Seemed like we had some similar ideas. Looking forward to see you in 2025 and all your really cool ideas
Hey bud. Thank you. Hope the big shop clean went well. We definitely have a similar way of looking at the workshop and what it needs.
@@startmaking1 as well as that goes 😂😂😂 new thumbnail is really good mate
It takes a lot of guts to admit when you get things wrong, then actually make a video about it. In the unlikely event I get something wrong someday, I may consider doing the same.
Lol, Thank you Lee. Great to see you releasing a video too. Will watch it later. Looking forward to it.
Keep it up mate - you are one of my “go to/how to do it” channels. We all make mistakes - I think that’s half of the fun - as long as we make mistakes carefully and safely then all’s good! Ignore the trolls - they lack imagination and probably don’t even make stuff! Now, have you done a vid on birdboxes - I’m having a grand old play with designs and fixings and and and…… all the best for another year. Oh, and I should have added - my workbench is an abomination, but it will do for now and isn’t slowing me down in making stuff! :-)
Thank you so much . I really do appreciate it. I did a bird table once and surprisingly it is still standing as it was very early in my journey. Not done a box yet,
Thanks Mark for yet another great video, always enjoyable, informative and fun, keep 'em coming, stay lucky and.... for what it's worth I don't think you talk too much!!
Great video!
Thank you Christopher. Very much appreciated.
Great video! Regarding the vacuum being too tall to fit under the workbench. Since the ceiling cannot be raised, could the floor be lowered? Just a thought, doubtless suggested by others already and/or considered by you and may be impractical. Keep up the fine work and may this new year bring continued success.
It's a good thought. I think I didnt do it as there is a 2 by 4 frame piece below the floor. I do have another plan though as in truth this vacuum is not all that good. and there are far more smaller ones that work better.
The benchdogs quad dogs have been a game changer for me, especially after routing my own holes that ended up slightly too large.
good advice. I saw the quad dogs. Look amazing.,
@ it’s turned my risking a non-square cut into a perfect square cut with the Dave Stanton dog locks on my track.
@djstuc brilliant
I thoroughly enjoy listening to you! Talk more!
Thats very kind. And appreciated,
wise words... have a good work time.
Thanks bud.
With the spot you wanted to put the vacuum, if you remove the floor board, you can tuck the vacuum behind the face board and set it down to the floor.
As far as the people saying you talk too much, they can just stop the video!
I have enjoyed EVERY one of your videos that I have seen so far, and never once have I thought you were talking too much! Even if I might not agree with something you say, I can still look at your opinion, and see how it may, or may not work for me!!!
Keep up the great videos, and remember, it's YOUR channel, and you can talk all you want!
Great video. I am subscribed now. Thank you.
Thank you Chuck. Much appreciated.
Mark, your bench cookies and dog cookies are
another good place for the, netting style, gripy
shelf liner. 3M Spray Adhesive work well, for
mounting it. (on anything) 😁✌🖖
By they way ... when playing around with electrical stuff ... remember ... (hopefully) you will never find a switch on an angle grinder staying "on" after power loss. It's allways jumping back into "off" and you have to restart the grinder. Otherwise ... think what happens when you put the plug in and the grinder starts on itself.
Very good advice. Thank you
Best year in review
Thank you very much.
Thanks Mark for an excellent video. The smartest woodworkers always show their "oh shit" moments or jobs they wished they had done differently but these then become the upgrade jobs and learning experiences (and hopefully without too much blood). 🏴👍🏻
Thank you. Very much appreciated.
Thank you for sharing your not perfect work as well as things that could make them better. I think it helps most people. I would like to know about the metal dog hole fillers please.
Thank you. Very much appreciated. do you mean the caps. They are just from bench dogs UK. Pretty good value imo.
Thanks as ever Mark, these learning from mistakes videos are as important as anything else posted. Curious as to whether your vacuum would fit in that space below your bench if you cut a hole in that lower shelf, or is it sitting on the frame?
Annoyingly I considered this but there is a 2 by 4 frame in the way. I could flip the table and move it. Actually, I dont know if I am strong enough to flip the table lol.
Hi Mark,
All feedback is a gift but some gifts are just plain stupid! ;)
Your ‘warts and all’ approach is one of the main reasons I tuned into you in the first place. I’m currently halfway through my workbench build but it’s taking some time because I’m making it completely from reclaimed wood (channeling my inner Dainsy) but your lessons along the way have been invaluable in giving me ideas of things to do and not do. Talking of Hongduing (see what I did, there?) I love the little side clamp you made for the Hongdui mitre and fence. It’s my number 1 lust item and when I finally pluck up the courage to spend that much on a mitre & fence, I’m going to be storing it channelling my inner Francis.
One question, where did you get the extruded aluminium for your extended fence from?
Finally, as for comments about you talking too much, other channels are available.
Keep making!
Hey Roger. Love the feedback comment bud. And thank you. Wow, a bench from reclaimed wood, I cant imagine the extra work this is adding. I am making a small side table from wood from a desk and it is driving me nuts all the extra steps. But then free is free I keep telling myself. I only just moved the fence to the side of my workbench and in truth it was because when it was hung on the wall I was too lazy to grab it and thats just silly. It's a brilliant bit of kit. I dont know if it is better than any others as I have little to compare it with but I dont treat it perfectly and it is still dead on accurate. All the bells and whistles I dont really use, 90 and 45 degrees and the stop guide is about all. I dont even use the measurements as that would mean removing the crown guard to get the fence close enough to the saw blade. I got the aluminium extrusion from ooze nest. You may want to spend longer than I did researching as I am sure you can get some that fits clamps and t track bolts etc better than the stuff I got. The smaller one I will use a lot, ie without rollers , is light and that is why I didnt look further. I hope this helps and I want to see a picture of the bench when it is done. Cheers bud.
Nice video. I've been asking myself more and more whether it is even reasonable to expect myself to get it right the first time. Especially if I am making something that I want to have aesthetic appeal I just plan to do a series. Drawings help, planning helps, but it's not real to me until it's in my hand. Should tools be any different? It's like an editing process. Maybe it's better to get your idea down and out, be creative, and then refine or discard.
I think that we are built in a similar way. I cant plan, never have been able to. I picture something and then just start making.
If started using your French cleat brackets in my shop they’re a great idea.
Love hearing that Matt. Thank you.
@ I posted a short with it if y want to see what I’ve done
Oooops, almost forgot.
Your conical Lazy Susan tool holder looks great. 😁✌🖖
Great video as normal, like you channel, we need a shop tour video 👍(if you are taking requests 🤣)
3:26 corner hexagon shelf
Pretty close bud.