I turned a 2x3 stud into a serving tray, without drawing any plans.
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- Опубліковано 8 лют 2025
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Watching you for six years now. Still one of the best on UA-cam.
Your safety procedures on the table saw are excellent and all hobby woodworkers should pay attention.
Feels like the old days. I miss those days. Thanks for sharing this great video.
I really miss your project videos. This one is sooo good. I make so many mistakes, and to see you make some of the same ones, gives me courage to try new things.
Maybe by "winging it" the Rob Wing way, more mistakes creep in. You may want to clip your wings a bit and use a pencil and paper! Question: Did your Great Grandfather invent the "wingnut"?
I never tire of watching your videos or project content (new, old, big, or small). You've got an excellent, fun, easy, and thoughtful way to your style and channel content. I would be remiss to say I miss your regular videos as in years past. Thanks for the down-to-earth style and unfancy yet approachable way you instill confidence in us new nonexpert woodworkers. 👌
Hello emanuel, don't forget me
As a hobbyist woodworker, without any particular deadlines, I love the process of building slowly, taking a step, and then considering what the next step should be. It feels like art, where something is emerging from the wood, rather than I’m just following directions. And, also, I do love following plans when there’s something specific I want. So I love that you are supporting both approaches. You have been such an inspiration on my woodworking journey- thank you!
I absolutely love this video, Steve. It took me back to the good old days when you made so many great projects that we amateur weekend woodworkers with limited tools and limited funds could tackle and complete. Thanks for doing another project video for us and thanks for so many projects in the past. I've made many of them. My younger daughter has several bedside tables, two closets organized ala WWMM, a paper towel holder, a coffee table and two beds that you helped me make.
Thanks again.
One of your most relatable videos for me! The fun of woodworking for me is the design challenge, working within the limits of the tools and materials on hand. That creative challenge is something I miss out on when following plans.
Keep making videos like this. You're trying new things (no plans!) and setting limitations on yourself (one construction grade 2x3!) and you seem to be having fun making videos. You know...like the old days!
"You know...like the old days!" Ditto! Finally, a woodworking video from Steve containing real content. Leave the "Shorts" to tik-tok.
I've been making long videos for months.
@@SteveRamsey if you're making long videos of content other than interviews/commentary, I guess I'm not seeing them either. 🙁
@@rem7751 I haven't posted interviews on this channel in over a year. I post lots of long form content.
@@SteveRamsey thanks for the clarification Steve. Obviously when I watch any video by you I didn't make a distinction of which channel it was coming from. I looked back at my history and see that I watched all of your project videos too (as always). And I guess in my mind I co-mingled all of that into somehow thinking you weren't making as many project videos.
I'm a novice woodworker, and the times that I have made things without formal plans have felt like much larger achievements. Of course, when I do use plans, I use plans downloaded off the web rather than making my own. Anyway, thanks for the encouragement to just get out there and get to work on it.
Most of us start out highly reliant on other people's plans. I strongly encourage you to try making your own! It's very satisfying to want to make something and not be at the mercy of someone else's pre-existing design. You don't have to build a 3-D model to make plans. Working out the basic math on paper and then putting it to the test in the shop is fun and satisfying, especially if you're like me and HATED math in school. Even if you make mistakes along the way, you learn from them for future projects. Start planning small and simple projects like boxes made from inexpensive materials to reduce the stakes and make the mistakes more acceptable.
@@GrapplingIgnorance and if you do use someone elses plans or idea, (ive stolen lots of ideas ) fix the parts that you dont like, change the angle, make it taller or shorter.. take a good idea and make it better
I really like this no plans/winging it video. I never think of recording when I'm just sort of playing around with scrap wood. Really shows your talent!
Awesome to see you back in the workshop Steve, you’ve been missed here. Keep more coming.
Sir you absolutely popped off with this one! Great job on the tray! Very nice to be reminded not everything has to be perfect!
Good to see you build something. Enjoyed watching you build it. I also love your honesty, you are REAL.
The projects I've made with plans ussually turn out better but winging it is alot more fun. The tray turned out great!
I love how you are always up for doing new things and using the cheapest materials to make awesome projects! Thanks for all the ideas :)
Hello mr anot,, how are u
@@Zie_carpentry Good
@@tyanot8101 thank you
I really like the style of filmmaking you are trying Steve. Talking over footage of you working, the sounds of the shop, and the natural feel to the lighting are so new and enjoyable.
This style of video you're posting is very enjoyable to watch and learn from.
I've almost exclusively winged-it, and for the most projects, my working memory makes it work. Recently I turned a shelf project into a dual (mirrored for a room corner) shelf thingy, but couldn't match the reclaimed 40mm by 40mm central post/support piece, so I decided to remake with 42*42mm stock I can get locally. After doing it initially then twice, I was pretty happy when my wife approved and ordered a second pair of shelves for the other side of the room. Being the first time I was repeating a project I confidently layed out, cut out, and fit/finished all the parts. Then I discovered that the 120mm shelves weren't 140mm shelves. I wondered why the $27 DAR pine board was $21.60 at check out, but didn't catch my mistake until final glue-up. Duh. $0.02 Loving it Steve, thought I'd share.
I love the video. Reminds me of some of your earlier videos. I enjoy making things on the fly. Recently made a wood Christmas tree skirt/box. Tried a few different things that didn't work in the process. But my wife loved it.
Another great project. So good to see another full length video again. Great demonstrations and explanations. Well done Steve.
Love this, Steve! The tray looks great! I agree that sometimes just going with it and working things out on the fly can be a mind freeing experience! (It definitely helps that you use cheap construction lumber though. I wouldn't want to "wing it" with a piece of walnut. Anyway, great video, looking forward to your next one!
Steve it's good to see you posting some wood working video's. I kinda miss you talking in the video as opposed to a voice over. There was no sarcasm we love the witty Steve.
Shoulda watched my Halloween video lol
Great to see another project video! This was fun, and had a great pace to it.
Winging it is what I do 😆 . Then if I come up with something I like, then I go back and measure it all up and sometimes even make templates so that I can batch them out.
Either with a plan or just free form, I think the results depend on your artistic vision of the completed project. I like simple and fun projects like this, Thank you Steve!
So glad to see you back in the shop making dust!
I'm currently making a similar tray also with a few simple 20 degrees angles and boy is it significantly more complicated than just squares! :O Great job Steve!
❤love seeing you muck about in the garage and enjoying just (what I’d call) puttering. Good to see a project video too.
Love the toss back to more your old school project videos.
Gotta say I agree with the theme of this one. I have been woodworking about a decade now & made some really nice stuff, but I am always working off an idea in my head, or a sketch I made on some graph paper. Never bit the bullet on software...and I do spend a lot of time staring at boards, letting them tell me how to orient them.
“And it’s gonna come with some challenges that I look forward to.” I love it
i enjoyed watching that. And youre right sketch up isnt needed for design but what i like about it is that you build your project virtually while youre doing your drawing, and you get to see proportions.. sketch up isnt hard to learn, if you can draw it on paper you can draw it using sketch up, but that doesnt mean that you wont encounter surprises when you get to building it with wood.. i think its all about having fun and feeling the pride when you have your finished project in your hand.
Thanks for showing that you can do it without plans. I enjoyed your voice over narrative and telling us what you're thinking. It looks like coffee is a necessary woodworking tool also.
By the way I enjoy reading your newsletters. Everybody should subscribe to it!!!!
Thank you! And yes, I agree about coffee.
I enjoy watching you create and problem solve. Doing so inspires me to do the same within my own shop. I also appreciate your leaving any mistakes made, in the video to share what you learned with us, and to remind us that everyone makes mistakes regardless of skill/experience level. I know for me, at least, coming up with a creative way of correcting my mistakes often leaves me with a greater sense of accomplishment at the end. Now if you'll excuse me, I have a serving tray to design with pencil and paper in my "project ideas," quad ruled notebook. 😁😁
Love how it turned out. Great information. Good to see you in your shop! I like the natural-looking finish also. All the best to you. Peace and Good Fortune and Good Health to you and your family.
Excellent off the cuff project video Steve! Just like the old days! 👍👍🔨🔨
Steve, Thank you for sharing your thinking processes. Coming from such an experienced woodworker you still demonstrate the "mere mortal-ness" in all of us. It's nice to see you in your natural element, seamlessly using all your tools without restricting yourself to the "$1000 tool list". Nicely done.
Wayne kitt 👍👍✅
I really enjoyed seeing the problem solving you did in this video. Thanks for sharing!
I loved this! Especially the staring at the boards part. I do it all the time. I keep meaning to learn sketchup. Really neat tray, too. Thank you, Steve!
For those of us with small shops, I appreciate seeing you moving your equipment around to be able to use them.
Great work Steve. This kind of projects are so satisfying when you finish them. With only plans that you have in your head. Waiting for more videos like this.
I really like the Steve vérité of you drinking coffee in your shop and staring at wood. In that moment you really broke down that fourth wall. I really like the end result, too.
What a refreshing change watching someone working with tools and materials that are within reach of us mortals! For complex projects I create a 3D CAD model, the generate drawings. For simple things I enjoy planning as I build, or working to a rough pencil sketch.
I love this video. It was a study in easy does it, trust your guts, and don't sweat mistakes. I've learned a lot from you and appreciate that you're out there keeping it interesting and fun. Cheers!
Checking this videos for inspiration in my outdoor shop. Although it is pretty cold outside now in here.
Really love the video Steve, it's been a long time you've made a project video. Thanks!! Hope your weekend will be great!!
Well, it's been a month since my last project video, but thanks!
Yes I've seen that after I commented the video but somehow UA-cam doesn't show your video's to me that often...but anyway I love these video's!
You know...I also didn't see a Halloween video...did I also miss that?
Since im trying to dip my foot in woodworking as an hobby, seeing this back to basics videos are really nice :)
I think that when I was beginning my woodworking journey… I NEEDED a plan. Now that I’ve been doing it for 10 years (started with watching YOU)… I feel more comfortable creating from an idea. It’s been fun doing things both ways. There are times for both. Sometimes I just want to be creative. Sometimes I want to be productive.
Very much appreciate your comments regarding dimension and design. It is very freeing to let aesthetic and your eye do the measuring. I do the same with boxes I make. Great to see a woodworker that isn't loaded with high-end equipment. Well done and thanks!
Love this format! And the detailed explaining. Lovely tray!
I really happy to see making projects on the fly. It is always a fun challenge to go back to just making and item without all of the design time! If find it refreshing to challenge myself by making something on the fly
some of my most relaxing and rewarding times in my woodworking experiences have come from starting with a pencil drawing just sketched out. Thanks for giving this concept some air time
My several attempts at learning Sketch Up proves that sticky notes/junk mail envelopes and pencil works the best.
Thanks for the fun project!
I always love your videos. You always make it easy to understand what you were thinking and at least motivates me to keep going. Keep them coming please
Thank you!
@@SteveRamsey I also need to start using plans. Everything I build is from my head. Lol
I am a hobby woodworker and I build mostly furniture for myself. Steve's channel really helped me get serious with this.
I only ever do rough sketches on paper, because no plan survives contact with implementation in my shop. I just do not have the experience to know what works, what looks good, or what I want exactly.
The information necessary for detailed plans becomes available just after the project is done. 😄
It’s what attracted me to your channel in the first place: ideas for projects that we can do without a fancy shop. I can’t tell you the number of videos I’ve turned off at “jointer and planer”. I don’t have either. I’m interested in your cart and table designs. During Covid (JUST as I FINALLY had money with 6 children; I’d gone back to work at NASA) router tables became IMPOSSIBLE to find. So I have a gimpy router with the adjustment dial fallen off and no table for it. I just madly wave it in the air and hope I don’t hurt myself. I’m female and 68. You make me feel that I can continue to do woodworking by making my own tool supports. Also: we raised 6 children: 4 engineers and 2 therapists who say engineers are crazy (they aren’t wrong). One of the therapists recently began woodworking last year, primarily inspired by your videos. I am very proud. For my birthday she made me a cutting board inscribed with a set of 8 octopus arms appearing from the side, done with wood burning. I treasure it, doubly so because I love those cheesy 1950’s giant monster movies and she rolls her eyes at them. Yet made me a cutting board I love 😂
Great video and project as always Steve. I think i'll give this one a go!
Im glad you are doing project videos again. I missed these very much.
Off the hip projects are awesome! You never know what you’ll come up with. Nice job.
The most important thing to me is what you said about how this was a project made for your personal experience level. I'm still new (just over halfway through your weekend woodworker course), but recently I made a small shelf for my kitchen spices. The shelf was going to hold very little weight and have almost no stress applied to it ever, so I knew I could make something dead-simple. While it was just three pieces and two butt joints, there's no way I would have felt as comfortable building it from scratch with no instructions or plans a year ago, and the end product certainly wouldn't have looked as nice. What will I be able to wing-it on a year from now? It's exciting to imagine.
Thanks for everything, Steve.
Love the project videos. Thanks!
I love seeing different people do things different ways. I know it was a little thing to you but when you made the sides shorter than used those cutoffs to set the fence to know the bottom would fit perfectly it blew my mind
I enjoyed this. A lot of small projects, such as boxes, that I make are made with a similar technique, where I have some kind of general measurement of the thing the box needs to fit (or fit inside) and then I balance that with the materials I have on hand and decide if I can make it an inch or 2 smaller if the material dictates it, or if I need to go purchase additional stock. I recently made a wooden milk crate for a Halloween display and I based the dimensions off of a standard commercial milk crate but the construction was based on the 1/2” rough pine I had. I decided, like you did, to just sort of wing it and plan as I went instead of sitting down and drawing it out. I wanted it to be quick and dirty and it was, I probably finished it before I would have been done with the design on the computer. Actually, same thing for a little toolbox I recently made for my timber framing tools, because nothing was critical I just got it done in a much quicker fashion than usual and I really enjoyed it.
Fantastic video and great tray Steve. I found this build so serene and peaceful to watch and especially enjoyed all the coffee sipping moments of contemplation you included. While your frequency of posts may have decreased the quality of them just seems to get even better. Thanks for all you do for the woodworking community! 🙏🏻
I started watching your videos in 2016 and just started again. Really motivating me to get back into my wood shop!
I have adhd, so plans bore me, which results in substandard workmanship. I really enjoyed watching you dry-fitting oversized pieces and seeing the creative juices flowing. That's exactly how I do my best work 😎
Steve great ideas with every day timber, keep these ideas coming mate
Love it. I do a lot of my work on the fly like this. It's definitely a challenge but when your finished the results are satisfying
A lovely, smooth video and a delightful end product, Steve. The angle cuts with the jigsaw were pure sculpture, you went beyond the how-to-make into a more why-we-make zone.
I almost always shoot from the hip when making something, unless it's like cabinet doors or something with critical dimensions. However my "Sketch Up" consist of a pencil and a piece of paper. I just find it to be a lot faster to picture something in my mind and then just make it. I'm glad to see you tackle this project without plans. Keep it up. It only gets easier! Great job on the serving tray. I think I'll try one with all 4 sides angled.
Thanks Steve. Such an enjoyable video to watch. I find myself staring at boards a lot! I enjoy the just winging it sometimes, but I never liked admitting it until now. Fun project. Great looking tray.
Hahahahaha love that you included the typical shot of a bevel gauge on the saw blade but from the back! 😂😂
Lol...adds a bit of mystery!
Yes!! A new video! I don’t care if you make the same stuff. I just love watching you share your experience!
Really good video... I have missed seeing you build... thanks...
Great job Steve. I am similar if i dont have actual plands and measurements then i fluff about looking, testing over and over and waste most the day without getting much done.
Great video Steve!
Steve I really enjoyed this latest article and the video. I do most of my builds this way. I like to start out with a general idea of what I plan to build and let it develops as I go. Thanks again for all your articles and videos, I really appreciate your style and especially your humor.
i really dig your simple approach to things.
This whole video is lovely, but wow what helpful reminders about design. Thank you for sharing!
Hey Steve. My name is Hudson. I wanted to let you know that you have a pocketful of amazing talents. Your projects are incredible and I don’t ever wanted to see you stop. Keep it up. You’re doing awesome!
First, I never make comments on videos. Second, you are the reason I am a woodworker. Finally, I am so happy you have stayed true to your roots. I do not see any Festool, Woodpecker or Sawstop in your shop. You show you do not need high dollar tools (or exotic hardwoods) to make beautiful projects. Please, keep up the videos.
Hi Steve, I really love your work and the words you use. Makes this craft so much more fun. Getting your mind of perfection, In Germany we call this Handwerk. Glad to have found a craftsman like you on UA-cam! Keep up the awesome work. Thank you very much.
Great project! Love the message too
Thank you for saving me.
Your the best.
Woodworking Brother.
Always enjoy seeing you in the shop. Thanks.
This hits along with the newsletter that just came out. I just finished a "free form" charcuterie board inspired by a recent Bourbon Moth holiday gift video. I was amazed at how freeing/enjoyable it was to just let the design/final look emerge as the project unfolded. We tend to get a bit particular and precise as a group but just getting going on the journey not entirely sure of the destination enhanced my satisfaction immensely.
Nice little project, Steve! As a relatively 'new' woodworker I'm constantly on the fence: using plans, winging it, or some sort of blend of winging it according to the plan 😄
Hola!🖐Super nice project and video!👌Looks so satisfying also as you stare into the wood and enjoy a cup of coffee ☕the way woodworking should be. Take care and have a good one, Adios!👊
Thank you for leaving in the Oops! I make mistakes pretty much constantly, as I am very new to this. To see you making regular old Human mistakes at your level takes some of the sting out of my own. This enables less shame and more learning and, Steve, I appreciate you for that!!! Greatly.
To reply to the notion of cad drawings of a project first. I myself, a tinkerer du garage, enjoying making it all up as I go along.
It's weird how genius and foreign it feels to simply move the fence onto the left side. Great work as always!
It really does feel odd!
Sometimes the solution is right in front of you and it’s so simple you have a hard time realizing it.
@@SteveRamsey I do this all the time... I'm left handed so it feels natural to have the fence on the left. I do have to move it for some angles though.
Absolutely... I was like... oh yeah I see the problem hmm how would I fix it... and then like... oh, yeah, of course.
Always love your project videos great watch.
It’s alt more fun to wing it I do it all the time nice job Steve
Thanks Steve, that was so much fun to watch
Thanks for sharing how you think through this exercise! As a noob I find it's great for learning how to turn one shape into another shape. A simple box or a tray makes the learning process easier because there aren't a lot of parts to think about. Ultimately you could go bushcraft/Amish/Grandpa Amu/Rex Krueger with this exercise, because essentially you've turned a small tree into a tray.
Design and assembly is about imagining how a bunch of simple shapes go together into a more complicated shape (that helps you do something). Doesn't matter if it's wood, metal, resin, 3d prints, etc. I agree that ultimately using a CAD program is good for production work, or high value one-off work, but sometimes when you're learning it can help to just play with prototypes and not get all caught up in precise numbers and quality control checks. Learning both a digital skill like CAD and a physical skill like woodworking at the same time can be a lot for the average person.
p.s. also love how you just drew the slot on the part in pencil, and then held it against the table saw to figure out how to cut that angle. one day I hope to be able to plan and measure features like that consistently and accurately, but it's nice to not have to do math when you're learning!
another great video! also, thanks for using an actual flush-cut saw and calling it a flush-cut saw! I always see people calling the regular pull saws flush-cut saws. Anyway, thanks also for your content!
Steve, nice looking tray. The idea of using SketchUp is a good idea. I have an associates degree in mechanical drafting from 50 years ago. I drew plans by hand on a drafting board. I presently use SketchUp Go. It allows you to change directions, dimensions easily. I make cut list with it. Saves me time, money and most importantly adds another skill set designing projects. By using the Go program I can also legally sell plans if I desire. I’m building a four gun cabinet for myself. I’ve had others look at my prospective drawings got great feed back. If someone want a six gun rack I can simply push or pull the pieces to the size I need. You can make for instance the leg of a table a component. This ban be lengthened or shortened. You can draw a mortise in it, or draw it with dowel holes by using the component. This way you can use the basic design numerous way. I print my drawing on bride white paper and put them in non glare protectors in a binder. These can be taken out of the binder brought to the shop. The stay safe, clean and can be put back into an indexed binder for further use. I usually start with a drawing on a piece of paper, then use SketchUp after. You can try the Pro version free for 30 days, or use the free version. The Go version is better than the free has better tool guide access plus you can sell plans. Jay Bates I believe has a great tutorial you can watch and see how he makes plans and cultists. I find I use less lumber, get finer built projects and can alter a design in minutes. Hope this gives you some desire to at least consider looking at SketchUp. And know I don’t sell or get anything from this comment other than helping someone learn a new skill. Have fun, stay safe and keep posting videos. Thanks, John
Thanks for finally showing some woodworking.
I don't think people are getting my videos!
I'VE SAID THIS BEFORE I'LL SAY IT AGAIN. YOUR JIGSAW SKILLS ARE DANG NEAR THE BEST I'VE SEEN YOU MAKE THE CUTS YOU DID LOOK SO EASY AND I'LL BE REAL THAT TAKES A LOT OF PRACTICE TO GET THAT GOOD CUTTING WITH ONE HAND HOLDING THE PIECE AND ONE HAND ON THE JIGSAW