Great video and tips, you have rapdily become one of my UA-cam woodworkers of choice and I never miss a Vid. Have to agree about the "dont point out your mistakes" bit, as I am certainly my own worst critic when it comes to anything like this. My biggest issue at the moment is finding the time to even start a project. We moved house almost a year ago and one of the selling points was the nice 2 car (UK) garage, but I have yet to get my "workshop" set up. time to "Digitus meus e trahere" methinks.
That is so kind thank you. Time is for sure a finite resource. You can only use it once and it can also be the biggest source of self pressure. But, small steps soon add up.
@@CoreyShockey If you can afford one, a Tormek with sharpening guides will give consistent, fast, high quality sharpening results. Yes they are expensive, but if sharpening is the factor that's holding you back a Tormek could literally change your life. I thought I was already pretty darn good at sharpening but the leap in performance from my tools when I got my Tormek told me otherwise. The difference between sharp and ''really sharp' is something we each have to experience to appreciate just how important it is. So a Tormek is definitely a 'cry once' investment, but you'll very soon be smiling like a lunatic.😬
Wisdom, Im not sure. Trial and error followed by realisation is really .how it goes lol. I seem to find it hard not to show all of the errors if I am honest. I cant build without them.
For me, the BEST part of woodworking is Learning New Things! I enjoy using hand tools for the shear joy of watching sharp steel slice wood. Ever since I bought a quality diamond stone, sharpening tools is fun. It's quiet, it's not dangerous, and it doesn't spew dust all over the shop. Fitting joints together is joy!
Hi Mark, great video with lots of sage advice. Re tip 18 'Don't be afraid to use a new tool that you think might be beyond you'... Is it about time to psych yourself up to make friends with your Stanley #45?😂. You know I'm kinda teasing you here buddy, but only because I forsee a future 'thing I wish' video where you wish you'd used it sooner. My tip for new woodworkers is a blend of some of the tips given here, and is 'Don't set high expectations when you start using a hand plane'. My first attempts at planing were awful, the plane jammed and juddered, the mouth constantly clogged and the finish was abysmal. I almost gave up on woodwork entirely! By watching UA-cam videos I did start to progress, but those videos also further raised my expectations to cut gossamer thin shavings leaving a perfect smooth finish. Five years later I'm still learning, but I think I'm pretty close to having perfectly set up planes and enough knowledge and experience to know how to get the best out of them. And if any new woodworkers are thinking "5 years... I might as well give up now!" I will confess that my obsessive love for restoring antique hand tools did slow this process considerably... "Why restore one Bailey style plane when I can restore ten instead". Yeah I know, 'my bad!' But it has been a fascinating and enjoyable journey so actually 'not my bad'... just different expectations. On day one I expected my tools to work perfectly with minimal time spent on their maintenance, now I know to include maintenance time into every project schedule, and by not rushing timely sharpening etc. my tools work really well and reward my efforts.
Hi Bud. You are so right, and I know I keep saying it but I will definitely come round to the 45, soon. Great tip for the plane too, I like it. Expectations are so dangerous in anything that is self taught. I think that there is one or a few things within woodworking that keep us all going . For me it is the French cleat stuff and trying to come up with something innovative. For you it is the restoration. And rushing is my biggest weakness .
Yet again Mark, another fantastic video share. I have been a beginner woodworker for years now and it's fun. I would like to add this bit of advice. Get a first aid kit. Keeping your tools sharp will minimise the damage most blunt hand tool cuts make to your body. First Aid, then call for professional help if needed/worried. Aim small, miss small with all your woodworking cuts. Stay safe out there and enjoy this wonderful hobby.
Hi Ian. That is truly good advice bud. I enjoy being in the beginner low intermediate stages. Takes the pressure right off. Love the aim small miss small idea too. Thanks bud.
Found you for the first time the day after you posted. Only 3 months in to woodworking and devouring all the knowledge i can. Love this video... Now shut up and take my subscription!
As a beginner woodworker of 2 years, I agree with nearly all of this - especially the "don't show people your mistakes" and "be careful who you seek advice from (facebook). Other advice I would give to beginners : Start with the result first : Focus on what you want to achieve : are you making for yourself, friends, family or are you trying to sell the stuff ? Are you prepared to spend money on wood (only one of my projects has involved spending money on wood) Don't worry about your workshop at the start. I started outdoors in good weather only. I used a stack of pallets as my workbench !! JUST GET STARTED - the most fun in a project comes from the screw ups where you have to find a workaround
Your first woodworking project should be making yourself a decent workbench. Then your second project should probably be doing that again. Because let's be honest that first one didn't come out that great.
@@jlynnstapleton9674 I've made a few workbenches over the years and the one I'm using now still isn't my dream bench. But it's good enough so I haven't made a new one. I've thought about it though. With woodworking the bench is a primary tool. It is the workholding device. The shop central focus point. What the work happens on. If you're going to do joinery make yourself a Moxon vise too. I used to use my bench vises for that but stooping over got to be a bit much. When I made a Moxon vise it dawned on me that I should have done it sooner. I have one I clamp to the top of my bench so it's raised up. Bench height it a topic of debate. I favor a low bench myself. You can always raise work up on a bench. Being over work you can bear down on it when you have to. Sometimes I get pretty vigorous with a hand plane.
Really solid advice. The only piece I'd add is to not go too deep too soon in terms of cost and complexity, if you've barely wielded a saw before then going to town on an expensive piece of spalted maple in the hopes of creating a centrepiece of complex angles and friction tight joinery for your front room is probably not wise. Do a mock-up in cheaper wood first so those inevitable mistakes are less costly and leave you more experienced and better prepared
Mark, Great Video…. I can’t tell you how many points that I use exactly like you….. I guess we have walk in each other shoes. You have a real talent for articulating the “woodworkers sole”…. Keep up the good”great” videos… Howard in Arizona
Hi Mark, great to see how your channel and your skills have come on. I first commented on your router video a while back and have watched everything since. Thought I'd drop in and say that it was great to see the cabinet scraper making an appearance it is still one of my favourite tools. During my apprenticeship we were shown how to make them out of old handsaw blade. Something I do to this day, that way you can make any shape you need. With today's good quality cheap handsaws which are not made to be sharpened you quickly get a source of material.
Thank you Gary. The cabinet scraper is just brilliant. I am actually incorporating it in a video not so far in the future as it is truly underrated. Love the idea of making a shape to suit your needs. really clever.
Great advice. I'm two years into my own accumulation of tools and building my workshop. A few good reminders and lot of advice as you stated “I wish I knew earlier”. My favorite and the advice I need to heed the most is “slow down, take breaks, plan, and don't point out the flaws in your work. I've just come across your channel and I've watched three of your videos. Well-presented, were you a school teacher? The problem I'm having is that I want to watch more, but I should be wood working 😁👍👊
You need the same advice as I do. I go at all projects like a bull at a gate. Cant help myself. I get the teacher thing a lot. Not something I see myself suiting apart from maybe my presenting style. teachers are a special breed and have the patience that I lack. But I appreciate the compliment.
That first tip instantly made me think this was going to be another "my favourite ways of doing things" video but everything after that was valid and well presented. The tip at 17:21 where you mention about posting in groups for creative criticism/tips/suggestions, one will always receive crappy comments from some of the others, you get it everywhere so be prepared for it and ignore them. Those are the people who seem to have forgotten they had to learn at some point. I have to deal with it from someone I know, just thankful I don't have to deal with them often.
Im glad you stayed the course through to the second tip and beyond. Thank you. you are spot on about the groups, people forget so quickly. I have not experienced it in person, I would definitely struggle with that. Appreciate the comment.
Been a Cabinetmaker/ machinist for just over 50 years, now retired due to (an unrelated to work), health setback. I do still try, to potter around in my workshop, but am now finding confidence somewhat lacking, when using my table saw, hand router etc etc.. I can boast, I still have all fingers and thumbs intact, aIthough, I did have, one near miss, while operating a spindle molder, some years back.... A pencil fell out of my shirt, upper top pocket, and within a split second, Instinctively..., trying to stop the pencil from coming into contact with the cutters, both hands, slapped on the table infront of me, bringing my fingers, within half inch, from contacting the 2 cutters rotating at maximum speed....Lesson I learned here. Always park pencil behind ear. 😂 Keep up the good work my friend.
Wow, that sounds scary. I have had a moment similar. Not as close but scary none the less. Confidence is a massive thing in lots of areas of life. I had a health setback 20 years ago and everything became infinitely more difficult. Small things felt big and suddenly I didnt trust my body not to let me down again. I dont know your circumstances but for me it was all about taking the pressure of doing things away. I had to make it so there was no failing, only trying and trying again. Sounds silly when I try to explain but even filling the dishwasher was worthy of a celebration. If the power tools are too much then you can get a lot of pleasure from a hand plane as Im sure you know.
Great video Mark. Lot's of very good advice in it. 😃 The only thing I'd add to it is that when I built my guitar at Crimson Guitars I was told "make mistakes into features" that way no-one but you will know as your harshest critic is YOU.
Great video man! I am starting my woodworking journey this weekend. Got my saw horses, circular saw, drills, clamps, squares, and kreg crosscut station. Looking forward to having a lot of fun with this. Can't wait! Thanks for all the great advice!
If you ever need more, I can show you the thousand mistakes I have made so far. It's like mistakes are more frequent than wood grain on my projects. lol.
Great video Mark - Our first boxes look remarkably similar, right down to the artistically inspired curved lid, which was obviously a design choice and definitely not because of wood movement 😂
Thank you for your positivity and can do attitude. I think I would have given up by now if not for you! I can Mt afford all the posh stuff and you make things possible. 🎉
You are so kind to point out that I have made a difference. That really keeps me going and I appreciate it. The posh stuff can be overrated as far as build enjoyment goes in my opinion.
I made my first piece of furniture with just a 4" flush cut saw, a drill, a speed square, and the not-broken pieces of flat pack furniture a neighbor was throwing away. I've since learned that sawing would've gone much much faster with almost any other kind of hand saw. It took forever but the cuts turned out really clean, and after some paint and butt joints I had a usable piece of furniture that I'm proud of! My one splurge was on good quality screws in a color that looked nice with the paint I already had to make those butt joints a design choice. Seconding your advice and encouraging others with limited tools to try a first project! Though if you're like me and need to buy a cheap saw to get started, maybe pick a saw blade that doesn't flex. Way easier to get square cuts that way. Live and learn I guess!
A Japanese pull saw is a great tool. Double sided blades (course and fine) and pulling eliminates flexing and buckling. Also allows for more accurate cuts.
Thank you for sharing your journey. really inspiring. I struggle with the different saws and find myself picking up my cheap mitre saw due to the inflexible blade. I understand entirely what you mean. Though, I have just bought a pull saw for dovetailing so it has a rigid bar along the back and it is the best of both worlds. really fun
Great advice. I always try to watch these beginner-oriented videos as I feel they tell you a lot about the state of woodworkers in general. Are people actually being helpful or are they being condescending? You, sir, are one of the good ones. Everything you said was solid advice for any beginner. for that matter, I still struggle with seeing only the errors or slight imperfections. Constructive criticism from trusted people have given me the confidence needed to keep going in the hobby over time. The only thing I would add to your advice, is that I only use one brand of tape measure. I have found, at least here in the states, that that can lessen the variance between tapes. Likewise, for fine measuring I am upgrading to all the same brand of squares and rulers, as they all match up.
Hi Corey. Great to hear from you. I like reading your comments on the cranky podcast. And I appreciate this comment. I like the brand advice too. Very shrewd. I have to say, receiving the right advice from more experienced people is also the reason I am still woodworking and for that matter making videos. The community is a wonderful place but there are a few beginner FB groups that drive me nuts. People just being people I guess. Take care bud and thank you again.
Great advice. I would add clean up excess wood glue squeeze out before it sets and go over with a slightly damp cloth. The finishing always show it up otherwise.
I like to set out the tools I'll be using for that day and prepping them. Oil, sharpen, practice on a trash piece of wood. I spend a little time up front to give me confidence the entire day.
nice video i have found i will make the thing 3 times, i am on small projects intermingled with making garden fences. i make something look at it what can i change were did it go wrong, make alterations to the project look at tools used, do again. then look at it again have the changes improved the look the finish. and go again. but my things are pallet wood objects and throw away items so cheap and cheerful. its 45 yrs since i did woodwork and you tubers certainly help lessen the mistakes, you are one of them thanks keep posting
Hi Mark, good tips and advice as always. I am no expert or perfectionist just a DIYer and enjoy what I do and when I make some thing it is always the first time for me making or building is more of an enjoyment for me I'm not doing this for what people think of what I make I'm doing this because I enjoy it. I will always watch you tube it's full of good channels and most of all it's always full of advice, like your self. As always a great video Take care
hi Shaun. thank you bud. I am so glad to hear how you build. It's the way it should be. enjoy the journey and dont consider what others think. I wish I had that capability. I really struggle. But that is my flaw, not other peoples. Take care bud.
Great video Mark, well organized, well put together and with a good sense of humor where applicable. Also, I love your accent lighting, gives a real Pro touch. There were many of the "don't do this" points during which all I could think was BTDT. Hand positions, during chisel use?? Oy! 🙄 Great information here, for everyone. Thank you. 😁✌🖖
Thank you very much as always bud. I thought the accent lighting may be lost on people but I really enjoy seeing it as the workshop has become very grey in appearance. Love the BTDT , it's so true. I have caught myself making the same silly choices far too much.
Plans?!? What is this thing you speak of?? I get a thought and see what comes out the other end. My wood is pallets, so there's that. All good stuff Mark Thanks for putting your stuff out here. Take care & stay safe.
I hear you Doug. My plans are basic at best. In fact I have just filmed me taking a chisel holder from an idea in my head and it was really good fun as I didnt get bogged down in the details. I guess not all my advice is always followed by me lol.
"Everybody has a plan until they get punched in the face" - Mike Tyson. Sometimes making super specific plans only invites disappointment and frustration later. Better to wing it 😂
Keep your tools sharp and your mind sharper...wow mark you just keep amazing me, you are not only beyond smart but an absolute comedic genius thank you for your advice mate i just keep luring new thing from your great channel all the time. I loved the listening to the wood skit that was brilliant, u crack me up :0 :0 take care mate ill be looking forward to the next one.
Im still a beginner but to add on to the not pointing out your mistakes is this “Don’t see only the mistakes when you look wt your project “ This has been the toughest thing for me and while guests have loved the planters I made for our house last summer when I look at them I just see the bad. Over time I have been able to live with them by telling myself “They aren’t perfect but I am still learning so neither am I”
I get what you mean. I have a slight dip in the corner of the workshop I built and every time I approach I see it and it is hard to not let it take over. good advice.
My advice to you is drink heavily. Or just make so many more mistakes you forget about them eventually. I mean who can keep track of so much? Japanese craftsmen intentionally flaw their work because only God is perfect. Whenever I screw anything up I always say, that's the charm of handmade.
I think that probably the best thing a beginner can do when they have a project in mind is to get a piece of plywood or something similar, and set out full size the length width and depth of the job. This will not only give them all the relevant measurements but will help to confirm that what they have in mind is doable in the way they had thought of, or make it obvious that a better way exists. Sketching it out will give you an idea of what it should look like, but it won't give you usable measurements that you could use the setting out board to confirm. Also, if you are making more than one of these objects, they will all have a better chance of turning out the same.
Excellent video, Mark. All really good tips, with many that I've learnt since watching you. I would definitely say, take your time when on a project. It's about enjoying the journey as well as the destination. Also, practice some of the more tricky stuff on old scraps of wood before using your good stuff (or your good stuff will become old scraps of wood)!
Thank you Roger. I guarantee you are going to love what I made this week. No spoilers but it will be in the next French cleat video. And great advice to enjoy the journey.
Hi Mark, a good and informative video. I recently made a pair of internal french doors to match the other doors in the house. I made a couple of mistakes but decided not to mention them. They stand out like a sore thumb to me, but my good lady has yet to notice, even after 5 months!
I know the feeling. I think that when you have stared at whatever you are making for as long as it takes to make it, you cant unsee all the tiny blemishes. No body else looks like we do at it. On top of that I walk into a room and study the woodwork in there before everything else. Is that weird lol.
@@startmaking1: I spent a long in building maintenance. Wherever I go I can't help but see things out of square/plumb, sloppy paint jobs (corners, paint on glass, etc.), electric/computer wires hanging all over...... It drives me nuts. I used to Need to see it, now I don't Want to see it. 😁✌🖖
I've been making sawdust since 1974 and I would say that the most difficult one is not pointing out the mistakes. So many times I've seen people say "what about this crooked hinge" or some other non perfect thing. And this is often hard to stop doing.
Could not agree more. I find myself biting my tongue when I show people what I have made. And even more, I cut out so much footage of me pointing out so many more mistakes than the ones I show lol.
You will not believe how often I see the inverted circular saw being used for rip cuts on site. Most people don't even think of it as sketchy, they just want to get the job done. Gonna suck losing them digits when it happens looool
Thought provoking. The one thing I wish I knew from the start is NOT to buy a tablesaw! Get a tracksaw, buy an MFT top with a replacable cut slot, get a few 'dogs' and you will have a way of cutting to size that is a lot nore fun and a lot less stressful. It's tracksaw and bandsaw for me all day long. Tape measures - my view is just have the one for small jobs and go with the Hultafors Talmeter, it has this special 'arm' and is different to all the others, I say stick to one and get to know it. As a beginner I think a whole project is too much at first, I think you are better off building up each step when you start out because it can be a bit overwhelming. I know we all made egg timer holders and pencil boxes in woodworking class at school but they also seemed to take the whole term and even then the teacher would help a lot. Also by yourself there is always the old chestnut of how to get the wood square in the first place! Or you finally get the stuff square only for it bizarrely to go out of square after the glue up like my router slot jig did. Would be nice for beginners I think if you went through the 'how do I get my wood square' routine and look at a few different ways to sort this, even without tracksaw or tablesaw say. Just would be good to look at the different options I feel.
I hear this a lot and can relate in a way. I survived with just a circular saw for 4 years and made a fair amount with it. It is a lot slower than. the table saw and track saw but can do far more than people realise. I will have to check out the tape you mention. And making bite sized chunks before a full project is a fun concept. I also like the cutting square suggestion. I think not a whole video but it would definitely play into the video idea I have been playing with about making cuts without a table saw. basically can you go without one. Thank you
@@startmaking1 Yes, it's faster. It's also faster at cutting off your fingers. Accurate but scary tool. One slip up and you might lose a limb or earn yourself a disability. I sold my DeWalt table saw a few months ago and I now refuse to work on any saw that doesn't have a SawStop feature. Nothing happened with the table saw, just had a close call once or twice. I simply later realized that I can do most of the stuff with jigs for my circular saw, and it's a lot safer because it's a low power battery version with a binding stop feature (it stops the blade if there's too much resistance). Due to this, the potential kickback is practically non-existent. It could still cut off my fingers, but then I'd have to be stupid enough to place them directly under the saw or in the path of the blade.
Very good comment. What comes before “beginner woodworker”? I find these beginner focused videos tend to assume the viewer has an existing amount of knowledge, ability or tools. To some extent at least. Some examples being the ability to cut square or accurately at all or - a way to achieve the result (planing) - understanding plans + creating cut lists - an understanding of basic joinery Honestly, videos aimed towards that person who did a couple small projects back in school would be very beneficial for the whole spectrum of beginners
Areet Mark, I've learnt a ton from your channel, your channel amongst others was the reason I thought I would give it a bash and take up the hobby, but ya reet only buy the tools ya need and not the tools ya want, I've now acquired quite a few tools and still adding. But if I looked back at the start I would of needed a few numbers on the lottery to afford them all :) Top Notch Mark and to the viewers who are reading this comment, Mark is proper canny and ya'll find some proper gems in his videos
Hi bud. Thank you. You are right. To buy what you have now all at once is a lot to lay down, especially on a hobby that is untested. I appreciate the lovely comment too , very much. Thank you.
Hi Mark, Another great advisory video mate. It’s good to see how your workshop is coming along and how your ideas have developed the space and storage around you. Like you I’m enjoying that journey of discovery that every project brings. Have you ever made any small wooden toys? Same skills required but I’ve found it hones your finishing skills. They do seem to be making a comeback so I’m dusting off the Blizzard books. W
Thank you so much. It is a work in progress but I love it. Toys are one of those things that I only managed a few of for my kids and really when I was at the earliest of learning stages. I was planning a longer video that documented my progress to show people how it all started where I show what I made early on but like many things, Im not sure what the audience would think. I wish that the kids was still very young for many reasons but one large one being that I could really make some tactile toys.
Love the production of this video. This is a brilliant video. Good advice for younger woodworkers. You've hit on the philosophical nature of woodworking. When I was in high school, there was a book called, "Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance." No one has done the same for woodworking; but, as you know, once in the zone of making it does become quite Zen.
Hi bud, thank you. The flow state, Zen, is a part of woodworking that I miss when I am making videos. The camera changes and lights etc break the build up but once in a while, when I make something just for fun, I get there and the peace it brings to this ADHD style maker is something else.
I've seen so many people do that unironically. Clamp work down. You should have both hands on the tool. One hand is for power and the other is for influence.
I was raised by a house builder. They are the worse to take care of safety though he slowly moved into wearing eye protection more times than not. After he got out, big changes. He takes care of all Ppe in everything but he also just had grandkids so I think it’s more bc of that. Not just taking care of them better but he could ask those younger kids if it was loud or when they cried about something from the wind into their eye.
Love the insight into your experiences, thank you. I have not yet allowed my kids into the workshop as it is not quite PPE complete , mainly dust collection but I see how it will keep me on the straight and narrow when I do. Thank you
Great vid mate, How long have you been making stuff? Just to let you know, the footings are in and the floor is going down next week. Then I can start framing. So I will be watching your entire build again this week. Have a good un.🍺
Thank you bud. I started this in 2020, well the woodworking anyway. So not all that long. Well done with getting to the floor stage. Fingers crossed that the weather is kind. good luck bud.
Hi again, hope you are ok! Thank you for sharing such an important and useful content with us, as I believe, “Our World is a Shared Experience”… I have to ask you one thing that I am trying to find without any success (so far that is), if I may. Can you please tell me where you got the Formica (black) that you put on the work table? Thank you in Advance! Remember, *_Life_* is *_Short_* so, *_Live Long_* and *_Prosper_* … 🖖 Cheers, matey!!!
As far as the buy once, cry once. Ironically the one tool that I regret buying and am looking at getting a better one is a shop vacuum. You can be very careful around power tools, there isn't a ton you can do about airborne sawdust.
Oh man that is truly terrifying. I see a lot of home made circular saw table saws and for one second when I was starting I considered it. then I realised it was bonkers.
Cracking video mate. Always glad to see you pop up on Saturday morning. My only other couple bits advice first you kinda touched on with the plane older tool's (fb market place) is always a good way to go the other one i have to kidna disagree with you and is the.... . You no what am gonna say. Sandpaper. I get the point to the 3m stuff but a can't justify it just yet. Slightly cheaper alternative ive been looking at klingspor abrasives similar stuff (mesh/cubirton) cheaper price oh and my go to finish Danish oil. Catch up soon 🏴👍 ps will share this today or tomorrow mate 😊
hi Michael. thank you bud. Great shout for FB marketplace. And I cant fault you on the sandpaper thing. It's more of an opinion of mine rather than hard and fast rule.
@@startmaking1 honestly klingspor is worth a look it's very similar and a bit cheaper. A don't disagree with you about the cheaper oxide paper an just to cheap to fork out for like 6 boxes of different grit 🙄
I struggle as I have to make videos and need to do talking bits so mine is more like,, day 1, clean up, then build then clean. day 2 repeat. Not that I am moaning. It's more that I am incapable of planning to talk one day and build the next. Fun times.
A corollary to "keep your tools sharp" as well as "buy once, cry once" that I've heard is, like sandpaper, good blades are worth the money - you can often get a better job done with a good blade in a cheap tool, than with a good tool with a cheap blade...
Spend on blades, anything that cuts better needs less force and gives better results. And make test cuts, I use a scrap piece to try every single tool on so I know what happens next.
Made that tape error - had a small hissy fit binned the class II tapes and got one class I tape and some rulers ( and checked them all against each other )
@@maciej9280: Absolutely, definitely, check your squares and if you have a table or band saw, check the blades are square to the tables and the fences are also square to the tables. The tables do not need level to gravity, but it's nice, especially if you use your table saw as a work surface, as I do. 😁✌🖖
@@startmaking1 being a Draughtsman, (now CAD and probably too obsessed with accuracy), all my squares are always checked with my old large accurate 45 and 60/30 squares. To my shock the cheap Starret I got on offer was good. The only sliding square I trust is made from steel, not Aluminium. IMHO having one accurate ( DIN 875-0 ) square to check others is good practice. :)
Thank you for watching. Please let me know in the comments any advise you have to add.
Meant to message you and say the package with the square and bits arrived fine, thank you so much!
Great Post
The silly thumbnail brought me in, but then I kept waiting for the comedy. Instead I got some sound advice. Nice job!
I never cut corners. That's why I can never make picture frames.
Thank you for this. Very good advice.
Great tips, thanks. As Steve Ramsey says, "Put the crappy side against the wall"
loving the Steve Ramsey quotes at the moment. And what great advice. If there are 2 crappy sides, find a corner to put it in lol.
Great video and tips, you have rapdily become one of my UA-cam woodworkers of choice and I never miss a Vid.
Have to agree about the "dont point out your mistakes" bit, as I am certainly my own worst critic when it comes to anything like this.
My biggest issue at the moment is finding the time to even start a project. We moved house almost a year ago and one of the selling points was the nice 2 car (UK) garage, but I have yet to get my "workshop" set up.
time to "Digitus meus e trahere" methinks.
That is so kind thank you. Time is for sure a finite resource. You can only use it once and it can also be the biggest source of self pressure. But, small steps soon add up.
I got my practice by making shop furniture and jigs. I have jigs for everything and now I can build some cool projects cuz I’ve a jig for that! Lol
Thats the way to do it. I imagine eventually I will have an entire wall covered in jigs. Repeatability is accuracy and time saving.
The thing I've learnt over the years is to keep tools sharp. Sounds obvious but the difference it makes is huge.
Truth! ✌🏻🎨☕️
I wish I was better at sharpening blades and chisels. Unfortunately, sharpening is not one of my better skills.
@@CoreyShockey Practice practice and more practice my friend, good luck and keep practicing!!
@@CoreyShockey If you can afford one, a Tormek with sharpening guides will give consistent, fast, high quality sharpening results. Yes they are expensive, but if sharpening is the factor that's holding you back a Tormek could literally change your life. I thought I was already pretty darn good at sharpening but the leap in performance from my tools when I got my Tormek told me otherwise. The difference between sharp and ''really sharp' is something we each have to experience to appreciate just how important it is. So a Tormek is definitely a 'cry once' investment, but you'll very soon be smiling like a lunatic.😬
@malcolmrowe1794 you can tell from the likes this comment has got that you are spot on.
Thank you for sharing your wisdom. “Don’t show people your mistakes.” Then, like me, points out all the mistakes. Priceless 🌞
Wisdom, Im not sure. Trial and error followed by realisation is really .how it goes lol. I seem to find it hard not to show all of the errors if I am honest. I cant build without them.
For me, the BEST part of woodworking is Learning New Things!
I enjoy using hand tools for the shear joy of watching sharp steel slice wood.
Ever since I bought a quality diamond stone, sharpening tools is fun.
It's quiet, it's not dangerous, and it doesn't spew dust all over the shop.
Fitting joints together is joy!
I agree. As I read on, I agree on all points. Just a pure joy.
packed full of helpful information! A wise saying I once heard was "remain teachable"
Love that saying. So very true.
Great advice. Every time I watch your videos, there's always something I learnt. Thanks for sharing.
Thank you for saying so. I appreciate it.
Hi Mark, great video with lots of sage advice. Re tip 18 'Don't be afraid to use a new tool that you think might be beyond you'... Is it about time to psych yourself up to make friends with your Stanley #45?😂. You know I'm kinda teasing you here buddy, but only because I forsee a future 'thing I wish' video where you wish you'd used it sooner.
My tip for new woodworkers is a blend of some of the tips given here, and is 'Don't set high expectations when you start using a hand plane'. My first attempts at planing were awful, the plane jammed and juddered, the mouth constantly clogged and the finish was abysmal. I almost gave up on woodwork entirely! By watching UA-cam videos I did start to progress, but those videos also further raised my expectations to cut gossamer thin shavings leaving a perfect smooth finish. Five years later I'm still learning, but I think I'm pretty close to having perfectly set up planes and enough knowledge and experience to know how to get the best out of them. And if any new woodworkers are thinking "5 years... I might as well give up now!" I will confess that my obsessive love for restoring antique hand tools did slow this process considerably... "Why restore one Bailey style plane when I can restore ten instead". Yeah I know, 'my bad!' But it has been a fascinating and enjoyable journey so actually 'not my bad'... just different expectations. On day one I expected my tools to work perfectly with minimal time spent on their maintenance, now I know to include maintenance time into every project schedule, and by not rushing timely sharpening etc. my tools work really well and reward my efforts.
Hi Bud. You are so right, and I know I keep saying it but I will definitely come round to the 45, soon. Great tip for the plane too, I like it. Expectations are so dangerous in anything that is self taught. I think that there is one or a few things within woodworking that keep us all going . For me it is the French cleat stuff and trying to come up with something innovative. For you it is the restoration. And rushing is my biggest weakness .
Yet again Mark, another fantastic video share. I have been a beginner woodworker for years now and it's fun. I would like to add this bit of advice. Get a first aid kit. Keeping your tools sharp will minimise the damage most blunt hand tool cuts make to your body. First Aid, then call for professional help if needed/worried. Aim small, miss small with all your woodworking cuts. Stay safe out there and enjoy this wonderful hobby.
Hi Ian. That is truly good advice bud. I enjoy being in the beginner low intermediate stages. Takes the pressure right off. Love the aim small miss small idea too. Thanks bud.
Keep posting Mark. You're a positive push in the right direction for many (myself included) that ate new or not even started yet ❤
Thats really kind Peter. Glad it can help a few people.
Found you for the first time the day after you posted. Only 3 months in to woodworking and devouring all the knowledge i can.
Love this video... Now shut up and take my subscription!
Lol. Thank you Eric. You are about to realise you have found the best hobby ever. Enjoy
As a beginner woodworker of 2 years, I agree with nearly all of this - especially the "don't show people your mistakes" and "be careful who you seek advice from (facebook).
Other advice I would give to beginners :
Start with the result first : Focus on what you want to achieve : are you making for yourself, friends, family or are you trying to sell the stuff ?
Are you prepared to spend money on wood (only one of my projects has involved spending money on wood)
Don't worry about your workshop at the start. I started outdoors in good weather only. I used a stack of pallets as my workbench !!
JUST GET STARTED - the most fun in a project comes from the screw ups where you have to find a workaround
Just get started. Words to build by. I love it. Thank you. All good advice too.
Your first woodworking project should be making yourself a decent workbench. Then your second project should probably be doing that again. Because let's be honest that first one didn't come out that great.
@@1pcfred - truth! I’m near to finishing my first workbench. Not pretty, but it’s functional. Will hopefully finish it tomorrow or Tuesday.
@@jlynnstapleton9674 I've made a few workbenches over the years and the one I'm using now still isn't my dream bench. But it's good enough so I haven't made a new one. I've thought about it though. With woodworking the bench is a primary tool. It is the workholding device. The shop central focus point. What the work happens on. If you're going to do joinery make yourself a Moxon vise too. I used to use my bench vises for that but stooping over got to be a bit much. When I made a Moxon vise it dawned on me that I should have done it sooner. I have one I clamp to the top of my bench so it's raised up. Bench height it a topic of debate. I favor a low bench myself. You can always raise work up on a bench. Being over work you can bear down on it when you have to. Sometimes I get pretty vigorous with a hand plane.
And never underestimate 'starting with a clean/tidy workspace' 😊
Could not agree more. tools where they should be means time saved searching.
Great advice and some really funny, deadpan delivery. Quickly becoming a favorite channel.
Thank you very much. Very much appreciated.
Really solid advice. The only piece I'd add is to not go too deep too soon in terms of cost and complexity, if you've barely wielded a saw before then going to town on an expensive piece of spalted maple in the hopes of creating a centrepiece of complex angles and friction tight joinery for your front room is probably not wise. Do a mock-up in cheaper wood first so those inevitable mistakes are less costly and leave you more experienced and better prepared
Great advice. I fully agree. On both points. Thank you.
Great Video Mark! Love it, your shop is starting to look really sharp!
Hi Bryan. Good to hear from you. Hope you are well. Apologies for the radio silence, been a busy month. Hope you are well bud.
Keep up the excellent work! We will chat soon! :)
Learn from your own mistakes.. I totally agree about a tidy space 👌
Could not agree more and thank you.
Mark,
Great Video…. I can’t tell you how many points that I use exactly like you….. I guess we have walk in each other shoes. You have a real talent for articulating the “woodworkers sole”…. Keep up the good”great” videos…
Howard in Arizona
Thank you Howard. I really appreciate it. Take care. Especially in the current temperatures.
Hi Mark, great to see how your channel and your skills have come on. I first commented on your router video a while back and have watched everything since. Thought I'd drop in and say that it was great to see the cabinet scraper making an appearance it is still one of my favourite tools. During my apprenticeship we were shown how to make them out of old handsaw blade. Something I do to this day, that way you can make any shape you need. With today's good quality cheap handsaws which are not made to be sharpened you quickly get a source of material.
Thank you Gary. The cabinet scraper is just brilliant. I am actually incorporating it in a video not so far in the future as it is truly underrated. Love the idea of making a shape to suit your needs. really clever.
I have heard that before, could you and Mark get together to make a Card scraper that would be a great video
Always learn from your mistakes but don’t feel bad about making them. We often expect way too much from ourselves. Thanks for making this video.
This is so very true. Well said.
Every mistake is an opportunity to be creative.
My Dad told me long ago to learn from other people's mistakes as I would live long enough to make them all myself...
Great advice. I'm two years into my own accumulation of tools and building my workshop.
A few good reminders and lot of advice as you stated “I wish I knew earlier”. My favorite and the advice I need to heed the most is “slow down, take breaks, plan, and don't point out the flaws in your work.
I've just come across your channel and I've watched three of your videos. Well-presented, were you a school teacher? The problem I'm having is that I want to watch more, but I should be wood working 😁👍👊
You need the same advice as I do. I go at all projects like a bull at a gate. Cant help myself. I get the teacher thing a lot. Not something I see myself suiting apart from maybe my presenting style. teachers are a special breed and have the patience that I lack. But I appreciate the compliment.
That first tip instantly made me think this was going to be another "my favourite ways of doing things" video but everything after that was valid and well presented. The tip at 17:21 where you mention about posting in groups for creative criticism/tips/suggestions, one will always receive crappy comments from some of the others, you get it everywhere so be prepared for it and ignore them. Those are the people who seem to have forgotten they had to learn at some point. I have to deal with it from someone I know, just thankful I don't have to deal with them often.
Im glad you stayed the course through to the second tip and beyond. Thank you. you are spot on about the groups, people forget so quickly. I have not experienced it in person, I would definitely struggle with that. Appreciate the comment.
Been a Cabinetmaker/ machinist for just over 50 years, now retired due to (an unrelated to work), health setback. I do still try, to potter around in my workshop, but am now finding confidence somewhat lacking, when using my table saw, hand router etc etc.. I can boast, I still have all fingers and thumbs intact, aIthough, I did have, one near miss, while operating a spindle molder, some years back.... A pencil fell out of my shirt, upper top pocket, and within a split second, Instinctively..., trying to stop the pencil from coming into contact with the cutters, both hands, slapped on the table infront of me, bringing my fingers, within half inch, from contacting the 2 cutters rotating at maximum speed....Lesson I learned here. Always park pencil behind ear. 😂 Keep up the good work my friend.
Wow, that sounds scary. I have had a moment similar. Not as close but scary none the less. Confidence is a massive thing in lots of areas of life. I had a health setback 20 years ago and everything became infinitely more difficult. Small things felt big and suddenly I didnt trust my body not to let me down again. I dont know your circumstances but for me it was all about taking the pressure of doing things away. I had to make it so there was no failing, only trying and trying again. Sounds silly when I try to explain but even filling the dishwasher was worthy of a celebration. If the power tools are too much then you can get a lot of pleasure from a hand plane as Im sure you know.
Awesome video about the wood; if one listens carefully they are also life lessons to be learned!👍🏿
Thank you very much. I agree whole heartedly.
What a great video mate. Quite humbling. Well done. 👌
Thank you. Thats really kind.
Great video Mark. Lot's of very good advice in it. 😃
The only thing I'd add to it is that when I built my guitar at Crimson Guitars I was told "make mistakes into features" that way no-one but you will know as your harshest critic is YOU.
Absolutely. What makes a Journeyman or a Craftsman
is know how to cover your mistakes, to get the end product. 😁✌🖖
Mak mistakes into features is brilliant. btw I did not see any mistakes, sorry features on the guitar you sent me a pic of.
@@startmaking1 My guitar has plenty of "features" but only I can see them all as I am my harshest critic.
Great video man! I am starting my woodworking journey this weekend. Got my saw horses, circular saw, drills, clamps, squares, and kreg crosscut station. Looking forward to having a lot of fun with this. Can't wait! Thanks for all the great advice!
Thank you. How did you get on. Sounds like you have a great starter set up.
Seeing your mistakes was a cathartic moment for me!
If you ever need more, I can show you the thousand mistakes I have made so far. It's like mistakes are more frequent than wood grain on my projects. lol.
Great video Mark - Our first boxes look remarkably similar, right down to the artistically inspired curved lid, which was obviously a design choice and definitely not because of wood movement 😂
lol, Thank you Alex. You mean they are both masterpieces right?
The chisel towards the open veins in the arms cracked me up 😂😂
Answers must come from within. To heck with what anyone else thinks. You do you.
Good attitude bud. I struggle with that but it is the right way.
Mark, great user friendly ‘newby’ video - really supportive to beginners with, as usual sound advice from a practical point if view. Nice one.
Thank you Duncan. Very much appreciated.
Thank you for your positivity and can do attitude. I think I would have given up by now if not for you! I can
Mt afford all the posh stuff and you make things possible. 🎉
You are so kind to point out that I have made a difference. That really keeps me going and I appreciate it. The posh stuff can be overrated as far as build enjoyment goes in my opinion.
I made my first piece of furniture with just a 4" flush cut saw, a drill, a speed square, and the not-broken pieces of flat pack furniture a neighbor was throwing away. I've since learned that sawing would've gone much much faster with almost any other kind of hand saw. It took forever but the cuts turned out really clean, and after some paint and butt joints I had a usable piece of furniture that I'm proud of! My one splurge was on good quality screws in a color that looked nice with the paint I already had to make those butt joints a design choice. Seconding your advice and encouraging others with limited tools to try a first project! Though if you're like me and need to buy a cheap saw to get started, maybe pick a saw blade that doesn't flex. Way easier to get square cuts that way. Live and learn I guess!
A Japanese pull saw is a great tool. Double sided blades (course and fine)
and pulling eliminates flexing and buckling. Also allows for more accurate cuts.
Thank you for sharing your journey. really inspiring. I struggle with the different saws and find myself picking up my cheap mitre saw due to the inflexible blade. I understand entirely what you mean. Though, I have just bought a pull saw for dovetailing so it has a rigid bar along the back and it is the best of both worlds. really fun
Great advice. I always try to watch these beginner-oriented videos as I feel they tell you a lot about the state of woodworkers in general. Are people actually being helpful or are they being condescending? You, sir, are one of the good ones. Everything you said was solid advice for any beginner. for that matter, I still struggle with seeing only the errors or slight imperfections. Constructive criticism from trusted people have given me the confidence needed to keep going in the hobby over time.
The only thing I would add to your advice, is that I only use one brand of tape measure. I have found, at least here in the states, that that can lessen the variance between tapes. Likewise, for fine measuring I am upgrading to all the same brand of squares and rulers, as they all match up.
Hi Corey. Great to hear from you. I like reading your comments on the cranky podcast. And I appreciate this comment. I like the brand advice too. Very shrewd. I have to say, receiving the right advice from more experienced people is also the reason I am still woodworking and for that matter making videos. The community is a wonderful place but there are a few beginner FB groups that drive me nuts. People just being people I guess. Take care bud and thank you again.
Great advice. I would add clean up excess wood glue squeeze out before it sets and go over with a slightly damp cloth. The finishing always show it up otherwise.
That is really good advice, thank you.
Relative dimensioning for the win!!!
Thank you. Game changer in my opinion.
I like to set out the tools I'll be using for that day and prepping them. Oil, sharpen, practice on a trash piece of wood. I spend a little time up front to give me confidence the entire day.
That is really well thought out. I love the discipline that goes into doing that. Thank you
nice video i have found i will make the thing 3 times, i am on small projects intermingled with making garden fences. i make something look at it what can i change were did it go wrong, make alterations to the project look at tools used, do again. then look at it again have the changes improved the look the finish. and go again. but my things are pallet wood objects and throw away items so cheap and cheerful. its 45 yrs since i did woodwork and you tubers certainly help lessen the mistakes, you are one of them thanks keep posting
Hi Ian. Thank you. I like the way you build. Very analytical in your approach. Great way to learn.
Hi Mark, good tips and advice as always. I am no expert or perfectionist just a DIYer and enjoy what I do and when I make some thing it is always the first time for me making or building is more of an enjoyment for me I'm not doing this for what people think of what I make I'm doing this because I enjoy it. I will always watch you tube it's full of good channels and most of all it's always full of advice, like your self. As always a great video Take care
hi Shaun. thank you bud. I am so glad to hear how you build. It's the way it should be. enjoy the journey and dont consider what others think. I wish I had that capability. I really struggle. But that is my flaw, not other peoples. Take care bud.
My therapist and woodworking teacher
Thank you. you are very kind.,
Great video Mark, well organized, well put together and with
a good sense of humor where applicable. Also, I love your
accent lighting, gives a real Pro touch. There were many of
the "don't do this" points during which all I could think
was BTDT. Hand positions, during chisel use?? Oy! 🙄
Great information here, for everyone. Thank you. 😁✌🖖
Thank you very much as always bud. I thought the accent lighting may be lost on people but I really enjoy seeing it as the workshop has become very grey in appearance. Love the BTDT , it's so true. I have caught myself making the same silly choices far too much.
Always look forward to, and enjoy, your videos. This one was no exception.
Thank you Kevin. That's really kind
Amazing video Mark as always as a new woodworker I found all these tips helpful. Thanks for sharing your experience and knowledge have a great week.
Thank you Jim, very much appreciated. Have a great week yourself.
That’s a brilliant video, I am fairly new to woodworking but learning a lot as I go. I can relate to your comments exactly!
Thank you so much.
Plans?!? What is this thing you speak of?? I get a thought and see what comes out the other end. My wood is pallets, so there's that. All good stuff Mark Thanks for putting your stuff out here. Take care & stay safe.
I hear you Doug. My plans are basic at best. In fact I have just filmed me taking a chisel holder from an idea in my head and it was really good fun as I didnt get bogged down in the details. I guess not all my advice is always followed by me lol.
@@startmaking1 Do as I do, not as I say?!?
"Everybody has a plan until they get punched in the face" - Mike Tyson. Sometimes making super specific plans only invites disappointment and frustration later. Better to wing it 😂
Keep your tools sharp and your mind sharper...wow mark you just keep amazing me, you are not only beyond smart but an absolute comedic genius thank you for your advice mate i just keep luring new thing from your great channel all the time. I loved the listening to the wood skit that was brilliant, u crack me up :0 :0 take care mate ill be looking forward to the next one.
Great catchy first line Robert. so very true. As for the rest of the comment, it means a lot and I appreciate the kind words very much. Thank you.
Im still a beginner but to add on to the not pointing out your mistakes is this “Don’t see only the mistakes when you look wt your project “
This has been the toughest thing for me and while guests have loved the planters I made for our house last summer when I look at them I just see the bad. Over time I have been able to live with them by telling myself “They aren’t perfect but I am still learning so neither am I”
I learnt from a maker “ every defect deserves respect “ it works for me on my “mistakes”
I get what you mean. I have a slight dip in the corner of the workshop I built and every time I approach I see it and it is hard to not let it take over. good advice.
My advice to you is drink heavily. Or just make so many more mistakes you forget about them eventually. I mean who can keep track of so much? Japanese craftsmen intentionally flaw their work because only God is perfect. Whenever I screw anything up I always say, that's the charm of handmade.
I think that probably the best thing a beginner can do when they have a project in mind is to get a piece of plywood or something similar, and set out full size the length width and depth of the job. This will not only give them all the relevant measurements but will help to confirm that what they have in mind is doable in the way they had thought of, or make it obvious that a better way exists. Sketching it out will give you an idea of what it should look like, but it won't give you usable measurements that you could use the setting out board to confirm. Also, if you are making more than one of these objects, they will all have a better chance of turning out the same.
Very good advice,. Kind of like sketch up on a PC but tangible.
Thanks for yet another great video, as an old timer woodworker some good advice here, cheers Mark, stay lucky
Thank you as always Paul.
Excellent video, Mark. All really good tips, with many that I've learnt since watching you.
I would definitely say, take your time when on a project. It's about enjoying the journey as well as the destination.
Also, practice some of the more tricky stuff on old scraps of wood before using your good stuff (or your good stuff will become old scraps of wood)!
Thank you Roger. I guarantee you are going to love what I made this week. No spoilers but it will be in the next French cleat video. And great advice to enjoy the journey.
This has all been good advice. Thanks.
Thank you
Hi Mark, a good and informative video. I recently made a pair of internal french doors to match the other doors in the house. I made a couple of mistakes but decided not to mention them. They stand out like a sore thumb to me, but my good lady has yet to notice, even after 5 months!
I know the feeling. I think that when you have stared at whatever you are making for as long as it takes to make it, you cant unsee all the tiny blemishes. No body else looks like we do at it. On top of that I walk into a room and study the woodwork in there before everything else. Is that weird lol.
I know what you mean, I'm always "analysing" wood no matter if it's finished or just lying around 🤔
@@startmaking1: I spent a long in building maintenance. Wherever I go
I can't help but see things out of square/plumb, sloppy paint jobs
(corners, paint on glass, etc.), electric/computer wires hanging all over......
It drives me nuts. I used to Need to see it, now I don't Want to see it. 😁✌🖖
I totally understand. I now visit a lot of antique shops and spend ages inspecting under tables and chairs.
I've been making sawdust since 1974 and I would say that the most difficult one is not pointing out the mistakes. So many times I've seen people say "what about this crooked hinge" or some other non perfect thing. And this is often hard to stop doing.
Could not agree more. I find myself biting my tongue when I show people what I have made. And even more, I cut out so much footage of me pointing out so many more mistakes than the ones I show lol.
All great points! Thanks for a great video and all these wonderful reminders for ALL of us!
Thank you as always Damon .
Stunningly accurate video. New sub!
Wow, thats really kind. Thank you and welcome aboard.
Great advice for people at all stages of their journey. Thank you
That is very kind. Thank you.
Did you really mean "journey" or "joinery"? 😁✌🖖
@@zapa1pnt love it
You will not believe how often I see the inverted circular saw being used for rip cuts on site. Most people don't even think of it as sketchy, they just want to get the job done. Gonna suck losing them digits when it happens looool
It terrifies me. Just like the home made table saws with one upside down.
Thank you for the tips. Very helpful to me.
And thank you.
Very sound and logical advice, thanks a mil, have a blessed year.
Thank you too bud. Much appreciated.
Thanks for the video. Interesting, useful and love your presentation style.
Thats really kind David. Thank you.
Wow, love your ability to teach
Thats really kind. Thank you
Perfection is a direction , not a destination. Just keep the heading.
Love that sentiment bud.
Thought provoking. The one thing I wish I knew from the start is NOT to buy a tablesaw! Get a tracksaw, buy an MFT top with a replacable cut slot, get a few 'dogs' and you will have a way of cutting to size that is a lot nore fun and a lot less stressful. It's tracksaw and bandsaw for me all day long. Tape measures - my view is just have the one for small jobs and go with the Hultafors Talmeter, it has this special 'arm' and is different to all the others, I say stick to one and get to know it.
As a beginner I think a whole project is too much at first, I think you are better off building up each step when you start out because it can be a bit overwhelming. I know we all made egg timer holders and pencil boxes in woodworking class at school but they also seemed to take the whole term and even then the teacher would help a lot. Also by yourself there is always the old chestnut of how to get the wood square in the first place! Or you finally get the stuff square only for it bizarrely to go out of square after the glue up like my router slot jig did.
Would be nice for beginners I think if you went through the 'how do I get my wood square' routine and look at a few different ways to sort this, even without tracksaw or tablesaw say. Just would be good to look at the different options I feel.
I hear this a lot and can relate in a way. I survived with just a circular saw for 4 years and made a fair amount with it. It is a lot slower than. the table saw and track saw but can do far more than people realise. I will have to check out the tape you mention. And making bite sized chunks before a full project is a fun concept.
I also like the cutting square suggestion. I think not a whole video but it would definitely play into the video idea I have been playing with about making cuts without a table saw. basically can you go without one. Thank you
@@startmaking1 Yes, it's faster. It's also faster at cutting off your fingers. Accurate but scary tool. One slip up and you might lose a limb or earn yourself a disability. I sold my DeWalt table saw a few months ago and I now refuse to work on any saw that doesn't have a SawStop feature. Nothing happened with the table saw, just had a close call once or twice. I simply later realized that I can do most of the stuff with jigs for my circular saw, and it's a lot safer because it's a low power battery version with a binding stop feature (it stops the blade if there's too much resistance). Due to this, the potential kickback is practically non-existent. It could still cut off my fingers, but then I'd have to be stupid enough to place them directly under the saw or in the path of the blade.
Very good comment. What comes before “beginner woodworker”? I find these beginner focused videos tend to assume the viewer has an existing amount of knowledge, ability or tools. To some extent at least. Some examples being the ability to cut square or accurately at all or
- a way to achieve the result (planing)
- understanding plans + creating cut lists
- an understanding of basic joinery
Honestly, videos aimed towards that person who did a couple small projects back in school would be very beneficial for the whole spectrum of beginners
Areet Mark, I've learnt a ton from your channel, your channel amongst others was the reason I thought I would give it a bash and take up the hobby, but ya reet only buy the tools ya need and not the tools ya want, I've now acquired quite a few tools and still adding. But if I looked back at the start I would of needed a few numbers on the lottery to afford them all :) Top Notch Mark and to the viewers who are reading this comment, Mark is proper canny and ya'll find some proper gems in his videos
Hi bud. Thank you. You are right. To buy what you have now all at once is a lot to lay down, especially on a hobby that is untested. I appreciate the lovely comment too , very much. Thank you.
You covered good points, thanks for this.
Thank you Robert. Very much appreciated.
Your subscribers are expanding along with your knowledge and ability....... keep up the great production of quality videos and content. Thank you
Thank you very much Adam. I am slowly getting somewhere. And enjoying it more importantly.
Hi Mark, Another great advisory video mate. It’s good to see how your workshop is coming along and how your ideas have developed the space and storage around you. Like you I’m enjoying that journey of discovery that every project brings. Have you ever made any small wooden toys? Same skills required but I’ve found it hones your finishing skills. They do seem to be making a comeback so I’m dusting off the Blizzard books. W
Thank you so much. It is a work in progress but I love it. Toys are one of those things that I only managed a few of for my kids and really when I was at the earliest of learning stages. I was planning a longer video that documented my progress to show people how it all started where I show what I made early on but like many things, Im not sure what the audience would think. I wish that the kids was still very young for many reasons but one large one being that I could really make some tactile toys.
Thank you Sir...incuriging!🎉
Thank you very much too.
Really, really great set of advices. Thx!
Thank you very much.
Great video Mark, a lot of common scenes advice.
Thank you Jim, much appreciated.
Great advice pal.
Fully appreciated
Thank you very much.
Some really good advice, thank you.
Thank you Charlie, much appreciated.
i see you have the #164 low-angle smoothing plane! it basically works in any grain direction.
IT does if you can get it set up perfectly. I am around 75% proficient with it and so a wood like Sapele punishes me for trying.
Love the production of this video. This is a brilliant video. Good advice for younger woodworkers. You've hit on the philosophical nature of woodworking. When I was in high school, there was a book called, "Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance." No one has done the same for woodworking; but, as you know, once in the zone of making it does become quite Zen.
Hi bud, thank you. The flow state, Zen, is a part of woodworking that I miss when I am making videos. The camera changes and lights etc break the build up but once in a while, when I make something just for fun, I get there and the peace it brings to this ADHD style maker is something else.
@@startmaking1 Then you've got it. Good week, Mark!
Excellent video and advice Mark
Thank you, much appreciated.
Excellent tips
Thank you Paul. Much appreciated.
I came over all unnecessary when you did the chisel towards the wrist 😱 Nearly passed out 🤣🤣
I hope it was taken as the extreme example it was meant to be.
@@startmaking1I almost died laughing when you showed your wrist like, “Come at me Bro!” 😂😂😂😂
I've seen so many people do that unironically. Clamp work down. You should have both hands on the tool. One hand is for power and the other is for influence.
@@1pcfred are you saying we are ALL influencers? 😉
@@Damon_Barber suppose on some level everything is an influencer. The whole Butterfly Effect thing. Everything is connected.
Well done! Thank you
Thank you very much Ryan
Nicely said.
Thank you.
I was raised by a house builder. They are the worse to take care of safety though he slowly moved into wearing eye protection more times than not. After he got out, big changes. He takes care of all Ppe in everything but he also just had grandkids so I think it’s more bc of that. Not just taking care of them better but he could ask those younger kids if it was loud or when they cried about something from the wind into their eye.
Love the insight into your experiences, thank you. I have not yet allowed my kids into the workshop as it is not quite PPE complete , mainly dust collection but I see how it will keep me on the straight and narrow when I do. Thank you
Great vid mate, How long have you been making stuff? Just to let you know, the footings are in and the floor is going down next week. Then I can start framing. So I will be watching your entire build again this week.
Have a good un.🍺
Thank you bud. I started this in 2020, well the woodworking anyway. So not all that long. Well done with getting to the floor stage. Fingers crossed that the weather is kind. good luck bud.
Hi again, hope you are ok! Thank you for sharing such an important and useful content with us, as I believe, “Our World is a Shared Experience”… I have to ask you one thing that I am trying to find without any success (so far that is), if I may. Can you please tell me where you got the Formica (black) that you put on the work table? Thank you in Advance!
Remember, *_Life_* is *_Short_* so, *_Live Long_* and *_Prosper_* … 🖖 Cheers, matey!!!
Thank you bud. The cover of the table is from laminateandply.com
As far as the buy once, cry once. Ironically the one tool that I regret buying and am looking at getting a better one is a shop vacuum. You can be very careful around power tools, there isn't a ton you can do about airborne sawdust.
I am right there with you. I plan on making the shop vac my most expensive purchase to date. Not great for the budget but health first.
My dad's skillsaw from the 70's has a flat top and receses for clamps to do exactly what the thumbnail suggests.😅
Oh man that is truly terrifying. I see a lot of home made circular saw table saws and for one second when I was starting I considered it. then I realised it was bonkers.
Cracking video mate. Always glad to see you pop up on Saturday morning. My only other couple bits advice first you kinda touched on with the plane older tool's (fb market place) is always a good way to go the other one i have to kidna disagree with you and is the....
. You no what am gonna say. Sandpaper. I get the point to the 3m stuff but a can't justify it just yet. Slightly cheaper alternative ive been looking at klingspor abrasives similar stuff (mesh/cubirton) cheaper price oh and my go to finish Danish oil. Catch up soon 🏴👍 ps will share this today or tomorrow mate 😊
hi Michael. thank you bud. Great shout for FB marketplace. And I cant fault you on the sandpaper thing. It's more of an opinion of mine rather than hard and fast rule.
@@startmaking1 honestly klingspor is worth a look it's very similar and a bit cheaper. A don't disagree with you about the cheaper oxide paper an just to cheap to fork out for like 6 boxes of different grit 🙄
2:37 please provide video of you putting in those hinge screw with that saw. That has to be hilarious to watch.
challenge accepted lol.
Good video Mark 👍
Thank you Mark, much appreciated.
Lets go start making video 👍👍👍 back shortly
What should I say? Ok, thank you! Thanks! Thx! 👍
Thank you so much. Thats really kind.
Amazing what you can do with a 1/4" drill bit and some dowels. Spend money on tools you need.
Very true.
Day 1 clean up, day 2 do something.... weekend gone.... rinse and repeat.
I struggle as I have to make videos and need to do talking bits so mine is more like,, day 1, clean up, then build then clean. day 2 repeat. Not that I am moaning. It's more that I am incapable of planning to talk one day and build the next. Fun times.
A corollary to "keep your tools sharp" as well as "buy once, cry once" that I've heard is, like sandpaper, good blades are worth the money - you can often get a better job done with a good blade in a cheap tool, than with a good tool with a cheap blade...
This I agree with Matthew. I am considering changing the stick blade in my table saw as it is a beast and keeps chewing the wood.
Spend on blades, anything that cuts better needs less force and gives better results. And make test cuts, I use a scrap piece to try every single tool on so I know what happens next.
Great advice. Not heard that yet and it is so appropriate. Thank you.
Good stuff here. I'm guilty of pointing out my sins, errors. it is a negative in impact. Always listen to the voice in your head.
Good advice.
Made that tape error - had a small hissy fit binned the class II tapes and got one class I tape and some rulers ( and checked them all against each other )
same although it took me couple of times to figure out what i was doing wrong, same with cheap lidl squares, which were far from square.
@@maciej9280: Absolutely, definitely, check your squares and if you
have a table or band saw, check the blades are square to the tables
and the fences are also square to the tables. The tables do not need
level to gravity, but it's nice, especially if you use your table saw as
a work surface, as I do. 😁✌🖖
I have done this too with the squares. Checked all of the ones I had and realised that more than half were out.
@@startmaking1 being a Draughtsman, (now CAD and probably too obsessed with accuracy), all my squares are always checked with my old large accurate 45 and 60/30 squares. To my shock the cheap Starret I got on offer was good. The only sliding square I trust is made from steel, not Aluminium. IMHO having one accurate ( DIN 875-0 ) square to check others is good practice. :)
A tape measure isn't exactly a precision instrument. I have a long Hoke block gage set for that. Which I have used on one woodworking project.
One of your best!
Thank you Polly. Much appreciated
Changing thumbnails confused me at first I kept coming back thinking you'd posted a new video 😅
lol, sorry bud. Definitely just the one upload this week. But you have to play the YT game to get the views. Real pain in the bum.