06. The Bench Hook - the best jig for Perfect Sawcuts

Use a bench hook to make perfect sawcuts at any angle you might need using the bench hook - a simple jig you can make in minutes
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[@terrypriest6471]

These old masters on KZbin is the best internet.

[@gjbmunc]

Thank you!

[@CruJones33]

Rex Krueger recommended checking you out. Needless to say I'm now subscribed and needing more. Thank you!

[@gjbmunc]

Thanks and welcome (to you and Rex)!

[@dirdick43]

Just saw this video two days ago. I made a bench hook out of plywood and scrap following your instructions, modified for my pull saws of different kerfs. Saw cuts are perfect - This really improved my sawing efforts. Thank You!

[@gjbmunc]

Glad it helped!

[@brucewelty7684]

Oh? You followed his instructions? HE MISSED THE FIRST STEP!

[@dirdick43]

​@@brucewelty7684 Actually, I followed the overall video and made my adjustments - I use pull saws, NOT western saws.

[@globaloperator3198]

Truly on of the best and most informative woodworking channels i have watched, impressive thank you

[@gjbmunc]

Appreciated!

[@montelott8570]

Thank you Graham for this video, l am too well versed in woodworking machinery, having worked as a cabinetmaker. I now find myself retired am definitely gravitating toward hand tools for woodworking l appreciate your videos.

[@gjbmunc]

Sounds great!

[@Geninkenneth]

As a beginner I learned more from 7 minutes here than hours upon hours on the rest of KZbin..... Great chanal.

[@gjbmunc]

Great to hear!

[@nicolastousignant9160]

Sent by Rex Krueger.

[@gjbmunc]

Welcome!

[@nicolastousignant9160]

@@gjbmunc thanks! I'm not much of a woodworker but I've found traditional woodworking to be full of tips and techniques that are very much applicable to the tinkerer with a limited inventory of fancy modern tools. Looking forward to your sharing of that knowledge

[@j.d.1488]

Mr. Blackburn, I am an old retired guy. I love your channel. Sorry I got into woodworking so late in life. You and Mr. Sellers are great inspirations and guardians of a craft that needs to be passed down. Thank you sir

[@johnbesharian9965]

@@j.d.1488, The two gentlemen of whom you speak of here, plus the likes of Tage Frid (rhymes with "Hey Kid") who essentially reignited the current woodworking interest in hand tools, their care, use and methods, Chris Becksvoort and there are several others, some still with us, some having passed, but who (being pre-internet) left a legacy in printed form, that are well worth the time and effort to also find and absorb what you may of the knowledge they've handed down.

[@CleaveMountaineering]

I'll have to make one of these! Miter boxes bug me for some reason, but gotta try this out.

[@gjbmunc]

Good luck!

[@barbarianatgate2000]

This is a great explanation and demonstration of a time tested process. The one thing left out, is that to make those initial guide kerf cuts, you need to freehand or otherwise set up a guide to make certain your cut is true. Otherwise, you're just building a jig that perpetuates the same erroneous cut.

[@gjbmunc]

Yes, exactly

[@SimonWillig]

All these little tricks are so handy!

[@gjbmunc]

Glad to hear it!

[@Con_eire]

such a brilliant and concise lesson!

[@gjbmunc]

Thank you so much!

[@athmostafa2462]

You got a new subscriber , I'm a totally beginner hand tool guy and like to have tips for being better at woodworking.

[@gjbmunc]

Thanks for the sub! Keep watching!

[@daneasley7659]

Thanks Graham! I enjoy the video's. Very interesting! Thanks for sharing your knowledge. Look forward to watching more.

[@gjbmunc]

Awesome, thank you!

[@DJe1957]

Thank you sir! One of the very best woodworking videos I've watched. I certainly would have had much benefit of this last summer :) Now, there's another summer around the corner... Have a good one! P.S. Liked and subbed...

[@gjbmunc]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@DraganIlich-r1s]

Thank you Sir.🎉

[@gjbmunc]

Most welcome

[@reprosser]

I have used bench hooks for holding boards for planeing and such, but never thought about having the kerfs for sawing - thanks

[@gjbmunc]

Use with stops clamped to the back hook they're also good for making same sized dowels!

[@richardbutterfoss2353]

Thank you! RWB ❤🎉

[@gjbmunc]

You are so welcome!

[@RichyN25]

Awesome video! It's kinda like a modern day miter box, but the original lol

[@gjbmunc]

😊

[@HWCism]

Thank you. Always something to learn.

[@gjbmunc]

So true - for me, too!

[@Matthew-ju3nk]

Square and true cuts have always eluded me and the solution appears to be this brilliant little jig. It is such a simple idea and easy to make. I am curious to know if you recommend any particular species of wood for the end pieces. Soft pine makes sense for the base of the saw hook but would a hard wood be better suited for the end pieces for a longer service life? Does this really matter?

[@gjbmunc]

Something relatively stable (like beech) is ideal but not critical.

[@Onionbaron]

I have the same square! So beautiful!

[@gjbmunc]

I love the old ones, too.

[@eddienew2044]

An excellent explanation which I can’t wait to put into practice. I have ruined several mitre boxes without knowing why but your video makes it clear that I was trying to use them with several different saws depending on the thickness of the wood. May I ask what tpi you recommend for a cross-cut backsaw?

[@gjbmunc]

I have a couple of tenon saws (other than dovetail saws), the slightly bigger one is somewhat coarser (and quicker), about 10tpi, the other closer to 12tpi)

[@bobbabcock3847]

outstanding, very interested in hand tool aids and jigs due to arthritic hands, thanks.

[@gjbmunc]

Pleased to help - stay tuned, lots more coming!

[@מעייןהמלבלבתחייםםםם]

Thanks!!! Keeping it simple!!!

[@gjbmunc]

Always!

[@siamaklighvani3951]

Thank you for teaching us how to make jig like that but the side walks needs more reinforcement to absorb the impact

[@gjbmunc]

Maybe , but sawing is actually more efficient if done lightly with less impact.

[@mjac8373]

Thjank you for the good education...

[@gjbmunc]

You're welcome!

[@ibrhemahmed170]

Thank you very much

[@gjbmunc]

You are welcome

[@kitzbuhel5317]

Thank You for this wonderful ideas sir how about jig for straight perfect cutting plywood ?

[@gjbmunc]

Plywood is not my favourite material but if you have to cut it by hand, sawing along a clamped-on wooden guide ( even a 2x4 ) can hrlp a lot.

[@alexanderguestguitars1173]

On a slightly different topic to the bench hook (I was reminded when you nailed the cleat on the end), when you are nailing (or pinning really) do you ever put the pins in at a slight angle (say 10 degrees), and then put a couple more in with the pins angled in the opposite direction? I find this gives a clenching effect to the pins and holds the two pieces together much more effectively than simply pinning square. It's really good for making router jigs etc. Is this something you ever do yourself - or is it just me????

[@gjbmunc]

Whatever works is my motto, but truth to tell, the best method of attaching the hooks is with glue and wooden dowels, since wherever you nail you sooner or later run the risk of sawing through a forgotten nail!

[@gjbmunc]

For all those viewers who noticed in the original version that appeared the square was not held perfectly square - It's now fixed. Thank you so much for your sharp eyes! Much appreciated.

[@joseelelsodasilvaelelso]

very good, I liked it

[@gjbmunc]

I'm glad

[@ChristiannTyler]

Would the kerf on a miter saw be too wide and allow room for error? My cuts are terrible (new to hand tools) I’ve been trying to build things freehand which led me to miter boxes which led me to your video… still might buy a vintage Stanley miter box but is there a way to get a perfectly square cut for the bench hook? Or just follow the line be careful and keep fingers crossed?

[@gjbmunc]

The bench hook works well depending on how carefully you have cut the kerf in the hook and if you use the same saw to cut the workpiece.

[@NewGenerationProject]

👍 Excellent !!!!

[@gjbmunc]

Many thanks!!

[@Norm7264]

hmmm I'd love to see how you would use a bench hook for cutting dovetails (6:08)

[@gjbmunc]

may be coming soon, stay tuned!

[@pixelclef]

Nice! I've built my first jig. But my kerf does not produce a cut that is square or true. I know that's the fault of the kerf, I just don't know how to make that perfect kerf. Any tips?

[@gjbmunc]

Be super careful when you attach the fence - perfectly square to the side of the board - and mark the intended kerf in the hook very carefully.

[@dusty7264]

Why is it that fine woodworkers use cross pean hammers?

[@gjbmunc]

Basically the most convenient size.

[@whoormaster]

subscribed

[@gjbmunc]

thanks!

[@joegiotta7580]

I’ve never seen anyone make a bench hook with saw kerfs in it. When did that start?

[@gjbmunc]

Hi Joe, Something my father taught me - I thought it was standard!

[@alexjames1146]

I think it was some millennia ago.

[@motsy15]

After watching this I’m going to make a couple myself. However, I’ll stick to my mitre saw or table saw for mitre cuts. Dirty words I know, and I’m sorry😊

[@gjbmunc]

Great, go for it!

[@АлексейМаринчев-м1з]

The text on the screen obscures the picture.(((

[@gjbmunc]

Sorry about that. No text on my version.

[@johnbesharian9965]

In the lower right part of the You Tube screen, there's a control for captioning, which is used for the hard of hearing and/or translating from the language spoken on the video to one the viewer is familiar with. If you can hear and/or understand Mr. Blackburn w/o needing a translation, then just click on the "Captions" link/button/whatever its called to turn it off.