Bending Wood to Craft a Lamp, Ladder

[@SawyerDesign]

Get $10 off LUCY BREAKERS at LUCY.CO with code ‘SAWYER’ + Shipping is ALWAYS Free! Whether you use nicotine while working, creating, or playing - Lucy Breakers are the intelligent choice** Special thanks to Lucy for sponsoring this build. **Lucy products are ONLY for adults of legal age, and every order is age-verified. Warning: This product contains nicotine. Nicotine is an addictive chemical.

[@andylong6589]

awesome, I quit in 2005, this would have been handy

[@GibClark]

Code doesn't seem to work?

[@flapper1555]

Ya code doesn’t work, awesome work as always tho!!🔥🔥

[@SawyerDesign]

Oh crap. Working on it. Thanks for the heads up

[@SawyerDesign]

@@GibClark Should be working now. Thanks for the heads up!

[@D-B-Cooper]

For a steam box I found you can use ducting and end caps, that way you can make it as long as you need and then take it apart instead of having a big box taking up space when you don’t need it all the time.

[@matthysloedolff]

Firstly, congratulations on the 100k subscribers, Nick! I still feel that your channel should have many many more based on the quality of your work, the quality of your videos and your ability to tell a compelling story. Secondly, those are some steamy furniture pieces you made there. I think my favourite is the library ladder. Your use of grain direction and curves in wood is really impressive. It has give me inspiration and a really good idea for a workshop step stool.

[@SawyerDesign]

Hey thanks so much as always! Would love to see what you come up with for that stool!

[@matthysloedolff]

@@SawyerDesign I'll keep you informed and share once I get to building it 👍

[@alanblasczyk1779]

Another award winning set of pieces Nick.

[@SawyerDesign]

Thanks Alan!

[@johngalanes5264]

Very interesting and nice! I really appreciated the narration and minimal music!

[@dieselrugg]

simplicity of function...complexity of design. Classic Sawyer.

[@gregmislick1117]

Yes on sharpening vid - don’t care how many are out there, seen ‘em all - I want more ! Yes on setting up tools - I’m sure I’ve done it wrong somewhere

[@DeborahRobinson-g5c]

I just saw your work in the PantoRouter 2 web thingy. I have to say that you were the dorkiest guy on a scale of 1 to brass butt plugs. Having said that, I still think that your work is the most advanced and artful of anything I have ever seen. You convinced me that I need the PantoRouter and I bought one. But I bought it before I saw the video. We’ll never know if I would have made the purchase afterwards. Love your work, Nick. Don’t do dork.

[@maxsioulas7794]

Awesome work bro.... AND YES love to hear that vacuum seal open and the second one was much better🤙

[@quikcyber]

Your work is not only a distraction or something you can use to learn but it is mostly inspiring. In each of your project i can find little details wich i try to put into my own designs. You are the most inspiring person in the woodworking youtuber's world.% Thank you.

[@SawyerDesign]

That means a ton! Really appreciate that!

[@aurielamitchell7880]

Stunning lamp! "spank bank", your humor is brilliant. Congratulations on your 100k+ subscribers.

[@SawyerDesign]

Thank you so much! spank bank lol

[@martingagne3136]

as always your skills amaze me.... waiting for more .... thx

[@donnysarvis]

Nick those pieces turned out exceptional. I especially love the lamp. It is so elevated and looks like a piece of sculpture from a modern art museum. Can't go on enough about it. Great job as usual entertaining and making me laugh.

[@marshallsnyder2364]

Another routine design and build Nick😳…absolutely beautiful! Here’s a vote for a video / training on sharpening. I’ve switched from diamond stones to Shapton whetstones & glass, which has helped, but based on the ribbons you make, it’s obvious I’m missing something. Thanks for all you do and share!

[@SawyerDesign]

My pleasure! Will definitely put something together

[@mich89626]

I really like this hand sock idea. I have some prototypes I’ve been working on. I’ve brain stormed some name ideas. So far I have gloves, mittens, and gauntlet. I think we could make a killing on this idea.

[@jreu2e]

I'd love to see your sharpening process. I've just finally arrived at a place where I know that I have to be better at sharpening than I am, and I'd love to learn it from you.

[@linkoussr]

Sam Malouf inspired library ladder and lamp?? Hmm… gotta do a rocker now! 😊

[@erichraudebaugh]

End result looks fantastic. I've steam bent kiln-dried wood, you can do it but it's more likely to break. Time in the steam box might be a factor though, I was bending molding and perhaps didn't let it steam as long as I could have, because steaming a bit longer did seem to help.

[@SawyerDesign]

I had a similar experience in my tests with KD samples. They all wanted to break. I’ve read soaking first for a few days might help too

[@TabAtl]

“Hard wood into a steamy box”. You’re hilarious. “Oboner” was inspired tho. 😂

[@ElonPete]

Lamp is 💯

[@Alsintheshop]

Love your work. Use your steam Jenny for clams.

[@paulfowler3416]

Lovely work, very interesting. I especially like the lamp.

[@kjartan3838]

Stunning mate... Really like what you are doing!! Regards from Iceland :)

[@rickwaddell4962]

Once again it's art. love the lamp. I'd be more interested in your design process and what influences it than sharpening and CNC. I am always looking for what you are up too.

[@donesry2902]

Your work just keeps getting more amazing! That wood is beautiful. I have a love hate thing going working with figured walnut, but you make it look so easy and relaxing. You should build you own CNC so it fits your style and shop space. Thank you for sharing your work!!!

[@SawyerDesign]

Thanks Don! I really would like to. Any suggestions on a brand that’ll put up with some work?

[@anacletoarmas995]

Beautiful work !!!!!!

[@SawyerDesign]

Thanks so much!

[@torsi10]

Stunning!

[@VoeltnerWoodworking]

I’m here for the dad jokes. 😂 Great build, dude.

[@StopandStare.]

It's really nice to see your channel grow bigger, this video really felt like I was watching a suspense story, 80% of video in i didn't even realise you are making a step ladder, it felt like for the whole video i am guessing what are you making what part goes were and in the end it all comes together like a thriller movie, bravo!! 👏 nicely done. For the projects, they are looking soo good.

[@SawyerDesign]

Glad you liked the little build of tension. I get so bored when everything goes well. Thanks so much!

[@StopandStare.]

@@SawyerDesign well chaos sounds so hectic and negative but somewhere in there heart every wants to be take part in it. Problem solving is 90% of the fun in any craft, atleast i think soo

[@SawyerDesign]

Totally agree. I find the most struggle results in the biggest reward.

[@StopandStare.]

@@SawyerDesign cant wait to see you struggle in next project 😂

[@bigmansapple]

Here we go! Was waiting for this one!

[@SawyerDesign]

Hopefully worth the wait!

[@bigmansapple]

@@SawyerDesign Sure is, your content always is!

[@Evolucion7]

RAD AF, as usual. Congrats on the 100k milestone. You earned and deserve it.

[@SawyerDesign]

Hey thanks! Much appreciated!

[@jimsjacob]

Yes! I added a comment on that topic once. A video on sharpening. Voodoo magic to me so I’d love to see how.

[@SawyerDesign]

Definitely on my list of instructionals!

[@maderaporlasvenas]

Incredible work, as always, every video you make is great, by the way, congratulations on your more than 100,000 subscribers, the truth is that they seem very few to me for the great content you make, for me you are a reference, I hope one day to reach those figures 😜. a hug from Spain my friend

[@SawyerDesign]

Thanks so much man!

[@tomowens2720]

Hey Nick, enjoyed the vid.....burns and all. Close to placing an order for a Harvey TS but there's always doubt. Not asking for do or don't but rather would you buy a Harvey machine again? Thanks Taipan Woodworks

[@SawyerDesign]

It’s a nice saw! The adjustment is a pain on the fence and riving knife, but I love the hi/lo fence and the machine has lots of power. TiN is a little gimmicky and double check the main pulley screws. If I did it again and paid retail, I’d probably go SawStop.

[@tomowens2720]

Thank you Nick, grateful for your time. I'm looking at thier 2hp Alpha 1 saw. At 69 it'll be tha last saw I'll ever buy. JET are stupid priced as are Powermatic. Grizzly appears to make a decent product & Saw Stop is beyond my reach. IDK Before I spew serious coin more ponderment is in order. I'll get a headache

[@SawyerDesign]

Yeah hard decision. Can’t recommend JPM at all. Had good luck with most of my grizzly stuff, but at the end of the day, Chinese mfg are all the same and cut the same corners. Have you looked at Oliver?

[@tomowens2720]

Some kind of sawdust voodoo going on in your shop Nick. As I watch you work it's like Krenov and Maloof take turns guiding your hands. Spooky cool. I'm out.

[@tomowens2720]

@@SawyerDesign never thought about Oliver, I'll check it out. It's likely I'll buy a Harvey machine. Received a sale notice from Harvey this weekend. Thier 3hp $2900 bandsaw is on sale for $1900. wow

[@stevehignett5701]

Check out This Old Tony for a video on chequering. He goes into quite a bit of detail and trial and error also, when applying the technique (for the first time) to a Rifle stock. Oh, and also, his videos are great and he's hilarious!

[@PaleRider559]

You mean Oven Mits? LOL

[@chrisp.76]

Welders gloves. Leather willl be better for a shop.

[@slightly.above.average]

Smarter not harder! You spend a lot of time cleaning up cuts that could of been done quickly and accurately with a cross cut sled. Not to say I don't enjoy watching you suffer to chase perfection. Congrats on your channel growth.

[@SawyerDesign]

Haha thank you. In my defense, compounding stuff takes a long time to set up where a few swipes with a plane are both satisfying and pretty low friction

[@troywalker8078]

Duck queef !!

[@demmarcsxr]

Wallpaper Steamer

[@sgass]

Nick, FYI your Patreon link is broken.

[@sinisterh4nd]

I like turtles.

[@SawyerDesign]

Lamp!

[@brianhdenver7551]

The lamp and ladder are both dope, I like your editing here too. Congrats on the 100k subscriber plaque, I have to think that’ll keep growing exponentially as I see you referenced more on Reddit and the other socials. I’d be into a hand tool setup video, even if there are already plenty of other ones from the older guy creators.

[@SawyerDesign]

Thanks so much! I’ll definitely add that to the list of future deep dives

[@gregmislick1117]

“Entertaining and informative “ - ALWAYS … in fact, it was you particular approach which caught me on the first vid and keeps me coming back. ….. Well, that add you are really good at what you do!!!!

[@coffeeguydave8149]

Love your humor Nick. Not sure who is funnier, you or Cam from blacktail. Maybe that’s why my projects suck: I’m just not funny enough for woodworking 😂

[@ironbridgebrewery]

I hope Onefinity, or another CNC manufacturer, reach out to you soon! I love the stuff you do with a hybrid of techniques. I would love to see you add a CNC to the workflow. Your stuff is always a great inspiration!

[@SawyerDesign]

That would be cool! Glad to share the spark!

[@Realism91]

Have you seen Absorber of Light's welded CNC build, dirt cheap and capable at least the steel is cheap here as long as it's not from the home centers.

[@planeboardwoodworks5903]

Congratulations on 100k! I am always anxiously waiting for the new videos to come out so I can be inspired and learn something new. Your work and design are simply impressive. I would love to see a video on sharpening, I see you make impressive ribbons with your planes - there’s gotta be something I’m missing. (Maybe it’s patience!)

[@SawyerDesign]

Thanks so much! Glad you’re liking the builds. I’ll definitely work on getting some more edu content out.

[@andrewbrown8148]

Way to go cracking 100k, although I am surprised that that's just now happening. Your work is stellar...at a level that I aspire to reach and I've been woodworking for 30+ years. You definitely got that creative gene that I was cheated out of. ;-) Great work (as always)~!!

[@SawyerDesign]

Hey thanks so much Andrew!

[@bradymcphail9690]

My gosh are you good & young! Your sarcasm and arrogance is awesome! I’ve spent 50 years in a rather tough guy industry where arrogance doesn’t go far. You keep your mouth shut and prove yourself with your hands. You are a bright light, I’m learning so very much from you, continuing on from my grandfather at age 3 yr. Where I began my passion for woodworking 56 years ago. Your Modern style is teaching me lines and curves & ideas that I never thought I could have in the styles that I’m interested in. I also find that I’m getting more artistic in my metalworking as well. Thank you

[@SawyerDesign]

Glad you’re finding some good info! I’m definitely a bit of a smart ass. Boss doesn’t seem to mind haha

[@thomlipiczky9021]

Things I admire about your work: your amazing talent; your insane obsession with getting things right; your tasteful design ideas; your ability to adapt on the fly when something doesn't work out; your interest in trying new ideas/techniques/materials/tools; your sense of fun making this stuff.

[@Cellottia]

Hear hear!!

[@ninomaiorano6697]

Did you ever hear of gloves for handling hot wood?

[@Alsintheshop]

Both pieces are terrific. The ladder I found to be especially pleasing. I love a piece that grabs the attention of the user. I built a small cantilevered deck on my old shop (looked like it hung on nothing) that drove my neighbor nuts. He always threatened to put a post under the corner 🤪 I enjoy your commentary and humor. Also how you don’t allow a miss-step to stumble you. (No pun intended) 😉Thank you for sharing. Look forward to many more videos.

[@bs838]

Dude you are a master of working harder not smarter. I mean that as a compliment.

[@SawyerDesign]

Hahaha dude this couldn’t be more accurate

[@Cellottia]

You're one of a kind... Stunning designs, precision in execution, perfection in finishing. You'll be remembered long after you've shuffled off this mortal coil, Nick. If you figure out a way of not mass production but making several of each of your pieces, employing skilled people to replicate what you do (I'm thinking of a Dutch art nouveau designer van someone, he made a very famous desk and his pieces are now in museums and yes it is a horribly long time since I was at art college!) I reckon you could make a very decent living... But what do I know?! I do know you're head and shoulders above most other designer/makers I've come across on KZbin; if ever I've a few hundred thousand pounds to spare, I'll commission you to make the furniture in my dream home! Edit: P.S. You're also the cutest woodworker on YT! 🧡🧡🧡!

[@andyfarrell8000]

my new favorite channel. appreciate the craftsmanship which is obvious cause it's dope, but I stay for the ridiculous humor and double entendres

[@SawyerDesign]

Haha thanks Andy. Double entendres? This was strictly woodworking 😜

[@missionwood]

absolutely amazing - the combination of craftmanship and art. I enjoyed the video, though nothing for an everday woodworker. I will definitly keep on following to get some inspiration.

[@kdavidwhite8376]

Another Great (or is it Greats) bit (or is it bits) of work Nick!!. You really have a Bent for this Woodworking Thingy. Anxiously waiting for your next production! and frankly, I'm with Leon and the multitude of others on here.. We need to get the word out to get you more subscribers!!! And the fact that you're somewhat local makes it more enjoyable to see what comes out of your mind, (or is it your customers (uh-hmmm - wife's) minds).. Good Stuff man!!

[@martinoleary3716]

Well done. Funny presentation (oboe-ner) and beautifully creative design. Your work is a total inspiration for me. Thanks for showing your mistakes. Please do a collab with Pedulla studio. You guys were cut from the same cloth!

[@ewetuber186000]

I watch quite a few KZbin craftsmen woodworkers. And I learn from all of them. Sometimes I’m watching and thinking “I will build one of those”. And sometimes I’m thinking “this is a skill I need to learn”. But your work goes beyond where I will ever take my hobby. Some day in the future, two people not yet born, will stand and stare at a piece of furniture and say “I can’t believe you scored that at the action” and the other one will say “I know, and it’s a Sawyer!”

[@SawyerDesign]

Appreciate your kind words. They’re Humbling, really. That potential to be part of so many lives lights a fire to be more thoughtful and build better every single day. Thank you.

[@toyvendor6073]

awesome work as always man. Love the funk

[@Skenderbeuismyhero]

I'm no expert but I have steam bent a few pieces of different hardwoods for making bows and I haven't needed to steam anything for 4 whole hours and the bends I've done are much more severe than these you did. Also, I have bent kiln dried wood and haven't had any problems with it, although those pieces did break as I was making final tillering adjustments but I'm not sure if the kiln drying was why.

[@hale_yeah_texas]

Things we have in common: no booze, Lucy’s, we cut wood. Things we don’t have in common: my projects are closer to going straight to goodwill then a living room while yours belong on pop woodworking cover 😂😂😂

[@andrewherrmann2964]

My absolute favorite KZbin project from anyone to date .... and there's a lot of cool stuff. Does the steam bending make the wood more like a noodle? Bending in all directions. Also, didn't realize wood working was so raunchy. I wear a hoodie and dark sunglasses to go to my shop now. 😎

[@SawyerDesign]

Super raunchy! Haha it does come out very noodle-like. Super interesting process!

[@TomCGhost]

Love your work! I love learning from watching as well. As for these pieces, there is so much base for literally a 1/2" board at the top. Do my eyes fixate on the base or the light fixture? Do they fixate on the steps or the top of the ladder, which is usually where you are trying to reach or get to. So for me, I think a simple lamp shade to take up some space would really finish the piece. As for the ladder, not sure.

[@c.a.g.1977]

For a steamy hot video it's rather cool! Love the editing and music, Nick! Congratulations of the 100k subs! Next stop: 1000.000!!!

[@jamiekrautkremer9962]

If you get a chance check out Crimson Guitars channel, I can’t remember off hand which video it was but he does that hand checkering technique you mentioned and shows off some really cool tools made just for that. Hope that helps

[@petehafner1659]

Another beautiful set of pieces. I recently also did some bending to replace the pieces of a round dining table I'm building. I was trying to route a 2 inch thick ring of hickory with the router attached to a center point when on the final pass the router had other plans... I thought I was going to have to shoot it to stop it! What a mess! Bending in retrospect is much safer and turned out looking better than I thought. I always look forward to your videos, keep them coming.

[@giogringo]

thx for the heads up on milwaukie hardwoods. Haven't been in PDX that long and I always end up over at the usual suspects in the NW. nice make, funny vid.

[@GeometryBuild]

Yes please regarding sharpening. No please only fans 😂btw, do you sharpen bits?

[@wrekcage]

Thank you! Every video you make is always thoroughly entertaining. Keep up the great work! Lastly what you do with hand planes and joinery should be censered sir 😂

[@nailedinscotland]

this has met the standard that I have come to expect of you, beautiful as always man love it. also congrats on the button the gold shouldn't be to long now.

[@thegag64]

Love your creations!!! However, have you ever heard of Leather gloves? Just kidding. They do help though………..

[@krumpetrov5323]

Yea, dude, some tips on sharpening would be great. One I do the 25 degree angle on my plane blade well, then I just keep the 30 degree edge sharp. It takes me a min or two but pls do share how you go about it 😉

[@WoodcraftBySuman]

The toast analogy was a perfect way to explain it

[@paulwilson2204]

Sharpening your knives and tools is one of the most satisfying things, just remind your family that the knives are actually ridiculously sharp.

[@hoffmeisterwoodworks]

love the build, but the epoxy // water based adhesive difference was a light blue moment! thank you. love your work.

[@robb4751]

That's a lot of work just to bend some boards. I just go to Lowes and buy mine pre-bent and it saves tons of time. 🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@TheVectorious]

I have a bunch of hand planes but I just do not know how to set them up. I try them and they just don’t work. I would love a course on how to use a hand plane, set it up, sharpen and maintain. All of that.

[@Dgreencouch29]

I really like to form of the lamp design. The light seems a bit stark, or incongruent, but it works reasonably well.

[@deanbarill3182]

Very very nice. You have both the skill to build it and the ability to dream it up. Sorry no chew for me.😂

[@cedartreeworkshop]

Thanks for the heads up on Milwaukie Hardwoods! I've been driving by that place for 20 years and always wondered if there was a business there. I will be reaching out to David to get some stock for a project I have coming up.

[@SawyerDesign]

Awesome! Yeah I live right around the corner and have never been in. Cool place and cool guy

[@executor485]

Oh man, didn’t notice you have a fancy “festool” mitre saw. 😂 nice! Too funny

[@07roadking43]

Id enjoy seeing a sharpening video ! So there ya be my 2 cents lol !!!! Awesome build ! Came out nice !!!

[@MS-do5xq]

Congrats on breaking 100k, it's well deserved! I always look forward to your videos, educational while being entertaining. The pieces you design are inspiring and motivate me to push myself in the shop.

[@SawyerDesign]

Thank you! Glad to share the inspiration!

[@andrewcodelka5158]

Congrats ok passing 100k (should be 10x that for how good your content is!!) How about a spherical kumiko lampshade (not soccerball-style panels either)? Not trying to get you to flex on us or anything, but you might be one of the only people that would try something that insane! As always, awesome design!

[@SawyerDesign]

Thanks Andrew! I was actually looking at doing a bent lam sphere. Doable, but suuuper tricky

[@christopherperisho4819]

Can you do an in depth on the Osmo Poly-X? I’ve been using Odie’s Oil for a long time, and love it for some stuff that doesn’t get handled a lot, but don’t love it for high use stuff (like my butcher block countertops). I’ve thought about trying Osmo or Rubio, but they are spendy and I would like your input!

[@SawyerDesign]

Yeah I’m not a fan of odies as a finish or the guy who owns it. I’ve had decent luck with both Rubio and polyx. Rubio will build more sheen. My favorite is actually shellac for low traffic and 2K acrylic for the stuff that needs to be bulletproof.

[@Codeyellow]

Can it be true? Doth my eyes deceive me?? No clickbait title, no misleading thumbnail, not peddling some product at me, an ACTUAL project build??? Where have you been? Curse the algorithm for not delivering this video to me sooner. Instant sub.

[@SawyerDesign]

Hey thanks so much!

[@chrisstearns10]

"Sad duck queef" got me rolling 🤣🤣🤣 Got a pantorouter and am loving it👍👍 also got the Accu-Burr and love it as well excellent suggestions Nick. Where's your new bench?

[@SawyerDesign]

Haha awesome man! New bench is in my buddys shop.

[@212ntruesdale]

On another level, everything! Some super smart, creative and tenacious people out there.

[@killiemon]

Great project and video. 1 weird thing I've never seen on a video: when watching at 2x speed, from 22:00 to 22:40, your voice suddenly turned really grainy and high-pitched, then goes back to normal. It doesn't happen at all in normal speed. No idea how that happens, but thought it was weird enough to share lol

[@SawyerDesign]

thanks! That’s interesting. Wonder if it’s yt compression or if I can see something in my VO track. Sound is such a complicated part of production.

[@TOTHEPOINT82]

It will be someone named dave or david fussing about the screw. It's always a dave...

[@SawyerDesign]

Dammit Dave haha

[@annettehawkins8467]

Your work is over the top amazing! I just enjoy watching the process. I know nothing about woodworking however should you not use a push block when you are sawing through a piece of wood instead of keeping your hands/fingers on the wood? You are sooo talented, I would hate to see you lose any fingers. I am not saying that to be mean- I don’t want you to get hurt! Great video!

[@SawyerDesign]

Thanks Annette!

[@lepreseanaz]

Can't help with a CNC but I would recommend checking out Mark Novak/Anvil's checkering videos. Tons of great information.

[@SawyerDesign]

Thanks! I’ll check it out!

[@siebe41]

Love the build. We don't need to tell Cam over at Blacktail about that little epoxy comment lol

[@creedsexton296]

As usual, I loved both pieces... Just a note: the steam bending is better suited for more extreme bends than were done here. it definitely has its place.

[@SawyerDesign]

Yeah I read that the more those fibers are deformed, the better it stays. Will definitely explore that a bit in the future. Thanks man!

[@Jarod1941]

I don't understand the close-up shot of the Wundows XP screen, unless it's to make us jealous that you still use XP and most of us are using the far inferior Win 10 and 11. 😉

[@SawyerDesign]

Haha I thought it was funny that this CNC still ran on such an old OS. Seems like a nightmare to work with.

[@danhigham1283]

I reckon heat resistant cooking gloves with some nitrile gloves on top would work!

[@jameskeaveny8377]

Great project! I love the lamp. BTW I like your watch but couldn't pause the video to get the perfect shot to check it out. What make/model is it?

[@SawyerDesign]

Thanks! It’s a submariner date 116610LN

[@mattystewart8]

Professional Oboner had me roaring with laughter 😂😂😂😂

[@lanceparrish6453]

I'm very happy to see that your soldering skills are exactly as terrible as your woodworking skills are great. Right there with you though, I made some home theater speakers a bit ago and had to solder some electrical components, it was not a pretty sight.

[@SawyerDesign]

Hahaha so true. Soldiering is hard!