Finding Beauty in Simple Furniture Design // $30,000 Build

[@brigetteanderson-atkins1128]

That is beautiful in its simplicity! You nailed it. I'm sure if I suggested the same thing to another person they would have made a simple box. You kicked it up a notch. The ripple effect will be awesome, can't wait to see that project put together. Also, if you choose to hire someone I'm sure I can relocate to Oregon!!!

[@SawyerDesign]

Were you the one who suggested that idea? I was looking everywhere for that comment.

[@brigetteanderson-atkins1128]

@@SawyerDesign I was. I am so thrilled you took the idea and ran with it!

[@SawyerDesign]

Thanks for the kick! Always love pushing outside the comfort zone a bit

[@brigetteanderson-atkins1128]

@@SawyerDesign Thank you for posting videos and giving all of us inspiration.

[@andrewrice9031]

Not gonna lie, feeling very humbled to have found your channel of woodworking goodness!!

[@SawyerDesign]

Dude awesome! Super pleased to share the spark man.

[@markmcintire3401]

Like you said. The simplicity and the practicality. Nice combination! I like it Nick. Nice video. Can’t wait till next week! This is like waiting for season 4 of Yellowstone.

[@aidenzakrzewski3120]

I love all the work you have put out, not like any other woodworkers I’ve seen on KZbin! I have been trying to grow my finishing technique and you seem to have it down. Rubio mono coat is normally my go to, but I’m really curious about more of your finishing process. I don’t know if you have a video already on that, but if not I would love to see one in the future

[@SawyerDesign]

Thanks so much! Rubio is great. I use Osmo sometimes, but mostly shellac and if it’s high traffic, I’ll top coat in 2K. But yeah! I’ll go into more detail in a video sometime.

[@fugixi]

Wonderful build! Love your videos.

[@jimpike3489]

Hey Tom, simplistic in design not skills, you are a great woodworker Tom and I really love your attention to detail. That acrylic is so expensive, really looking forward to the final video. As commented on below, the wood shavings from your plane are awesome to watch. Thanks for sharing

[@jasondoust4935]

That's a lovely table. It's always interesting to see how much effort is required to make something look "simple". A lot of design resolution is evident. 10:21 I was cutting acrylic today for a custom reception desk covid shield and while brushing/flicking/picking/vacuuming and blowing all the chicken feather bits off the table saw, me, and everything within shouting distance, I too was thinking "I'll be happy to never cut acrylic again..." :-) I looked like older you! The stuff is made of static cling!

[@SawyerDesign]

Such a mess to work! Definitely not adding it to my arsenal that I present to clients. Lol

[@tntcox100]

Simple but beautiful at the same time. Awesome work once again mate 👊👍

[@BrentandChris]

Awesome video!

[@chriswaldron2617]

Re-sawing stock through the bandsaw only to find out you’ve got a whole lot of tension unleashed and kill what was very nice timber in the first place, just kills things for you instantly

[@boryscholewinski4370]

There is no woodworker who despite seeing a perfect finish after the first pass with a handplane says: Yeah, that's enough.

[@SawyerDesign]

Lol this is SO TRUE. gotta make the a pile of fluffy shavings or you aren’t doing it right 😂 woodworker therapy

[@jasondoust4935]

And the second pass always requires thirty more when the first was on the money.

[@RobyWanKenobi]

Excuse my ignorance but I am building a walnut ladder for a loft bed for my daughter and need help with the finish. Your finish on this sounds perfect except I do not have a sprayer and I have used this project to reason too many tools already. Any suggestions on something similar? All my other walnut pieces have been finished with oil or rattle can laquaer. Thank you for your help and inspiration.

[@SawyerDesign]

Try osmo. Easy to apply and low voc amzn.to/3w0B9R9

[@GregsGarage]

Can you tell me what 2k urethane you are using? I use products from the automotive world, but I'm always looking for products more suited for wood. Great video BTW!

[@SawyerDesign]

Hey thanks Greg. I’m using the Aquinity line from Diamond Vogel. Unfortunately, I don’t know of anywhere it’s available for retail. I source from a distributor and he hooks me up with 5gals from time to time, but prefers to sell by the drum.

[@GregsGarage]

@@SawyerDesign Thank you! I have some connections to DV through my work as an architect. I'll drop them a line and see if there is an arrangement we can make for some "specifier samples" :D. I'm making my way through your video back log. It's nice to see another furniture designer here on YT who has some serious design chops. There are a few of you out there, so it's awesome when google drops you into my suggestions.

[@ptj6412]

does hand planning take less material off than sanding?

[@SawyerDesign]

Good question. I’m not sure. It makes a much smoother surface more quickly though!

[@keeemo4366]

“walnut smells like old women” kareem :)

[@X3WorkshopDesigns]

Oh wow! Dude that finish! I must know. What are the products you used? I know you said shellac mixture but what's the ratio or what did you put in it?

[@SawyerDesign]

Crazy silky, right?! It’s a 1lb cut of platina dewaxed shellac with about 6 drops of transtint black per 16oz. The topcoat is Aquinity 2K urethane by Diamond Vogel.

[@X3WorkshopDesigns]

@@SawyerDesign Thank you so much Nick! You're amazing!

[@anthonyyribe183]

Hey brotha, I’m trying to find your magnet pen clip and I can’t find it anywhere. Can you point me in the right direction?

[@SawyerDesign]

Lee valley stock rare earth magnets, I believe. There’s lots of places online, they just arent on Amazon. I prefer a 3/4” dia

[@pitieri]

Just show your beautiful work and stop talking! You became an actor .

[@mjjf8297]

Tell us about your pencil holder on your shirt 😬

[@SawyerDesign]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/mYmYe6WArcqaf6s

[@-_-BenPrice]

Might reach out to Rainfall Projects on KZbin and see if he can help with your metal working projects. I know he helps Jason Hibbs.

[@SawyerDesign]

Awesome thanks for the lead Ben! I ended up finally finding a place that was easy to work with, but will definitely write that down for next time.

[@-_-BenPrice]

@@SawyerDesign no problem just figured another KZbinr around your area for collaboration projects

[@-_-BenPrice]

@@SawyerDesign also quick question with that acrylic do you think it would have worked if you did through tenons and wedged them with walnut? Or would it crack?

[@dolliemainor1156]

I'll be your employee, would have to come out of retirement

[@SawyerDesign]

PSA: My name is Nick. Tom’s that guy from the book with Huckleberry Finn. He’s also a nice guy, but he’s dead and not real.

[@gavinclayton9552]

You so now have to do a video making a fishing pole dressed as Tom Sawyer. 🤣

[@MrSeminole77]

nor was he a sawyer : )

[@larss337]

😊👍

[@FranksWorkbench]

Too much skill and work to be worth 30k. U didn't get the memo? Big tickets are reserved for pouring a finish directly on the tree slab 😆. Lol at least on the "reality" show of YT. My hats off to you, great work and creativity

[@SawyerDesign]

Thanks Frank. Epoxy tables definitely seem like the better business choice if money is the goal. I just get so bored with slabs 😂

[@chicomore]

Great Video, Great Piece. I been wanting to get into conversion varnish or 2k poly, so what products did you use to get that look?

[@SawyerDesign]

Base in a transtinted 1lb cut of shellac and topcoated in Diamond Vogel 2K. Pretty impressive results and it's crazy durable

[@MaHoKu2022]

Amazing. This Combination between acryl and Wood is what i love, Greetings from Germany Cologne . Like your Channel!

[@ej9147]

Subscribed, found your channel from Black Tail Studios. This is really a beautiful piece, one question though, you epoxied the center tenon on the acrylic and not the outside ones to allow for movement, this makes sense to my simple mind, but then you glued the two spreaders/stretchers into that same board and those are glued together with the "mini stretchers". Doesn't that negate the ability of the end panel to expand and contract? Not trying to criticize, just trying to learn. Still think it is an awesome build!!!!

[@BlakePizzey]

And where have you been!? Why did I just find this. So much to catch up on. Great content.

[@codyvollmers]

Would love if you would be interested in making a finishing video? Your process ,products , experience. The words you used might as well been computer code to my ears lol. Finishing is my weakness and I wanna be better and I love hard wax oil look. Thanks great work

[@paulsound1110]

I could be your co Worker for milling, tho i live a bit far away in Germany to be exact. :D This work rly inspires me. Used to be a carpenter but stoped after accident. Take care buddy and dont stop ;P

[@KyleShevlin]

Recently found your channel and am enjoying it a lot. Fellow Portlander, how about that windstorm today?!

[@MBSK-xw4ff]

부자되는법페인트 부자되는법페인트 👌👌좋아요베리나이스굿입니다요,아주훌륭하고 정성이 가득한게 너무 감동적이면서 여러가지 생각이 머리속을 스쳐지나가는군요,,이렇게 열심히하고 열심히 사는것이 아주 훌륭해 보인다는 감동적인삶이 계속되길 바랍니다요,,,👌 👍👍😍😍💦💦☘☘🙌🙌💥💥💥💥💥💥

[@inmyimage1081]

It’s always impressive how KZbin and Google can translate words and make them read grammatically correct in English given that most other languages construct sentences in a different order than english 👍

[@damonturnbull5903]

I'm here from Blacktail Studio's recommendation. New Sub. Looking forward to seeing many more vids.

[@glynnepritchard2526]

The issue with sawn flat panels was noted centuries ago. Look at old flat top furniture, they solved the issue of warping by rotating the timber planks.

[@coreyshortland2074]

Hi mate, why did you change from a jointing plane to a smoothing plane when flattening your edge? Just curious

[@dieselrugg]

I like milling (well better than sanding). …but my neighbors don’t 🤔🤣🙉

[@thomastieffenbacherdocsava1549]

WoW! Michael Fortune! Impressive. Nice explanations along the way!

[@davekavanagh7599]

Back here watching again, I like to go back over your vids to grab some inspiration sometimes 👍

[@StanislavG.]

These acrylic sheets are used for Lichtenberg figure art production. Never seen them used in any other context

[@mrwaffles1394]

Seems like there are a lot of PNW KZbin woodworkers. I should start a channel… I mean, I’m still a newb and my content would be sad. But hey, maybe it would make people feel better about their projects.

[@SawyerDesign]

You should definitely start a channel! It’s a bit of a time suck, but fun to have a community in an otherwise solitary hobby/profession

[@FLOLDED]

Hi! If that was not a joke about an employee, I would love to. That may sound a bit dumb but I don`t like to waste chances, even if they are miserable. Woodworking took a place deep in my heart

[@SawyerDesign]

I’d love the help, but gotta get in a bigger space before I take anyone on!

[@crossgrainwoodproductsltd9230]

I adore everything about black walnut from the smell to the gold hues that shine through when you first apply oil. This is very nice! May I ask if that is a phone pouch on your hip? It's cool looking.

[@SawyerDesign]

Same! It’s just the best. I actually keep a 6” rule, combo square and pen in there.

[@kennethbishop123]

Ripple in still water. Keep on trucking? Deadhead woodworker too?

[@JPBerkleeDude]

Hey man, l do metal fabrication as well as woodworking, you could keep me in mind next time for your project perhaps! I like your projects and would love to do a collab!

[@SawyerDesign]

Awesome! I certainly will! Send me an email [e-mail] so I have your info for next time if you would

[@mikekirkelie4037]

Man, I need to work at your shop... um, garage. Amazing work.

[@deanbarill3182]

I love German Shorthair Pointers. I’ve had 2. I miss them bad.

[@OpusX2010X]

Exceptional work as always Tom! Only issue with your channel is I have to watch your videos multiple times because there are not enough of them! Keep up the great work and amazing content!

[@SawyerDesign]

Haha where did this Tom trend come from?! Thank you!

[@OpusX2010X]

@@SawyerDesign I just thought it was a funny play on words since this is Sawyer Design! Funny stuff!!

[@ruth35ab]

Hola desde España, me encanta tu trabajo, seria posible activar subtítulos también en castellano? Muchas gracias y enhorabuena por tu canal

[@SawyerDesign]

Hola! Gracias. Si, puedo traducirlos y subir.

[@gregmislick1117]

It's looking fantastic so far. Can't wait for level 2!

[@jdjdncjdjsmak5033]

90% talking, 10% working.... Boring as hell....!!!

[@christophermacier]

If you ever need more metal work and powder coating done I work for a shop in phoenix as their designer and we would be happy to accommodate.

[@SawyerDesign]

Thanks man. I’ll definitely hit you up next time!

[@boryscholewinski4370]

No need to say what I think of your work. Strange how at this point I accually find it saddening and unmotivating. Today I pretty much finished my workbench vise and was happy with my self. But now I feel like a drooling, incapable toddler.

[@SawyerDesign]

Haha awe man! I’d really love to share the spark. Definitely not a race. I have plenty of days I’d be happy with little project successes. This was a whole month of work in 20 minutes. I’m sure if you amassed all your accomplishments of a month, I’d be envious of your productivity too

[@TheTranq]

I’m still confused why the small piece of acrylic was $3k? What’s so special about it?

[@SawyerDesign]

I mean it’s nice stuff. Laminated with a colored transparent layer and an opaque backing. There’s also a shortage with everything going to making acrylic shields which has probably driven prices up

[@TheTranq]

@@SawyerDesign True! I just still can’t wrap my head around 3k for it. Looking forward to the next pieces!

[@Hockey4harry1]

Awesome work. Btw, that's not your address on the packing slip... right?

[@SawyerDesign]

Thanks! No I think that’s the supplier

[@VC-uo3pj]

Please leave some DNA on the table you are planning for me 😊

[@ltandrepants]

not sure what you said about the two halves cut from resawing and using cauls? “smoosh” them?

[@SawyerDesign]

Alternate the bows and let them cancel one another’s tension. Worked great!

[@jamesbowie6925]

The smell of walnut reminds me of horses and saddles😊

[@TracksWithDax]

The thing about gluing up the bowed panels is gonna probably save my but on a bunch of future builds. Love watching your process!! Could be cool to see a bit more of the design early on in the build. Keep it going Nick, awesome seeing your channel grow!!

[@SawyerDesign]

Right?! It makes sense, but I’ve never tried it. Doesn’t work for bookmatching is the only thing, but a good grain match and planning with the alternating panels really turns out awesome. Thanks a ton Dave. I’ll get a little more down and dirty on design with the sequel.

[@JustFly360]

great job! 👍 what kinda spray gun you used and that laser engraving, thanks

[@SawyerDesign]

amzn.to/3vYeFR0 it’s awesome!

[@jeremytate7516]

you should try shacker furnitur or japenese.

[@MCsCreations]

Beautiful work, Nick! It really looks fantastic! 😃 That acrylic is going to shine there! Anyway, stay safe there with your family! Dogs included! 🖖😊

[@SawyerDesign]

Thank you!

[@jackkirstein6567]

1:45 I'll come work for you as an apprentice. Next summer after I finish fine woodworking school.

[@SawyerDesign]

Might take you up on that if I can get to a bigger space by then!

[@jackkirstein6567]

Deal. I could use the good guidance when I'm done school.

[@NathanHarrison7]

Mission Accomplished! Would be helpful for you to discuss in beginning what you’re building. Like, Dining Table, Sofa Table, etc… Or maybe I just missed that.

[@jeff2663]

Awesome!! Also, that panto, I want one.

[@thaddeusecheverria7733]

Rubio monocoat is super durable

[@wernichtscharneck5368]

Super excited for you and the future! Best woodworker in my opinion on KZbin

[@SawyerDesign]

Ah man, thank you so much! I appreciate you

[@chrisstearns10]

Agreed

[@MrSeminole77]

how much are the premiums to cover your tools in your part of the world?

[@SawyerDesign]

Insurance premiums? I have no idea. I’d have to check my coverage

[@kofire66]

Great job! I’m really impressed with your designs. I bet it was a pain working with all that acrylic. I recommend wearing a mask. When spraying (even outside) and especially all that acrylic dust. Keep creating cool things.

[@klausalan]

You captured beauty in simplicity well. Even though I hate acrylic this turned out very cool. Really looking forward to next weeks video. If you ever come to the SF Bay Area to teach a class I’d love to go.

[@BuiltKnotBought]

Outstanding work Nick! I don't know how anyone could dislike this build

[@larrydunn6590]

No it’s not you, or a single company that is hard to work with. It is an across the board attitude of the workforce in all endeavors, not just powder coating.

[@frankvanesser6570]

I really enjoyed this video, your way of working and the beautifull furniture you made.

[@twpharmd9192]

Been enjoying the vids a lot more with the humble commentary you're including recently. Subscribed...thanks Tom.

[@mattelias721]

Amazing, and yes - beauty in the simplicity. I'm anxious to see the 'wave' piece, since you nailed that movement with wood, the 'simple' around it will only call out that detail you created even more, sort of like the glow of the acrylic is the feature in that desk. Suggestion: get a tee shirt with Apocalypse Now's LTC Kilgore and the words, "I love the smell of walnut in the morning." You're a young-un, you might have to google that s**t.

[@chompo9135]

Ever thought of becoming a hand model?

[@SawyerDesign]

Haha I’d model minced meat nicely

[@brewtalityk]

really bizarre video...

[@whales302]

That doesn't always work when trying to flatten a re-sawn piece that bows. I find it is hit and miss depending on the specie and the amount of tension in the wood.

[@sheslop888]

If you wanted to complicate things, you could hide some led lights in the mortises at the two ends of the acrylic.

[@dennismacwilliams196]

What A cool desk !

[@OhFiily]

Hey Nick! I'm a home builder by trade getting into woodworking. I have mostly been turning things but absolutely love what you do! I recently came across 50+ live edge maple slabs. Would you be interested in working on a project together? I'm happy to supply the material obviously and work something out. I'm also in the Portland area! If be happy to pay for your time or sand or anything! Let me know and let's try to work something out :)

[@SawyerDesign]

Hey! That sounds rad. I’m totally down to brainstorm on a project. Sounds like fun. Shoot me an email [e-mail]

[@jameslawler6336]

Sidenote/question/story - I work in a vape shop and get to talk to my customers 1 on 1 a lot. I made this accidentally, incredibly well balanced whale that will not only hang, but rock for several minutes on the very tip of its tail off the edge of a shelf and took it to work because words can't explain the amazingness of it and people NEEDED to see it. About a week ago, a lady came in and commented on the whale so we talked about attention to detail and whatnot for close to an hour and before she left, she said with 110% confidence "Whenever you eat with a spoon, you use the small spoon." and walked out. It fucked me up because I actively avoid using the big spoons. I don't know anyone else with such attention to detail to ask... So I guess my question is - Do you use the small spoon? Is the usage of small and avoidance of big spoons relative to hyper attention to detail? (Realizing I now have many more questions...)

[@G0F15H]

"Instead, only try to realize the truth... there is no spoon."

[@iandodd7828]

Don’t know about being an employee because 1) after three decades, I’m days away from being done with employment and 2) do you really want to fill out all that paperwork? So here’s a crazy idea: what about taking on an unpaid intern, somebody with sort of mid-level hobby skills but who shares your passion for craftsmanship? If ever you find yourself with an ambitious project where you could really use that extra set of hands to do the milling or helping with a stress-inducing glue-up, I’d be open to trekking up to Portland to help out in exchange for soaking in some learning. Feel free to message me. “Strive for perfection. Tolerate excellence.” - John Sexton, photographer

[@SawyerDesign]

Sounds great! Honestly I’m this space I don’t really have the room for another person.

[@NathanBilbao]

What class are you teaching in Seattle?

[@SawyerDesign]

It was Michael’s bent folding chair class

[@gasparini76]

what is the specifiction of the plastic? please

[@SawyerDesign]

It’s 3-form 👍

[@Danny-ul4sq]

I like this site because it shows very high levels of skill, imagination, knowledge and sheer guts. Who would be brave enough to play with $3,000 worth of a product they don't normally play with. Some people start out small and build up, not our Mr Sawyer.

[@SawyerDesign]

Thanks Danny!

[@theofarmmanager267]

Very nice work. Interesting that a simple aesthetic takes as much time as a complicated one - no where to hide. I’ve got a couple of questions. Firstly, finishing with a scraper plane. I notice that you finish a piece off with a jack or low angle plane. What are your (fellow viewers; fellow seekers of perfection) experiences with a scraper plane as the final act after planing to size? I have mixed experiences - which is more about my technique than the good or bad of a scraper plane - but when I get it singing, it’s beautiful. Secondly, those warped boards. I tried soaking a board in denatured alcohol by putting it into a plastic bag, pouring in alcohol, squeezing the bag so that not much alcohol is needed, sealing it and leaving it for a couple of days. I then took it out and was able to flatten it in crawls. Was that beginners’ luck or does it really work? If it is a new invention, then it is already patented and global rights are mine. All mine.

[@SawyerDesign]

I use a scraper for species that are more prone to tearing out. Definitely like the finish off a scraper, though admittedly, not usually my go-to. Interesting on the alcohol. I’ve neither tried that or heard of it and mechanically, I’m not sure why that would help anything. Try it again and see if results are repeatable. Sample size of one is kinda hard to postulate. Thanks Theo

[@montewoods4766]

Very very kuhl

[@Hakuwoodworks]

I was laughing at the "rainy Portland" comment, thinking, not this year man...not this year. How I look forward to more of the lovely wet stuff!! Beautiful job on pt 1, looking forward to the rest!

[@SawyerDesign]

Lol dude seriously! Glad to see dark skies today. Thanks man.

[@Brian-rg8ho]

I love working with walnut. Its a good looking wood and i find it easy to stain and finish.

[@BrianODonohue]

Incredible!

[@sshaw9157]

Beautiful!

[@rich3398]

Great video. I like the approach you took with the joint for the acrylic into the walnut. Its pretty much the same approach when putting breadboard ends on a table. The acrylic also appears to glow as the light hits it which is cool. Question, when you started sanding the edges of the acrylic to the same sheen as the top. Did you with you did that now before assembly? I would see getting into the inside corners with the walnut challenging without damaging the finish already on the legs. Oh and I've routed acrylic before, it sucks. I'd rather cut and sand MDF than acrylic. The acrylic just sticks to everything.

[@SawyerDesign]

Totally like breadboards! That acrylic was such a mess. When sanding I got the first few inches before assembly for that reason exactly. Woulda done the whole edge, but that stuff is heavy, awkward, and unruly. Figured doing the rest of the edge was easiest after assembly. Glad you liked it. Thanks Richard!

[@treesoul7907]

go get em

[@neilf4128]

Its a funny thing, the timing of things... I just resawed, Rift Sawn White Oak, and ran into the same bowing issues. I flip the boards opposite of the sawn face from one another and used dominos to aligned them for glue up. It is so flat, I am amazed.

[@SawyerDesign]

Why haven’t we tried this before?! Handy trick to have in your pocket

[@jameslawler6336]

I love every aspect of your videos! I feel like I'm watching myself lol. I really like how you explain your reasoning behind each seemingly-excessive detail. Not many people appreciate the why and how behind the excessive details. Your creativeness and quest for knowledge is admirable. Projects aren't fun unless I get to learn a new skill or technique or somehow improve on something. I even sound like you when trying to explain the 'why' behind a lot of the little things I do lmao. Keep overthinking, the thought is what counts!

[@grizdeluxe]

Our cabinet shop uses all waterbase finishes. After investing a lot of time on different products we have settled on Rudd product through an airless air assist. It's a great product, and feels really nice. I'm in Bend btw. :)

[@SawyerDesign]

Oh awesome! What’s up neighbor?!

[@Christopher-pf8qt]

What’s beautiful to someone making it is a different standard than someone buying it.

[@ryderscustomcreations3665]

Is that 3form acrylic? I used them for my wave desk. They have a part of their site where you can buy returns or rejects for a discount. Makes it much more affordable

[@SawyerDesign]

Yeah that’s the stuff. That’s cool. Just checked and they didn’t have the color/finish or size I needed but good to know for the future

[@akirch9]

That really looks great! I just came by your channel and you def got a sub from of me. I was worried the touch of black would mute the walnut out but it looks perfect. What cat urethane are you using??

[@SawyerDesign]

Hey thanks so much! Isn’t that dye crazy? I’d expect a totally different result too, but it works so nicely to keep the waterborne topcoat from washing out the dark color. I’m using a product by Diamond Vogel called Aquinity

[@ryandury]

I can't help thing of the channel "Get hands dirty" when that bass driven beat comes in... "Booooom!" Beautiful work here :)

[@SawyerDesign]

Haha totally could see it! Thanks Ryan

[@matsbrattbrsting9009]

🙏