Game changing joint overlooked by most woodworkers // 4K

[@multidinero]

Why does everyone have a thing against river tables? I mean I’ve never made one, but some people really like them.

[@WilliamDouglasCo]

I probably shouldn’t have said that. I was just free flowing and afterward I was thinking I shouldn’t have said it. I don’t have anything against the people making them, I just choose not to because the work we do as furniture makers is sacred imo. We should be mindful of timeless design that will still be relevant and desired in the future when we are gone.

[@paco_vazquez]

Honestly, folks like what folks like, there’s space for everyone, and I get it’s just friendly banter, today is river tables, tomorrow will be something else, who knows. But think about it, there are timeless techniques that age very well, in fact, remain beautiful over the years. I am not quite sure plastic is gonna age as well as a solid piece of timber, or even plywood, anyway, that’s an opinion, it shouldn’t count that much. I personally prefer the simplicity of wood with very minimal stuff (like glue and linseed oil, or soap for finishing) but hey! That’s me.

[@illyakuryakin5024]

Because any joker can surface a slab, fill the cracks and voids with epoxy, bolt some prefab steel legs to it and call it "woodworking". But we all know it is not that.

[@MrCohel]

I will explain 1 of the reasons: river tables do not have longevity in other words they don’t last. There are horror pictures out there of those things after a few years and it’s not something to be happy about I wouldn’t think.

[@sdrone1248]

I may have over-made your point in my comment lol

[@Wilkins_Micawber]

A craftsman never dies. He only smells that way.

[@libruhmoment6387]

When he said "stop making river tables" that was the moment I knew I had to subscribe, cheers to you dude

[@joelw6215]

The William Douglas method. Classic. I’ve heard rumors of this method. Distant far off lands speak of it as law. At last, I am finally given the opportunity to Grace my eye holes to view it. Gracias señor, mucho gracias. Now back to the video.

[@WilliamDouglasCo]

All of the rumors are true. I am the prodigy son of Sam Maloof. Descendant from the tree gods

[@fattyboombatty7736]

@@WilliamDouglasCo That would be the god of modesty and humility I assume.

[@tomjohnson5713]

This is the Tom Johnson method..plagiarism at its finest. Egos who needs em...

[@Kolfonik]

@@tomjohnson5713 It is actually the Scott Scottson method. He killed his master Enok Knutsen who learned it from the viking Röde Orm and claimed it for himself. Now everybody will remember his name. Everybody.

[@anitaswart.]

Hi I'm probably your oldest female fan, because you take me back to my childhood when I spent hours watching my dad with only hand tools. He built lovely pieces of furniture and even two small yachts. Love your beautiful antique tools with there warm wooden handles. Thank you

[@WilliamDouglasCo]

That’s cool to hear! Thank you for watching. Only 2% of my viewers are female!

[@AtomicWoodworks]

I literally hit subscribe when you said stop building river tables. lol. Awesome work though! I too have always considered half laps to be very handy and my most used joint.

[@stephenhalbert7838]

Shots fired lol I did the same

[@MichaelScottPerkins]

@@stephenhalbert7838 Me too!!! 👍

[@TonyV_in_the_OC]

I live around the corner from you, in SW Village. I’ve known ‘of’ you but found this channel. I’ve always wanted to stop by when I ran across your out-building and knew it was you. I relate to and love your style/aesthetic and enjoy learning more from you. I e been doing this as a passionate hobby for 40 years and you ‘younger makers’ teach me something new every video. Best wishes. Tony V….aka Tonchi

[@wakayama1991]

the craftsman never dies...Just watch whilst I bang this out on the table saw :) Lots of other pretty tools though, nice collection

[@antonoat]

A seriously sharp chisel, one of life’s great pleasures! Exquisite work 👏😀👍

[@mohdalisyed]

I hit subscribe when you said "watch me work" ... That's what I needed. watching woodworking is therapeutic

[@paulagw26]

William Douglas Co., Your design, work, and videography is art. Thank you!

[@WilliamDouglasCo]

That really means a lot to me. Thank you 🙏🏼

[@simonlinser8286]

The way you did the intro is just perfect. Gave a visual and some dimensions to help me get oriented. Thanks. Usually people just make the video of them working but I get like zero useful information that way. Thank you.

[@WilliamDouglasCo]

That’s great feedback! This really helps

[@jeremyhuggins8796]

Thank you for sharing this Mr. Douglas! I will definitely learn this joint and use it in many future projects.

[@whatever_12]

First time here, The music and cinematography was soo good. And It's just long enough for me to not get bored even if it's something i already knows

[@pemtax557]

Watching you work truly inspires …

[@panchobrown7562]

"Stop making river tables", Complete Awesomeness! Man your videos are so good. I'm by no means a professional like you but I really think I could make a joint like this. Granted it would be because of your demonstration and detailed explanation. Thanks for sharing. 👍

[@tomware9448]

The three essential tools , a chisel, a saw and a plane! This type of woodworking is the most pleasing to me. No whining router or loud table saw , just the swish of a sharp tool! Good work and excellent technique ❤️

[@WilliamDouglasCo]

Thank you Tom!

[@jasoncarey2092]

Think you may have dozed off between 6:01 and 6:27, though I agree with your larger point

[@jameshairston2192]

You have power tool blinders then

[@billqqq]

So satisfying. A true craftsman. Nice work, William.

[@dannycastillo6579]

Excellent video William!! Man that looks so therapeutic! Thanks for sharing

[@WilliamDouglasCo]

It really is therapeutic! Thank you for watching!

[@angelgabriel7109]

You are the most overlooked channel!!

[@WilliamDouglasCo]

My time will come.. I’m a patient man 🙌🏻

[@garynelles]

I agree

[@volkerpetersen2671]

Thank you for showing this joint. Eventhough i like to have the heavy lifting done by powertools. The base of the table in the end looked although very neat.

[@davidbessel2037]

I really enjoy your technique and your philosophy.

[@invictu4488]

The 'William Douglas method' has a nice ring to it. 😉 Great video!

[@mixmaster1976]

Such creativity!! I really look up to you and your abilities 👍

[@WilliamDouglasCo]

Hey thank you so much I really appreciate it more than you might think.

[@eddiemoon8505]

Great demonstration!! The small extra cut does make a difference in the grouping of x and y beams. I think they are a good source of strength too. I just built a small wooden cross using half-laps. My donee was crying when I gave it to her.

[@walrod622]

Very nice and love the background music too.

[@Farli-Gaming]

nice video, but that removal of material from the cheeks to make stronger and more exact looking joint was taught to me over 35 years ago by my farther who is a 60 year time severed cabinet make in the UK, and the name of the joint is actual "Cross Halving with House Shoulders" and have been used in Europe for many many years for high end job as well as external work to stop water ingression into the joint as easy

[@WilliamDouglasCo]

I love that. Well I have no formal training and have arrived at the same technique on my own. I’ve never seen anyone els do it but it simple enough for me to believe that other people do it

[@NaserHekmat]

Hi William, the table picture layout you put on the end of the video. There is a curve joint. Could you make a video on that joint pls?

[@rickpouley2857]

I love this video and how to make this type of joint.. I had never seen this done before.. I am now wanting to do this joint on all of my tables etc. Thank you very much...

[@debarkeddesigns5376]

Cross laps are my go to for my bedframes as well, carries the weight perfectly for the slats. 👌🏻

[@roberthahn8555]

Awesome work! Please keep ‘‘em coming - I am workshop-less right now and for the foreseeable future and this is how I’m getting my fix 😞

[@WilliamDouglasCo]

I’ll keep cranking them out!

[@themastermason1]

It's overlooked because it's so basic, not that basics are bad. When you're a practiced or aspiring woodworker who is constantly pushing to advance, the more complicated or skill-demanding techniques will always draw you. In my welding classes, people who really wanted to advance in welding all wanted to master TIG welding. MIG and stick welding maybe much more easily pulled off and demanded by industry, the beautiful results from a skilled TIG welder drove all of us to improve.

[@krugtbifro6152]

1.32 in and subscribed Love the production immediately and I watch countless woodworking videos Well done sir

[@WilliamDouglasCo]

That means a lot. Thank you!

[@terrysknary]

Hey Will, your comments at the end of this vid.. Now I get it, "A Craftsman Never Dies" Wow that so cool, Thanks Man !

[@ericdeguilo1181]

Great video tonight! Perfect instruction, good video length. Nice camera work!

[@WilliamDouglasCo]

Thank you! I’m happy you liked the format of this one

[@JR-xt1bj]

Great. Although this is quite a short video I learned a couple of new tricks of the trade. Furthermore, this is also a very nice video to watch. Thank you!

[@tooljunkie555]

I love the cross lap /half lap joint I like making them w my miter saw. Did a video on tht a cpl-few yrs ago. Awesome work and advice! NO MORE RIVER TABLES!!🤢

[@WilliamDouglasCo]

Haha thanks for watching! 🪚🪚🪚

[@phichi1106]

Love this. I was planning to use this joint for my desk legs. I’m still new to woodworking and this is a great walkthrough as I start my planning

[@garynelles]

I enjoy watching people do woodworking. Great video William. Do people sit and watch you do woodworking while drinking coffee at the new shop? Maybe you should interview some of them and make a video about them watching and learning.

[@WilliamDouglasCo]

When people are in, my ass is up there making them coffee 😅

[@boomvader]

@@WilliamDouglasCo this is the truth! Damn good lattes tho!

[@Hitokiiry]

I love how chill the video is, but I do have to ask, as a materials engineer who does not do woodworking: How do you account for both wood grain movement between seasons/climates, and why use right angles if they're the most deadly in terms of tension concentration? Is it because it's preferable to have good junction grip instead of low crack nucleation sites?

[@SuperDeinVadda]

Carpenter and wood engineer here. Let me answer your questions. Wood movement is negligible on those parts. They are designed for indoor use which sees only small amounts of humidity change over the seasons. Wood in an average living space has a humidity of about 12% in summer. Let's say it goes up to 20% in winter, which is way to more than in reality. So you have 8% humidity change and wood changes about 0.25% width per 1% Humidity change. So that would mean about 2% width change over a year. If that piece is 5cm (2") wide that would result in a 1mm width change. Not to bad. If fitted in the summer there wouldnt be a gap and the joint would just get a bit tighter. The important part is to start with proberly dryed wood which as close to the same humidity as the location it is later used in. That way you get minimal wood movement. Right angles are bad and corners concentrate stress, that's true. But they are easy to make and convenient to work with. So we carpenters oversize all our material to not worry about stress concentrations. Seriously cutting away half of our material on both sides is really bad structurally speaking. A simple metal fastener would be way more efficient. That's why modern timberframing has moved away from all the notching and traditional joints. It's just not efficient. I hope that answers your questions

[@Hitokiiry]

@@SuperDeinVadda you did and I'm as clarified as one can be! Thanks a lot for the info! I guess that for a simple table you can easily oversize to a point that does not compromise the needed minimum strength and have gains on natural looking joints. As to the humidity I was not aware of these numbers. Good to know. Cheers :)

[@vincentpillay3408]

Thanks for sharing your knowledge and skills. Great to see the use of hand tools. Talk about going the extra inch You even went cordless on the router

[@WilliamDouglasCo]

Yeah the router plane is the key to this method and it’s so fun to use!

[@patrickcasey1150]

Hand tools may appear slower than power tools, but minus all the setup time there's not a lot of difference overall (not to mention the calm, quiet and low-risk work environment). Plus the satisfaction in developing the skills needed for hand tools is unparalleled. It's a glorious way to spend you time!

[@paco_vazquez]

I have to give it a try, it’s so clean and aesthetically pleasing joint. Besides that, dude, the video and production quality is quite impressive…

[@SirBrittanicvs]

"Stop making river tables" you just earned yourself a subscription XD

[@madmikemakes3056]

Great video. I really get a kick out of making a join and it just fits perfectly. Doesn't happen every time though.

[@asmith7876]

I didn't know those epoxy resin tables were called river tables and I had no idea so many people hate them!

[@Brazos_Bait_Co.]

I’ve never seen you’re channel before but I love it! This was such an awesome video!

[@WilliamDouglasCo]

I’m glad you found it! Thank you for watching 🙏🏼🙏🏼

[@mainly_kayla701]

I get not liking river tables and I don’t want to make them but I do however like the look of filling knots with black epoxy wonder what you think of that in someone’s table. I’m not above making a river table if someone wants to pay for one but I do use black epoxy regularly

[@TheTimberTouch]

True artists!

[@pbates33]

William, you must prefer the closed throat router plane, as you own one. Why did you choose the closed over the open throat router plane? Just curious.

[@MichaelScottPerkins]

You had my subscription the instant you said, "Stop making river tables".

[@moldings_etc]

Very well said my brother. Love the comment about river tables!! 🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@WilliamDouglasCo]

I appreciate you watching 🙏🏼🙏🏼

[@CarmoniusFinsnickeri]

Nice video. Removing the material off the cheeks must be visible as a small step on the final piece, right? To avoid that I use another trimming method, make the cuts slightly slightly undersize and then handplane the faces of each piece a few shavings for e perfect fit.

[@WilliamDouglasCo]

That’s a good way to do it as well but removing the material from the cheeks doesn’t leave a visible step. Just a seamless joint. Try it out next time

[@CarmoniusFinsnickeri]

@@WilliamDouglasCo seamless and gapless yes but there must be a step? Looking at the pink part at 0.37, there's a small step. If you make this step in both yellow and pink part there is no way to hide the step on the bottom non visible side. Anyway, I will try this method🙂

[@roarkependleton]

You had me at "stop making river tables". Thank you for validating my opinion of this fad..

[@bradleyforsythe]

What brand marking gauge do you use?

[@AndrewWade77]

Genius! Great video. Thanks! By the way, what marking knife is that? Make it yourself?

[@WilliamDouglasCo]

Thank you! It’s a blue spruce marking knife!

[@clevelandexplorer2221]

fantastic skills here will, nice work. I also like what you added at the end about making the work last. I need to know please, what's that cross cutting sled you use-seeing as it just uses one side of the saw, presuming the table top has one t-track on that side, does it move at all (side to side or twist)? also on the subject, how would you suggest I improve my fence to have a wider anchor, so it slides more than sort of a thin edge it has now-needing to check if it's straight, sometimes binds on the track it runs on etc. I hope that last question makes sense :s I've seen a few KZbinrs use a wider slide for the fence-more rigid

[@andreg.shappell1155]

What a terrific video -- thank you! The precision, focus, meticulousness, and attention to detail on a key element of a larger project...what a joy to watch...

[@ionpunk341]

How did you come up with the name for the method?

[@jamartin1]

Very nice! Love it!!💜

[@jeddadiahemanuel1975]

🤙🪚👌 well done !

[@WilliamDouglasCo]

Thanks G! Happy to have cleared a midweek vid. Feeling productive! 💪🏼💪🏼💪🏼🪚🪚🪚🪚🪚

[@jeddadiahemanuel1975]

At least that’s what some people are calling it 🪚

[@dal2888859]

The music is pretty serious.

[@jacekn2933]

Anyone knows what kind of wood is this ? Looks great

[@WilliamDouglasCo]

It’s wallynut

[@slowburnwoodworks7626]

Always appreciate the videos, the technique, and the love and respect of the art. These videos make me want to use hand tools. As always, thank you for sharing and inspiring the next generation 🤘

[@WilliamDouglasCo]

Hey thanks so much for watching! Means a lot that they have inspired you!

[@IanChampion]

Love your hands, don't use hand tools.

[@hillcountrylivin]

Educational and entertaining.

[@contestwill1556]

nice and clear video, have a sneaking suspicion it's also a metaphor for something somehow but haven't put it together mentally yet

[@miriistina]

Where is the music from? I can't see a credit

[@WilliamDouglasCo]

My bad. Epidemic sound is my music source

[@ChristopherPaulKing]

Nice work Brother!

[@WilliamDouglasCo]

Thank you my brotha. ✊🏻

[@chrisstipe3031]

Beautiful video

[@WilliamDouglasCo]

Thank you so much! I think it’s an important joint to bring to peoples attention

[@TWC6724]

Mastery my brother 👍

[@WilliamDouglasCo]

I appreciate it my man!

[@youtubevanced4900]

I don't think there is a single KZbin woood working video that doesn't use this joint.

[@danieldurkton2942]

Sweet W.D. !! 🍻

[@illyakuryakin5024]

Nice work, man. Where did you get the router plane?

[@WilliamDouglasCo]

That one is from lie Nielsen but there are several brand ls that make them

[@illyakuryakin5024]

@@WilliamDouglasCo thanks. I'm leaning toward the Veritas for now, however i'll be in Japan in a few weeks so the budget may go from $200 to $2,000 😉

[@7eVen.si62]

Thank you👍

[@tcurdt]

Did I miss the part where you explain why this joint is "game changing"? What's the benefit of removing material on the cheeks? Just a bit more stabilisation in one direction?

[@WilliamDouglasCo]

It makes it fast and easy to get the joint tight every time. Consistency

[@meperson]

That is interesting method, I assume h you remove material from the cheeks to make it tight. A Japanese method I saw on KZbin is to use rounded hammer to compress fibers and then use water to expand back once joint is established.

[@WilliamDouglasCo]

Yes I’ve seen that method too. I definitely prefer the router plane but I’ll admit that one is clever no doubt

[@ikust007]

5:24 … thank you 🙏

[@somebodypeculiar]

"Woodworking... it's time consuming, it's difficult..." True. But it can be less time consuming, and less difficult or more time consuming, and more difficult. Whatever floats your boat.

[@johndeggendorf7826]

🤔 It’s rumored that Aristotle himself spoke of the William Douglas method, and now I see why. It was all Greek to me then, now I understand. (That little cheek cut is a nice touch, good mechanics.) 🙏🍷🎩🎩🎩✌️ New sub.

[@WilliamDouglasCo]

The william Douglas method is as old as time

[@tangotango3406]

Great post!

[@WilliamDouglasCo]

Thanks so much for watching 🪚🪚🪚

[@tangotango3406]

@@WilliamDouglasCo Absolutely! Love your channel!

[@walterrider9600]

thank you

[@maxjacohen]

Im so relaxed right now

[@WilliamDouglasCo]

I’m happy to hear 😌

[@KOutOfMyYard]

Woodworking is hard. It is time consuming. Those are your words and you are correct. But the truth is, there is nothing like the sound of a shaving coming off or that thud of a joint coming together. Practice breeds proficiency which breeds efficiency. Anything by hand is hard and time consuming, that is why it is worth it. I suppose I am just preaching to the sawdust choir here🤷🏾‍♂️

[@WilliamDouglasCo]

Preach big poppa! 🙌🏻

[@jeffreymoffitt4070]

So in framing carpentry we do something similar for notches, but we just break out the waste cut with a hammer lol

[@bradstooks6181]

Great video! “Stop making river tables….” 🤣 Love the channel!

[@jtlong8383]

What is the purpose of removing material from the cheeks?

[@WilliamDouglasCo]

It allows you to get a perfect fit every time and also makes the joint lock in Better

[@_Rikk_]

Cool thanks for the tip

[@ikust007]

Music is a splendour

[@Technwood]

"Stop making river tables." If that's the only take away someone has from this video, I would call that a success.

[@WilliamDouglasCo]

I was just free flowing. After I said it I thought ah damn it. That’s going to come back to bite me.

[@joejanzen5511]

I was gonna say the same thing!🤣

[@JayCWhiteCloud]

@@WilliamDouglasCo Only if you make a river table...LMAO!!!

[@paco_vazquez]

@@WilliamDouglasCo redeem yourself by making an alternative river table using natural resin! It would be Interesting…

[@constantinosschinas4503]

nice work, thanks for sharing. music was very distracting tho, consider.

[@jeffpreston7834]

Great video, sir! I’m just getting started and love watching these types of content. I know a lot of folks have commented (and rightly so) on your marking knife. I’m interested in the marking gauge. Did you make it or buy it? Thanks!

[@Kajpaje]

Wow. Wasn't aware of a router plane.

[@nikburton9264]

I thought that was called a bridle joint or saddle joint? Love the video.

[@asmith7876]

Always called it a half-lap.

[@draztiqmeshaz6226]

Toight! Love it

[@WilliamDouglasCo]

Noice and toight

[@draztiqmeshaz6226]

@@WilliamDouglasCo Precisely.

[@f.demascio1857]

"That's tight! Tight tight TIGHT!" ==Tuco Salamanca

[@bryanadler4831]

How is this over looked? i see this all the time at craft booths

[@SkillzMillz83]

How’re you doin man? Been awhile….how’re things goin’?

[@sambravore2332]

we will takle your advice william

[@Carlos-uo4ox]

@William Douglas Co. waiting for that tee to come out “A Craftsman Never Dies”

[@WilliamDouglasCo]

It is out! Check my website

[@Carlos-uo4ox]

On my way @William Douglas Co.

[@Carlos-uo4ox]

@@WilliamDouglasCo on my way !

[@lemhanback9595]

They still use this joint when making mailbox posts. You do a good job though showing what else it can be used for

[@Lumberox]

Preach brother

[@WilliamDouglasCo]

Up on my soap box 🪚🪚🪚🪚

[@Lumberox]

@@WilliamDouglasCo at least it will be a beautiful dovetailed hardwood box. 🪵

[@terrmaso]

I actually really like the half lap. After seeing your video I will be trying the "William Douglas method", unless it violates some woodworking code I am unaware of. I see you using an American style saw for the first cut. What is your opinion on the Japanese saws? Beautiful work by the way. 👍

[@Jams848484]

American style saw? Oh dear lord...