How to Make a Bench with Traditional Woodworking Joinery

The highlight of this wood bench is its wedged mortise and tenon joinery that are featured by the contrasting wood.
Article: ycmt2.com/dinin...
Workbench: www.ycmt2.com/...
Milling Video: • How To Milling Lumber ...
Machine Substitution Playlist: • Woodworking Without a ...
Tools I used (affiliate links):
Table Saw: amzn.to/2uRGfSZ
Band Saw: amzn.to/2uRyGLZ
Miter Saw: amzn.to/2gYFKAq
Jointer: ycmt2.com/joint...
Planer: www.shopsmith.c...
Circular Saw: amzn.to/2M58KRi
Jigsaw: amzn.to/2eJhGB6
Drill / Driver: amzn.to/2M6aBWa
Router: amzn.to/2uuohmI
Trim Router: amzn.to/2gXsoVl
Random Orbit Sander: amzn.to/2uRycFo
Blades (affiliate links):
Ripping Blade: amzn.to/2urKBza
Crosscut Blade: amzn.to/2urzrdA
Plywood Blade: amzn.to/2uRGsW1
Bandsaw Blades: amzn.to/2uRmnit
Shirts for Sale! www.ycmt2.com/...
///////MY LINKS
Website: ycmt2.com
Patreon: www.patreon.co...
Facebook: / youcanmakethistoo
Instagram: / youcanmakethistoo
Twitter: / youcanmakethis2 @YouCanMakeThis2
___
Music from Epidemicsound.com and AmpleTunes.com
#woodworking #joinery #furniture

[@christofix]

Hahaha ... If i had hear, i couldn't fit it in this joint. LOL! i would like to see a video aubout handsaw technique! this bench is awsome man!

[@YouCanMakeThisToo]

Thanks man! Let me get some more experience and I'll share what I've learned.

[@christofix]

@@YouCanMakeThisToo Thats awsome! I'm looking forward to it. Handsaw techniques is something i have to learn so i can use it in my own videos. If i learn it from your video i will defenetly refer to your channel! A litle bit like mister miyagi and daniel san hahahaha. You will be my handsaw technique master😂

[@YouCanMakeThisToo]

🤣🤣🤣👍

[@bmilhoan]

@@YouCanMakeThisToo You night want to check out Wood by Wright. He's pretty hardcore into hand tools. Of course, my personal spirit animal is Paul Sellers. He's pretty next level.

[@YouCanMakeThisToo]

Good recommendations! James is an awesome dude, I’ve seen tons of his stuff, same with Paul Sellers.

[@AGlimpseInside]

Brother this was an absolute great project. I really like how you incorporated a simple flush trim Saw into making those tapered mortises. When in Rome you know!

[@YouCanMakeThisToo]

Thanks! That little trick made chiseling them a lot easier. I did that on the last ones and it worked like a charm.

[@kerrywilliams1318]

I am making a slightly different wood bench. Your tip on putting the two wedges on the bottom rail will help me with my project. Thank you.

[@TheMonkdad]

I like it. I’m currently working on a 6.5” x 26” x 8’ oak timber. It’s a lesson for hand tools.

[@YouCanMakeThisToo]

Yes it is!

[@lindrake8315]

Watching you hammer those wedges in was very satisfying for some reason. Looks amazing.

[@YouCanMakeThisToo]

I can’t explain it, just know that it is. Thanks!

[@markkernen322]

Good job with allowing for the wedges in the legs and nice work. Don't feel bad about using an orbital sander prepping it for finishing. I am a hand tool guy and use an orbital sander as well. It saves time and elbow grease. Most hand tool guys aren't that particular. Keep it up.

[@MrWoody135]

Nice presentation, great bench. Never seen tapered mortices in a wedged tennon joint before ! Nice use of the flushcut saw to make the tapers easier. Makes sence, but aditional work ! Look into card scrapers....you won't look back.

[@YouCanMakeThisToo]

Thanks! I’ve gotten some since then.. scrapers are amazing.

[@jojomido]

Awesome, i love the way you wedged the tenon in an angled mortise greetings from Egypt

[@YouCanMakeThisToo]

Thanks! They were a lot of fun, my first time doing joints that way. It's very cool to have a fan in Egypt!

[@comanche3006]

Great work and explained well. Thank you. We’re family now !

[@YouCanMakeThisToo]

Awesome! Thank you!

[@bulento9398]

Hi great and beautiful project. I loved it. Greetings from Holland👋

[@YouCanMakeThisToo]

Thanks so much!

[@imi-11]

Good job 👏 👏👏. I made almost the same bench for my kids can be watched on my channel. Apart from the fact that the bench is functional, it looks very good.

[@YouCanMakeThisToo]

Thanks!

[@nicholasfarley5967]

I'm going to make a similar bench for my TV. This is really useful, I went in thinking I could not do this sort of joint, now I think I can!

[@TheThriftyWoodworker]

This is amazing. If I get up the nerve to try my own I will send you a pic. You have inspired me.

[@YouCanMakeThisToo]

Heck yeah! You should try. It was my first go too, just take your time. And be sure to send pics!

[@FigmentsMade]

Nice one! Drilling the holes to relieve stress at the corners makes so much sense! This came out beautifully. And apparently I'm one of the 10% so woo hoo! ;)

[@YouCanMakeThisToo]

Woohoo! Way to be a 10 percenter!

[@FigmentsMade]

@@YouCanMakeThisToo :D

[@danieljason8257]

Love the bench, lovely build! I'm two years late to the party,- just one thing that was making me real nervous; When you were jointing the boards and put your (left, i think) hand on the end feed part of the jointer for support when the jointer was still running...eek. Out of all woodworking tools, the jointer scares me the most. Dont mean to sound like a smartass...stay safe, sir!

[@YouCanMakeThisToo]

No worries, I get a fair bit of comments about it. And trust me... I'm very very conscious of where my hands are around that beast, whether it's running or not.

[@whimsicalannie2]

thank you so very much. Really enjoyed this and also found it really relaxing and informative

[@YouCanMakeThisToo]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@christineelder9244]

What a great job of this bench I wish I had one like it. Maybe one day when I am a lot more experienced in woodwork, I may attempt to make one but I will certainly need more tools. Thank you so much for sharing your wonderful work it is greatly appreciated.

[@YouCanMakeThisToo]

Thank you! It took me a few years to be willing to try this, and to be honest I still wasn’t very confident when I started. But the only way to get better at something is to try.

[@BruceAUlrich]

Cool holdfast. I've never seen one like that. To say you got to use the handsaw a lot on this project would be an understatement. Nice job!

[@YouCanMakeThisToo]

It’s pretty cool! It has barbs around it that grabs the dog holes. My bench is so thick normal holdfasts won’t work :/

[@bougie86]

Try to get the best result with handtools but pull out the mighty sander... It's also me every time. Love your videos, thank you for sharing :)

[@YouCanMakeThisToo]

Glad I’m not the only one! One day I’ll be good enough to finish after just planing and scraping, but today is not that day.

[@bougie86]

@@YouCanMakeThisToo haha, we all keep practising and learning that why your chanel is really helpful. Thanks :)

[@dylanhamilton-ho5997]

Fantastic mate. The bench is really beautiful. You're a talented man!

[@YouCanMakeThisToo]

Thank you very much!

[@robertw.1499]

Love it. One small point however. Wedges should be driven in equally to result in equal wedge widths afterwards 👍

[@YouCanMakeThisToo]

Thanks! Copied from a previous commenter with a similar point.. They do have equal widths after being flush cut, when driven in they appear to not because they have different heights because of how I cut them. My wedges go in different "depths", but they all go in the same thickness, the height difference is because they weren't cut identically. I was really concerned with that, but it's not an issue if you cut your mortise right and the middle of your tenon is sturdy. When the tenon goes in the mortise, it's snug on the bottom, it cannot expand there. That middle part of the tenon is incapable of flexing, it's just too wide and that tiny wedge won't do it. So each wedge will only go down until either the outside tenon piece meets the side of the mortise, or the wedge bottoms out. So, assuming the mortise is cut correctly, and your tenon isn't tiny.. if there's any issue with inconsistency of wedge "thicknesses" then it's because the wedges weren't cut right, but most likely it's because the angles chopped on the ends of the mortise aren't consistent.

[@VORONM]

Very good job!

[@YouCanMakeThisToo]

Thanks!

[@AntonioClaudioMichael]

Bench is beautiful

[@YouCanMakeThisToo]

Thank you!

[@kevinwatt7871]

Great bench, I like the use of power and hand tools, can’t wait to see more of your videos.

[@YouCanMakeThisToo]

Thank you! I’ll keep them coming.

[@stofer3]

Nice bench!

[@YouCanMakeThisToo]

Thanks!

[@lucasyoung6882]

Great video! Would be nice if you put 2 wedges in at the same time so that one doesn’t do more work than the other. They will reveal the same size too

[@YouCanMakeThisToo]

Thanks! Considering the size of the tenon, I don’t think the small wedges can push the material in the middle. How deep they go and the reveal is determined by the angle on the side of the mortise.

[@ghasss88]

hi your bench is awesome. nice video

[@YouCanMakeThisToo]

Thanks!

[@DennisNestor]

Caleb bench came out great. Can't wait to meet you at Workbenchcon.

[@YouCanMakeThisToo]

Thanks! I look forward to meeting you too

[@haraldwolfgang2769]

Nice video and project, really enjoyed it! Just a quick tip to maybe make things a little bit easier for you: I saw you hold your japanese saw when cutting by grabbing it with all your fingers... Maybe try and put your index on top of the handle (parallel to the saw blade) as if you are pointing to your workpiece... May not sound like much of a difference, but it definately makes a huge one for me (since i started cutting like you as well 😉)

[@YouCanMakeThisToo]

Great tip, thanks very much!

[@ColinForBooks]

very cool. I will definitely try this. four years later - are the legs still in place? is there any movement or pulling out of the wedge joint?

[@YouCanMakeThisToo]

This was a commission and went to the client after it was done... that said I never heard back from them. Given that its centuries old techniques and the client has been quiet, I'm gonna assume it's aged just fine.

[@ColinForBooks]

@@YouCanMakeThisToo awesome. I'm definitely going to try this. Thanks for the reply.

[@mauroamorim5197]

Show de bola muito bonito esse banco

[@YouCanMakeThisToo]

Thanks!

[@Klausemann66]

Wonderful project Thanks for the video!

[@thenakedcarpenter2502]

Really engaging video Caleb. Way to raise the bar. I also liked your flush cut saw method for giving the right angle to chisel out of the mortise. Cheers!

[@YouCanMakeThisToo]

Thanks! I’m trying really hard to break away from “and then I did what you see..” that flush trim saw idea worked super well

[@calleeharris4182]

Great video! Love the lighting, and the dad jokes were on point.

[@YouCanMakeThisToo]

Thanks!

[@garychristiansen508]

Nice job!

[@YouCanMakeThisToo]

Thanks!

[@mikedisimile2478]

Beautiful job looks great 👍

[@YouCanMakeThisToo]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@robertclarke2571]

New to woodworking and interested if the bench top tenon joint through to the legs would work or be advisable when making a desk as I think it would look really cool and rather than using screws to attach the top

[@YouCanMakeThisToo]

It could be.. just have to be aware of the wood movement. If the legs expand with the top it won’t be a problem

[@jdmgag60]

nice work. So many professionals break out the sander I don't think you're in any danger of having your hand tool card revoked. Keep it up and look forward to just getting better. My only eyebrow raising moment came when you said "tickle your pickle". My son was watching with me drinking a soda. Soda out the nose. He said " a dude shouldn't say that". LOL

[@YouCanMakeThisToo]

Thanks! Very good point. Haha, that’s fantastic. When I remember I try to leave little nuggets like that to look forward to, can’t get too serious.

[@gilbertospinheiro7394]

Lindo trabalho ... Show ...

[@WoodWorkLIFE]

Nice shirt Caleb! Nicer bench! I ordered an xxs just for you, I'll have it for you at the show :)

[@YouCanMakeThisToo]

Hahaha, thanks! Believe it or not.. I do large. It's cause of my belly, not my height :/. But those new shirts of yours look great!

[@sv2234sv]

Very beautiful. I like all your work.

[@YouCanMakeThisToo]

Thank you very much, I appreciate all the comments and support!

[@JkCanvas]

Gives me an idea for some of the Okoume I have on hand.

[@YouCanMakeThisToo]

Awesome!

[@neishat]

Great video! Nice bench! If my opinion matters your the best!

[@YouCanMakeThisToo]

Aww, thanks! Of course it does!

[@granthamilton2892]

G’day Caleb Really enjoyed the vid, good pace, good vision, good commentary and explanations. I’d be interested to hear your design purpose and rationale before your projects, something seldom done by youtubers it seems. I’m very much a learner, particularly when it come to putting ideas on paper as a plan. How about a vid on how you do that phase of a project. Anyway good on you mate. GH

[@YouCanMakeThisToo]

Thanks, Grant! I’ll work to include that in my projects. I’m not sure about a video on it, I don’t consider myself much of a designer. But I’ve probably learned more than I’ve realized. Most of my projects are driven by function. They have to do certain things, those things normally have critical dimensions, and then I solve for the rest of the dimensions from there if that makes sense. As far as this one goes, the client wanted something very clean and simple, no frills. I pitched the exposed joinery as a way to add some interest and they loved the idea.

[@miketomko2933]

Awesome, do you have plans or dimensions? Subscribed!

[@YouCanMakeThisToo]

I think it was about 15" deep, 4' long, and 17" tall

[@markhampton8123]

Superb👍👍👍

[@YouCanMakeThisToo]

Thank you!

[@keierrareenell877]

You did a wonderful job. I look forward to learning a lot on your channel!

[@YouCanMakeThisToo]

Thank you so much!

[@keierrareenell877]

@@YouCanMakeThisToo you are most welcome

[@pmacedo6778]

Great Work! Thank You For Sharing!

[@YouCanMakeThisToo]

Thanks for watching and commenting!

[@clevelandexplorer2221]

Very impressive how neat this is. Next to other projects and such, do you think this is a relatively easy project? Not denoting your skills of course :) and what was it like to finish the wood, making it so flat?

[@YouCanMakeThisToo]

Easy is too subjective.. I'd say it's straight forward but less you really challenge your fundamentals. All the angles are hidden and there's no crazy curves or angles like I tend to do now. It's a great project to just work core skills. And I think I just used Arm R Seal satin on this.

[@husk79]

cool video and awesome make!!

[@YouCanMakeThisToo]

Thank you!

[@AlperenOcel]

You sir, tickled my pickle! Great vid!

[@YouCanMakeThisToo]

Haha glad to hear it!

[@Eweber007]

Stretcher wedges are correct, leg to top wedges are in the wrong orientation. Always install 90 degrees to th grain when wedging, otherwise you risk splitting the wood.

[@briantheprion]

Was looking for someone who noticed this too. I will say tho, if you do it correctly and just flare out the tenon to just kiss the tapered sidewalls instead of driving in the wedges until they are super tight and are literally wanting to split the mortise, I think it should be ok. The guy here seems to have done it right so it should be ok. But I definitely hear you Edward. Classically this is a no-no but if done right, it’s ok. Problem is when you look at it, you don’t know if the person doing it knew what they were doing 😜

[@Eweber007]

@@briantheprion It's just a bad habit to get into, you're just setting yourself up for failure. Just "kissing the tapered sidewalls" kind of defeats the purpose of using a "wedge". If all the grain is running in the same direction, then you add a wedge, you're basically trying to split the wood apart but stop just short of it actually breaking. This project looks to have a large enough cross section that I don't think it will faill but I stand by my comments. Wedged tenon joinery done properly creates a strong point in the construction, in the wrong orientation it becomes a week point.

[@briantheprion]

@@Eweber007 I personally would not do it since anyone who knows a little about woodworking will forever point it out and then I would have to explain it to them for all time. If done correctly however it’s not actually causing the mortise assembly as a whole to wedge the walls of the mortise: it’s sort of like a drop in dovetail joint but just in an enclosed space. If whatever force is applied that would cause the joint to fail: well it was going to break the piece anyway. I too have pointed this flaw out to other woodworkers but Chris becksvort employs this technique in some of his furniture too and I was shocked. Like I said I wouldn’t do it myself, but if the person knows what they are doing, it can be done correctly

[@briantheprion]

I will say that a “solution” around the problem discussed above is to either just do straight mortise and no wedge or split each tenon into two twin tenons so that they are square on the face and drive the wedges in perpendicular to the grain if that makes sense

[@Eweber007]

@@briantheprion It all depends on how well fitted your mortise, tenon and wedges are. If you drive them in with too much force, that's when the splitting can occur. As is now, there is unnecessary internal stress at the joint wanting to split the wood, contrary to what the joint is designed to do.

[@bmilhoan]

Very nice work. What was you final assessment of the altered mortise? Would you always do that for that type of split tenon?

[@YouCanMakeThisToo]

I'm not sure exactly what you're asking about? Do you mean sloping the ends? Definitely, I don't see wedges working without them.

[@bmilhoan]

@@YouCanMakeThisToo Yes, that is what I meant. Wasn't sure what to call it so I made up my own terminology! Thanks for the input.

[@zorroinhell5549]

Nice work! I wonder what the top of the bench would look like if the fronts and backs were rounded over? Goodluck!

[@YouCanMakeThisToo]

Thanks! With it so rectilinear I don’t think a round over would look good, but I could’ve done a heavy chamfer

[@sandyk6657]

Hi Caleb, I'm a beginner and going to do my first mortise and tenon joint and had a question on this build. It is necessary to do a wedged tenon, or can a regular tenon hold it together? It would be simpler and easier for my first bench. I would do it just like yours but without the wedges in the top. I wanted to do a through tenon on the cross piece, also with no wedge. Would that hold together if the joints are tight and a glue up? If not, I suppose I can go the extra step and do the wedges and cut the mortise at a slight angle from the top. Thanks, Sandy

[@YouCanMakeThisToo]

Totally! Assuming tight joints like you said, and glue. There is a risk that after years of use and wiggling the glue joints might break (like all the old wobbly chairs). It won’t fall apart, but after a loooonnggg time you may end up wanting to knock it apart and glue it back up (by then you’d probably just wanna build a new bench with your greatly improved skills anyway though!)

[@leksey7870]

Nice work!

[@YouCanMakeThisToo]

Thank you!

[@engineer-iv1oq]

hello, what was the brand name of the jointer the prrox. age and voltage required? and what was the capacity? would appreciate an response ...thank…..by the nice job1

[@YouCanMakeThisToo]

12” cordesman Meyers co from c1890.

[@caminojoe12]

Great video!!!

[@YouCanMakeThisToo]

Thank you!

[@spacemansabs]

usually you cut the mortise first, because its easier to adjust the tenon to be looser than make a mortise tighter.

[@YouCanMakeThisToo]

Its preference. Once you over cut either, it's overcut and loose.

[@DsHardWoodCreations]

Great job man

[@YouCanMakeThisToo]

Thanks!

[@richardmisdom1004]

Decent plan, however, you might consider orienting the wedges in the tenons across the grain so not to risk splitting the bench top next time.

[@jamesjohnsn4268]

Wow !!!!!putting your hand on the jointer bed while its running,is probably not a good idea.. but great project

[@YouCanMakeThisToo]

This thing wouldn't take a finger, it'd eat my whole hand. The camera angle often makes it look like I"m closer to the blades than I am, trust me, I'm always very conscious of where my hands are in relation to the blade when I'm using the jointer. But thank you for the concern and comment! :)

[@aussiefreediver]

@@YouCanMakeThisToo There's always a critic... :/ Love the vid, keep em coming!

[@YouCanMakeThisToo]

Thank you!

[@Ray_Sellner]

You aren't the only one to notice that. The adage, "an inch is good as a mile", does not apply here.

[@TM-zp1jh]

I had the same thought as soon as I saw it. No blade guard and that hand so close...it made my palms sweat a little bit. Featherboards and push blocks are cheap, at least in comparison to an ER visit because your hand was demolished. That being said, I love the finished project...I'm going to make one.

[@healing2gether]

Hey man great work, and nice filming too....what kind of slider are you using? Thanks, Adam The New Woodworker

[@YouCanMakeThisToo]

Thanks, Adam! It’s the GVM 48” from amazon. I don’t think they still have that exact model.

[@healing2gether]

@@YouCanMakeThisToo great thanks! I believe they are still available

[@wagnerbuion2787]

Perfect!!!

[@YouCanMakeThisToo]

Thank you!

[@fbilley3957]

I feel so basic today, but we’re sticking with it.

[@YouCanMakeThisToo]

You do you and be proud of it

[@leuch017]

One quick question. What angle are those wedges? Love this video.

[@YouCanMakeThisToo]

Not sure. Thanks!

[@paulharrison9883]

No blade guard on that monster jointer ?.. awesome bench though

[@YouCanMakeThisToo]

Didn’t come with one, it’s been on my list for a while.

[@ThirdCoastCraftsman]

Nice project and video bud!

[@YouCanMakeThisToo]

Thanks Chris!

[@clarencewallace3801]

This t.co/oLg9l5gL3F is an amazing book about wood working. I took several classes and completed a one year diploma in carpentry at a local tech college; this is better than any book I worked out of during those courses. It includes useful photos and goes over almost everything.

[@eltaller757]

Saludos 👍☕🇲🇽

[@YouCanMakeThisToo]

Thank you!

[@heyimamaker]

👌 Looks awesome!

[@YouCanMakeThisToo]

Thank you!

[@hoongfu]

How long did the whole process take to make this?

[@YouCanMakeThisToo]

I spent about 25 hours on this, but that includes filming. Can easily knock 5-10 hours without worrying about setting up camera, microphone, lights, slider, etc... but, it took a week and a half. My milling process takes 3-4 days and finishing is a 2-3 day process, but a lot of that is rest and cure time.. not working time.

[@RossNanfito]

First, I love the piece, great job-and I am a dedicated subscriber and regular viewer. And I am a woodworker trying to better my craft, it is why I watch your videos. But...one thing you could do better (you did ask for it) is in the filming aspects. I'm not interested in film making as an art, I am interested in the build, to learn woodworking. For example, in this video, after the work was done and the piece was completed, not once can I see the entire piece framed completely in any of the final shots (correct me if I missed it)...only glaring and partially blurry extreme close ups. It's like a car commercial that shows us a closeup of only the very corner of the shiny bumper. These close ups are visually stunning shots and great from the film making aspect, but I am not a filmmaker, I am a woodworker. I think woodworkers on youtube making build videos concentrate too much on close ups. These are visually stunning shots, but I want to learn woodworking, not enjoy the art of the film. Can we enjoy both? Yes, but it's gone too far when we cannot even see the final piece to enjoy what it looks like in it's entirety, to see perspective, to get a feel for size and volume, etc. It's a bench....sit on it! Show that! Yes, I love art, but the final artful piece of furniture. I think youtube woodworkers making build videos need to ask who is your audience? what do they want to see? Stunning film making or learn how to build? Maybe make some artful videos and some build videos, I don't know. Just my opinion. And lastly...keep up the work I will be there to watch the next one.

[@YouCanMakeThisToo]

Thank you for being a regular watcher and your comment, especially thank you for providing criticism in a genuine way. I want to say first, you're right. This is what I do full time, and I've learned to enjoy the video process as much as the woodworking (though I've recently passed off editing so I can spend more time doing builds and less at the computer). And I've swung too far, I like to do end sequences and have gotten so focused on trying to get a variety of visually interesting detail shots that in this one I completely missed getting a few good whole project shots. I apologize and thank you for bringing it to my attention, this will help me not make that mistake again. I honestly didn't even realize there were not complete shots in the end and in this case, the thumbnail isn't a full size project shot like usual (the full size shot loses the joinery and I thought the bench was plain enough it wouldn't capture attention, hence the focus on the joinery in the thumbnail). I will do better for you in the future, but as far as this project goes I do have quite a few photos I took before it went to the client. Some of them are on my instagram, but if you want you can also send me an email and I'd be happy send you some full photos, Ross. I could write pages on the thought I put into the direction I want my videos to go and what I want viewers to get out of them.. but that would bore everyone to death I'm sure. Allow me to simply say your feedback is incredibly valuable and will influence my videos going forward (might take a few before you see that because I have stuff already done - but you will). But, thank you for taking the time to give your feedback. It's probably obvious to you, but as a creator "what does my audience want, how can I better serve/entertain them?" can be an enigma.

[@AntonioClaudioMichael]

Hand saw technic would be cool to see on a video

[@YouCanMakeThisToo]

I’ll add it to my list 👍

[@AntonioClaudioMichael]

@@YouCanMakeThisToo sweet

[@chooboflex8154]

hi 7:15 what this is type wood desk/countertop?

[@YouCanMakeThisToo]

It's maple.

[@chooboflex8154]

@@YouCanMakeThisToo thanks and can you give me measurement 1:29?

[@MoscaWoodworking]

you did a great job with this bench, and to be honest I don't think that power sanding will decrease your hand tool skill level in this project

[@YouCanMakeThisToo]

Thanks! My skills improved quite a bit just in the beginning to end. I feel like doing a project that needs them gives me way more practice than just practice. And it’s less boring, even if the stakes are higher.

[@AntonioClaudioMichael]

Great video bro

[@clockmaister]

Hi. Great bench! I have a lot of questions :D Is there any way to do the initial milling myself if I don't own a planer machine? Did you just make the wedges out of scrap wood from the project, or is it harder wood?

[@YouCanMakeThisToo]

The wedges are made from scrap from the project so they match. Here's my machine substitution series: kzbin.info/www/bejne/qaLamXaGmZyooc0 It shows alternative options for each common machine.

[@davelawler5353]

so traditional joinery with a cnc makes you what if not a woodworker?

[@YouCanMakeThisToo]

First it’s important to establish this is just a semantic argument. I’d say it depends on your skill set. If you can do it with non-CNC tools and machines, you’re a woodworker. If your skills are limited to CAD, toolpaths, and CNC operation - you’re a digital fabricator. Tons of people are both. I’m both. I can do it with a handsaw and chisel. Table saw and routers. Or design a multi-texturing CNC table that my CNC cuts out that allows me to do most traditional joinery on the CNC.

[@davelawler5353]

@@YouCanMakeThisToo I think its more opinion than semantics. Someone using all hand tools may have a similar opinion of you using an elctric jointer/planner. I dont think its fair to say to all those who are creating things from wood can only be considered woodworkers based on a certain set of tools they use

[@YouCanMakeThisToo]

@davelawler5353 that’s just a semantic argument over semantics. Very meta 🤣

[@ACNailedIt]

"At least I didn't use a CNC" Hahahahaha THE Quote of the video!!

[@YouCanMakeThisToo]

😁😁😁 gotta have fun man

[@ACNailedIt]

@@YouCanMakeThisToo Always!

[@timtoggs]

Close finish with "tickle your pickle".

[@md8744]

Cnn u also must use chisel to clean sharp corners because of cutter radius. Finally his way is best and faster

[@jeffreykeyser9435]

Nicely done, but be careful when wedging tenons with the grain. Stretcher wedges were cross-grain, which is a rock-solid joint. The stoutness of the top and the hard maple, overcame the wedging force, which could have easily split the top, had it been thinner and made from a less robust species. Love you videos; great production quality and excellent commentary.

[@YouCanMakeThisToo]

Thank you! Very good points. That’s why I was comfortable trying it on this project for the first time. I knew the material would be able to handle my novice 😁

[@martinhackford4985]

What are the dimensions to this project?

[@YouCanMakeThisToo]

I think it was 4' long, 13" seat, 17" tall

[@armoredsaint6639]

I prefer partical board and staples for my fine woodworking projects but whatever!

[@YouCanMakeThisToo]

Whatever floats your boat

[@armoredsaint6639]

I hope you appreciate the intended humor in my comment!

[@YouCanMakeThisToo]

Oh I did 😂

[@jlwade87]

I saw you use about 100 different tools haha. Looks great but dont say it's simple with just a few tools.

[@YouCanMakeThisToo]

Let's say you bought surfaced material. What more would you need besides a handsaw, chisel, and drill? If you didn't buy surfaced material, add a handplane.

[@LimitedGunnerGM]

More hand tools, most of us don’t have the cool gizmos that you have on your table saw.

[@YouCanMakeThisToo]

The incra is pretty, but any homemade sled with a stop block clamped would’ve worked just as well for this project.

[@gottabighit1]

Building a woodworking bench as I type this. I have been subscribed to your channel for a few months now. I think I should have watched this video BEFORE I started my workbench. My mortises for the "thru bench top" legs? OMG. If I posted the photos of my progress would make you either: 1) Cry 2) Cringe 3) Laugh your ass off Sir, how do you get to Carnegie Hall?

[@YouCanMakeThisToo]

We've all been there, just count it a learning lesson and keep going! I'm glad this video was in my catalog to help out some.. even if a bit too late.

[@KevinSmith-qt4hz]

If you can't use a sander than the other "woodworkers" shouldn't be allowed to use a planer!

[@YouCanMakeThisToo]

Sounds fair to me

[@germcrazyshokoff3623]

Good video but PLEASE don't tickle my pickle...

[@YouCanMakeThisToo]

I don’t

[@aprildegele1510]

No, you didn't use a CNC, and kudos to you. CNC may be more accurate and awesome for some applications, I also see it as cheating.

[@YouCanMakeThisToo]

I just don’t want to take the time to master the software side of things. Eventually I will.

[@awkirkness]

I would like the video more if you didn’t talk about tickling my pickle out of nowhere at the end

[@YouCanMakeThisToo]

Fair enough

[@franks122]

Your doing a great job, I can't stand your music. Sorry.

[@LordPadriac]

For fuck's sake! The lax and dangerous jointer technique, hand placement and complete lack of guard render the entirety of this video unwatchable and it should be removed from KZbin or at least have an advisory added.

[@YouCanMakeThisToo]

I highly suggest not rewatching

[@lauraswanson4806]

Nothing.

[@YouCanMakeThisToo]

.

[@NovaMetrics]

"Traditional WoodWorking Joinery" and use glue, jigsaw and some electronic tools in my view useless for this project

[@YouCanMakeThisToo]

I get the sense you confused "traditional woodworking joinery" with "built with hand tools."

[@NovaMetrics]

@@YouCanMakeThisToo Yep, probabily i meant something like Japanese Traditional Joinery! i'd have done this project in this "style", maybe required more time, but it's okay, the important thing is the result. Anyway nice job!

[@YouCanMakeThisToo]

@@NovaMetrics Thanks! Yeah... I picked that title based on the fact that it was all wedged mortise and tenons. Not biscuits, dominos, pocket screws, nails, etc... As you pointed out it could be all done with hand tools, but sadly my hand skills just aren't there yet. But I hope they will be. Thanks for watching!