I screw up more than I used to

[@CheveeDodd]

I absolutely love when you show us how you fix your mistakes and maintain a casual tone while doing so. It helps me frame my own mistakes more honestly with myself.

[@Bob_Adkins]

I mis-cut a small piece of flooring 3 times the other day, precisely an inch short! I'm glad I didn't inch a walnut table leg or a large piece of birch ply!

[@manfredschmalbach9023]

@@Bob_Adkins Them bloody pieces are too short always on one side only .... 😁

[@Bob_Adkins]

@@manfredschmalbach9023 And if you ignore the missiomg inch, it's 100% accurate right down to 1/64th"!

[@manfredschmalbach9023]

@@Bob_Adkins Sorry I'm metric 😲

[@manfredschmalbach9023]

@Bob Adkins Oh it is in deed! Recently purchased a nice pair of RHD LandRovers from the imperial banana and Cricket-field measuring era when Little Britain still was Great and they had their woman King .... it is "interesting" to find the right nuts and spanners from the assortment I bought by the kilogram ("stone" as they say to weights over there on their funny little Island 😁) for that Landy-business. Even my 2000 model Triumph Thunderbird Sport has real nuts and bolts throughout. But antique Rover products: measured in cookies and teacups. I wouldn't even know whether the cricket field equivalents the Brits use and the footballfield equivalents them Americans call "measurements" are the same, to be honest. But anyway, no harm meant, "too short on one side" does annoy in millimeters no less than in ounces ... Have a nice day!

[@NormReitzel]

Not just schadenfreude, a history of errors is an important education. Watching how a skilled worker lets things get away from planning points out places that lack redundancy in materials and/or workmanship. Watching your mistakes have saved ME scads of time, as it points out places where I have to take more care. For this, I sincerely thank you, sir.

[@1pcfred]

Perfection is the enemy of good enough. The modern era has spoiled the expectations of people. Mass production has allowed us to streamline the process to a point where things appear virtually flawless. That's simply impractical to achieve with handicrafts. We shouldn't want it.

[@propertystuff7221]

I learn way more from crafters who show their mistakes than from those who hide them.

[@guysquarred]

Do you know essential craftsman ? He's a blacksmith/carpenter/general contractor on KZbin and he is very production driven. He taught me the same thing as "allowable tolerencies".

[@BariumCobaltNitrog3n]

Learning comes from failing, not succeeding. And watching someone who is good at something make mistakes is a great learning experience. Without the splinters.

[@1pcfred]

@@BariumCobaltNitrog3n learning comes from doing. There's just more lessons failing than succeeding because in failing one tends to have to do more then in order to ultimately succeed.

[@niceguy191]

A great craftsman is not someone who never makes mistakes, but someone who is so good at fixing them that you can't tell they made a mistake in the first place.

[@justme12211-p]

Matthias’ screwups are better than most people’s perfection.

[@souperdave2009]

Facts

[@UnrivaledPiercer]

The mismatched middle drawer is brilliant, it adds so much character.

[@abdusco]

If it were a perfect drawer, no one would bat an eye, not even acknowledge its existence. Now it's an interesting conversation piece. Every defect gets respect.

[@JasperJanssen]

For my eye it would probably look better spun 180 degrees, even if it would still not be “right”.

[@Hoaxer51]

I thought maybe he did it for a contrast, guess not. I kinda got used to it thinking it was done on purpose, oh well. Now he’ll do it more often knowing it gets under the trolls skin, Lol. Thanks for sharing

[@1pcfred]

The knot changes with every layer. But people fail to appreciate subtle details. What they really see is constrasting color changes. That draws the eye. Big spot moved. Me no like! Yeah sure OK whatever.

[@SometimeWoodworker]

Not only that but it will make remembering exactly what is in each draw easier

[@modifierle]

My wife tells me all the time "only you can see the mistakes, everyone else thinks its great". I used to be highly critical of my work because I used to watch alot of "instructional" type videos and always strived for that level of finish. Im really glad you are making videos like this these days.

[@1pcfred]

After a while even you won't remember the mistakes you made. So bearing that in mind in the moment definitely helps.

[@wanpengqian]

I always screw up a lot when doing my projects. but I make less screw up after knows how to avoid it. but new thing comes, I screw up more...

[@1pcfred]

@@wanpengqian what a pro will do is call the first try, "practice". That's because they're better and smarter than average.

[@username34159265]

Clicked expecting the title to be a pun about wood screws: between GRK and Spax screws with excellent threadforms/self-tapping features and Torx heads, ubiquitous impact drivers, metallurgy and coatings that make structural screws affordable, and an increased value on my time I find myself screwing things together more and more.

[@rklauco]

Your screw-ups are important in one more way - at least for me. When you have a problem and need to fix it, you come with solutions I would never even dream of. Like the time you've created a dent and fixed it with saw dust and wood glue - while I am not a wood worker, I've used that trick already like 5-6 times.

[@jakefriesenjake]

If you have real solid wood, and you bumped it with a hammer or something, and dented it a bit, you can dampen a rag, put it on the dent, then put a hot iron on it to well out the dent. Start slow. It works Don't know if I recommend it on clear coat though

[@bradley3549]

It's not instructional for me anymore, it's inspirational. And I think showing that you can still get things done without the need for perfection is exactly what I need to hear. Perfection for me is always the enemy of good enough.

[@1pcfred]

I watch a lot of period piece movies. This time of year there's a lot of Jesus movies playing. So that's events that took place in the Bronze Age. I look at the set details while I watch stuff. The rough hewn doors. Hey at least their hovel has a door. And that's what's really important.

[@SmithyScotland]

The sign of a good woodworker is how they cover up their mistakes

[@SimpleElectronics]

I think it's important to show at least some of your mistakes - it's quite encouraging as a DIYer to see that someone who has achieved as much as you did (thinking back to all the machines you have designed and built) still make mistakes. None of us are perfect and that's totally okay - it's what you do with your mistakes that counts!

[@pileofstuff]

Absolutely. I could edit out all the mistakes from my videos, but there is more value in showing how to recover from the mistake.

[@GilesBathgate]

I love the screw ups, because its good to know how to fix them, rather than start over.

[@davetenney5800]

My dad always told me that the mark of a good craftsman was how well they could hide their mistakes, not the number of mistakes they made...Good job!

[@pmcmva]

Mine did too. It's a skill in itself.

[@MattTrevett]

Part of Derek Muller's PhD thesis on teaching explored the idea that people learn best when presented with a mistake which is then corrected for. I find mistakes to be valuable as you can learn to avoid them.

[@dallen521]

I like the one draw that is the wrong way around. It gives the chest of drawers character.

[@ryann2674]

I think you missed a key demographic, I myself enjoy seeing how you problem solve, and how you approach different tasks. You've got a very unique way of thinking and that's what I like the most.

[@StuartSanborn]

showing mistakes makes me feel a lot better, plus shows trial and error happens to everyone (even the talented)

[@OriginalTexcalibur]

We learn more from Screw-up than we do when we mess up. From a person who makes his living from woodworking and millwork installation. This is why I always tell the noobs when they mess up, "now you know the wrong way to do it and I didn't get all my experience from doing everything right either.". Mistakes are the best teacher if you have to fix it.

[@corncobjohnsonreal]

I think you seeing yourself is less technical and more like entertainment is kind of like Johnny Cash moving away from country. You're like my woodworking idol and I love you

[@GeneralSeptem]

I like seeing your "screw ups" simply because it moderates my own e expectation in my own work. When I try to follow an edited video I always end up wondering what the hell I'm doing wrong that it isn't coming out perfect like the one I'm copying.

[@msmith3537]

Making my granddaughter a Montessori bed. Up against Christmas deadline. So many mistakes or frustrating errors I don’t have time to fix. I learned a lot. I’m a pretty good woodworker, but stuff goes sideways sometimes. Addie will love that her papa made her bed.

[@Peekul1]

That knot on the veneer being on the wrong side compared the rest was entertaining. Kind of like "is that knot on the wrong side 'nice,' though?" It adds some character and it reminds us that only God is perfect.

[@Velokotique]

Suddenly I feel A LOT better about my projects. Thank you so much!

[@samarasinghenalin]

You, showing your mistakes in your videos had been a turning point in my hobby and day-to-day life. I used to be a "perfectionist" and be really hard on me. When I make a mistake in my woodworking stuff, I used to get really frustrated and rage quit them. But in one of the videos, you show how you made an absurdly silly mistake and how you fixed it. Next time when I made a mistake I thought "Hay that wood-gear guy did something the same, no need to worry, let's fix it and move on". Later I saw some master woodworkers saying that one thing that makes a master woodworker is knowing how to fix his mistakes. I think most of us are too insecure to show and admit our own mistakes. So fixing things get harder. People get too stressed trying to be perfectionists. So, I am really thankful for showing your mistakes.

[@markbrotherson]

I started watching this channel BECAUSE of your problem solving skills. Amazes me to this day! Thanks for sharing your wisdom and vulnerability.

[@t23001]

That’s a great looking dresser! Those are expert level inside baseball errors that 99.99% of the population won’t even notice. Keep on building and trying new things.

[@ryancummings5295]

I personally get great benefit from the problem solving process. One can learn about prioritizing and urgency in the need for fixing the mistake, i.e. shop project vs client project. You've also shown how time and other values of cost is weighed in the solution. And the creativity and knowledge on display here is top tier! So thank you for all the years of wisdom!!!

[@josho4228]

Thanks for showing the whole story Matthias. I learn so much through the process you share, and mistakes are part of any process.

[@davidgibson9866]

I love the videos when you fix something broken or overcome a problem 👍🏻

[@BariumCobaltNitrog3n]

Destin sets the bar pretty high. He makes videos about things he finds interesting, things that go overlooked that shouldn't, goes into places we want to go and talks to people with such humble respect and kindness, you almost forget how smart he is. He has FUN and gets excited and his kids call him sir.

[@XcaptainXobliviousX]

retroactive precision! i love that.

[@edwardtse8631]

Dude, I absolutely love your channel. You are so practical and price conscious that makes your project more relevant in real world

[@imqqmi]

Making mistakes and having your workpieces show them (or fixed to some degree) just adds to the charm of the workpiece for me. I'm a hugely flawed human being and my workpieces reflect that, I've come to accept that. Aside from that, wood is an organic material that expandsand contracts as humidity changes throughout the seasons, there's no way you can get everything perfect anyway. I guess good woodworkers know when things need more margin to cover up errors. Thanks for showing your mistakes, I think that's instructional in its own way!

[@MrSatchelpack]

Jump tests are required. There's something satisfying knowing that you built something that could survive a tornado.

[@MarcCote6]

Matthias, you are an inspiration. Practical and realistic.

[@patcallaway9804]

I don't learn much from things that go right. Overcoming a mistake teaches me much more.

[@jackmcslay]

I'm pretty sure plenty in your audience has found something useful and practical about your videos even if they're not woodworkers. The video you made about sharpening jointer knives gave me useful tips I now use to keep my kitchen knives sharp

[@zendell37]

"The pleasure of finding things out" - Richard Feynman It's the excitement of learning something new or noticing finer details. It's the sudden expansion of your world and understanding! Some people don't understand because they don't appreciate knowledge. I love blower fans. I picked up a few to experiment with. I need to get my 3d printer running and make an adapter to connect a big blower fan to my video card. It runs hot, even idle, so a larger fan blowing through it would definitely help.

[@andyb1368]

I like seeing the screwups and the methods to fix them. Even if I don’t learn anything specific that I can use on my projects, I think seeing them helps me do a better job mentally of dealing with mistakes that I make on my own projects.

[@1pcfred]

You can't beat yourself up over things. There's arguments in support of failure. If what you're doing is really meaningful then it is going to be challenging too. Everyone makes mistakes so what's important is how you deal with those mistakes. Success is falling down 7 times and getting up 8.

[@c0ldc0ne]

Armchair woodworker here. I love watching your screw-ups. Not for the sake of Schadenfreude though, but because your problem solving ingenuity inspires me. And it shows that even the most accomplished craftsmen make mistakes, and learn from them in the process. Better to try and mess up, than to not try at all.

[@DubloAirfix65]

I'm a metal worker but find your thought processes, problem solving and thinking outside the box interesting and helpful with my projects. That's why I watch. Many thanks for your excellent videos.

[@nobuckle40]

This is the type of video that I appreciate. I get so tired of watching woodworkers who seem to never screw up. It makes it so much more relatable when I see other people making mistakes like I do. It actually builds confidence when you see someone overcome a difficult part of a project. Thank you for sharing your humanity with us.

[@sschneider8273]

Thank you for also showing your mistakes. Thanks to you I started wookworking and building my own machines about 10 years ago its such a great and rewarding hobby 😊. Seeing other People screwing up gives me confidence in my own woodworking skills. Plus seeing how you fix these mistakes is really educational. Also the way you work in general, use what you have laying around, work with scraps and still build good looking things is just great. You really inspire me a lot. Keep up the great work and stay who you are

[@holymackerel]

I appreciate you showing the screw ups because it makes me feel less bad about my screw ups. It gives me more motivation to try new things. Thank you for your work. You do great work. I like how you find solutions

[@1pcfred]

I'm going to teach you a little song we used to sing on the job. It goes like this: We'll do it once We'll do it twice We'll do it until we get it right Because we're in the union! Da, da, da, da. So just sing that ditty whenever you make a booboo and it'll make you feel better. Other things you can say are, Almost like it was made for it. By the time we're done we'll know what we're doing. See all the concern in my eye? And the ever popular, You can't see it from my house!

[@andreaslindner8477]

Including mistakes and screw ups helps a lot in learning. You get a different view on a problem, latest when the mistake is fixed. Thanks for your "new" attitude.

[@DanielConstantinoS]

I just love it has so many screw ups but not a single screw.

[@joelwinter4956]

Part of the value I find in watching woodworking videos on KZbin is to explicitly see how others solve problems. I've been woodworking for a long time, and find that as frustrating as my screw-ups are, I do actually find enjoyment (as a hobbyist) in trying to SOLVE those problems. Woodworking in many ways (for me) IS problem-solving, so it's both encouraging and helpful to see others' mistakes.

[@ryanbecker6584]

Showing how you fix mistakes is one of the most helpful things you can do for others that are trying to learn. I very much appreciate it! Also, it’s actually comforting to know that even very experienced people can make mistakes. I tend to get a bit distracted by my mistakes, so knowing I’m not the only one who cuts one board too short is a relief! (I loved the way you fixed it in the cabinet video, I’ll definitely use it in the future).

[@dnbmania]

'Mistakes should be rewarded' was the most important line I heard throughout my education and indeed in life. It's that experience of things not going as planned that you can grow from

[@lettersandnumbers81]

Mistakes or having trouble with something are by far the best parts of 'maker' videos

[@mrjarnottman5981]

I think that showing common ways to screw up and how to recover from screw ups is a huge part of learning that people dont appreciate

[@littlefarm34]

As my wife says about my mess ups it adds character and most people hate perfection. As you said as the builders, we see every mistake your average person will never notice most of them.

[@PelleKuipers]

i still remember Adam Savage talking about a one day build being actually a 5 day build because he made so many mistakes. I really enjoyed seeing that, as I always felt bad when making a 'dumb' mistake.

[@TheTsunamijuan]

So much of woodworking is knowing how to fix flaws and mistakes. Wood is very imperfect. With a large percentage of those not being professionals. There isn't the luxury or availability of funds to just scrap stuff and start over. So understanding methods of fixing or making things workable. Is one the largest reasons I like watching other people build stuff. So that I can have more tools in my pocket of knowledge. To solve the inevitable road bumps, quicker and more efficiently.

[@KrazyK78]

The difference between a good carpenter and a bad carpenter is the good one knows how to hide their mistakes.

[@mortalman01]

I watch because you awe me with your woodworking knowledge, but now that I watch this one I appreciate the humor as well . Thanks for the videos and sharing it all.

[@jgurtz]

The veneer "screw-up" is actually an organizational feature: bottoms below, tops above, and trinkets and toys in the middle. Here's to more screwups!

[@gorgonical]

Your videos don't have to be "instructional videos" to be informative. I look at them a lot like spending time with a friend or uncle who knows woodworking -- it's entertaining but also when you show what you're doing I learn by watching. I've learned a lot of tricks and your casual format mixed with your emphasis on explaining why you do stuff is an important aspect of your style.

[@DullPoints]

With any craft, you never showcase your mistakes, just take the compliments with grace. Talking to other makers, sharing how to hide or embrace mistakes is a true gift.

[@klaernie]

Sometimes I feel any craft is not an exercise in perfection, but an exercise in finding the balance where good is just good enough.

[@jdy5556]

For me the only reason I watch woodworking videos is to see how people fix their mistakes. I am experienced enough that I know how to build almost anything in wood and the mental challenge of fixing a problem is where the FUN comes from. Keep up the good work. Always entertaining Mathias!

[@griffingene1]

If I can steal a line from a very popular movie, "Thank you for your candor." Your honesty and attention to detail makes me feel very good about the fact that these things happen to even the most accomplished woodworkers, and I don't need to get so down on myself for minor mistakes. Thank you Matthias!

[@evlogiy]

It's easier for me to do mistakes, when I know that even you do it sometimes. Thanks for inspiration! ❤️

[@sportsman1824]

Say after me.... we all screw-up and are all screw-ups from time to time. Your screw-ups and fixes are entertaining.

[@j64]

All this video does is show how much more complicated it is... wow... great work! Amazing...

[@cougar1861]

Demonstrating how to deal with screw-ups IS instructional !!!

[@jmadd1000]

This is so helpful to us learning (and making lots of mistakes) wood workers.

[@thomastieffenbacherdocsava1549]

Smart and Human! LOL! Glad your Interested in your work after all this time. Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

[@davidcahan]

That one drawer with the backward piece of veneer? That's not a screw up at all! That's character!

[@trevorlambert4226]

I was one of the people who suggested glue with longer open time. Yes, once you've clamped the pieces, it doesn't matter anymore. But I've noticed in several videos you're frantically trying to spread the glue onto all the surfaces when there is a lot of surface area and/or intricate pieces. That's the part where 20 minute open time would help.

[@briannewhouser154]

One of the big reasons I started watching your videos, is because you showed us the everyone makes mistakes, and more importantly, you showed us how to fix those mistakes. For that I say thank you, and keep up the great work.

[@rdear]

One of my favorite programming channels is The Coding Train. It’s hands down my favorite because he not only shows the process to figure things out, but he also shows the problems he runs into and how to solve them. Whether the mistakes are small, “dumb” or something that take re-engineering, he leaves then in. I love that. Too often KZbinrs will just breeze through a project like it’s no big deal and that can really be demoralizing when you try to recreate it and run into a bunch of issues and think it’s should be easier than it is. The way you do things is perfect. No need to change anything!

[@esepecesito]

I like to see the fails, because I thought I should stop doing woodworking... until I see all make mistakes... I really liked the tipp of leaving the plywood recessed in relation to the wood.

[@mckenziekeith7434]

I am about 90 percent armchair and 10 percent shop woodworker. But you really did inspire me over the years to attack problems and get my hands dirty in the shop. And I learned a lot about centrifugal blowers from you which has been somewhat useful to me.

[@fittony]

- *Matthias calling me a armchair wood worker* - *shock face* mumbles under my breath : one day i will build something, that'll show him

[@johnnymcleod4003]

Watching perfection is awesome and inspiring, but sometimes I feel unattainable. Watching these later videos of yours displays a down to earth process that is both informing and motivational. Thank you!

[@richbuilds_com]

I'm absolutely with you - I like watching people fix their screw ups. That's when everyone learns something.

[@pixelkatten]

Showing your screw-ups and how you solve them is actually a really good way of showing how to solve problems! Teaching how to do things the right way is one thing, teaching how to solve problems is, in my opinion, a lot more important!

[@GWL420]

The advice I got on cooking is you will be your own biggest critic(or kick out the person berating you). The problem in presenting something you have made to someone is the tendency to tell every fault in a tendency to think admitting errors shows you understand the short comings of your project, but in reality you can be pointing out errors someone would never have seen perceived without them being pointed out.

[@danvalleskey]

That was fun, not just for the screw ups, but your wonderful explanation of why they happened. Your delivery as usual was smooth and your personality really comes across. Good job thanks. And- have a good holiday.

[@JohnHarmon]

I appreciate the screw-ups, and seeing the fixes. Gives me some ideas for fixing my screw-ups

[@robertomm8861]

You re so wonderful showing us your mistakes, thank you for sharing your criteria

[@tacolength]

I adore your humor regarding mistakes, especially on the drawer fronts. I'm certain whoever winds up with the drawers will remember that one drawer!

[@wardkline935]

a well thought out presentation of a sensitive matter in the 'professional' world of creating and beyond. i had been hoping something like this would make its way to the surface, flaws make us all human. cheers Matthias

[@Lugnut64052]

I feel much better about my own screwups now. Thanks, Matthias.

[@paulsmyers203]

I have certainly appreciated your increased inclusion of imperfect woodworking moments. I think it humanizes you in front of your millions of adoring fans ;) For the statistics, I primarily watch for the entertainment, but I do learn woodworking tips from you and have put many of them into practice on some of my projects.

[@hdwoodshop]

I was going to comment on the veneer reversal in the original video (or maybe I did 😊) but I find your videos kind of intimidating…you’re super skilled, super smart, you built all your major tools, you have nothing to prove. You invented the blackberry…need I say more? Glad you’re even able to share your screw ups…😊 Your videos are better and better. Glad you’re building again. Thanks for sharing.

[@skippy2710]

My 12th grade woodshop teacher used to say all the time, "woodworking is 80% hiding your mistakes" Love your videos! I hope to one day have my own shop to create important stuff like this! (a dresser)

[@alexxustube]

It's a nice, functional drawer. It works well and it serves the purpose. Yes, it's not 100% perfect, but it's 1000% better than the wobbly crap you buy in stores these days. AND it makes you proud, because you made it yourself and you learned something during the process. And we learned something as well. So, thanks for sharing, Matthias! 👍🙂

[@iainburgess8577]

Teach, entertain & Inspire. It's always great to watch another craftsperson work, you can pick up tools, techniques, methods & perspectives impossible to create on your own. But most importantly, that difference in perspective can inspire new answers in issues we're having.

[@MrVodKanocker]

i really like that woodworkers are showing their fails, which means no matter how good they are at work they are still humans and that is good wind in back of people who are new at this thing i like that you almost in every video make some mistake and thats why i like to watch your videos cos you are without pretensions and humble

[@cornelmasson4610]

The one veneer panel which is on the right vs the left... It's a delightful design detail. 😎

[@garagehack9271]

The maker ALWAYS cares more than the users.... thumbs up, dude

[@robertholcomb6200]

I was always told that a true craftsman can fix any mistake. YOU are proof of that! I enjoy all you videos very much! All of them. Thank you! Happy Holidays to you and yours

[@leifhietala8074]

"Take that you pedantic folks!" I so feel that. Perfect is okay, entertaining is WAY better.

[@davidadaur5163]

The screw ups are just part of wood working. I still rate you up in the genius level for some of the innovations you come up with. Merry Christmas to you and yours David

[@MahBor]

I personally love watching you screw up and curse! I find it so entertaining i keep rewinding back and watching it again

[@DiHandley]

I feel so much better now. Thanks!

[@claudiomenesesc]

Over 30 years ago my late father-in-law explained the word Schadenfreude. I use it quite often. Love your videos.

[@MrCardeso]

Showing how you deal with mistakes is highly instructive, in my opinion.

[@joek3697]

This is me doing every project, not just woodworking. Also me when cooking often times.