Just Another Dovetailing Video - with Christian Becksvoort

Just another dovetail video? Not really, when you can watch Christian Becksvoort dovetail a drawer packed into a 7-minute edit.
Head over to bit.ly/2krcIeR for more information on Chris' dovetailing process.

[@dougbornyk5060]

Wow. What a joy to watch a master do this work with such skill, passion, and smiles. Absolutely Inspiring and a Thrill.

[@glennsmethurst2235]

I loved the pencil trick checking the tight spots. Very satisfying seeing a persons enjoying themselves using their talents.

[@Exodus5K]

Agree, I had one of those, "why didn't I think of that" moments seeing that.

[@androidgameplays4every13]

The pencil trick was AMAZING!!!!

[@cynthiaarredondo9683]

By "pencil trick" do you mean scribing the dovetail cuts?

[@916wilton]

3:52

[@timbrosnan9372]

AKA "chasing the smudge"...

[@rickcimino5483]

all that beautiful handwork and then a belt sander....I love it!

[@brianszy2008]

Was thinking g the same thing. Haha

[@GeeDeeBird]

Brilliant! I've watched dozens of dovetail videos by experienced craftsmen. This is far and a away the most efficient, elegant and inspirational method I have seen. Thank you so much for sharing your expertise.

[@chrismalcomson7640]

Its great to see someone keeping the old skills alive. As an apprentice I met an old time proffessional dovetailer. He told me he could produce 8 drawers a day which is 32 sets of dovetails. He said that if you over ran with the saw you'd get fined.. Its always worth remembering that this kind of skill changes dramatically when you have to add speed. You get paid on production in the trade.

[@bighands69]

When you do it a thousands times you get very proficient and mistakes rarely happen.

[@daveott]

The best thing about this video, to me, is the appearance of the Skil 449 locomotive to flush the pins with the tails. Such a cool looking tool!

[@darryl8641]

This is a great video and Christian's smile at 3.05 just makes it for me. The guy is having a ball doing his thing and kicking ass while doing it.

[@jamesnasmith984]

Wow. The level that a skill can be taken to. Bravo to the owner who takes it there.

[@chrischatham5948]

The 131 people that thumbs downed this video better have done that solely for the music. The guy is fantastic to watch and I’d love to study under him for years to learn I will never be as good as he is.

[@KhoaTran-mm9iy]

I still gave this video a thumb up but god the music is so loud

[@rbowe6]

Fantastic work (I'm a pins first guy though, doing them like Tage Frid), thumbs up from me, although I wish there was a way to turn the music off. It'd be nice to hear what the tools are doing more clearly.

[@Timothylaing]

Bad Boy Becksvoort strikes again. That is a man who has cut a lot of dovetails. Love watching a master of their craft work, so effortless from so much hard work

[@salv434]

Beautiful shop, beautiful dog, beautiful home, magnificent dovetails... Quality and professionalism at it's finest. Great video.. Great smile as well.. i really enjoyed this video. Thanks for sharing

[@usvcrescuecrew9563]

The best dovetail video from an amazing craftsman I've ever seen. That is a drawer anyone would be proud to have. Wow.

[@JohnSmith-fs1cg]

This is my favorite dovetail video! So simple, so easy. Well done! Thank you!

[@briarfox637]

Tons of tips and tricks to see just by watching Chris. Gosh hes so good. Love his furniture and personality.

[@christophertimmons9248]

I've watched quite a few dovetail videos and this is the first time I've seen some chisel out the waste like that. Looks much easier than the other methods I've seen, but I'm 100% sure that's because he's done a million of these.

[@rick91443]

I can watch this video over and over, every few months, without knowing really I'm doing it; like great songs from the 70's...cheers...rr Normandy, France

[@toddferguson549]

Christian does more hand cut dovetails in a month than most of us ever will... Love his work...

[@fringefilms]

Beautiful video Ben. Thanks so much. Such amazaing skill.

[@FearsomeWarrior]

He knows the wood and how it'll behave without any visible effort. The experience he shows with his hands is amazing to see. Total badass.

[@JohnSmith-fs1cg]

This is my favorite dovetail video! Thank you!

[@robtansey8143]

That was way more than just another dovetail video! Seven minutes of gems!

[@brunopmcosta]

I'm blown away. The man really is a master

[@trippen1999]

This is the most efficient guy i have seen. Every movement has a purpose.

[@bobdutica]

I feel very fortunate that I was able to attend two separate weekend workshops that Chris conducted at the Lie-Nielsen Toolworks. I learned more about hand tool dovetails during those two weekends than I could have learned in two weeks from most any other instructor.

[@sturobertson7850]

Amazing artist! one day i might be able to make a dovetail joint so easily. Thank you for sharing your talents and skills!

[@krabenaldt7605]

I like everything about this video including the music. I have read his articles too. True talent and craftsmanship.

[@TheWoodStroker]

Having just spent a couple of hours in the shop practicing dovetails this video is both inspiring and depressing.

[@pemtax557]

A true master at work ... music or no music, it was a treat to view!!

[@farrierss1724]

Why are we watching other dovetailers? This one makes the most sense, easily. He had me at the layout. Watch, practice,repeat. Oh yes, and sharpen my chisels

[@hddetecting5909]

What an awesome video. I'm just starting carpentry. It's so nice to see someone so comfortable doing what they love. I hope I'm this effortless one day

[@joehyne2013]

I could watch him do this for hours. Extremely satisfying to watch.

[@motorcyclelad]

Larry David is so multitalented!!

[@rayhslim]

His work has soul. My hats off to you sir.

[@youthguymatt]

Excellent! Thanks Ben for capturing and sharing these amazing craftsman at work.

[@joevannucci1392]

Brilliant video. It's so nice to see a talented, production-level hand craftsman at work. I'd love to be a fly on the wall in Christian's shop for a few weeks. Every time I watch this, I notice something new.

[@DaddyBooneDon]

Watching a master at work is mesmerizing. He didn't have to say anything

[@deldridg]

Yes - Christian has done this once or twice. I love to hand cut my dovetails but take my time as I build things for home. My wife got so fed up with my glacial pace that she bought me a Leigh Dovetail jig. I then worked very slowly on some mortise and tenons and out of frustration she bought me a Festool Domino tool. I'm currently working slowly on my sanding (need a helical thicknesser), sawing (need a bandsaw) etc. Any suggestions welcome. Great vid btw - can never get enough of watching such masterly craftmanship. Cheers and thanks from Sydney, Aust - Dave

[@ianelley]

What a joy !! So nice to see a professional doing what they do best without the need to explain everything in slow minute detail !! Just by watching this gives you so much !! I always find it interesting, you could see a 100 pros making dovetails and they would all do it slightly differently ,it just proves there's a lot of truth in the saying " There are many ways to skin a cat" !! Great stuff !!

[@davetarrant6888]

Total respect watching a master craftsman work.

[@Myrkskog]

Well that was an utter pleasure to watch. Thank you.

[@richi4521]

I was so amazed watching him make those dove tails, I didn't even realize 7 minutes went by. You make it look so effortless and create such beautiful work. Thank you for sharing.

[@Diozark]

Ok, Probly the best dovetail video i've seen yet

[@lutulhoa3957]

Lafayette - NIterói Brasil - Thanks for your great lesson - formidable!

[@The_Primary_Axiom]

Had to google this name after seeing Ron giggling on parks and rec lols.

[@jimferoce4862]

Oh jeez, if i knew dovetails were so easy and simple I’d have done these a long time ago. Being sarcastic. That was quite a demonstration of some seriously honed skills. Nice video.

[@Kyle_Mo]

He made that look so easy. That is a true professional!

[@WoodWorkLIFE]

That pencil trick on bruising the pin board is awesome. Using that for sure!

[@graemescott990]

Amazing! I couldn't stop smiling all the way through the video.

[@norbertoa.puentegomez8604]

All respect, a truly master. i bet he can dovetail faster than anyone trying to set a dovetailing jig and router.

[@candace1381]

I have learned so much from you and finewood working over the years thank you.

[@pinkiewerewolf]

I like the way FWW produced this video, meat & potatoes, no fluff.

[@reneholbrugge7920]

Most beautiful sander i have ever seen.

[@colinmhickey]

Using pencil mark to highlight the tight spots on first fitting is really smart. Never seen that before.

[@jameshorrocks2939]

You cant teach an old dog new trick. You already know them! Best chizel work I've seen to date.

[@musamor75]

Great video. Excellent ingenious tricks. No BS, what a pleasure. Thank you Maestro.

[@hernancoronel]

That locomotive sander at 5:40 is AWESOME! It even has the smoking effect with the bag. Very nice!

[@ericmolitor8804]

What a pleasure to watch. Man I'd hate to know how many dove tails he has made.

[@markgoddard2560]

Very good work. Clearly professional. I like the labour saving method of doing the two dovetails together. As a ‘purist’ I would have used a scraper plane or a hand scraper instead of sandpaper, but people won’t pay for that sort of detail. But wow, that looked like a 1950s sander. Lovely machine!

[@Khurr]

Engineering 101: tools don’t make the craft, the man does...love the old school belt sander too...when a generation still appreciates simple geometry...thank u for sharing 🙏🏻

[@Druidor]

Not seen them done like that before, also the finger board for sanding the sides a great idea that sames on clamping it to a bench.

[@peterupton7699]

This is my favorite video you’ve ever put out, Ben. For anyone criticizing the music, I completely agree, but the editor said that he had to put the music in to cover his own “wows” and little audible sounds of wonderment. 😂

[@anthonyclaypool6925]

That trick with the pencil while fitting and paring the pins blew my mind!

[@CameronSharpPottery]

I loved it. I would much rather hear the natural sounds in the shop than the music. Or at least at a lower volume. The sound of the wood giving way to the chisel is pure delight. And the tap of a mallet and the sound of the pencil drawing a line. These are the sounds of woodworking by hand and are part of the charm and experience. All the senses are engaged.

[@jeffcouture6048]

An icon in his element. Outstanding.

[@graymouser1]

I'd FAR rather hear him work, and possibly some comments, than have any music whatsoever.

[@chm1701]

graymouser. Agreed. The music doesn't fit the video at all and would be far better without it.

[@Frankowillo]

All a matter of taste. I liked the music.

[@psymon25]

couldnt agree more, would have been a better video without the music and better camera work

[@krabenaldt7605]

Ahh, complain too much. Video was great. A master at work my friends.

[@musamor75]

@@krabenaldt7605 Exactly. Schön richtig.

[@plemieux7237]

Chris, you're the Master! Thanks for all the knowledge and inspiration over the years.

[@DylansDIYWorkshop]

That was beautful!! We all need to find someone like that guy to learn from! There are so many skills that may get lost down the line if we don't!

[@codyshowalter7128]

I’d like to spend a month with this guy he’s probably forgot more than I know

[@Dusk3e]

by far the best dovetail video I've seen

[@MatchaMakesThings]

More videos like this from FWW would be amazing, just short bite size content from masters i've watched this video so many times and everytime i pick up on something new. I tried dovetailing the other day for the first time, and immediately thought of this video.

[@thewoodlesworkshop.157]

Very beautiful and clean work. It's a pleasure to watch. Thank you.

[@512banana1]

you can tell he's done thousands of dovetails during his career

[@mikkosrussos]

This man has the coolest belt sander I’ve ever seen - it reminds me of those classic airstream caravans

[@barkebaat]

It's so retro it's futuristic

[@dlerhajiagha]

The pencil trick new for me. Amazing.

[@Theugleefish]

Every other vid I watch, they say to take off as little as possible at a time with the chisel. Here, the master chisels off big chunks so cleanly and efficiently.

[@thedieiscast9729]

Joy to watch !

[@kevinleahy2147]

Something to aspire to ..... And wonderful to watch! Thanks for sharing.

[@ApexWoodworks]

Thanks for the inspirational video, Christian. It was interesting seeing you pick up that belt sander instead of the hand plane to finish everything up!

[@davidparry8514]

nice to see the old skill sander...I still have mine since 1967, going strong when I need some quick removal.

[@gjle]

I've still got my Porter Cable 3 x 24 locomotive from 1947 and use it regularly. Have the receipt too for $97.00. That's $97.00 in 1947 money.

[@ps-ri2qk]

They say it's talent, but it takes decades of dedication and hard work to achieve that skill level. Beautiful work sir. If I could afford it, I'd buy your furniture :)

[@carbonitegamorrean8368]

Fine choreography w/ the beautiful chisel & other hand-tools. As ancient as his anachronistic belt-sander is = it still threw me for a loop.

[@nomadbud4378]

A real artist at work . Thank you for the video

[@benjamintardieu1696]

🤤🤤🤤🤤🤤🤤🤤🤤🤤🤤🤤🤤 The ART of woodworking !!! In french I would say '' chapeau bas l'artiste '' ! What a pleasure to see someone who knows how to work with his... hands !?!!! Whaow !!!!!! 😱😱😱😱 A hudge BIGGG BLUE THUMB from France !!!

[@michaelmaj2699]

Wow! So many techniques in one short video!

[@iestynjones5796]

Great work flow there and some classy tricks of the trade. Thank you for sharing.

[@cds957]

A master at his trade and I loved watching him do his art but I was really distracted by the music.

[@drumman1185]

What a pro. I especially love the use of the belt sander. It seems to make really quick work of the marking lines. I'm guessing this was about Christian's 2,000,001st drawer

[@mcarendt]

I’d like to pause and take a second to praise the fact we have this recorded in high quality.

[@johnschillo4452]

simply beautiful

[@inspectr1949]

Chris, enjoyed your lecture last Saturday at the Hancock Shaker Village and I'm especially enjoying your Shaker Legacy book, see you at the LN open house in July.

[@fivestring4653]

Loved the video , music and all . Thanks for sharing

[@kristophermarsh9400]

What an honor to watch thank you.

[@ErikBongers]

Love the 'forked' board to hang drawers for sanding. I bought a box full of old chisels for, I think 22 euros...which is probably the price of one of yours. (Although I did also buy 2 new Sweetheart chisels). I love recycling and it's cheaper, obviously. But take-away for this video for me is: use the groove for the drawer's bottom to register and mark the 2nd half of the dovetail.

[@oscarjmesa]

Love the way he made looks so easy

[@smtitmas]

great video. i really liked his layout approach and gang cutting. i really loved the Cowboy Junkies poster on the wall at 2:45 and 4:38.

[@DZShark]

Mary, mother of god! THE Christian Becksvoort! 🤩 I'm sure he gets swamped with attention all the time!

[@josscheenaard1416]

The pencil-mark a bit lower than the edge as fit-control is a good tip, thanks.

[@hmss7]

This is a piece of art.

[@davidparry8514]

I love it, I have the same belt sander...a skill I bought in 1977, still working well but somewhere along the line I lost the knob on the front.

[@leehaelters6182]

David Parry, a trifle lighter than the Porter Cable locomotive, maybe that a good thing. Both could last forever. Wish I had one now.

[@MrTrickydick33]

Brilliant. Wish you could send me your knowledge and skill!!! Plus those chisels!!! Wow!! Talk about clean