Hand tool woodworking is easier than you think

[@trooper1228]

Paul Sellers, everyone needs to give him praise especially right now. He was assaulted while out riding his bike and was pretty messed up. A few broken ribs and such, why people act like this is amazing to me. Shout out to Paul to get better and everyone in the woodworking world is pulling for him.

[@1pcfred]

Paul Sellers needs to stay strapped. He should have stayed in Texas. They let you do that there.

[@Stashmo]

@@1pcfredRight, so then he might have been killed.

[@1pcfred]

@@Stashmo how is defending yourself somehow more dangerous than being a passive victim? He might have neutralized the threat too. There's a fair chance of that when there's parity between combatants.

[@Stashmo]

We all should be armed while out for a leisurely bike ride.

[@1pcfred]

@@Stashmo you'd think the police are there to protect us and in general they are. That doesn't mean they have an obligation or duty to protect specific individuals though. Which means you're personally responsible for your own safety. So if you don't want to be a victim then you'd best defend yourself when you need to.

[@zionosphere]

As someone who only has handtools and has the next project a bookshelf, this video is both timely and quite helpful. It's a good reminder that dados are not difficult, just delicate. Thank you for making this one, Eric.

[@ENCurtis]

I like that. Not difficult, just delicate. Well said!

[@CinkSVideo]

It is almost as satisfying to watch and hear a sharp chisel as it is to use one. Nice demo. Thanks.

[@ENCurtis]

Glad you liked it!

[@randybecker7339]

I appreciate you showing your mistakes. Too often us mere mortals watch these videos wondering how it was done so perfectly. Humans make mistakes! Great instruction and now I know my next practice project. Thank you for making this.

[@ENCurtis]

Glad it was helpful!

[@skippylippy547]

I absolutely ❤ Loved ❤ this video. Thank you. No noise, no dust, no expensive machinery. Just pure hand tool bliss. Perfect.

[@ENCurtis]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@chrissilverhand1]

Did you not notice the planer thicknesser and table saw then?

[@skippylippy547]

@@chrissilverhand1 I was referring to just this video.

[@chrissilverhand1]

@@skippylippy547 So was I. at 1:50 he waxes lyrical about just using hand tools and how he appreciates not everyone has the room or the money for expensive machinery and then he promptly goes over to his planer and tablesaw to prepare his timber So much for just hand tools. If you want to see real hand tool only woodworking, might I suggest Tom Fidgen at The Unplugged Woodshop, or Wood By Wright.

[@skippylippy547]

@@chrissilverhand1 Thank you.

[@chrysanthemum3087]

I would LOVE more videos about about building with hand tools!! My dad and I always did woodworking projects when I was a kid and I'm excited about continuing it on now that I am an adult, but I have a small space, no workshop, etc. I am willing to put in the time to make things by hand (and honestly find it is really magic, and a soothing relief from my very noisy and digital weekday existence as a teacher!). I know it's old school, but I can't be the only one who is HERE for this!!

[@raymoeller3389]

Yet again some of the best KZbin woodworking content that actually teaches those of us interested in the craft rather than "look at this shiny thing so I get views" junk. Greatly appreciated!

[@tabitha2706]

Love watching you do handtool work! I spent half the video thinking "but what about a router plane??", then, lo and behold you pulled it out, and I cheered. Have a great day

[@ENCurtis]

haha glad I didn't dissapoint!

[@1pcfred]

What about a power router? Zip, done.

[@TianRunty]

It's not until times like watching you math the shoulders, that I truly appreciate the metric system. I work in both because my mum refuses to learn the simple metric system, but for anything I'm doing alone it's metric all the way!

[@tektrixter]

Always fun to need to swap between metric and imperial for a project.

[@ENCurtis]

Hahaha I work in both. Used to metric from years in cabinet shops and dealing with clients from all over. But I still love imperial for no good reason!

[@TianRunty]

@tektrixter a project? Nope every time my mum gives me a measurement when wanting to buy something since all our shops are metric! Drives me mad but I gave up that fight years ago

[@TianRunty]

@ENCurtis I think you'd confuse a lot of your audience if you used metric. Might make a fun April fools though

[@1pcfred]

@@ENCurtis you're not old enough to have ever used Imperial. You use Standard. An Imperial inch isn't precisely 2.54 centimeters, a Standard inch is. Now granted you can't actually see the difference between an Imperial and a Standard inch, but it's there. You can't see atoms and molecules either. That doesn't mean they're not there. Just you have lousy eyes.

[@georgetumillo446]

When the video came to a close, I realized I had been sitting there with a grin on my face. The teacher in you shines through and that is exactly why I keep coming back for more. For me, you have demystified the use of handtools and I have begun to incorporate it into my plans for a couple of future projects, and the shop has become littered with small practice pieces that previously would’ve gone to the scrap pile. Thank You!!!

[@american_patriot6218]

You are the Bob Ross of woodworking!!

[@peggyvalouch3832]

I’ve been watching your videos for quite sometime now. This is by far the most useful info for me because I use mostly hand tools all the time. Thank you so much!!

[@kenthansen3557]

Something I learned after giving up my complete power shop is the insane accuracy to which you can work with hand tools...we're talking thousandths of an inch...guys, if you've got the urge to jump to the dark side, have no fear...it's absolutely invigorating!

[@That_one_and_only_username]

Nahh dark side is fast power tool -

[@cbn7239]

Thank you. May I ask why you gave up the power tools?

[@kenthansen3557]

@ Kind of a strange circumstance...was in the military and got an assignment. Couldn't move the tools (exceeded my weight restriction). Sold the tools. Started working with hand tools in my RV (toy hauler) and never looked back. Now, instead of creating noise and dust, I listen to classical music and make shavings. I've built a myriad of things including a baptismal font and altar for a church all by hand...very satisfying.

[@cbn7239]

@ I appreciate your response, very motivating. 🙂

[@cbn7239]

@@kenthansen3557 I have one more question. Do you find that projects take many times longer by hand or is the difference in times not much longer?

[@jottger]

For me, you just qualified yourself for another Emmy. Love to watch your presentations.

[@rswearing]

3:34 NOBODY expects the EnPython. We're only going to use four tools: a saw, a knife, a chisel, a square, and an additional chisel...five tools: a saw, a knife, two chisels, a square, and a double square... SIX, we are only going to use six tools: a knife, a saw, two chisels, a square, an additional square and an almost fanatical dedication to the marking gauge. SEVEN tools. And a router plane.

[@rswearing]

Also, I just pulled the trigger on a router plane. Rockler has the Benchdog on sale for 100. As I was watching you chisel out the floor of that stopped dado, I realized how nice it would be to have one.

[@dabeamer42]

Ooh, that off-handed comment at the end, about using double-stick tape, was golden. I've already switched to that tape as the answer for getting my work piece in EXACTLY the right place on my table saw sled (and have it STAY there)...and now I've got an extension of that "technique". Thanks!

[@ENCurtis]

Double stick is one of the best, oft overlooked inventions for the woodworker!

[@paulmartin2348]

As a machinist my solution to everything is double sided tape. In reality, I don't think I have ever even seen double sided tape in my life. Maybe I should buy some to play around with.

[@chrismoore6359]

Super helpful (informative, camera view) and enjoyable (learning, neither too formal nor too informal). Thanks.

[@ENCurtis]

Glad you enjoyed it Chris. Thanks.

[@Kernowwoods]

A pleasure spending time with you as always dude 🤙

[@ENCurtis]

much obliged my friend.

[@thomasweller1321]

Great lesson! Not only showing the "wins" in making the joint, you showed the "loss" too. That's what good teachers do. Self depravation of admitting ones mistake and saying, "I'm the professional, and I still make mistakes" help relax the student to try and make the joint without fearing being a "loser and a failure'.

[@1pcfred]

If you're not making mistakes then you're not making anything else either.

[@williamshaffer2562]

Nice job explaining the different processes young man. Erik. you are becoming a fine teacher. Always enjoy these types of videos. Semper Fi bud.

[@ENCurtis]

Thank you my good man. Much obliged!

[@rkalle66]

11:29 You can see the board mirrored in the saw blade. Only in vertical position its a straight line.

[@dougdavidson175]

Thanks Eric. Love your style and methods. Take care & stay safe.

[@ENCurtis]

Thank you!

[@FrankPace54]

I like when you mention at the end good enough for hand tool joinery, what I often refer to as acceptable tolerance.

[@ENCurtis]

I like that phrasing!

[@1pcfred]

Whenever I royally mess something up I always say, That's the beauty of handmade. Right before I scrap what I'm working on and start over.

[@TheMadWookiee]

I enjoy the simple no nonsense approach just this is how to do it

[@ENCurtis]

Much obliged!

[@woodnotestudio]

I’m getting closer and closer to starting hand cut joinery and whenever I watch your videos I want to buy a new tool. Thank you for the lesson, you are an excellent teacher, sir.

[@ENCurtis]

You are so welcome!

[@1pcfred]

A bear that always only walks halfway out of his cave never gets outside. But he does keep getting closer and closer.

[@scottprideaux4106]

Love your way of teaching. Your videos are so easy to watch and you don't hide your mistakes but let us see anyone can make them. Thanks

[@Citadel1974]

I couldn't say how many times I have watched this video but I keep picking up new things each time. Thanks for an another perspective on this. (I have watched Paul's video multiple times too) My first dadoes were really sloppy. (The "good ones" were sloppy. The rest were best described as wooden chasms). I've been getting better at them and I think it's a combination of marking better and cutting straighter for the knife walls. This craft definitely teaches you to be patient and to not rush.

[@Control-Freak]

Just getting to the end of making a plane till for my molding planes. Did about twenty dove tails for the bottom. A stopped dado for the upper shelf with through tenons all to just enjoy the work. The strangest thing is that they all fit, I don't think that has ever happened before. Love your videos, there is always a gem hidden in there.

[@ENCurtis]

Don't be so surprised! Sounds like you got a TON of practice in that project. Glad it went well!

[@KOutOfMyYard]

Boy howdy that was a great video. This is what I am talking about. This is like we are in class and I really appreciate you being a human, making some mistakes but explaining how it’s done. Love this!!!!!!

[@alanwilliamson2259]

Coming from years of fine metal work into woodwork at retirement, can I thank you for your very clear videos that explain some of the confounding mystery that is working in wood. Awesome stuff.

[@steveshapland8846]

Excellent lesson! I love working with butternut.

[@williamsmith7657]

Thank You. I’ve watched Paul do that Full Width Dado more than once and have forgotten it at least that many times because I didn’t need it. But your video came at the perfect time while I’m making a tool organizer. I’ll never do what ever the heck I was doing and will remember this method forever. THANKS

[@mikeking7470]

Very nice video, channeling your inner Bob Ross and making "happy little dados". Thanks.

[@Drevid]

This is by far my favorite channel. I look forward to these saturday mornings. It's a sin you don't have more subs.

[@mikeandlucky]

Love hand tool videos. Really cool that you were able to learn from Paul Sellers and so many other legendary woodworkers. Thanks for sharing your skills and knowledge with us.

[@ENCurtis]

Paul was a great teacher. I'm grateful for the opportunity.

[@fredsons2241]

I think you are an excellent teacher….engaging personality and straightforward presentation.

[@johnbillings5573]

Nice work Dingus. :) Truthfully however, really enjoy these kinds of videos you do, and the way you exsplainify things so a doofus like me can understand them. It's inspiring - thanks.

[@JackLabeck]

Great teaching video, I agree with another comment, I’m not sure what’s more satisfying using a sharp hand tool or hearing a sharp hand tool cut

[@ENCurtis]

Totally agree!

[@charliechoiniere8755]

The bench dog vise is the Veritas Wonder Dog and there is a shorter one called the Wonder Pup

[@ENCurtis]

Yes! It's friggin brilliant.

[@orbodman]

They are good but I prefer holdfasts

[@giorgiochiappini1931]

Truly helpful content, since you mentioned him, I'm also well aware of this skill taught by Paul but as you said, I think learning the same thing trough different teachers/masters definetly put yourself in a very sweet spot in the growing process.

[@karl_alan]

Butternut is pretty easy to work. A bit soft for some applications, but for the ones where it does thrive, beautiful to work. Used some for the shelves in an ash bookcase a while back & I'm still very happy with how that worked.

[@ChrisHornberger]

Wearing that same shirt, at the shop this morning at 6:30, eating breakfast watching this video... then off to make cabinets with dado'ed dividers. #timely. :)

[@RootedInThePastWoodworking]

This video is exactly what I needed ! I was nervous about making a stopped dado for a wall cabinet I'm making...not anymore though! 👍 You have once again inspired me Eric. THANK YOU!!!

[@clintjenkins13]

“We’re gonna call that the back of the cabinet” had me dying. I’ve done that too many times on oopsies 😂😂

[@Andi.Mitchell.Designs]

Man… I have a TON of back of the cabinet boards lying around!

[@clintjenkins13]

@@Andi.Mitchell.Designs I was building me a lure turner yesterday because I airbrush baits and had some scrap wood laying around. Needless to say I made a uh-oh and just turned it around. No one will ever notice. Ha

[@darodes]

“Ugly side goes against the wall” 😂😂

[@miedde]

Nothing to do with woodworking, but where did you get that coffee mug. It looks so cool.

[@clintjenkins13]

I too want to know where this coffee cup badassness came from

[@brianhawes3115]

The first carpentry job I had was for a contractor who loved Japanese tools, he started me out cutting 2x2 balusters for a railing with a hand saw, he checked each one for square and I think I messed up a little on each one, but over the years I got to where I could cut square every time, so practice is key, but I also noticed that my approach had changed, the way a engaged the saw, and to my surprise these techniques transfer between power and hand tools, which may explain why I’ve never encountered kick back with any tool, I got used to applying good technique from hand tools and brought that over to the power tool, and thank you Erick for leaving the origin out of the video!!! That tool takes so much away from woodworking that it makes me sick

[@ENCurtis]

Different strokes for different folks, and I find the Origin quite useful in my business. But there are absolutely applications for nothing more than a bit of sharp steel and some meditation.

[@KevElder]

With a beveled blade, I find it helps to always make the knife wall on the waste side of my square. The bevel knife can leave a “v” cut, with the v protruding into the show-side of the piece. It’s a little thing, but sometimes the little things make big differences. If your marking gauge is sharp, use it as a router plane to get consistent depth to dado.

[@ENCurtis]

That's one of the reasons I usually put a shoulder on my dados. Covers a multitude of sins.

[@cloudspinwoodworks4813]

Thank you Erik, very helpful. I really appreciate that you talk about your mistakes. Love my router plane!

[@rolandgdean]

5:25 It's so important to recite the ancient incantation to insure that a thing secured remains secured. I'm glad to see that you know of the old and true magic. lol

[@ENCurtis]

😂😂 Listen we all know woodworking is basically black magic already...

[@rolandgdean]

Indeed

[@Flippingdrawers]

I really enjoyed this video mate. Very informative and pleasant to watch 👌I’ve never trained in woodworking so channels like yours are how I learn 🙏

[@budlloyd3127]

another great video! I gotta save up and get myself a router plane. It'll probably be the next hand tool I get!

[@JasonFlowers-c2q]

"An award I won." Dude, it's a friggin Emmy. LOL

[@ENCurtis]

😂 touché

[@patrickbink4617]

I love that modesty!

[@darodes]

Thanks Eric (Erik?) we appreciate your content!

[@ENCurtis]

Thank you!

[@tobiasfrancisco5879]

Love it! More hand tool goodness plz 🤞🏼🤞🏼🤞🏼

[@TimDurnin-Richards]

Great,realistic videos that really teach. Thanks for the information, skill demonstration, tool use and just generally a great experience.

[@ENCurtis]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@NPOAfterMidnight-ft9zj]

This is where I love a router plane. ;-) Thanks for the video.

[@NPOAfterMidnight-ft9zj]

Posted this literally, 15 secs before he pulled out the router plane. LOL!!! (note to self: watch all of it before commenting next time)

[@ChrisHornberger]

On the topic of double-stick tape, I just used that to do like a dozen bowtie inlays (for visual interest) on a set of walnut shelves I'm building for a client's kitchen.

[@LeeWeiler]

Another great one, Erik! Super helpful as I’ll be trying my first hand cut dadoes soon.

[@ENCurtis]

Glad it was helpful!

[@1pcfred]

Table saw stack dado master race!

[@w.davidmcguinn8674]

Several comments, most, most positive. You credited Professor Sellers. I have seen many even prominent woodworkers who don't and even change the name of the "knife wall" to avoid doing so. Kudos. YOU STUDIED WITH PAUL SELLERS!!!! I am green with envy. Andy Rawls did as well and credits him often. AND, like Andy, you keep it clean!! Unlike so many who don't "Whisper" but interject inuendo and foul language. I know I can let my 8 yo and 10 yo watch your channel to learn woodworking, as we do with Professor Sellers. For me, you have joined Andy, Pedulla, Sawyer, Keith Johnson, Blake Webber and of course Charles Neil and David Charlesworth (RIP) as a favorite. But you are too PC, it is a generation thing I guess. I loved the skiing vid, been there done that painfully. Cordially, your friend, David McGuinn

[@patrickbink4617]

I love watching your videos, Erik. I learn so much. Your persona is wonderful, reminds me of our son. And your intro music brings me in.

[@einsteinbpc]

Excellent work and loving the vib of this video. Spring is on its way here in Canada as well and I’m excited for the possibilities it brings in the shop. Cheers.

[@douglasbrown3493]

Awesome as usual. Thank you!

[@JeniRainer]

So glad you brought out the router plane for this. The first joint I was thinking - I really think a router plane might be helpful here... I wonder if he is just trying to keep this simple for folks who may not have one (which would also be very valid!)

[@mdburnem]

Really enjoyed this video. I have the wonder dog and enjoy(ed) it. I picked up the quick release wonder dog and now the other sits lonely and abandoned under my bench. That quick release finding us brilliant.

[@haroldmorick2965]

Such a useful and pleasant video

[@ENCurtis]

Glad it was helpful!

[@dennisoshea4906]

Outstanding love watching hand tool mastery Thanks again

[@ENCurtis]

Very welcome!

[@matthewbizzell4601]

I used a router plane for the first time at the Austin School of Furniture and thought, oh, I need to have one of these forever. Picked up the same one they had (Veritas), and your video has made want to go out to the shop just to router plane some stuff.

[@roystewart4826]

😊 Thank you for a clear demonstration of your skills

[@mypony891]

I love you teaching method. Is there any way you could go over a tusked mortis and tenon? Also, can you go over expansion and contraction of material especially concerning when, where and what to glue, screw or whatever.

[@mariehankdueck]

Loved so much about this video. Excellent review of simple, well made, joinery. Reminded me how much I love my Veritas Hand Router. Keep up the work.

[@ianlogan3055]

This video is nicely done, thank you!

[@misinformationwithrandy]

This was a really great intro video. Definitely going to make a few things this weekend.

[@ENCurtis]

Thanks!

[@karlscaife6970]

thanks Eric,nice teaching job

[@jimrosson6702]

Great video as always Erik if learning so much watching your videos Thanks for sharing

[@pauljenns597]

Awesome presentarion. A note: one way to tell if your chisel is vertical - look at the reflection one the chisel. If it 's bent, you are not square

[@tommoeller7149]

Informative and fun. Thanks!

[@paulmartin2348]

I am not a woodworker but have been a machinist since the early '90s. When you start laying out the thickness lines for the second stop-dado I was very confused. Thank you for clearing that up right away so I don't feel like an idiot here.

[@jstoeck784]

I'm glad someone else uses an utility knife as their primary marking knife. I find it so much more convenient.

[@1pcfred]

I don't even own one of those double bevel marking knives. I'm sure they're real nice and all. They don't call utility knives utility knives for nothing though. They're very utilitarian knives. I only ever change the blade when I snap one too. Otherwise I just keep sharpening it. You can call me cheap but I prefer the term, frugal.

[@killiemon]

I love that little husky utility knife: great feel, solid, compact. And cheap! Great choice

[@utehill1141]

Love the sound of a sharp chisel. I was losing my mind watching you lay out the stopped dado! It happens . . . all the time.

[@davidpeters8813]

I'm glad I'm not the only one that makes silly mistakes because I'm not paying attention. Thanks for being real. 👍

[@ENCurtis]

I'll never not be a flawed human 👊

[@Fruitloupe2011]

truly loved this demo. I feel more confident in attempting this. Shot count on how many times you said "glorious." LOL

[@ENCurtis]

It WAS glorious though! haha glad you enjoyed it!

[@Tbick321]

Sunday, at the pool, waist deep water in a chair with my iPhone, AirPods and a perdomo 10th anniversary Churchill, watching wood working videos. Oh, and a 12 year old balvenie American oak scotch. The only thing could be better is doing it without the alcohol of course Great video, thanks

[@landesnorm]

Very nice, Eric. Went well with my morning coffee and oatmeal. Please demo your method for sliding dovetails. Thank you in advance.

[@BeginnerWoodworker869]

Great video I learned so much. Thank you. How about a link to the tools you used.

[@zionosphere]

Around 27:00, could you just put the shelf in the dado and use the overhang to mark your shoulder?

[@nagranoth_]

Yes you can, and really you should in case what you removed doesn't completely match your marking.

[@ENCurtis]

absolutely you could.

[@VitriolicVermillion]

"an old nickarooski" was super cute, never change!

[@Adiera]

You're a great teacher! Thanks!

[@mandowarrior123]

Calipers are what I use for that width situation, or a two pin marking guage.

[@walterrider9600]

thank you EN

[@anonymouspdg6121]

It may be a long while before I use any of these techniques but weirdly, I really enjoyed this video. Thanks Eric!

[@apowersva]

Beautiful video. Can this technique be done on plywood for cabinet joints?

[@mcapo3040]

Every time I use a nice piece of butternut, I always think I butternut mess this up I'll see myself out, nice vid :)

[@davidmeyer9204]

Thank You Eric!

[@torque9889]

I always wanted a router plane, even before KZbinrs started talking about them. Absolutely loved the look of them an wanted to have all the basic hand tools. Didn’t have much money but all my research online kept coming back to Veritas. Saved up for ages to buy one and counted down the days aaaaan turns out it was their tiny one. About 4mm wide 😂 utterly useless unless you’re making drawer bottom dados. Still use it for that purpose.

[@ENCurtis]

Oh man what bummer! 😂

[@anna99629]

Great video

[@geoffb108]

The peace and quiet of hand tools is only one of the advantages. How about no dust How about the satisfaction How about bragging rights How about the cost saving How about the safety I hard to lose an arm or even a finger with a hand saw and chisel

[@ChrisHornberger]

I only recently (finally!) got a router plane; what a wonderful tool.

[@Jimbo878]

Something we have the luxury of in modern times is the heat gun, and hide glue, for filling slack joints (which can be dis-assembled, easily 🙌

[@alholston-smith7631]

I setting up,a cut line with a knife and chisel is not new, it is a new technique, but one that goes back more than 100 years, and my uncle taught me this technique 50 years agp, and my great uncle taught him the same procedure 30+ years before that. Cheers

[@beauxtx1959]

Love me some Router Plane! Great video.