5 Rookie Mistakes to Avoid in Woodworking

[@Mr-wv1tu]

I don't know if I completely can call myself a rookie after 30 years of DIY woodworking (I'm a metalworker by trade), but the one thing that has helped me develop in the fields I've chosen to try, is the knowledge that I DON'T already know everything. I have no problem asking the professionals about advice, and since most people -in my opinion- are quite willing to share their tips and tricks if you ask nicely, I have gained so much knowledge, that otherwise would be hidden to me. Internet is an incredible source of knowledge, but since it's filled with people who only THINK they are on par with the professionals, it can be challenging for newbies to sift through it all. So I'm grateful for a channel like this, where it seems I can trust the man in front of the camera. You have yourself a new subscriber.

[@richpeggyfranks490]

Always great to wake up and find a new WWW video. All the tips are spot on. FastCap makes a "Lefty-Righty" tape measure that works well for nearly all scenarios. Also, I operate a shop where we have 5 table saws running almost all day. We cut a lot of MDF that eats cheap blades. The the abrasive properties of the MDF simply melts the lower quality carbide in cheap blades. A quality blade can be re-sharpened 4 or 5 times. I send them to a sharpening service. When the blade is spent, it's cost is around $35 per cycle. I try to explain this to a lot of newer woodworkers, but they can't justify a blade that costs 1/3 the price of their saw. Thx.

[@knecht105]

Wow, lots of good stuff here ... thank you Rich for all

[@timpenner7858]

One thing I find that is not emphasized enough in woodworking videos for newbies is the value of extremely sharp tools and the consequent need to approach sharpening as a must-learn skill. When I use my chisels or planes, I always give them a quick hone first to make sure they're tuned up. I never see that in demonstration videos - we just see the demonstrator grab the perfect tool and use it. You could do every newbie a big favour and spend some time emphasizing the huge importance of sharp tools and show how to sharpen all the tools you demonstrate.

[@knecht105]

Good point Tim, yes I agree we seem to have drifted away from importance of sharpness, I think I will see what I can do to take up you idea for future videos

[@bobby-c7731]

A few other thoughts on tape measures… FastCap makes Lefty/Righty tapes. The numbers are read right side from both sides. I’m one of the 10-15% who is left handed. I don’t always pull the tape the same way, so the lefty/righty is handy for me. And it is good for visitors to the shop. Second, make sure your multiple tapes are accurate to each other. Having the same brand is a great start. But actually check them against each other. Last thing on tapes, take care of your hook. Nothing will frustrate you more than a bent hook that causes error. One more thought. I have a DowelMax. I love it. It is easy to use and inexpensive compared to the Domino. Last I checked it was around $250. Don’t be sucked in by cheaper dowel jigs. You aren’t saving that much, and you’ll be sacrificing ease of use and accuracy.

[@knecht105]

Good points .. thanks for commenting

[@bobwilhelm8364]

Ditto on the DowelMax. The best doweling jig on the market. I went all in and bought all the extras including the 5/16 setup which I use the most, and it still came in at about 1/3 the cost of the domino machine.

[@knecht105]

Thanks for commenting Bob, appreciate hearing your experience :)

[@andrewmcnary2287]

Thank you for making this video. I’m a subscriber now!

[@HerselLawson]

Thanks Colin. I really appreciate the time that is put into these video's. I thoroughly enjoy learning from you. You have a great way of presenting the material. Please keep up the good work that you do.

[@Erik_The_Viking]

Great tips! I need to get a machinist square - probably next year as I'm done with projects for 2024. I have a FastCap tape measure that's great for left/right handed, and also has measurements on BOTH sides of the tape.

[@knecht105]

Yes, good machinist squares are not expensive and you will use it the rest of your life, thanks Erik ... and thanks for the FastCap note too

[@QNSwebmaster]

As usual Fantastic video. Thank you!

[@knecht105]

Thanks for taking a moment to comment ... appreciate

[@jimrosson6702]

Great video as always. Thanks for sharing

[@marklubecke4854]

You're experience and tips make many of us feel like rookies, despite our backgrounds.

[@scandl01]

Valuable info. Thanks!

[@HandlebarWorkshops]

For the tape measure, I brought a 6 inch steel rule into the hardware store. I found some Stanley Fat Max 6ft tape measures (similar to the Milwaukee that you show) and I searched through a bunch of the tapes to find 4 that matched the steel rule when hooked to the end of the steel rule. So the first 6" of all four tape measures are EXACTLY the same to my 6" steel rule. (All of my 6" steel rules are identical too.) That way, I know that all of my measuring tools match for the first 6 inches, which is plenty for most of the layout (dovetails, mortise and tenon, etc.) and cuts I need to make.

[@knecht105]

Perfect, well though out ... well done !!

[@danielmcdermott5161]

This man should be at 1M Subs. Excellent channel. Great advice. Colin always inspires me to do more in the workshop.

[@knecht105]

Thanks for the vote of confidence Daniel, I do try hard to true and accurate

[@ranyalbegwein7470]

Dowelmax recently launched a 45 degrees adapter piece, which removes the need for an external clamp in such a setup. would love to watch your take on it. Thanks for the video sensei!

[@nicolasbusse]

Loved the attitude and how things are presented. Easy and clear for the newbies! Good job!

[@knecht105]

appreciate your feedback Nicolas

[@robertdknight]

Sure is good advise. I'm coming into woodworking from construction, so this video helps me discover tips to succeed sooner. Thanks

[@mavision6525]

Lots of good information.

[@davidmanieri7695]

Good advice

[@mangakamotlomelo1532]

Thanks a lot for sharing 😊 😀 🙏

[@gintaskriauciunas2164]

I have a concern with your recommendation of having multiple tape measures in the shop. If you’re using the exact same tape measurements for all cuts great. If you use different ones you can find measurements being off due to the slack in the tab being a bit off or even the first inch being off. My tape measure and my friend’s gave us different measurements when we were making a new cabinet top. Something to be aware of.

[@knecht105]

You are correct, which is why you should have tapes that all read the same, if you noticed the 3 tapes I had were all exactly the same type AND I always check them against one another, which were all checked against a steel rule

[@wolverine1694]

Thanks for all the tips... I've had the dowel max for years and if I would break it... I'd shut down till I got a new one.... I never have figured out the 45 jig yet... God bless

[@thomasmcmurray9414]

Thank you

[@norm5785]

Great information/suggestions. Thank you for sharing. Everyone stay safe, warm, happy and healthy. From Henrico County Virginia

[@carlosmergal7898]

My dear Sir that was one wonderful information video, I really enjoyed it and by the way where van I find a water meter, I was building something very special for a priest cousin of mine and I got bursitis in my left arm and I had to postpone the work for a couple of weeks until it was better to continúe and all my boards. curved on me on top of my work bench in my garage. I've seen your videos before but this maid me join your show. I now know that woodwork begins as a hobby but then turns into a passion! GOD BELSS!!! 🙏

[@MCsCreations]

Thanks for all the tips, Colin! 😊 Stay safe there with your family! 🖖😊

[@knecht105]

Thanks taking a moment to comment MC

[@TeufelHunden-o2d]

I bought the JessEm stainless dowelling jig which I have yet to use, but for the price of the small domino machine I might as well have a DowelMax too.

[@johnkanan5727]

You are amazing, thanks for being a great teacher, just love you.👍

[@knecht105]

Thanks John !!

[@berty3561]

Really enjoy your channel Colin, cheers from New Zealand

[@knecht105]

Thanks for the note from one of my favorite countries :)

[@berty3561]

That's cool:)

[@DavidWhite]

Thanks for the great video Colin. There is a new product out by Kreg. It a dominio jig and is available for about the same price as the Dowel master. It is a poor man's version of the Festool machine

[@knecht105]

Thanks David, I have missed that in my travels, I must look that up, thanks for the note, appreciate it

[@BrownR87]

My grandfather always said the most important tool in the shop is a sharp pencil. To actually mark things accurately and thus cut them directly.

[@knecht105]

That's a good one too !!

[@garychaiken808]

Great job. Thank you 😊

[@knecht105]

Thanks Gary

[@larrynelson734]

Great video. 👍👍❤...

[@knecht105]

thanks Larry

[@JimFleming1953]

Well done Colin thank you again sir.

[@knecht105]

Thanks Jim ... appreciate your feedback

[@alanmullock381]

Quality advice Colin👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍😎😎😎😎😎😎😎

[@knecht105]

Thanks Allan

[@TravelsofRedRover]

What great advice for those of us that are rookies.

[@knecht105]

Thanks Travelers :)

[@garymiller5937]

You absolutely presented great advice today, Collin. Each subject you touched on is vital in regards to quality, and I appreciate that! Excellent abvicefrom an award winning furniture maker, and everyone needs to heed the very things you stated. By the way, what do you think of CMT bits and blades? Are they good? Thank you very much!!! 😃😃😃😃😃❤❤❤❤❤

[@ShaunLang]

Maybe i'm just too new to know the difference, but I seem to get quality cuts from my Harbor freight hercules blade on my table saw. It also has the squiqqly expansion joints though.

[@kenerickson4923]

Fastcap makes a right/left tape measure. I almost cut a piece of countertop material at 85 instead of 58. It also has a built-in pencil sharpener and the easiest belt clip I've ever used.

[@williamsmith9026]

The best belt clip?? Fastcrap clips are the worst I have ever dealt with. Unusable.

[@mikewatson4644]

@@williamsmith9026 I really like the FastCap clip. I can push the top so that the bottom opens up and it slides right on. Other clips I have to try several times to get the bottom of the clip in the right spot so I can slide it on.

[@kenerickson4923]

Other brand clips are difficult to get on and off belt or edge of pocket.

[@richpeggyfranks490]

Yep. Great tapes and the best belt clip ever. I have had every brand of tape in 50 years as a framer/deck builder and have never had a Fastcap come off my belt unless I unclipped it.

[@csehszlovakze]

I never had the issue you describe with the measuring tapes, since "hybrid" tapes are the standard here, with metric being primary.

[@knecht105]

Never misplaced a tape in your workshop? ... I think I need you to come and work with me and show me how to keep a tidy shop, I could use some tips on that for sure.

[@csehszlovakze]

@@knecht105 I didn't mean the misplacing part 😅 I meant what you said about measuring some things wrong because the tape is "upside down". Most measuring tapes available here are hybrid (metric+imperial) I'm quite used to reading the metric part upside down, and millimeters are easier to count from either side than fractions of inch. Cheers from Europe!

[@JamesScalf-q5k]

What is the brand and model of your table saw?

[@johnford7847]

Tips for rookies - and useful reminders for every woodworker. Thanks, Colin.

[@knecht105]

Good point, thanks John

[@petebusch9069]

The number one mistake to avoid is listening to product recommendations on You Tube. Any channel linking products in the description below is not telling you the entire truth.

[@soujrnr]

Quick story about quality cuts with quality blades. I'm building a Keurig K-cup holder for my Airbnb. It will hold 40 K-cups. I didn't have a 1-3/4" Forstner bit, so I had to use a hole saw in my drill press. The hole saw was junk, but it's all I had. I took a wire brush to it, cleaned it well, removed all the resin buildup and such, but that &*&^%$#$ blade TOTALLY destroyed the Ash I was working with. Lesson learned. Both my table saw and miter saw have very, very nice blades in them, and the cuts surely reflect that. DON'T WASTE YOUR MONEY ON A CHEAP BLADE JUST TO SAVE A FEW BUCKS.

[@lesbrierley5648]

Colin, if you want to see what wet wood can do, have a look at the spire of Chesterfield Church in the UK

[@knecht105]

Wow ... thanks Les, I will try and check that our ... have jotted that down

[@sapelesteve]

Excellent video Colin! You mean that I have watched over 600 of your videos? No wonder why I have gray hair now! 👍👍🤣🤣

[@knecht105]

LOL ... maybe we are the same vintage :)

[@paskvil8291]

couldn't agree more with tip #3! people go nuts with hi-end powertools, only to put the cheapest bits and blades in them... a knock-off drill with high quality bit will make much cleaner holes than expensive drill with cheap bits.

[@paulfrizzell31]

👍great video

[@knecht105]

Thanks Paul

[@paulfrizzell31]

@ 🙂

[@racma8698]

A good remind !

[@knecht105]

Thanks Buddy ...

[@KillerSpud]

You can buy tape measures printed for both left and right hand.

[@knecht105]

Yes ... good point, I forgot to mention that, thanks for commenting :)

[@bastianfrom77]

I always smile when you pronouce your surname. "Knecht" is a typical German surname - so you must have some German ancestors. In Germany we would pronouced it like: "k" ; "ne" like in "next"; "ch" like the "sh" in fish and "t". The meaning is something a servant or "unskilled worker"; usually in former times farmers had "Knechts" which lived on their property and worked for very little or no money but they got free food and primitive housing (a small single room under the roof or a "garden shed").

[@rogertyler3237]

My Blade That Came With My Mitersaw It's Valued At 31.99 On Home Depot's Website. & I Never Had A Bit Of Trouble With It.

[@jitanandaswami9982]

You and Ramsal are the best woodworking teachers, but Ramsal has 3x more subscribers. That is not fair

[@richardmoss9188]

If you buy a metric only tape the measurements are on both sides

[@Bapuji42]

the on-video links you're mentioning aren't showing up at this time good video tho

[@paullampru3591]

If a wood board…let’s say it has 15% moisture…is covered top-sides-bottom with epoxy resin….will it cause anything bad to happen?

[@tt3233]

I was having measuring problems. So, I bought a machinist square and a guaranteed accurate rule. I ended up throwing away 3 combination squares and 2 tape measures. Everything from harbor freight was off.

[@cyberreefguru]

Those honken carbide cutters didn’t clue you off - it was the laser cut heat expansions? 😅

[@knecht105]

??? ... I guess

[@cyberreefguru]

@@knecht105 Ha -- my point was the "expensive" blade is has much larger cutters and can be sharpened many times when compared to the "less" expensive blade. That's a dead give away. But great video regardless! Keep up the great content!

[@Andyloveswood]

"You may be getting false readings". Yeah, true. But BEFORE you go and buy an expensive engineer's square, learn the simple way to test a square for accuracy. If youy square is accurate, it doesn't matter how inexpensive it was, it is a good square, and you can use it with confidence. By the way, the square you call an "inexpensive try square" is a combination square. Not all combination squares are inexpensive (have you priced Starretts lately?), and they are not necessarily inaccurate. The other one you have on your bench that you refer to as a "square with a wooden handle" IS a try square, traditionally used for "trying" the stock to confirm proper preparation.

[@rodpotts2666]

great reminder, just cut a bunch of cabinet parts and my track saw was off 4 degrees. what a mess.

[@knecht105]

Thanks for this Rod, yes many of us, me included, have had those frustrations

[@OldJoe212]

I always felt guilty going into a store with my own tape measure. For some reason, I felt I'd be accursed of stealing it. Now, with a new take measure, I pull it out to the end and write my name on the bottom of the tape. Never been asked, but it make me feel better.

[@ildefonsogiron4034]

At my local home Depot they put a sticker on your tape measure when you get in. I never bothered to remove them afterwards, so I only show it to the guards.😊

[@knecht105]

Glad I am not the only one who often left MY tape in the truck ... we both learned the value of labeling tapes ... really appreciate your comment Joe

[@knecht105]

That's cool that HD labels tapes you bring in ... have heard of that before, someone is thinking there !

[@dalepete2854]

I made a mistake and bought de Walt blades for my saws they were terrible right out of the package

[@knecht105]

We all learn as we go ... I have probably made more mistakes than most by now :)

[@chesterreese2771]

Did I hear you say contact meters are more accurate than the pin type? Not true.

[@knecht105]

Not sure if I said, that but like many things, it depends on the wood, how deep you are measuring and conditions, some wood can be drier or wetter on the surface than deeper in

[@johnburns2940]

Good advice, but not a "Try Square", but rather a "combination square." Just sayin'

[@knecht105]

Tri-Square I think is an older naming convention I don't near much anymore Combo is more preferred .. thanks for "sayin" buddy :)

[@jesusisGod1434]

You need more subs, you can’t stay at 666 k….. it’s not good.

[@Bapuji42]

it's 668k

[@AlbertWeirdo]

It must be nice not knowing your stupid.

[@scandl01]

My screen also says 668k

[@B_COOPER]

666k is not the same number as 666.

[@Bapuji42]

@B_COOPER 666k is the number of one thousand Beasts

[@barefootbandit1]

I like to buy vertical measuring tapes.