Making a stand for a well-balanced tree. Plus ABC's of woodworking. LOCKDOWN DAY 171

[@DadItYourselfDIY]

You explained the difference between carpentry and woodworking!! 😀😀👍

[@louannmuellerleilehughes1445]

First potato bug I saw was in grade school (many moons ago). It was the most frighting thing I'd ever seen. Love watching your videos.

[@sternentigerkatze]

It really looks, as if the tree grew out of the floor! The box reminds me strongly of the boxes trees next to the sideways are sometimes encased in. Thank you for sharing this! I love your videos!

[@islackalot9277]

I tuned in for the ABC's of Woodworking and holy cannoli, I was not disappointed!! Thanks Steve!!!!

[@Jimmy4949]

I remember the first Polaroid I had the "film" was like a sandwich with several layers consisting of the print, the developing chemicals and a "negative". It was really hard to pull out of the camera because it had pressure rollers that squeezed the print to spread the developing chemicals inside the print sandwich as you pulled it out of the camera. Then you had to peel the sandwich apart and you would have a picture and what looked like a negative image on the bit of paper you threw away. The print was wet so you had to let it dry and finish developing . The film pack came with a small container, which had a felt squeegee applicator inside, and some kind of coating liquid . Once the photo was dry you used the squeegee to apply the coating to the face of the photo so it wouldn't get scratched. That initiated the second round of waving the print around so it would dry. Taking a polaroid was a bit of a process back then, but it was amazing at the time, as you could actually watch a photo develop.

[@johnwilliams7922]

My Uncle Paul, God rest him, had one of those Polaroid cameras back in the '50s and used for I don't know how many years. That was always magic when he would take a photo and it would appear out of nothingness. I remember the fixer applicator.

[@charlespatt]

My mom as well, when I was little, around 1960 or so.I remember the little sort of foam type applicator you had to wipe across the film. She progressed and kept getting the newer models as they came out.

[@michaelveltman9857]

My 2 cats love their plastic multi colored springs.

[@custommadecrafts1271]

I swear Steve is looking younger by the day..Great video!

[@steenfraosterbro3268]

Steve!!! you sticker endeavour could bring down the entire vote by mail situation on the west coast.

[@melissacampbell1916]

Love your channel, love the abc’s of woodworking, and I think catification is awesome. Thank you for being so quirky and so relatable. You have helped me so much as I stumble through my woodworking jourmey🙅‍♂️

[@derekmonson3276]

Can I just say I love the music for the cat tree in this video. And I also love the music for Antonio Builds a shoeshine segment intro. Love the Channel. Keep up the good work.

[@anthonyjones8160]

Those are good, but have you heard the theme song to 'ABCs of woodworking'? I'm gonna be singing that one all day now.

[@NickGranville]

Potato bug looks like a New Zealand Weta. They’re common here. Nasty looking things but harmless really

[@shamishkendall8304]

Hi Steve, Just a thought, maybe wrapping the trunk of the tree with the same rope that you used on the cat post, and then the cats get a bonus scratching post.

[@oliverabrahamhamburg]

And I want a video about the "occupation" of the tree by your cats !!!

[@projectwood7221]

Looks great. Natural too

[@claggett15]

The production quality of the segment changes is *chef’s kiss*

[@JonnyDIY]

Haha my Dad shot with a 4x5 all the time. I remember the light meter and Polaroid. PS- the Cat tree can double as an awesome coat rack 🤙

[@bobg1315]

Potato bug remindes me on an old Outer Limits (I think) that had huge mechanincal bugs. As a kid, I had several nightmares about them.

[@gabrielmaldonado2827]

I think the most interesting part of these daily vlogs is watching you "growing old" as days go by jajaja just love the catification, greetings from Argentina.

[@jillmadigan9841]

Thank you enormously! I have been trying to figure out how to stabilize Safari Kitty's wobbly dual cat-pole system that came from Craigslist. Following the near-tragic event, I removed the 4" square poles from the 1" x 10" base, which had been 'secured' by two 2" screws and 'supported'' by a strip of plywood that, predictably, failed immediately after transport. They need to have a dependable base that can fit close to the wall. Kitty is totally creeped-out by it, but really yearns to be elevated to window height in our basement apartment. I'm considering using either stacked 2" x 4"s or 2" x 8" bases with +8" bolts securing the poles in two directions so that I can safely dismantle the unit when I move. Thanks for the inspiration - feline mental health can soon be restored!

[@robertsmith1889]

Enjoyed! Have a great day

[@MrAmps]

Magic unsupported balance tree... 😂 Just brilliant.

[@pietdixon3232]

God willing and the creek don't rise! A phrase used often in many of The Repairman books by L.J. Martin.

[@producersean]

Thanks for the WWMM sticker, Steve! I slapped it onto my DeWalt miter saw next to my Maker sticker from I Like to Make Stuff

[@SpideyScott72]

The tree cut was perfect, the base was perfect, the project went smoothly. Based on Murphy's Law combined with the Law of Averages, the cats will NOT or seldomly use the tree. I have 3 cats, that's how all my cat projects go. They'll play with the screws or bits or empty boxes. Everything but what I build for them!

[@ArtisanPirate]

Awesome Update ! Hey Steve, For The ABCs Of Woodworking Will ''S'' Be The Scroll Saw ? That Would Be Awesome ! :)

[@awlthatwoodcrafts8911]

I live in So. TX and we have some pretty weird looking bugs. I'm from So. Cal, originally, and the potato bug is still the creepiest bug I've ever seen. We don't have them in TX, that I know of. As for "polaroids", kudos to the marketing/sales person that convinced somebody that selling a Polaroid-style camera would be a hit in the age of digital photography.

[@GPS0159]

Used to have a Speedgraphic 4x5. Sold that but kept the enlarger to try and print old negatives that my grandfather and father took.

[@danielduncan6806]

If you ever get into an argument with "management" just tell her "You know who gets fan mail? I do, that's who!" Ehhh, second thought, maybe don't do that.

[@freewaybaby]

LOL

[@brianfrias]

Hilah! I miss her strange sense of humor in her cooking vids. And I remember that particular taco video! Thanks Steve!

[@darinnetherland3466]

Can’t wait to see the cats on that tree! The swept back hair and some stubble is a good look for you. Good quarantine style.

[@raymitchell9736]

I was thinking about other uses for the cat tree... how about Halloween decorations where you are making a spooky scene indoor or outdoor and want some old trees, maybe put a raven or other props on the tree. Easy to set up and take down.

[@pteddie6965]

Yeah, Steve. Hang orange and yellow balls on the tree at Halloween time. The cats will love it and you can make a video for us of them playing on it. I think that all of us are looking forward to seeing the cats go all the way around the room on the platforms and tree, etc.

[@schooljs1]

"lockdown day 171..." so much for the whole 15 days to flatten the curve.

[@schooljs1]

Seriously though, these videos are great. I think they have inspired people from all four corners of our great nation to experience the joy of building something. They also allow us a politics free zone, something professional sports, late night TV or other forms of social media no longer do.

[@jeffreythompson9549]

@@schooljs1 Try "from all four corners of the world".

[@tedpuckett2779]

Lol. Unless your speaker of the house...

[@Dukefazon]

I didn't know what a potato bug is until you showed it. It's freaky! In my country we only have potato beetle, I thought they are the same but when you showed me the picture I know this is something new and weird.

[@ErictheHalf_bee]

That paint spout is my absolute favorite painting tool. Also, my father was slaughtered by a six-fingered scarecrow.

[@drewbuatti8124]

Looks good! I like the carpet on it!

[@PuddinStix]

I love your videos! Thank you for them! Its given me the courage to try my first woodworking experience. Also you're adorable! Keep up the good videos! :)

[@freewaybaby]

I have several “trees” that were rescued over the past year, just to make cat trees, but I have not taken the time to debark them (that’ll be a pain in the butt)...I think yours is a crepe myrtle, which debark themselves, at least here in Texas, but I don’t really want to cut any of mine down...YET! After our deep freeze last month, quite a few large trees in the area broke apart and I found some huge limbs that I cut apart and brought home, mainly because most of the bark had separated, so they’ll be a lot less work to sand. But....yours looks about the same size as what I’m dealing with, except mine is freaking HEAVY! Of course, like yours, it WILL have to be anchored to the wall, but I’d really like a lot of the stability to be in the base. Did you attach tour base to the floor at all? IDK, but if research shows me that crepe myrtle is significantly lighter, I might have to reconsider cutting one of mine down! Thanks for all your instructional videos; as a newbie woodworker, I’m always learning from your expertise.

[@pitsnipe5559]

Those paint can spouts work great! Got one about twenty years ago and still using it.

[@edwardholmes91]

I saw a cool tip for using cans of paint on a TV program the other day... place a strip of painters tape across the can, then you can remove excess paint from your brush against the edge of the tape instead of the side of the can.

[@SmoothAlf]

Thanks so much for posting the bug pics...while I'm eating lunch watching you, Steve! Ugh! 😆

[@MonK3yzUnkL]

My cat has those springs too.

[@giantsfan1925]

About the Polaroid Pictures, you can also scan them too with a scanner or a printer with a built in scanner.

[@hello_newman3116]

Love the music Steve!

[@Duci1989]

Liking the video, bit of wood tinkering, bit of storytelling, bit of joking around. Getting a weekend vibe, like it's all good

[@xcrewchief1]

Ahh, the whimsical cat tree music!!

[@Brandywine6969]

Well, I, for one, love your six fingered scarecrow. Haters gonna hate. Let it roll of your back like water off a duck's back, man. He is awesome. If you own your home, and had made the base of the cat tree slightly bigger than 17 and a half inches wide, you could screw the bottom into the floor where the joists line up. It'll stay put then. That's what I plan to do if I ever figure out how to make a large tree trunk shaped Jungle Jim of sorts that looks like a large piece of driftwood that is entire tree trunk and a couple branches shaped and sized. I plan to put it in my living room or the back room as a centerpiece of the room with plant stands around the edges. No one ever visits anyhow and my boy cat needs running room when he gets his wild hair at 3 am and roars like he does.

[@frosiaburlakova7732]

When are we going to see the cats on this tree? Can't wait. Are we there yet? On a different note: binge-watched all the Weekend Workshop videos. Some of the tips are priceless in their obviousness and simplicity. Why did I not think of this myself? (No, don't tell me, I think I know why.) Thank you, Steve, for pointing out the obvious; I needed that! The best $97 spent on my woodworking education. ETA: not "obvious" but rather "hiding in plain sight"...

[@John.117]

Thanks for sharing Steve. Best to you and yours.

[@garynagle3093]

For some reason I’m hungry for street tacos. Great video Steve

[@MyLeoOne]

(this info I heard somewhere, don't have a source though) The old polaroids didn't have a protective film on them so shaking them would actually dry the chemistry faster, but it degraded quality. Modern polaroids have film on them so the shaking doesn't do anything, it's best to keep them in the dark for a few minutes to get better quality anyways

[@TheShaggy1324]

Hey, my mail finally made it in!

[@MCsCreations]

It's looking great, Steve!!! 😃 Stay safe there with your family! 🖖😊

[@johnmcquillen5004]

I think your cats will enjoy the tree.

[@JohnColgan.]

If he had a decent dog, he could pee on it too !!

[@lazygardens]

We had a cat tree and had to chain it to the wall too - a cat leaping from an upper platform can tip the tree over.

[@docghines]

I put your sticker on the shop door next to the TNP sticker.

[@bob14072]

Your music reminds me of the transition music in the 1960s Batman TV show. Or maybe I'm just crazy.

[@BigFarles]

Your hair is awesome.

[@colemine7008]

I love how well that tree is turning out.

[@ClevesBackyardWoodworking]

Great cat tree! you can scan the Polaroids and make copies that way.

[@matthewrose8976]

That wasn't a potato bug. It's called a Jerusalem Cricket, and you're right. They are freaky looking!

[@NavyCopMA1]

Intarsia is fun but you definitely need a solid mid to higher end scroll saw!

[@BatCaveCreations]

Love the tunes on this one! hahah

[@almostperfectrestoration]

A man has to build a house for life to raise children and plant a tree, i can safely say that the tree is officially planted)

[@johnjohnsonjr5324]

All I can say Lord cats in the house!!

[@johnjohnsonjr5324]

Oh sorry cats are not in the house. Smart man

[@MonK3yzUnkL]

Loving the facial hair!

[@JohnColgan.]

Good to see the beard back again!!

[@Beakerbite]

That's just the soot from the fires.

[@MazzaRawrs]

Thank you for the sticker Steve! I am having trouble deciding where to put it.

[@ChrisFranklyn]

Woodworker in "Woodworker actually uses carpet tape to fit carpet" shocker.

[@mykalimba]

Darn it, I posted about the same thing, before scrolling down into the comments. Well, done, my fellow observant friend.

[@ChrisFranklyn]

@@mykalimba Thanks. Although there are no new ideas. We just happened to stumble into the same one at the same time.

[@saravanroosbroeck5414]

I'm new. What do other woodworkers do?

[@ChrisFranklyn]

@@saravanroosbroeck5414 It's infamously used a lot to hold templates in place. Not obvious if you don't know :)

[@FC360D]

Shaking a polaroid can actually damage the photo if you shake it too much as it can distort the photo, had that happen to me once lol

[@joelvarney5091]

"I don't mean to pry, but do you have six fingers on your right hand?" "Do you always start your conversations this way?"

[@michaelpichette4143]

Best movie ever!

[@eswift8318]

My name is Inigo Crowtoya. You scared my father...

[@jjohnston94]

@@eswift8318 Prepare to fly.

[@riuphane]

Between the music and the beard, I feel like we're trying to revisit some old videos...

[@oliverabrahamhamburg]

You remember that weird album called "Gentlemen take polaroids", from a band called Japan? You'll find it on YT. Only a thought about polaroids...

[@MichaelBolsterHypno]

Hey Steve, I've been asked to pick a table saw as a birthday present for myself but I've been looking and can't seem to find a decent one that will fit in a small workshop. I need something that is pretty compact, good quality and in around £150 GBP. I'm not looking for one as a career machine, just one that will do the odd DIY job and some medium sized projects. Any suggestions?

[@Uncle_Buzz]

*** That's a Jerusalem Cricket. ***

[@GraceSerenityK]

I was gonna say! I thought potato bugs are the little armadillo looking insects!

[@BeauChampion]

I learned a new word today! 😉

[@tijmentencate1574]

Hey Steve, can you make a display cabinet on the wall in the future?

[@ComblessMan]

Intarsia, see Louise Nevelson. Amazing stuff.

[@andydelgiudice1575]

Cool to hear you did some large format photography. Any prints kicking around?

[@SteveRamsey]

Some. Mostly I shot transparencies. Shot with an 8x10 view camera a few times for some amazing contact prints!

[@bigbuckets9694]

love your vids can you try to post daily that’s how much i love your vids

[@davidrobin3480]

Keep the videos coming, it’s great that you talk so much and really fast, is the beard going to stay for Christmas?

[@Dball-kt9zb]

Ah the tree is back looking good

[@timmehjimmeh]

Man, potato bugs look like and sound like a local bug Joburger's love to hate. It's called the King Cricket but it's colloquially referred to as the Parktown Prawn. It's where the Prawns in District 9 got their name! There was a urban legend that they were an escaped genetic experiment from WITS University 😂

[@moodymir]

Hi Steve, I have learned a great deal from you. I saw something in this video that's similar to what I need to do as well. I'm very new to woodworking so have no solutions yet :-) - I'm planning a punching bag stand using 4x4, and for the base to be more sturdy, I'm planning to use five 2x4 pieces using butt-joint. I'm trying to figure out angle, size, spacing etc. Do you have any suggestions?

[@khawar1690]

Hi Steve, Could you pls also do a video on plantation shutters. Just a basic pls.

[@JohnHarmon]

In Wyoming, where I grew up, we called "potato bugs" Sand Puppies. Those things are nasty looking.

[@chevroletdieselnation]

Do your cats lay in the bubble thing?

[@MatthewMakesAU]

The potato bug is closely related to the weta - the namesake of Weta Workshop. Movie tie-in!

[@kristamarie6104]

What we always called potato bugs were these small little bugs that curled up in a ball if you touched them. Some people also called them pill bugs, but you'd find them under rocks in the mud and dirt. What yinz over in Cali call potato bugs are terrifying! That thing is as big as those Asian "murder" hornets! I'd be afraid it'd eat my cat! Lol!

[@davecoates2308]

There are not enough words in the English language to describe how much I hate those Weta bugs! We call them ‘Parktown Prawns’ here in South Africa. They scare the bejezuz out of me!

[@poepark5860]

Wow Steve, Wife has been bugging me every night, is he working on the cat tree/platform.She said gee he builds a murphy bed in about a week, a bathroom cabinet in about the same time plus all the other stuff he made pretty fast but the cat run is taking forever.

[@jjohnston94]

After all that explanation of why screwed, butt-jointed rough 2x4s were fine for the base, you missed the opportunity to just say, "Everything's going to get covered with carpet".

[@Pete.Ty1]

😊👍

[@isleofgreg]

Lockdown Woodworking - are you STILL under lockdown? WTF - we here in Missouri have been relatively normal since JUNE 1ST! That was forever ago!

[@ellencnixon]

💜💜

[@TheBeardedHerper]

potatoe bug aka jerusalem cricket

[@cbalan777]

Would your California hanging in the background be considered intarsia?

[@SteveRamsey]

Yes! I didn't even think of that! 👍

[@Tyler_885]

Hey Steve. I just watched a video by Nerdrotic, a guy who lives in SF, and he says half of all small businesses are permanently closed due to COVID and politicians. Can you briefly share your thoughts on the situation-if only to get another point of view?

[@curbshooter]

I'm surprised you screw the tree to the base before seeing how it fits in the house.

[@aaronjohnson9439]

Hey Steve, out of curiosity, is there any plans or thoughts about plans for some Halloween woodworking projects this year?

[@spiderobert]

7:55 my cats' favorite toys are literally milk rings ... seriously, next time you buy plastic capped milk jugs, just throw the ring on the floor. Cats love them, probably for the same reason as those springs, they just spring all over the place. I've spent money on toys that the cats hardly acknowledge, but those milk rings are always a hit.

[@adamwhite1936]

The "Dread Pirate Robert's finally found the 6-fingered man!!"

[@adamwhite1936]

I know...it was Indigo who caught up to him!!!

[@andrea.rivers]

I'm glad you mentioned it was going to be secured to the wall. I learned to never underestimate the shear force of a jumping or lunging cat. lol Plus the base on the one I have is quite over sized compared to the height. I don't know building or the physics and engineering involved, but I know cats and the damage and chaos the inflict just to sun themselves or "oversee" their staff. lol

[@alfredneumann4692]

Damned, i want to see the cats in the tree. Come to the point!

[@tedpuckett2779]

Alfred Neumann cmon....seeing the cats in the tree doesn’t happen till like day 236....or ....400...563...heck who knows...it’s California.