Making the Secretary Desk Doors

[@judithfairchild8620]

I worked with my dad as he built pulpits. So I know how much skill and sweat goes into the building of furniture. Watching you do workn you enjoy is a great treasure to me.

[@MarkLindsayCNC]

Glorious work, Matt. It just occured to me that you have what is probably the world's most famous secretary desk. This is an excellent diary, documenting exactly where it came from and how.

[@mcremona]

Mark Lindsay Thank you Mark! It's certainly the best documented. I'll give it that much :)

[@RyeHillBaptistChurch]

Matthew Cremona I can only imagine what it will be worth on Antiques Roadshow in 100 years. Fantastic Job Matt! Insure it now. (Priceless)

[@sdeee3842]

Gorgeous. My dad used cedar and he would always plant a couple trees a year. He planted a couple in Jamaica 🇯🇲 in the early 50's and emigrated to the 🇬🇧 in the 60's then returned 17 years later. He was able to cut a couple to make all the furniture and beds for the house he built. 👍🏾

[@reddboy1188]

Stephanie Dacres What a wonderful and heart warming man Pls send him my regards

[@Bloodsweatsawdust]

The doors are gorgeous. I really appreciate the wood selection and mark-up walk through.

[@mcremona]

Blood, Sweat, Sawdust Thank you! Layout is probably my favorite part of a project

[@frankingram3382]

I wasn't aware of your channel when you started building this secretary but I have totally enjoyed watching you build the doors. I have never seen a project go from very rough stock, to laying out, to milling to finish. I am amazed at your level of work and your ability to teach so clearly. Thanks for sharing.

[@mcremona]

Frank Ingram Thank you, Frank!!!

[@conradscustomcabinetry5331]

I love that you show the entire process to highlight just how important the planning aspect is. Too often we see people selecting lumber because it was "at the top of the pile". Thank you for sharing this. You are a true craftsman.

[@mcremona]

ConradsCustomCabinetry Thank you! I try to remember which boards I have in the pile. The one I want is typically towards the bottom though. Makes for a good workout. Thank again!

[@vaulimere]

You are a true artist Matt. With my lack of experience I can somewhat get my mind around making a piece of furniture like this, but the way you selected each piece of wood so that the grain flowed with the finished style is just beyond me right now :)

[@mcremona]

***** Thanks Jon! It takes some getting used to :)

[@jlh5995]

Matthew, you are a craftsman indeed! The magnificent mirroring of the doors is something one does not see very often. Not only is the workmanship on the construction of your secretary outstanding, the finishing is incredible. Thanks for your tutorial.

[@SawDustMakerRJM]

Your skill and patience really shows in making this lovely Secretary. That also goes for the videos you make showing the process.

[@mcremona]

Thanks! It definitely was labor of love.

[@nerd_dan]

I've always thought you did beautiful work, but now I have so more appreciation for your attention to detail. This really was my favorite video that you've done. Thank you for sharing your process with us.

[@mcremona]

Dan Mills Thank you Dan! This is my favorite too. I didn't realize how much went into these doors until I started editing the video.

[@nerd_dan]

Matthew Cremona I've heard you discuss grain selection in the past, but I don't think it really sunk in until this video. Great work, man.

[@mcremona]

Dan Mills Thank you Dan! It's one thing to hear it talked about abstractly but to actually see it in practice is much more helpful :)

[@ignatiusjk]

Absolutely beautiful job on the doors. I'd like to see the same doors made in Walnut. Most people do not know or appreciate how much talent it takes to work wood the way you do. Excellent job, be proud of yourself. Well done.

[@mcremona]

Thanks Tom!

[@DIYTyler]

Stunning work Matt, great, great respect (and jealousy) for how you take a project from the woods to the living room...beautiful.

[@mcremona]

***** Thank you Tyler!

[@matt_williams1015]

Very cool to see the history of the doors, from actually seeing the tree come down to the final piece. And they are beautiful! Great job Matt!

[@mcremona]

Matt Williams Thanks Matt!

[@topguncg47]

Matt, love your channel. I watch a ton of KZbin, yours by far is my favorite channel. You do amazing things working alone. Your voice is very appealing as it represents your personality that comes across as a person everyone would love to be friends with. Your knowledge in woodworking is simply second to none. The saw mill you built and trailer wow simply awesome. Also, keep building furniture as it truly shows your talents as a fine wood worker. Your Dad has to very proud of you and what you’ve accomplished.

[@stewartmcmanus3991]

Never get tired of watching your stuff. That piece should outlive us all. There's no substitute for quality. Very well done Matt.

[@TheChrisPineWorkshop]

Beautiful project Matt. When you said the plans gave you the wrong length of the rails it made me smile as I have had the worst luck in getting doors the right width on my dogs on past projects. Seems like no matter how hard I try I end up too small. :) Plan errors don't help! I can mess it up with the proper width seems like! Chris

[@mcremona]

I feel ya! Part of the fun is trying to fix the errors :)

[@mikenash1186]

Great series of videos. Absolutely love watching them. Started with the walnut coffee table and got hooked. Now working through from the beginning. I'm a tree surgeon and watching your channel has inspired me to get an Alaskan mill to start milling and drying my own slabs. Keep up the great work. You are a true inspiration to all your viewers

[@mcremona]

Mike Nash Thank you so much Mike! Have fun with your mill when you get it. It's a lot of fun. I think you'll enjoy it.

[@howardyounger5456]

I have built a lot of cabinet doors with the arches like that. But never with carving on the panel. Realy impressive. great work, impressed how young you are. and all your great work.

[@richarddowling5882]

Love your work Matt, your use of wood where there's no waste and most of all the finished product. Loved the Highboy too.

[@mcremona]

thank you!

[@Elderos5]

Great piece. Heirloom quality. I would not be surprised if this desk ends up being passed down through several generations. I can't wait to see what your next piece will be.

[@imperialguard13]

I really like how you went through so much detail on why you were using different sections of that slab.

[@mcremona]

David Rice Thank you David! This is my favorite video of mine.

[@imperialguard13]

Matthew Cremona I can see why. It not only showed the technique, but the motivation. It made me want to build one.

[@cds957]

This guy is a Master woodworker, thanks Matt.👍

[@DaveGatton]

Beautiful work Matt and it's very interesting to see the whole story. Great job.

[@mcremona]

Thanks! It was fun to tell :)

[@DreamingTree-vo9lj]

watching this on the 4th anniversary of the tree being cut! Both of your door building videos are great!

[@mcremona]

It's crazy that it's been that long already! Thank you!!!

[@SterlingsWoodcrafts]

Beautiful Work Matt, so good to see the secretary come to life

[@mcremona]

Thanks, Sterling! It was really fun to build!

[@MrDpoling]

Oh Matthew! Those are beautiful!

[@gazt42]

Remarkable. So interesting seeing the job from forest to finished item.

[@JimCoogan_CoogansWorkshop]

It's always great to see the history of such a beautiful piece of work. Thanks.

[@mcremona]

Jim Coogan Thank, Jim!

[@abelnieto432ify]

Absolutely amazingly beautiful!!!You my friend will go down in history as a fine woodworker!!The Maloof of our generation!!!

[@mcremona]

Abel Nieto Thank you Abel!!

[@joshmann2525]

It's in the house! Congrats. Thanks for the lesson on board layout. I got a lot out of it as a new woodworker. Makes rough lumber less intimidating.

[@joshmann2525]

Now the crib... time is ticking. :)

[@mcremona]

Josh Mann Thank you! It's in there. Now for the lower case.... I'm glad it was helpful. Rough lumber is the best! Crib build starts soon :)

[@leapinglemurcraftworks6426]

Thanks for sharing the thought process behind picking out the wood for each piece - I've never seen that done or had it Elaine's before Scott

[@mcremona]

The 2 Car Garage Shop Thank you Scott! That's my favorite part of the project.

[@leapinglemurcraftworks6426]

I have to proof read before I post - stupid autocorrect- Elaine's Explain.......go figure

[@valdarguence3298]

You're incredible Matthew. I enjoy all your videos. Thank you for all the details explanations and videos on how you design and make your projects.

[@StoneandSonsWorkshop]

Thanks for sharing the whole process. Very interesting. Good color choice on the finish. I like.

[@mcremona]

Stone and Sons Workshop Thank you Shawn!

[@pitkane]

This is what woodworking is all about! Thank you Matt for your great piece of art! :)

[@mcremona]

Mikko Pitkänen Thank you Mikko!!!

[@welshman100]

Loved seeing and learning how you chose the wood for each part of the doors. Would love to see more videos like that.

[@SuperSpineman]

amazing. best explanation of a jointer yet.

[@moonlightsnowfall6734]

Nicely done Matt, there is some great information in this one. It was fun to see it from forest to finish.

[@mcremona]

Thanks! It was fun to make!

[@acraig5075]

Wonderful to see the whole process from tree to fine furniture. Thank you!

[@mcremona]

Alasdair Craig Thank you!!

[@738polarbear]

Simply beautiful workmanship.

[@mcremona]

+738polarbear thank you!

[@NotJustSawdust]

Really great way to show the process! From the hard rough work in the woods to the smallest detail. Next to your great skills as a woodworker, I mostly like the conclusion.. It takes a few years if you want to make something beautiful out of a tree. Time most people (and company's) in modern society "think" they don't have.

[@mcremona]

Não Só Serradura Thank you Gerrit! It takes a lot of time but it's all worth it!

[@kennedy20007]

Matt you’re a rare breed! It shows in your work the type of man you are A+

[@ZacHiggins]

Wow, lots of work went in those doors alone!! Really awesome to see all of that. Great video too Matt!

[@mcremona]

Zac Higgins Thanks Zac! Lots of hours in those doors!

[@heirik2012]

Love your attention to detail. Nicely done.

[@ramanshah7627]

Really enjoy the walkthrough of finding the parts in the slabs! Really admire how the brain work turns into economy with the wood, sneaking around those cracks and knots :)

[@glen4130]

Really cool to see where you got the wood and follow it through the whole project.

[@mcremona]

thanks!

[@markvreeken]

Absolute craftmanship Well Done and thanks for the tips on laying out your rough cuts

[@mcremona]

Mark Vreeken Thank you Mark!

[@cluxseltoot]

Thank you for making an excellent video. It is great to see the piece of furniture's journey from tree to living room.

[@billfromelma]

Hey Matt, first, thanks for the part about the epoxy. I'm going to give that a try. Second, I gotta tell ya, or should I say, we, ( cause my wife watched with me) this was really impressive! From the woods to lnside the house. Wow. That is trully something to be proud of. The love you have for doing this kind of project shows in your details. Great job!

[@mcremona]

Thanks! Let me know how the epoxy works out for you. It's worked well for me in the past.

[@CysCorner]

Enjoyed watching from tree to beautiful doors. Love your attention to detail.

[@mcremona]

Thank you Cy!

[@JeremyMcMahan]

What a lot of work and loving care. So fun to see it go from stump to beauty!

[@mcremona]

Thanks, Jeremy!

[@Richmorrison371]

Love the video. It's awesome that you include the video of where the tree came from. Great use of the wood. Keep doing what you do. Congrats on the new baby!

[@BCdesign1]

Awesome video!!love that you shed the pieces with the cracks and to see you cut the actual tree was cool

[@mcremona]

BCdesign Thanks Barry!

[@sktornado]

Incredible to watch the transformation of a tree to beautiful furniture! Great video.

[@mcremona]

+sktornado thank you!

[@TyMoser]

Great project! I bet you're happy to have it completed.

[@mcremona]

Ty Moser Thanks Ty! almost there!

[@stuntmanization]

These are the videos I want to see, how to make something out of those slabs, great work !

[@LarryjB53]

Matt, Treebeard is gonna come lookin for you. Beautiful piece by the way.

[@rogerdudra178]

Greetings from the BIG SKY. Lay out is the step in making a piece of furniture that heavily relies on a plan. That plan is key to choosing the wood for each piece.

[@WestCoastMods]

Great job Matthew, they turned out beautiful. I love your attention to detail....I am very much the same way, because in the end it's the little details that make all the difference. It also shows that you are a quality craftsmen.....lookin forward to your next video

[@mcremona]

WestCoastMods Thank you so much!!

[@stuckinbabylon186]

Beautiful! Fantastic job! Always inspiring to watch!

[@mcremona]

Randy Taylor Thank you Randy!

[@marcdeangelis2516]

Wood has to be the most beautiful material to work with. Nothing comes close . Being a skilled woodworker employed so many different talents . It also requires so much fore thought on how everything comes together and all the joinery envolved. The young people today have been brainwashed to think College is the only way to go in life. I wonder how many young people embrace woodworking ? There is no greater joy to create something beautiful to put in your house , to hand down to your children. A living legacy .

[@phooesnax]

Already knew they would be awesome but Matt they look so nice.

[@mcremona]

phooesnax Thank you, Jim!

[@a-10boltz46]

Wow! Exceptional work Matt!

[@mcremona]

Thanks for the kind words!

[@rhihodag9873]

As always, GREAT video! You really have to take sooooo much pride in taking a log and turning it into a beautiful piece of furniture. You have such a great eye for grain patterns. You are truly a craftsman! It's a lost art. THANKS MATT!

[@mcremona]

***** THANK YOU!!!

[@TheShavingWoodWorkshop]

Very nice story and very well told. Thanks Matt

[@mcremona]

The ShavingWood Workshop Thanks Tommy!

[@jeffseaton5193]

That's a beautiful piece man. Thanks for sharing!

[@mcremona]

thanks Jeff!

[@michaelditch4038]

Now that's going to be a awesome family heirloom.

[@mcremona]

***** Thank you Michael!

[@DemasShopforEverything]

Very nice story for a work of art my friend.

[@mcremona]

Thanks Dema!

[@lionelhernandez34]

Your detail with this is awesome, great piece

[@mcremona]

Thanks! I appreciate it!

[@webbrhoads2020]

Amazing woodwork

[@filmsoundno]

I just love how detailed you are, both in your wood project, but also in your storytelling. Your lumber series is a personal favorite of mine and I've watched it many many times. I really like that you are not following the pack and shorten the videos to just a few minutes. There are just a few of you left now that makes videos longer than 4 or 5 minutes. I love watching wood videos and could watch them all the time :-) It shows how much you like what you're doing, and you're doing it from the ground up, with proper joinery. How you think through the grain before cutting the board is amazing and really helpful. Your good mood and love for the work makes me in a good mood, not like some other youtoobers that seem to like to whine alot, for some reason :-D Keep up the good work, and keep the wood cutting, drying, resawing, etc etc videos coming. Is like Christmas eve:-) Have a nice weekend man :-)

[@mcremona]

Thank you so much for all the kind words! I'm happy to hear that my love for woodworking comes out in the videos! I really like sharing my entire process. Glad you appreciate it and that it has been helpful! Thanks again!

[@gregevans6741]

Wow. Good story , lots of detail here .looks awesome!

[@mcremona]

Thanks, Greg!

[@steve98ex]

Very nice Matt. I thought we were just going to see a compilation of footage we've already seen but it wasn't that at all. Great job on the secretary and I can't wait to see what your next project is

[@mcremona]

steve98ex Thank you! I try to make these things unique so that even those who have been following along will see something new. I can't wait to move on to the next project!

[@KSFWG]

Great video on the Secretary Doors ! Very informative and well thought out in advance of filming. Great job editing it also. Thanks for sharing with us, Matt !

[@mcremona]

KSFWG Thank you!!

[@calebtoole3560]

Wow, Matt. Great stuff, dude. I was stressed out that entire video thinking, "After all that work of getting the tree out of the woods, drying it out, and milling it all, one little mess up and it's done for...", haha. But you didn't! It looks incredible. Love that we get to see years go by along with the entire process of building. Thanks for sharing.

[@mcremona]

Caleb Toole Thanks Caleb! I have 3 boards left just in case :)

[@calebtoole3560]

Matthew Cremona Haha! Touché, my friend.

[@rodneykiemele4721]

That was a great video, Matt. A real pleasure to watch! Thanks a lot for sharing it with us.

[@mcremona]

Rodney Kiemele Thank you Rodney!

[@tamaselkan8902]

One of your best videos Matt, great story telling and an absolutely stunning result! I can't wait to see the finished piece:)!

[@mcremona]

Tamás Elkán Thank you Tamás! It's my favorite so far :)

[@brucehumphrey6296]

I really enjoyed watching. I love processing my own wood too. That's one of my favorite things about your vids. I also liked that you spent the extra time to show the details. thanks!

[@mcremona]

Thank you Bruce!

[@raphaelamin5565]

Great work in creating this content, it's very informative and well made! But the woodworking... that is pure art. Beautiful!

[@adamhollermann5208]

Great back story to a beautiful piece. I'm sure after all your hard work you are excited to finally get some use out of the secretary :)

[@jamesmitchell5013]

I realize this is an old video clip but dude you have nothing to be ashamed about. Fantastic work! That it from a guy who makes a lot of sawdust. :)

[@mcremona]

Thank you James!

[@adudeuknow]

all those beautiful festool tools and a bosch router? lol beautiful work my friend.

[@NCaron-55Mtgny]

From France. C'es un très beau travail !

[@JeffreyMunro]

Amazing work Matt!

[@mcremona]

Jeffrey Munro Thank you!

[@MauriceBlok]

Did your comment "The story of the secretary doors" justice. Very nice video Matt!

[@mcremona]

Thank you, Maurice!

[@AndreaArzensek]

Beautiful work and great video Matt! If I could hold my breath for 25 mins I would have done so!

[@mcremona]

Andrea ArzensekThanks Andrea! That would be impressive :)

[@AndreaArzensek]

Yet, your work is more impressive!

[@738polarbear]

What does that comment even mean?

[@jakedog1976]

Great vid Matt I love how you went into your grain layout..

[@mcremona]

Ross Hastings Thank you Ross!

[@MattLaneWoodshop]

Really enjoyed watching the process, great video Matt!

[@mcremona]

Thanks, Matt!

[@charleyandsarah]

Loved watching the whole process. Yeah, I think we're generally our worst critic... the doors look beautiful and you did a wonderful job.

[@mcremona]

Thanks, Sarah!

[@CatholicWoodworker]

What a cool story. I hope to be able to mill my own lumber some day. What an inspiration. Now, when is the big reveal?!

[@mcremona]

Conrad Designs Thanks Jon! Soon! Unfortunately editing this video has kept me out of the shop for the past 3 days. Still a bunch of finish prep to do on the lower case...

[@locohombre79]

Wonderful video, Matt. In my head I was yelling at past Matt "check the door aperture before you cut you those stiles!" lol. Still, worked out and looks beautiful! All the best, Martin.

[@mcremona]

locohombre79 Thank you Martin! Next time I will ;)

[@RedDevilInAZ]

Brilliant. This is the closest I have come to watching a sculpture at work.

[@tomaxxxx536]

amazing wood working skills!

[@JW-kt5ls]

I wish I could work side by side with you. You do awesome work and explain things very well. My grandfather was a cabinet maker. I inherited his love, but not his talent for the trade.

[@herd8405]

Top mastercraftman it is the best that I have seen on you tube Cheers from Sydney

[@CJTIGETMAX24]

Superb craftsmanship and an extremely well presented/edited video - well done! I'm also impressed with your from 'tree to finish' methodology. This is wonderful encouragement to those who perhaps have great ability to work with superior materials but lack the cash to throw down at the local hardwood outlet. I look forward to future projects, such as this one, that would serve as a further showcasing of the advantages to DIY milling and curing. As an aside, I'm curious as to what brand of shoulder plane you are using in this video. Looks a bit like the Lee Valley type but I'm not quite able to tell. Thanks much!

[@JimDockrellWatertone]

Some impressive work!

[@mcremona]

Jim Dockrell Thanks, Jim!

[@jdorris5337]

@matthewcremona you're an artist sir and very inspiring. Keep up the good work! Congrats on the second baby on the way!

[@mcremona]

+J Dorris thank you!!

[@Torekgo]

wow...this is incredible!

[@mcremona]

Thank you!

[@johnmcglynn2125]

WOW! What skill !

[@TheLittleGardenShedWorkshop]

Great video Matt, very interesting, thank you, Harry

[@mcremona]

Thanks so much, Harry!