Master this skill EARLY

With every box or chest I make, the inevitable question arises: How did you cut those drawer fronts?! Well, I'm here to walk you through the process. Good news is, they're way easier than you think!
Items I use:
Table Saw Blade - Woodworkers II: amzn.to/42bIOLa
Thanks for watching! If you enjoyed this video please consider supporting my channel by subscribing and hitting that notification bell. It really helps small channels like mine.
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Items I keep on hand in the shop:
Glue:
Titebond I Wood Glue: amzn.to/3zRXHGv
Titebond III Wood Glue: amzn.to/3MVnG6j
Titebond Quick and Thick: amzn.to/42HGuMC
Power Tools and Accessories:
Table Saw Blade - Woodworkers II: amzn.to/42bIOLa
My favorite trim router: amzn.to/3LbCbTF
DeWalt Trim Router fence: amzn.to/43cYwr2
My Festool Router Setup: amzn.to/3ZPIQal
Extra Fence: amzn.to/3KHi9jI
1/2" dia Router bit: amzn.to/3UkRFYI
A Better Alternative (Spiral Up Cut): amzn.to/3mcPsSp
Sharpening:
Ohishi Waterstones: amzn.to/3TkoZhP
1,000/8,000 Combo (great budget option): amzn.to/3Lqj7Sh
Angle Setting Jig Plans: www.lie-nielsen.com/pages/dow...
Inexpensive Honing Guide: amzn.to/3Jo2Uub
Lie-Nieslen Honing Guide: www.lie-nielsen.com/nodes/423... guide
Sandpaper for Flattening: amzn.to/3Jor73F
My Finish Mix:
Minwax Polyurethane: amzn.to/3kPgpuO
Liberon Finishing Oil: amzn.to/3kXkIEf
Danish Oil (alternative): amzn.to/3Njlabs
Liberon Beeswax: amzn.to/3Jm2yFN
Turpentine: amzn.to/3SWFznB
Mineral Spirits (alternative): amzn.to/3oKU83h
For 5% off any TotalBoat product, visit www.totalboat.com/encurtis
You can stay up to date with my work here:
/ encurtis​
/ encurtis
encurtis.com/

[@adamc3474]

My next grain focus project is a 4-way grain match box. Building skills 1 at a time. Stay awesome.

[@ENCurtis]

1 skill at a time is right!! Love that attitude man.

[@christopherharrison6724]

Just the sound of that finely tuned plane running across the wood gives me such joy

[@ENCurtis]

Love to hear it!

[@BillMSmith]

Good job getting the right level of detail into this. I was trying to explain to someone how a lot of KZbin woodworkers are just showmen (or showwomen) who seem to explain things but gloss over the hard to teach stuff. I think you've got a good approach, we'll just have to remind you not to go all Hollywood on us! 😉 Hope your channel grows, I'll be spreading the word.

[@ENCurtis]

I really appreciate that my friend. Thank you.

[@tadeusz7925]

This is the best woodworking channel i found so far. Very professional. I was shocked when i saw how little subscribers you have conpared to the quality of the content.

[@scottlamp3097]

Will you do a vid where you brush the mug’s teeth?

[@JMjayesim]

Underrated comment

[@ENCurtis]

For my OnlyFans 😂

[@rolandrodriguez]

Underrated response 😂

[@emptyheads7989]

Underrated thread

[@woodworking267]

😂 can't wait😂

[@mikeandlucky]

What a great way to spend a near perfect day, woodworking and hiking (but only if your dog is included in both :). Thanks for another great video.

[@ENCurtis]

A damn fine day, indeed. Thank you brother.

[@christophervanmeier1648]

Love and understand the mug! I was a teacher for 22 years at a juvenile hall. I had a Darth Maul coffee mug that I would turn and face towards misbehaving students. To my great joy, they would just lose it!

[@mattgoodstadt2372]

Question from a not-even-a-newbie-yet: If you aren't going to using the same wood for the drawer front, couldn't you just cut that one section out, and not rip down the whole board? Then there would be no seams at all.

[@piokul]

I agree. You could cut the hole with a hand saw, clean it up with a router, then finish up the corners with a chisel. In my opinion less work, no glue-up, and no interrupted grain. Only risk I see is the remaining wood moving after removing the drawer, but it looks small enough to not be a big issue. I guess the guy in the video is very reliant on his big machines and doesn't wan't to mess with hand tools. The corners could be messy actually - risk of cutting too deep, not keeping a consistent line, or leaving tool marks. If it's supposed to be a bespoke piece with all visible surfaces perfect - I get his decision.

[@davidmeyer9204]

First things first. Love the mug! and tell Huckleberry I said hello. Now, Thanks for taking the time to share this with us. I really like the fact that you are incorporating the color of the drawer to the recipient of the piece. I hope that makes sense, words are hard for this old man. Really looking forward to seeing the continuation of this build. Thanks Erik.

[@ENCurtis]

Thank you, David. And I will tell Huck as much!

[@theofarmmanager267]

This is the first video of yours that I have clicked on. I’ve now subscribed. I’ve been woodworking for over 45 years and have obviously seen so many changes in that time. Most have been very positive - such as the vast improvements in adhesives and abrasives; how power tools such as routers have become affordable for the smaller shop. I’ve also seen negatives such as the imbalance between skills, patience, thought and buying more tools. More tools are not the answer. Skill, experience, patience and thought are. My first impression of your channel was that minimalistic tool chest. That’s a good start for me. Then the way in which you calmly went about solving the problem. That’s excellent. Let me say that I’m as guilty as most of over-tooling. I have several of everything; why do I need 4 or 5 precision squares? 3 or 4 sets of very nice chisels? Okay, much of that came from when I ran a small sideline business making furniture but the principle is there - having more never made me better. I’m certainly no hand tool die hard. I use well-tuned machines as much as I can because a) they can do a great job easier b) at my age, my body won’t take too much hand planing or mortising. But, thee is a time when 3 or 4 strokes of a hand plane give you 3 or 4 opportunities to check progress; something a thicknesser probably doesn’t. I watch my YT videos early in the UK morning before my wife wakes up and the dogs demand their morning walk. So, I don’t watch many per day. But you can be sure that, tomorrow, I will be looking at the back catalogue of this channel.

[@ENCurtis]

Thank you for the kind and thoughtful feedback. I’m glad you enjoyed the video and thanks for subscribing!

[@Fraususemil]

This is the most substancial and warmhearted comment I have read so far. It was a pleasure to read. I wish you all the best!

[@charlesdavis9549]

I love the mug! Cartoonish and cool! It’s a symbol of a great woodworking show!

[@brucegibson8053]

People are offended by just about anything now days. But a ONE EYED HORNY DUDE in mug form? These who are offended by this fine piece of art have no sense of humor! Thanks for another great video. I always seem to learn another trick from you. Keep up the good work!

[@ENCurtis]

One eyed horny dude... there's a joke in there that I'm going to leave on the table 😂 Glad you're enjoying the videos! Thanks for watching!

[@AngieWilliamsDesigns]

Great stuff! And yes… entertaining as well as helpful. BTW… I would never buy that mug. But it makes me smile every time I see it. LOL

[@Ian-xy7xi]

Enjoyed that - very informative, thanks for putting this out there. Have a great day.

[@thegospelmeetslife.2021]

As a collector of mugs. It would definitely be acceptable in my collection.

[@johnross278]

you are FANTASTIC! I love your stuff.

[@jimrosson6702]

Looks amazing so far can’t wait to see it finished

[@williamshaffer2562]

Nice work Mr. Prius, lol. Seriously Erik, enjoy the attention to detail in your builds. Keep rollin along Semper Fi bud.

[@ENCurtis]

haha thank you sir!

[@woodyourather7835]

Just an update on wood movement. You would only have to worry about wood expansion if the face had a different expansion rate than the panel. But it's the same board. So the panel will expand at nearly the same rate as the face.

[@ENCurtis]

You're not wrong. In theory, it should all move at the same rate. However wood does funny things, especially when it's changing regions. I've found it easier over the years to relieve the potential of binding than to have to head to Florida to make a repair in the future.

[@woodyourather7835]

I agree with that, the Florida change will be a doozy. Luckily with your design, you shouldn't have problems. Thanks for a great video

[@piokul]

Wouldn't expect the same rate. The drawer would adapt faster to changing conditions than the surrounding material because of two open grain cuts on the sides. Also, the drawer is free to deform, while the surrounding material is held by more of itself, with changing grain direction as well as different boards in the glue-up, not to mention the rest of the chest structure. So they will definitely not match their deformation exactly.

[@JamesWilliams-en3os]

Nice work with your jointer plane. Too many people go straight to the power jointer when a good hand plane used with skill will do the job with less risk of waste and failure.

[@ENCurtis]

Less risk and less waste is key. But it does take time to develop that skill!

[@slayerhawk1972]

I use my hand planes a lot to finesse joints.

[@jt_lancer]

love the mug

[@randallsmith7885]

I totally support the fact that you use believably dirty clamps!

[@gerarddelmonte8776]

Hella big shop. Instructive vid, thanks.

[@TWC6724]

That wood has some nice grain to it. Can’t wait to see the build. 👍

[@herculesdental3820]

As a dentist I both love and hate your mug. Seriously though I love your videos’

[@paulruud5804]

As always, great to hear from you. I hope things are going well. ✌

[@ENCurtis]

Thanks Paul!

[@bobmartin6055]

Outstanding, as always!!

[@ENCurtis]

Thank you!

[@aaronofficer5693]

Late to this, obviously, but had to chime in... I love the mug.

[@kreech68]

as always , beautiful work, and that was nice work to get to get all of joints to match!

[@ENCurtis]

Thank you very much!

[@MikeJones-xf2qh]

Totally dig the mug. Has a Von Dutch vibe.

[@carpetdr13]

Loving the videos, very informative. By the way I love the mug and I want one 😂😂

[@ENCurtis]

Hahaha it's the best mug I own! Check out @dbowensculpture on IG. He's the man!

[@chadwix]

That is a beautiful plane!

[@MarekFajkus]

The mug is the best. I want it badly.

[@treesoul7907]

Once again, beautiful.

[@ENCurtis]

Thank you!

[@robertjackson1407]

Thank you 😊

[@ENCurtis]

You're welcome 👊

[@slayerhawk1972]

Great video. Thanks for sharing.

[@ENCurtis]

Thanks for watching 🙏🙏

[@jajsamurai]

"How do you make a drawer disappear?" hire an assassin. I know a guy who can solve all your drawer "problems" no questions asked.

[@JeffFontecchio]

Beautiful work as always!

[@JeffFontecchio]

And I think the mug is great!

[@ENCurtis]

Thanks Jeff!

[@woodnotestudio]

Hahaha that mug is awesome. Still learning, so forgive the question if it’s too off but you mentioned doing a veneer to make the drawer disappear and then building the box behind it to account for wood movement. Would you take that drawer face cut out and rip that face on a band saw to get a 1/8 inch veneer and glue it on?

[@ENCurtis]

That’s exactly right! Would proceed exactly the same, then just rip 1/8” off the drawer face and apply to a stable substrate.

[@KOutOfMyYard]

I want that mug!!!!!!! Another great vid man with lots of great info!!

[@ENCurtis]

Thanks my man!!

[@KOutOfMyYard]

Just saying. Merch store! Mugs. Money.🤷🏾‍♂️

[@ChrisHornberger]

Always go for the goofy mug. Always!

[@youtubuzr]

Love the channel, great work on this one, the box will look very cool. Was that the Wissahickon your doggo was rambling through? :D

[@josephbradley1781]

I have a question about your use of a regular tape measure on the saw. As we all know, a tape measure is loose at the end where the hook is attached. But that also means that a measurement is going to be different depending on the way you use it. Pulling it from the end adds to the measurement. Pushing the end against a wall or table saw block gives you less ( or a correct measurement?) So, why use it at all?

[@brianwyszynski7345]

Agreed. Woodworkin, ugly mugs, and a sleeping dog. Would love to know who the artist of the mug is. You and William Douglas ( @WilliamDouglasCo ) are my favorite furniture makes. Id laugh if you did a video and ended up in his coffee shop.

[@ENCurtis]

Thank you man. I really appreciate that. I just check out William Douglas and he does great work! Going to have find his coffee shop on my next trip out west haha. The mug is from David Bowen (@dbowensculpture). Awesome dude. Definitely worth supporting.

[@tonydpayne]

Beautiful dog ❤❤

[@markyboy4777]

I'm wondering why about a few things to this video. I'm sure the follow up will explain though! I was worried for your dog lying there like that. Love the mug.

[@funkyskunkvids]

That plane is an absolute bulldozer. A beautiful bulldozer, of course.

[@1deerndingo]

Luvin' the mug. Maybe give it a matching beard 🤣 When jointing the edges could/would you have jointed matching edges folded together to get a "flat" outcome ?

[@ENCurtis]

I may have to ask him to make a bearded mug for me now 😂 Typically I would fold a joint when planing, however because they are so variant in width it would have just been a pain in the butt in this case. So just checking it to make sure it stays square will get the job done.

[@darodes]

As a coffee drinker, that mug’s teeth are whiter than mine lol #teamCyclopesMug

[@ENCurtis]

😂☕

[@yknott9873]

never mind all that - WHERE DID YOU GET THAT MUG??? My kid would FLIP for one of those!

[@martingagne3136]

the oooh yeah at the end lol nice job

[@ENCurtis]

Sometimes I drop jokes in there just to make myself laugh 😆

[@dpmeyer4867]

thanks

[@mikeamboy7292]

I love the coffee mug.

[@ENCurtis]

One of my favorites!

[@MrRclemens]

Love your chill video style! Question: why didn't you plain the whole bord before cutting it to pieces? Maybe I missed the explanation

[@BigRedNZ1]

I was just thinking of putting a bed in my workshop for the dogs…. Then I saw your dog enjoying the floor, and ignoring the bedding in the background

[@ENCurtis]

He’s never liked a bed but I always have one for him. In fairness though, it’s hot and he’s fluffy. I think he likes the cool floor.

[@user-bf9nv7ld7q]

i feel like the mug is judging my woodworking.

[@ENCurtis]

Oh he absolutely is 😂

[@gramofancapisce2208]

I came for the hand planes but stayed for the beard. Never shave my friend, and sport the sawdust look proudly.

[@susanhershey7107]

Where do I get a cup (mug?) like that? I love it!

[@ENCurtis]

My buddy David Bowen @dbowensculpture! He’s the man!

[@JamesSmith-su3oz]

Keep the mug 🍺. What is the reason you used the red stick and not the plane to check the edge of the border, asking for a friend.

[@ENCurtis]

Mostly because the red stick allowed me to sight the entire board at once. The plane edge would have done fine but is only 24" and the board is 30". A 36" rule was helpful in this particular instance.

[@JasonBreslow]

Still blows my mind that Mac from Always Sunny is a woodworker, and a damn good one too apparently.

[@ENCurtis]

😂😂

[@charlesdpetrone941]

I am a new subscriber. I am also tired of videos on: 99 ways to build cross cuts sleds; the only finish you will ever need: the best table saw, track saw, etc ...; big busted ladies in tight tank tops; and idiots who insist the ritual unboxing when they get the newest tool that you have got to have. Many seem to spend most of their time building the perfect shop and tool collection and little time woodworking. Worse are the presenters who ramble on and on like the drunk best man at a wedding reception. So far I have enjoyed your videos. You are prepared, don't repeat yourself, and have a good sense of humor. But the muscle man pose is a little much and the cup of coffee routine is right up there with the unboxing as being tedious. But you do provide some good advice. P.S. you need to buy a taller stool or cut the legs of your workbench shorter.

[@jodam5882]

Hey! What kind of wood is this? Looks unfamiliar to me as a german... Is it an american tree?

[@nighma]

As a totally newbie, I wonder how the wiggle can appear after cutting the piece. How do you get this concavity after the cut? Thanks

[@cameronnebe]

Internal tensions in the wood (called "timber bound") are released in different places and in different degrees depending on irregularities in the grain, such as going around knots. The biggest cause is rushed kiln drying which produces more stresses. If you rip a 2x4 or 2x6 in half it will be blatantly apparent on an almost exaggerated scale what is happening. Most of the time, at least. Occasionally there is that one 2x4 that rips straight.

[@mgn151]

Way to bury the twist. How long did this actually take you to do? Also, future debate topics: "thicknesser" vs. "planer" and how soon do you wipe the squeeze out...right away or after it's skinned over?

[@ENCurtis]

Call me M Night Shyamalan 😂 I know I'm in the minority calling it a thicknesser... just a habit I developed from teaching beginners to differentiate the planer from a hand plane.

[@AA-zq1sx]

@@ENCurtis Thanks for clarifying... I was scratching my head at why a professionally trained master wood worker was calling a planer a "thicknesser".... lol

[@irlpar]

Where did you get the mug? Would love to annoy people with one myself!

[@ENCurtis]

It's from an artist named David Bowen. @Dbowensculpture on Instagram. Very nice guy and incredible artist!

[@BrunoBrusantin]

this mug kinda looks like beardyman

[@ChrisHornberger]

Whoa. Hold on. You're in Philly? Dude, dinner on me.

[@michaelthompson5875]

I also have a face mug, though it's a bit more face-like. My daughter found it and said "it's creepy. I want it." Also, I hope you removed the soul from that drawer front before you used it. Yeah...I had to pull out the redhead joke.

[@ENCurtis]

Can’t trust a redhead that’s for sure 😂

[@dave_ecclectic]

You should have -painted- -stained- dyed it red then you would have had a grain macthing red drawer.

[@dp1381]

Isn’t it unnecessary to make the drawer front shorter in height to accommodate wood movement since the carcass is also solid wood and will move at the same rate as the drawer front?

[@jackthompson8560]

You are from Philly? I'm west of Philly in Amish country.

[@MichaelBabcock]

Unsolicited camera focus advice: for those sitting still shots, auto focus once then turn off auto focus so it keeps the same focal plane the whole time you're talking and doesn't hunt around. Great woodworking though as always!

[@Tool-Meister]

It’s never to late to flatten a surface! Break out the good old #8 plane, and have at…

[@ENCurtis]

The trusty #8 ftw!

[@jangolzner5528]

Why not simply cut out the drawer front before you clue up your piece? Whilst clamping you could inlay your drawer front and some veneers accounting for the saw blade cut to easily transfer the pressure.

[@FuneralProcession]

Why do some people wait for the glue to dry while others wait for the glue the cure before works go on?

[@ENCurtis]

That's actually a good question about the difference between set and cured. Maybe would make for a good video at some point.

[@SeanRefsnider]

Tell your dog I said hi

[@ENCurtis]

Done and done my man 👊

[@tomhoworth9768]

I'd be happy to send you a push stick, brother. 😉

[@ENCurtis]

😂😂 don't worry I've got 5 attached to me... for now!

[@justincottingham3969]

Movement isn’t an issue here because the entire piece is able to expand and contract and it’s the same piece of wood so they will move at the same rate. Movement here would o my matter with cross grain construction. Rob cosman has a great video about hidden drawers like this on a standing desk and it’s great. kzbin.info/www/bejne/fYKYf5eaZbWll8k

[@ENCurtis]

You're not wrong. In theory, it should all move at the same rate. However wood does funny things, especially when it's changing regions. I've found it's better to relieve the potential of binding than to have to head to Florida to make a repair in the future.

[@peadhill]

Woodworker: "grain alignment here is off by about a thirty second or so". Someone who sees the piece who is not a woodworker: "Oh, that's nice, my grandfather used to make furniture." It is comic how much I obsess about something that zero people notice. Zero. Not one, or two. Zero.

[@lapboard340]

“Convexity” = “bananaism”……

[@lostpony4885]

Mug has lots of teeth, very few eye

[@brunodesrosiers266]

Please protect your hands at the table saw! It’s killing me to look the cut progressing.

[@RichardBuckman]

Can’t they just go to the “big box” store?

[@apwells]

just walk out brushing your teeth, or place a strategic piece of spinach in the cup’s teeth…we’ll know

[@mcozturk]

I think it would have been helpful to spend a bit more time on your 3D drawing upfront. Also, not sure how useful it was to spend so much time on your measurements.

[@ENCurtis]

Might bring back the CAD in the project video.

[@user-rn8cg4vo2b]

Now I get it why only 30k subs and not 300k, way toooo much bla bla bla) Guy loves himself more than what he's doing)

[@ENCurtis]

If you’re gonna critique my verbosity at least use a complete sentence, bruh.