20 things I screwed up building wooden boxes

[@asc]

"half a millimetre thicker than the rest of 'em" - One man's error is another man's crowning achievement!

[@brucekiszely2995]

Well said!!!!!

[@d.k.1394]

Lol

[@aa1979]

A major reason you’re such a good engineer and woodworker is that you embrace your mistakes and learn from them instead of pretending they didn’t happen.

[@mickenoss]

Yep, can't improve if you don't even know your mistakes.

[@miki09876]

Agreed. I'm not sure I would have noticed making some of these mistakes.

[@deucerider430]

As my co-worker used to “A man that says he doesn’t ever make mistakes, just made a big one!”

[@LuisCasstle]

I'm at the "I'll make it fit" stage. 😅

[@WangleLine]

Yes!! This is really important

[@breakinn403]

Been there done that. Thanks for sharing. They say that 30% of woodworking is working with wood. The other 70% is figuring out how to keep it out of the fire place.

[@gtimun]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/h16mqox_bdx6qNE

[@ProleDaddy]

Love the saying 😂 Humanity is one of our greatest flaws, but also greatest strengths. Our honesty and shared human experience is the most valuable thing to me on this crazy rock.

[@theonlymudgel]

Lots of clever comments. I’d just like to focus on the humility of a man who can call out his own mistakes and share it with others who probably didn’t even notice them. Thanks Matthias

[@mwhite112393]

The final product, and even the process you showed in the build video, is so pristine-looking; it's good to see that you're human enough to make mistakes, and even more so that you're humble enough to admit them when they were so hidden in your first video.

[@fmaz1952]

I really appreciate people showing their mistakes. We live in a world where people only showcase their best side and seeing other people struggle makes me feel more normal.

[@burstofsanity]

This sort of video is always useful. It's so easy when watching woodworking videos to assume almost no mistakes were made and everything went smoothly. Then, when working on a project yourself wondering why you can't make a box without messing something up. Everyone make mistakes.

[@albertpolak786]

Everyone makes mistakes, professionals are just good at dealing with them.

[@LuisCasstle]

That's the part I want to master, how to correct errors, but better still check for them at specific points before I'm too far in..

[@SweSuf]

Some 30 y ago, using two simple, wooden garden chairs as saw horses, I cut not just the plywood sheet, but also cut a sliver off one of the arm rests... I very quietly glued it back, and though the chairs are still with us, to this day my wife has never noticed (or perhaps not commented, which admittedly would be highly unlikely...).

[@matthiasburger2315]

That was a nice addition to the "main" video. Very relaxing to see you describe your errors in such a good mood. That gives hope to all of us who make errors all time...

[@johnbumster3950]

The real craft is in getting around the small errors and difficulties that crop up in every project, I still love everything Matthias does.

[@MadeinHell2]

There are almost always mistakes in woodworking. Small and big, the show of skill and experience is the ability to fix those mistakes. The great benefit of this is that as a rookie you learn a whole bunch from those mistakes, and as a pro, you reaffirm things you "should have known". Definitely the biggest thing I've learned about wooworking since I started working as one. It also changes your perspective on a lot of other stuff, hobbies etc. perfectionism gets you only so far, the ability to react to mistakes and fix them is far more vital.

[@bmxscape]

could not have said it better myself, i know because i tried, while replying to some other commenter who said "mistakes are a waste of time and material" its only a waste of time if learning new things is a waste of time to you.

[@AnttiNannimus1]

It is a great comfort to know that a person as smart, skilled, experienced, talented, and well-equipped as you are, Mr. Wandel, also occasionally struggles with these kinds of issues that have been a continuous, life-long experience for me. My latest debacle is stupidly, for lack of attention, cutting the pins for dovetail jointed ends upside down on one end of the bottom of a Dutch tool chest that I'm building with hand tools. I cut them off the piece, and re-did them right-side-up, so now the chest is 3/4" shorter than I planned. Learning to salvage mistakes may be the most important do-it-yourself skill! I work for most of my projects with affordable, big-box-store, dimension-lumber, and adjusting to all the defects, bends, twists, and cups, in that stuff is a continuous challenge all by itself. Yes, we can let it dry for years, and then mill and machine the wood into perfection, but that just is not the real world of trying to get things done. Thanks for your honesty, humility, good humor, in sharing your frustrations with us. There are great lessons for everyone in it. Given the many possibilities, I count every project I walk away from with no injuries as a wonderful success, no matter what mistakes may be preserved for posterity in the work itself. I've learned to consider and value that as the "wabi-sabi" art and beauty of imperfection that is the fundamental nature of all great craft. I respect and admire the perfectionists, but I never want to be one.

[@1pcfred]

I am a proponent to the any idiot method of working. Because often I can be that idiot myself. Part of the any idiot method is marking every side and face. Because it is easier than you'd think to get them reversed. And when you do then you feel like a real fool. If you're worried about marking work up you can always stick a piece of masking tape on something then write on it. But with wood projects I'll usually write on it with pencil because I'm going to be sanding and planing it anyways.

[@Trace842]

This reminds me of Tom Scott's video about "the onosecond"!

[@joshuac1364]

This is exactly what I would expect from myself if I were to build wooden machines and tools. The compounding of error and not thinking through every minute detail and getting hung up on small inaccuracies that are difficult to solve. 👏 kudos to you for having the patience to make it all work well in the end. That’s a lot of work.

[@stevebrady3634]

Very encouraging! Thank you Matthias. Always helpful to know I am not alone in errors. In my 50 years of woodworking, I recall only one or two projects that were "nearly" mistake free. One was a project I spent at least as much time designing as I did building, the other was blessed from the start. I have learned a great deal from watching Matthias including some tricks for repairing/hiding mistakes. Thanks again, keep up your work please, I really enjoy watching and learning from you. PS I have taken to saying a small prayer before I begin a project, both to limit my mistakes, make me slow down just a touch and to keep me safe while working. I recommend it.

[@Steve-yk7iu]

Drawing attention to the twist due to the (slightly) misaligned mortises was really helpful. Thank you.

[@rjamsbury1]

It's actually impressive that you tracked down the causes of all the errors!

[@lukasplatz]

Thank you for this honest and positive video, Matthias! Seeing you speak so freely of all these mishaps feels liberating. I might just allow myself to make a few of my own. Thank you!

[@oxymoron347]

Seriously appreciate this video. Ran into a problem last week where nothing coming off my table saw was straight. Ended up so frustrated after 4 nights of tinkering. This helps everyone realize that learning how to recover from your mistakes can be just as important as doing it right the first time. Mistakes are inevitable. Work through them.

[@mattkork]

21st mistake, not making a third for the new child while you already had everything set up, I guess that'll be a reason to make another video in a few years

[@Earthling418]

Ages ago when I worked in a trim mill I learned that I could be as accurate as possible and everything else is the margin of error. I was also told by an old hand that if you work close enough to the trash bin, you never make any errors. LOL!

[@TWiumph]

One of your best videos and most humble. :-)

[@kwilj]

"We don't make mistakes…just happy little accidents"

[@dhammer5645]

Sure thing Bob! Now where does the happy little tree feel like going? Lol

[@kcubs222]

Sure if you are a painter or woodworker, but don’t say that to the guys at Pantex Plant who take apart nuclear bombs

[@matthiasrandomstuff2221]

well, that sort of accident would be neither happy or little!

[@MRrwmac]

Matthias, Thanks for sharing the mistakes. Makes me feel better about my multitude of mistakes - haha. I still like the boxes.

[@kooox]

I've been watching your videos for years, and this is definitely one of your most interesting ones. As an engineer, I find the most interesting stuff you get ouf of projects is: what mistakes were made, what led to them, what the consequences were and what you did to correct them.

[@damnecuadorian]

If Matthias freakin Wandel can make so many mistakes, I cannot fathom the amount of mistakes us mortals would make.

[@jenkinseric2]

It takes skill to do things right the first time. It takes great skill to fix the errors. If you don't make mistakes you aren't doing anything.

[@linklink999999]

@@jenkinseric2 It doesnt take more skill to fix errors and you are doing exactly what you should when you dont make any mistakes. With mistakes you just waste Time and Material.

[@baldacchinoster]

@@linklink999999 I'm glad you weren't my teacher

[@jenkinseric2]

@@linklink999999 repairs are a whole different skill set. You are not just making it again and doing it different.

[@richbuilds_com]

*All* the real learning comes from fixing your own mistakes ;-)

[@NormReitzel]

This was completely absolutely marvelous. When I was writing my thesis, I wanted to include an appendix with documentation of all the false starts and mistakes. My advisor vetoed this, so I buried a reference to an appendix, and then included a link to the document. This stuff is -so- useful!

[@mourningyoutube357]

One of the most helpful woodworking videos I've seen. Hearing the explanations of the errors is invaluable insight, thanks Matthias.

[@bobleeswoodshop7919]

Thanks for sharing! I now know that even the best of us ! Has to think about the things that can go wrong and still make them look Great! 👍👍👍👍

[@ScottWalshWoodworking]

I built your wooden pantorouter last year. I figured out that I can use a digital angle finder to get the template co-planar with the table.

[@CraigsWorkshop]

Or winding sticks for folks without the angle gauge.

[@olgaspila]

Thank you for your video. I'm a beginner woodworker. Watching all these masters woodworkers making perfect things and joints every time made me very discouraged. It's good to see that even Master makes mistakes. This encorage me to keep on learning and making mistakes :)

[@CCCfeinman55]

Yup. Thanks for sharing. It’s the mistakes that instruct and teach the longest lasting lessons. For me, that is why the project, warts and all is far more important than a slick presentation. It also makes the presenter more human...more relate-able. Glad to see you still making and sharing videos. Carry on!

[@KeithBNimble]

I really appreciate this video. It makes me feel so much better knowing all the mistakes I make.

[@worstuserever]

A catalogue of errors that still came out as impressive finished items thanks to well-developed skills and perseverance. This is a valuable demonstration for those of us still at a novice level, instructive of so many pitfalls, working out solutions, and not being discouraged.

[@tomlogan2102]

This is a gorgeous study and process analytics. I’m sure you already have a perfectly good job but there are people who get paid lots and lots of money to do that. What a joy to watch.

[@joshuacurtis5523]

I don't particularly enjoy seeing others make mistakes- I enjoy when you share your mistakes with us because you also are so methodical about identifying the sources of error. For example the tenons- you could have easily stopped at 'I put pressure on the side away from the blade while cutting the slots on the table saw' instead you take us backwards step by step until we can learn what the source of the error was. For me this video is less about mistakes and more about learning how to accurately and systematically identify errors.

[@disklamer]

Those are some nicely made crates, and the tiny flaws actually give them character. Very enlightening to see how minor oversights and inaccuracies can compound to an imperfect project. No matter how much effort goes into planning projects precisely and extensively, or how many drawings and calculations, it's almost unavoidable to run into issues. You solved those problems prety decently!

[@MJ-nb1qn]

In my shop 20 mistakes per project counts as a Win! Reminds my of two old mechanics I knew. Their motto was “We may not be good, but at least we’re slow”. I miss those guys. Thanks WM!

[@Factory051]

This is the eternal joy of your channel. Thank you. Hopefully 'Get Hands Dirty' will observe this.

[@JPGuay]

A great demonstration of humility. Love you for that !

[@rodneythompson22]

Matthias, I appreciate seeing that even an experienced woodworker makes mistakes. I also appreciate learning how to recover from those mistakes! So many of youtube videos are rehearsed (already made the project once before) and heavily edited to remove the errors.

[@martinpawlik340]

Hi Matthias, thanks a lot for sharing this video! It makes me feel much better seeing the mistakes I make, when building things!

[@1977jmad]

This is how all of my projects go in my shop. Add to it small pathways between my machines and a layer of dust on the floor. Problems and solutions but no permanent fixes to the root cause until it is absolutely unavoidable. Thanks for sharing. “There is no try, only do!”

[@darenlindley]

I just love your honesty and the amazing intellect that you bring to this project!

[@adanarriazasalazar2513]

Thank you for your mistakes I am learning and how nice you spend your valuable time explaining to us, you are a very nice gentleman, god blessed you and your family! Stay safe and take care, we are a faithful followers of your projects! Adam and Marcie from San Francisco California!

[@timothyharding3397]

You don't know how much this video helps me deal with my own woodworking mistakes, thank you sir!

[@mikes1345]

The mistakes frustrate but the workarounds are solutions we can live with. Yours were quite interesting and helpful. When a guy tells on himself it shows a great sense of humor that makes us smile. Thanks

[@DullPoints]

I appreciate you sharing these errors in general as I learn a lot from them.

[@HGD70]

I appreciate this video so much. I find myself making small mistakes throughout projects and get so discouraged about my work. When my projects are over I often can’t see anything but the flaws while other people go on about how much they like the project. It’s eye opening to realize even skilled craftsmen like you have issues.

[@johnbouttell5827]

Next: a video about how I made a list about how I messed up building these boxes.

[@mattiviljanen8109]

Next next: a video made of bloopers when making the video about making the list about how I messed up building these boxes.

[@stenzenneznets]

Next next next: a video about how I setup the things that I've screwed up building wooden boxes for making a video about bloopers while making the video about making the list of what I screwed up while making these boxes.

[@Yonatan24]

How much time did it take me to make this list?

[@LuisCasstle]

Just more on mistakes from the video about mistakes. Misception.😅

[@johnbouttell5827]

@@LuisCasstle Perhaps I was mistaken ...

[@rschelp1]

That you made some mistakes is not the take away from this. The take away is that you had fixes for each and every one .. you were able to keep going ... that is more important than making mistakes. And the boxes turned out looking great. Starting out I would make mistakes on almost every step of any project I tried (I don't have even close to your experience or expertise). I'm just getting to the point where I can sometimes come up with fixes. I used to just start the project all over .. sometimes a couple times ... because I couldn't come up with have fixes. You give me hope that I can get better ... and that mistakes are just part of woodworking.

[@1pcfred]

You're doing it right. Recover when you can and do it over if you can't. There are things that are beyond us. Some say if you're not failing at least half the time then you're just not challenging yourself enough and you'll never know your true potential. So keep pushing the envelope.

[@BlackSwan912]

I am so grateful for this video. Thank you. I complained to a friend about the mistakes I was making on my first real project. Now I realize it’s not just me. Thank you 🙏

[@36736fps]

I did not watch the original video on making the boxes but I did watch this one. Guess it makes me feel better watching you mess up like I do.

[@odiekivarkis8193]

That makes me feel less stupid when I make my mistakes, most of them because not stopping to double check before cutting. I admire your humility Matthias.

[@rayc.1396]

KatZ-Moses made the statement "the art of wood working is how to work around the mistakes you make so everything comes out right.". You did good, showing your mistakes make those of us who make many mistakes and have to start a new piece feel much better.

[@superchromat]

Thank you so much for sharing this. Too many ‘maker’ videos edit out mistakes and make us regular folks feel like idiots. The thing I’ve really enjoyed about this video is simultaneously knowing how bad it feels to make mistakes, but also watching your work and not noticing any of them. It usually takes me months to stop seeing mistakes in my own work. Watching this video has given me great perspective.

[@1pcfred]

I realized long ago that mistakes I'd made on things I'd made tend to fade with time. So when it happens now I don't sweat it as much.

[@dennisgonyier9542]

As a retired engineer and a hobby woodworker I can appreciate not only learning from mistakes but also the process of figuring out how to complete the project in spite of them. The disappointment of discovery is eclipsed by the formulation and execution of the solution!!

[@bradellison1345]

This is why I like your videos....you never really learn from all the things you did right. :) So I learn from your mistakes too. And, for someone that worries about a half a millimeter (which I would too), you notice WAY more than 99.9% of people. Thanks for sharing.

[@zweg1321]

A man who doesn’t make mistakes Doesn’t do anything

[@d.k.1394]

sounds like me

[@iluvbanmian]

This was a refreshing video to watch! Great to bring up little tips for things we might not realise until after constructing

[@GuzmanTierno]

"half a millimeter thicker than the rest of 'em" ... you call error my high precision results ...

[@cllllllllll]

Matthias: (Show perfect looking cradles) Also Matthias: "Here is a list of 20 screw ups"

[@andyrobinson6052]

I love to see these mistakes. All different types of error or shortcoming, Some a bit daft, some quite subtle. But this is real life and this is how one gains experience. Very educational, thanks!

[@phuongle6016]

Thank you for making this video. It helps the rest of us at least don't feel so stupid knowing that even the best can still make mistakes.

[@Ronayne015]

Hey Matthias. I doubt you'll see this comment, but I have been following you for years and have also been confused as to why your later videos weren't getting the same attention as earlier ones. I've noticed that since you developed and incorporated some specialist tools into the process, it's taken your projects out of the capability of my own workshop e.g, the pantarouter (epic, but I don't have one). I love your videos where specialised woodworking tools and advanced skill aren't a hurdle. It felt more accessible for me anyway... I love your work and continue to appreciate your big-print and gear-printing tools. For someone that can't fathom CAD, you continue to be a lifesaver.

[@NoCoolNamesRemain]

Thank you for sharing! I just spent all day in the shop repeatedly messing up router dovetail joints; this helps me to not be so hard on myself. : /

[@richardpatterson4312]

Most motivational video you've made so far.

[@1pcfred]

It can't be expressed enough that mistakes are inevitable in any non-trivial endeavor. But that shouldn't be justification not to try. There's good odds that whatever you do will end up being good enough. So going for it is key. Like The Great One said, You miss 100% of the shots you never take. And that is total failure!

[@jdod64]

Thank you for this video. Makes me feel a lot more sure of myself when I make mistakes at work.

[@RaymondJacobsF]

this is a great study in error-tolerance in woodworking, usually with enough ingenuity and ordering operations accordingly you can avoid spoiling the final piece

[@MadebyMagnus]

Thanks for sharing your thoughts even if it's not going according to plan!👍 Many things to learn from and it feels good that I'm not the only one doing things like that!😀

[@MikeFaneros]

On the box joints, if you either used a wider board (then cut to separate top and bottom) or clamped the boards together in such a way that you can cut all the fingers for top and bottom at once then the fingers will line up after putting together the sides with the tenons. It's great to reflect on mistakes - hopefully your mistakes on this project will help us all think about them when we are doing our own. Thanks for the great video!

[@pi1171]

Pretty much like every project I make. Nice to hear it happens to the skilled ones too. 👍

[@leedobson30]

Great skill and very much appreciate your honesty. It is encouraging

[@Darren_Barclay]

Very humble of you to show your mistakes, its takes greater skill to hide them. Very good.

[@martijnfransen9933]

the great thing about woodworking is that we have glue... great that you shared this Mathias

[@peterjames2580]

Thanks Wandel! I build mandolins and my list would be a novel!

[@momsonthenet394]

This video should be called "20 solutions to problems I created". Matthias is the workaround king.

[@ridebadger]

Thank you for sharing all of these details.

[@cbarnettcti123]

Like you said in the video, I really enjoyed seeing this list of errors and your thoughts on how they occurred. I've made many similar errors myself; seeing someone as accomplished as you make errors is strangely reassuring. By the way, the fact that the boxes are designed for kids to play with means that any visible error is unimportant since the boxes will get dinged up over time. But if these were fine cabinets, you would likely have had to redo them.

[@crafts_avenue]

I thank you for the clearance, coz I'm commissioned to make a few and I end up with the same problems, now I know where I went wrong! I learned a lot.

[@jocmarti]

Really enjoyed the troubleshooting.

[@vallejokid1968]

I liked this video. So much care has to be taken but the angst to get it done overrides it every time. I get ticked when I don’t think it through and screw up a joint, but at least now I know it’s normal.

[@kiltymacbagpipe]

The difference in a novice and experienced wood worker isn’t making mistakes but how they recover and fix them.

[@p.darakjian6889]

Thanks for showing that EVEN YOU make mistakes! It helps me not to feel hopeless. :-)

[@fredio54]

I love this video! Better than the main build one IMO :-) I love the way you recovered from all these errors. And I love that some of those mistakes are so similar to mistakes I've made on projects in the past. 11/10 for both sharing all of this and coming back from it. Funny to think that those boxes are under a lot of tension forces right now! :-D

[@SmithyScotland]

The sign of a good wood worker is knowing how to hide your mistakes

[@rootvalue]

That’s a myth.

[@1pcfred]

@@rootvalue no it is not.

[@martyjackson4806]

Fail Harder! Learn at each and improve. Best advice ever!

[@rickgabbard633]

Nothing comes out totally perfect, its the nature of wood working. The boxes still look very nice.

[@sebuteo]

I really like mistakes videos like this. It's nice to know that ninja craftsmen have feet of clay too! I make so many mistakes ... I must be learning tons...

[@1pcfred]

The most important thing to learn is that trivial mistakes are trivial. They give character to handmade pieces.

[@paulrichmond6903]

Isn’t interesting that, as woodworkers, ALWAYS know where ALL our mistakes are.... even if no one else ever notices. I’ve come to believe that the TRUE art of a craftsman is the ability to hide your mistakes. Kudos Matthias for dropping your drawers and letting it all hang out.

[@twotone3070]

This is way better than seeing it done perfectly, because it shows me what to take account of before I make the mistake.

[@tommyevans8449]

wow, thanks Matthias - I feel SO much better about my projects.

[@phrozenwun]

This is why you are a maker and I only watch, the imperfections would have frustrated me so much that I would have given up. Go you, maybe I can learn a lesson from you here. Thanks.

[@1pcfred]

I used to take making mistakes hard. But then over time I realized that after time I didn't even notice most of them looking back at things I'd made. It always seems much worse in the moment. So just do the best you can and move on.

[@stevemcentyre1570]

Mistakes. Not to worry. Almost all are fixable or are in a place where they don't matter. It was good to see the fixes. Perfection is the enemy of good enough. Well done sir!

[@ianvicedomini2648]

At the end of the day mate, mistakes are just minor fun because you figure out how they happened and basically just laugh it off. Those crates still look great and are still practical. Great video buddy

[@aliasks6559]

Well, but we do enjoy watching mistakes being made AND seeing the way to fix/overcome them. It will help us when we make them!

[@decomputerleraarable]

You making mistakes? Can 't believe it. Admitting your faults makers you more of a heroe. Rob

[@JohnHeisz]

Sounds like half of those problems could have been avoided by using the right glue, including the too tight box joints.

[@matthiasrandomstuff2221]

by "right glue" do you mean the super thick and gooey PL premium?

[@andyj6234]

PoLYuREThANe ConSTrUcTIon AdHesIvE

[@lostevesy]

They wouldn’t have been an issue if pocket holes were used

[@HowardR911]

A couple things. I noticed your shirt hanging over the joints during glue up. Did you get glue on it? Also, more than making up for any mistakes was your thinking about how your kids would use them. 1 Fortifying the bottoms so they could jump inside 2 Making them rectangular to help building forts. *What a dad!!!*