WEDGED DOVETAIL OAK MEDICINE CABINET

This simple medicine cabinet is made from reclaimed red and white oak taken from a house built around WWI. The carcase is joined using an old German favorite, the wedged dovetail. This is our favorite form of dovetailing for cabinet type work, no glue or clamps are needed as the wedged dovetails hold in both directions. The trick is to cut the pins first, use them to layout the tails then cut the tails slightly off square, leaving the outside edge open but the inside edges very tight.
Cabinet doors are given both breadboard ends as well as sliding dovetail battens as a double measure against seasonal movement, this was often seen in ancient Chinese joinery.
Finished with our favorite, raw linseed oil/citrus solvent 50/50 mixed.

[@genegoodman5233]

Josh sometime I would like to see the furniture and cabinets that you have made in their places inside the house, if this is not a violation of your privacy. Would love to see the finished house. Maybe I just haven't seen the right video yet. Enjoyed every one that I have seen. Thanks Some people have asked where you learned to do this, where did your easygoing and calm disposition come from. Well in your Q and A video I think you said you were in the Marines for 5 years. What a great way to start off. Thank you for your service, Sir.

[@Rusticus-jy8pp]

I think that's the first time I've ever seen wedged dovetail........pretty cool

[@punkbloater]

I think i'm using a little too much screws, nails and glue whenever i'm making stuff. :D

[@tonywatson987]

The art of Zen woodworking. You never disappoint, Mr. Chickadee.

[@cocolonger]

Respect, I see some people suggesting the use of power tools, they don´t get it. fine craftsmanship and talent, congrats.

[@thefinesthobbo4524]

Ive gotten similar comments about the cabin Im building. People telling me I should use tractors, chainsaws, etc. Im using axes, saws, chisels by choice, not because i have no other means. The hand tools I and this guy are 10x harder to get than any power tool and 100x harder to get good at.

[@eliasmaximiliano]

Beautiful work as always!!☺️

[@Bokreeder]

As always it's enthralling to watch you work. You have such a beautiful skill and I'm thankful that you share it with us!

[@Tehillim5784]

Nice! .. Having lived in Appalachia for all of my life (64 yrs.) and chasing down, and buying and selling, old antique hand made Appalachian primitive items, your skill set and crafting is up there with the very best. P.S. I hope you are able to pass on your techniques to the next generation. How sometimes I yearn for the old ways of doing things.

[@TermiteUSA]

Roy Underhill and Paul Sellers would be proud to know you Mr Chickadee.

[@phil.pinsky]

This is the first time I've watched a 15 minute KZbin video and been disappointed that it was over. Also, that wedged dovetail thing is brand new information to me. Genius!

[@beadowarrior]

Hi, brilliant skill ripping length-ways down the plank. I wonder if making a treadle powered bandsaw might not be worth your time?

[@MrChickadee]

Maybe one day. For smaller boards its not bad, bigger than say 6" wide, Id go with a large frame saw.

[@TrustNotta]

I really admire the patience and commitment to old world ways. I don’t know that I would be able to do things that way. Nice job👍🏼

[@ashersinz]

Cabinet from old wood. Nice.

[@tombaker3794]

The use of wedged dovetails is a super idea, never saw that before but it makes a lot of sense, they look to grip really tight. Nice work.

[@gpvaneron1584]

yes, the craftsmanship is excellent but best part was watching that old wood transform!

[@paulorchard7960]

Nice work Chickadee, you have mastered the rip saw, not many can do that! Watching a talented man using old plough and molding planes is a joy, and you do it very well! You must have had very good instruction, these skills are not learnt in “shop class” !

[@huvrr1]

His ability to split those boards in half thickness is impressive. I can NOT saw that straight.

[@well2472]

thats beautiful, i also like how your cat sits there and mentally says, "YA THATS RIGHT, WORK AROUND ME.."

[@E.lectricityNorth]

6:38 Wood shavings rasp...great idea. I feel like a green apprentice, wide-eyed and watching in awe, as the master shares the secrets of his craft. Your demeanour makes it seem like you served a long and attentive apprenticeship. If not, your self-taught skills are superlative and you possess a fine focus and great attention to planning and detail. Great video as usual!

[@ddoyle11]

Absolutely lovely. And it was very nice of the cat to allow you to use her space to work in.....

[@reframeyourbody]

Inspiring work! One day I'll hone my skills to this point... Would be amazing if you could do a tutorial about how you do the tapered sliding dovetails, its such a useful joint...

[@jacobparrick807]

ive learned how to woodwork alot from youtube and watched probably thousands of videos like this, THIS one was the best ive seen, unbelievable, great work

[@leapinglemurcraftworks6426]

Just fantastic. The number of joinery techniques, planes and other tools used is amazing - real hand tool work. I've never seen the wedge dovetail before. It's a beautiful piece in it's simplicity. Thanks for posting this. Scott

[@geraldwest3428]

Excellent job, you're very talented mister. The cats are very cool also! My Dad and I use to repurpose old floor boards to build cabinets and doors back in the 70s. Thanks again for sharing your exceptional talent.

[@Lemongrasspicker]

That is awesome. Really enjoyed watching you build that

[@13mgreg]

Masterful craftsmanship! Would love to see a run down of your tools. Did you make them? How did you make them? Where did you get them?

[@MrChickadee]

Thanks, I made some, most I bought at flea markets and antique stores.

[@zetuskid]

Nicely done friend. Tell the misses she is getting great with that camera; good close-up pictures. I was sitting watching you work with so many different tools and got to thinking, in all your videos I can't say I have ever seen your hands with any nicks, brushes or cuts. How do you manage to do the work you do and never have any wounds? I get cut or brushed just opening my shop door. Great looking piece of furniture!

[@MrChickadee]

I cut myself a lot, haha, I think you can see a bandade on my left middle finger in this one no? The good thing about hand tools, slip and get a little cut, power tools, slip and lose your hand!

[@TermiteUSA]

Roy never has a good show without hurting himself.

[@nathanb2056]

Came here to add a similar comment. You produce beautiful pieces and your construction skill is amazing. I really appreciated the two perspectives when you were cutting the dovetails. Do you plan to build any outbuildings now that you have a workshop and cabin?

[@victortallerbushcraft442]

Sin palabras!! Hermoso trabajo!!

[@yannkitson116]

Beautiful work... pure and simple.

[@soldtobediers]

"You can tell by the coolness of a cat, how a human should be." "Onion be the layers of thy skills." May blessings stay over all which you & you'res share. 81217

[@TheBigLeeg]

I’m always impressed to see the tools Mr. C has acquired. These tools all appear to be from the golden age of tool making. 1820-1920. Even some tools as late as the mid 1940’s retained the quality EXPECTED when manufactured and sold at market. The expectation was these tools ,properly used and maintained ,would perform their respective function an entire lifetime. Additionally , these tools could be maintained by the user. Only the highest quality materials and manufacturing processes where used. These practices , having been refined in the old world for perhaps a 1000 years in some cases and streamlined in the new, culminated in only the finest tools. Friends I wish we could return to these standards. Let’s leave the era of disposable goods behind and return to an era where we only purchase the highest quality goods. But only have to purchase these goods once. Granted a little more is spent up front. But ultimately it will be a better investment have realized it’s purpose for long enough to out compete it’s disposable counterpart 10, 20, even 100 times over. Can you cite an example of an item that would befit this criteria today? I would sight a great straight razor. Initial purchase for the lifetime quality level razor and maintenance kit average’s $400. Disposables refills can vary greatly. But I posit that even the cheapest would run better than $400 over a lifetime. Not to mention what did a load of bread cost 30 years ago vs today? What will $400 buy you 30 years from now?

[@warrenjames1962]

Wow! Yet another example of your considerable talent Mr.C!! Elegant simplicity.

[@scottryker4888]

Man I'm hooked on your vids. Amazing skill and craftsmanship! Reminds me of the days I would sit in my grandfather's woodshop while he worked.

[@codybryant8684]

I would really like to see your sharpening method for your chisels and plane irons

[@MrChickadee]

Here in min 0.20 or so is how I do chisels, plane irons are similar but most have camber.

[@codybryant8684]

Mr. Chickadee great thank you Arkansas stones correct?

[@silversurfer233]

Mr. Chickadee gr8 video with very good editing..nice cabinet work. Do you prefer big framing projects or this stuff ?

[@ThirdCoastCraftsman]

Wondering why you use square pegs for your draw bored m&t's just a personal preference? Don't have a round dowel plate?

[@dm2147]

Third Coast Craftsman they are quicker to make the corners grip which is nice if you are not using glie

[@MrChickadee]

quick and easy to make right on the bench with a chisel, and they hold much better

[@pebblesthecat3625]

Just beautiful. A master craftsman would be proud of this piece, let alone someone who is self taught. Your fury little apprentice did a stunning job of watching your every move as usual.

[@penneysautomotiverepairsin5768]

I'm glad to see you finally got a new pencil. You used every bit of the last one. Great video and cabinet too...:-)

[@jasonhammond4640]

A fine collection of wooden bodied planes you have Sir and as always you do excellent work with them.👍👍

[@hein2958]

Excellent work and technique, thank you for sharing. Love the wedge dovetail style.

[@kenshindoman9757]

Were you trained by anyone in traditional carpentry and joinery? I love watching your videos...very therapeutic. There's no doubt that cabinet will far outlast something made by Ikea.

[@MrChickadee]

Self trained, learned a lot watching Roy Underhill.

[@briarfox637]

I was gonna say, " this guy is the new Underhill." Great craftsmanship.

[@evanconnor7600]

If you and Roy Underhill did a show together, it would be like Penn and Teller.

[@TermiteUSA]

I think they'd have better things to do than make wisecracks. They would be themselves.

[@maxdecphoenix]

@@TermiteUSA ugh.. the joke here was that a typical Roy underhill video is 15minutes long with about 4minutes of work. He never shuts-up. Whereas Chickadee never speaks. Sort of how Penn speaks but rarely actually takes an active roll, and Teller is usually the one performing the trick but never says a word.

[@Mr.ZooKeeper]

Mr. C, your tools are so unique. You really should do a video overviewing the more obscure tools. Where did you acquire them, by the way? More videos, please!!!

[@MrChickadee]

Oh here and there, lots of antique stores and flea markets.

[@Mr.ZooKeeper]

Mr. Chickadee, I suppose that's the logical answer. I thought maybe you had some special place you sourced things from. Thanks.

[@MrChickadee]

Oh there are a few specialty online dealers if I just cannot find a special or rare tool, Jim Bode is one, and Sandysloot is another, oh and The Best Things, they have most everything you could want, but more pricey than the local flea market...

[@randyrich938]

Amazing job as usual. I am always on the lookout for the hand tools I see you using in your videos

[@charlesloveday9208]

Another awesome project shared by an awesome woodworking perfectionists!

[@AxisAmazing]

That was the first time I have ever seen hand planes like that for the dados and tounge and groove. That was very interesting to see

[@tangle70]

Your videos are as well done as your woodworking. Thanks for the videos.

[@Dadywarcrimss]

Every time I watch one of your videos I question my life choices.

[@streetDAOC]

How many push-ups can you do

[@MrChickadee]

I do 4 sets of 30 most days

[@Gurblash]

This is my favorite project of yours. Keep up the great work.

[@lomf4252]

You "MUST" pass your knowledge for the next generation. Don't let this die...

[@mitravesia1738]

sr chicadee buenos días .cada vez que publicas un vídeo me siento muy agradecido por que aportas mucho a mi conocimiento .e escuchado que en la antigüedad se utilizaba polvo de huesos como adhesivo para la madera , disolviéndolo en agua y posteriormente hirviéndolo, ¿que tan efectivo es ? ¿lo has utilizado? o que otro adhesivo natural se puede utilizar?

[@gbexpatcornishman3004]

Dear Mr C, it used to be said that ' ... the pictures are better on radio ... '! I think your style has flipped that upside down as the moving pictures of your traditional artisanal activity and clearly accomplished skills shout volumes in a western world that has long since ceased to really care about life! Yours Aye GB

[@darkeindzel4005]

How sturdy is the back on that? Could you use that method for table tops and such? I think thats just a tongue and groove fit? What about if i wanted to make a square column making 4 panels about 8 inches wide laying the boards horizontal and then connecting the panels using dovetail joints? Do you think that would be strong enough? Also did you make the tongue and groove planes or did you buy them?

[@mccantsc]

I just read from a comment below that you're a former marine. Your story sounds like something out of Virgil's Georgics. I should like to send you a copy if you would like. All the same, keep up the great work

[@ckingclosur]

Ok first I should tell you that you were an awesome wood worker so it is an A+ job 100% now we can say that we have a medicine cabinet from WWI for the fact that you didn't use any machine , just old school type of tools and speaking of which I would really like if name them cuz some of the stuff I don't even know , so would you be kind and do so I will check your previous uploads maybe you talked about them but if you didn't please let us know viewers about those tools thanks for sharing that was very nice

[@dejavu666wampas9]

Another beautiful piece of work. You use mostly ‘push cut’ saws. Do you have any pull cut saws? Do you like/dislike them?

[@rudolfzaris675]

Perfect work. This is so much satisfying to watch... The cat is cute.

[@JoelWetzel]

I missed the purpose of the cross-grain sliding dovetail done around 11:00 and didn't see it in the ending footage. Mr. & Mrs. Chickadee, you two are doing good work and doing it well. Thank you.

[@operationmickeymouseharold6780]

Yeah looks good you did good job . It's never stops and never ends you really have to love what your doing . At the end of the day you walk away from hard physical work and you have a different mindset that I know your familiar with . So build another and another . It's all about the will . Later !

[@738polarbear]

This young man has the skills of long forgotten last century. Looks like his tools are old as well.i would be interested in knowing where he learnt all this stuff. He is the only one of his type I have seen .Bravo to him.p.s. I wonder if his cat and dog have skills too?

[@MrGoatflakes]

Some say he forged a helicopter out of those nails he pulled from those boards, and can still be seen patrolling the skies somewhere over the Kentucky Hills...

[@julianpierce6451]

Just wondering, what kind of plumbing you have in your home? Do you use a compost toilet?

[@mitravesia1738]

lastima que donde vivo la tradición de carpintería tradicional prácticamente esta extinta , y no es fácil conseguir ese tipo de herramientas , todas son eléctricas

[@randycrews3432]

love the old tools but what is with the Dollar store paint brush?

[@briarfox637]

Did you put the wedge in the dovetail bc you didn't use glue? Or did they split and that was a repair? Love the old wood you used. Beautiful cabinet.

[@woodwoman9130]

Beautiful! Love the cats too. Thanks

[@sjscreations2608]

Beautiful cabinet. Are you a furniture maker or a carpenter, or you have learnt on the job? Keep it up! Cheers, Sean

[@bordenfleetwood5773]

I continue to stand in awe of your abilities with wood. Thank you for the video, especially as I'm currently planning my own attempt at a medicine cabinet. If I can achieve even a fraction of this quality, I'll be ecstatic. As always, I have a question: Do you use any kind of grease/wax/other lubricant on the sliding door, or is it just a matter of properly planing and setting them?

[@MrChickadee]

Thank you, I found it unnecessary. You may need some depending on your design. Edge grain of the breadboards slides easily on edge grain of the casement, also keep it pretty loose. For lift in or out doors, use made the top tongue about 2X the depth of the bottom tongue, then its easy to go up, in and down.

[@bordenfleetwood5773]

Mr. Chickadee Thank You!

[@xbox1974]

11:55 The long tapered wedges in the panels to prevent cupping are genius.

[@Tugmun11]

Wow that is beautiful, thanks for sharing.

[@MadStacks007]

I see you have kitty overseeing your work. Will kitty give its paw of approval?

[@thequietworkshop3228]

Best yet! Lovely work. I couldn't work out what you were doing with the stopped grooves for a minute. Then everything became clear. Great job.

[@matthewbaker1157]

Do you think you could identify the type of wood from the sound it makes when planing it?

[@paulmeir6528]

Always good to see you work. Thanks for the upload.

[@2001DestructionofLies]

you SIR are a CRAFTSMAN, beautiful piece and extraordinary work !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@matheuslbarros]

really a great content, i have learned a lot of techniques here in this channel, please continue to share your work, thanks a lot

[@BEAdventurePartners]

Love the patience and attention to detail! When's your next workshop? We would LOVE to attend! - Brian + Erin

[@baldosolorio8111]

Thank you for making this videos,keep doing your thing and good luck, are you on patron?

[@MrChickadee]

No patron thanks.

[@kamurray67]

I respect your style of video but would love to know the whole back story to you and your wife's journey to where you are today!

[@MrChickadee]

Former Marine and Peruvian college girl meet online and walk away from modern world, sell everything they own, move to Rural KY, live in a tent as they build a small depth free house and everything in it with hand tools cuz thats the way they like it. Thats pretty much it!

[@kamurray67]

Mr. Chickadee thanks for the the reply. I really felt like you were a former Marine. Your discipline and demeanor carry that Marine can do attitude. I wish you and your wife all the best with this endeavor and hope all of your wishes come true. Thanks!

[@forgenorth1444]

+Mr. Chickadee that's such a beautiful thing! If you don't mind my asking, how did you meet online? Good luck and enjoy the journey

[@Mr.ZooKeeper]

Solid origin story for Mr. And Señora Chickadee!

[@soldtobediers]

Mr. Chickadee "Whether it be in peace or in war None are closer to the author of sacrifice Himself Than those who bare themselves to mortal danger In order to perform it for the sake of others This is a heavenly valor of which No one can erase nor steal." -former recondo sgt. "rock" 82nd abn. 1/504 inf. 71-74 81217

[@LolitasGarden]

Great show!

[@JakeRaytheRounder]

Another great project. Thanks for sharing.

[@SirBenJamin_]

Well if I had all those tools then maybe I could build that too! ...:D :D :D

[@kirn.creations]

Love how this turned out. Great job!

[@GeneralF34R]

Saw you were making a cabinet and hoped for some lovely tongue and groove planing action! Was not disappointed! My lady and I love watching your videos!

[@thanegrooms]

Those tools! Those skills! One of the only KZbin channels I can just play and know I will not be disappointed.

[@opasworkshop8373]

Beautiful work my friend you put a lot of time and effort in that and it shows. What method was that putting those splines in the Dove tails?

[@MrChickadee]

Thank you, Wedged dovetails.

[@th34lch3m1st]

Thanks for sharing, your videos are really inspiring for me. I was thinking: the square peg in the round holes have a functional purpose, right? (I suppose that the 4 corners, inside a round hole, have more space to compress themeself, compared to a rounded peg)

[@micheloderso]

Wunderschön! Und wie immer höchst präzise.

[@mitravesia1738]

como es de costunbre sus videos son interesantes y como es de costunbre yo tengo preguntas

[@rudybarrios1344]

Wow brother I watched your videos from when you started to build your wood shop till now I spend all of that time and I just can't get in off of it you are amazing on anything and everything may God bless you and your family always. And by the way keep up the good work. Rudy

[@nachosomundo]

Dude, I could write poetry about the way you handle these tools. You just split a quarter inch plank perfectly in half with a HANDSAW. How are you so amazing at this?

[@MrChickadee]

Thanks buddy, lots and lots of practice and mistakes!

[@raynoladominguez4730]

Beautiful! Very Zen video, very nice work.

[@trueleyes]

Do you ever feel like you were born in the wrong century? All the hard work you go through with such person clearly you love what you do and you do it very well. I love watching and I have seen them all. I am an avid fan of your.

[@GoblinKnightLeo]

Based on what I've seen, glued box joints are stronger and simpler than dovetails - but if you're not going to glue them, then dovetails are probably your best bet. And since I haven't seen you use any glued joints yet, that explains your choice here.

[@MrChickadee]

I prefer compete wood joinery to glue or metal fasteners.

[@philedgerton7892]

Wow! Wedged dovetails. I've never seen that before. Now it's on my list of things to try. Really nice cabinet. The back is tulip poplar, correct?

[@MrChickadee]

Thanks, thats right, rift sawn tulip poplar.

[@georghalder2816]

Hi! I am German, but saw these wedged dovetails in your video for the first time. Have tried this technique on a door-frame - it worked perfectly. Thanks for showing! Georg

[@MrChickadee]

Cool, thanks!

[@skelitalmisfit12]

Another absolutely beautiful video, thank you for sharing Mr. Chickadee!

[@AllwissendxD]

Just discovered this channel and i have to say the atmosphere transported through your videos is truly amazing. watching, or rather listening to your videos is liek asmr for me.

[@georgejohnson1537]

Excellent work man! Would you consider making a video showing your tools? Some of those planes you have are getting harder to find everyday. Thanks for posting another awesome video!

[@MrChickadee]

we will be doing instructional videos in the future, Ill go into detail at that time i think.

[@Bg1111ghk]

Simply amazing what hand tools and good craftsmanship can accomplish. All the best from me and mine to you and yours!

[@gmanky]

The wedges in the dovetails; is that old school or something you came up with? Great watching old wood becoming something new yet vintage. Steady on Mr Chickadee...

[@MrChickadee]

Its an old style, Germans brought it to the US long ago.

[@canoflage]

Very enjoyable video thanks for sharing

[@jlinkels]

It is a beautiful piece of work and I admire your skills. But shouldn't the pins be on the horizontal parts? Now when they are on the vertical parts, only the force of the wedges prevent the pins from sliding out of the tails, while the entire cabinet is hanging at the pins. When the tails are on the vertical parts, they would take up the force. Compare a slide drawer where the tails are always on the sides and never on the front. You are the first American cutting the pins first, and fortunately you don't cut the pins so thin the tails almost close. I am a pin first man too, and the razor thin pins hurt my eyes.

[@MrChickadee]

Thank you, yes technically that would be the strongest orientation. This tiny medicine cabinet, weight and orientation wasnt really a concern, if it were a larger cabinet, or holding more heavy objects, like china or pots perhaps, sure it would be advisable to put tail as you say. The wedged pins are really quite strong though, and it would take a lot of force to even move them, pretty interesting. I find cutting pins first better for me, I think if more people tried it they would like it too!