Plywood shop cabinets, no tape, no rule, no square. [video 555]

In this one I’m making some simple #plywood wall #cabinets for the #workshop, but without using a tape measure, a rule, or a square, and without nails or screws. I’ll be making housings and rebates (dados and rabbets) but I won’t be using a router or a table saw, just a tracksawsaw, and I’m doing this not to make life difficult for myself, but to remind ourselves that folks have been making nicely turned out bits of woodwork for thousands of years, long before we had fancy tools and that a lot of the time, all you really need is a piece of string or a mark on a stick for the overall dimensions - everything else you can work from those basic measurements. Enjoy!
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Other videos and playlists of interest:-
5 Fake Joints - • I Make 5 Fake Plywood ...
Plywood reference square - • A plywood square that'...
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[@richardclarke9966]

Wife was in the room when I watched this, and now she's returning the TSO parallel guides and Benchdogs squares she got me. Cheers Peter, Xmas ruined.....

[@richardclarke9966]

(jokes, btw) - great vid 😅

[@10MinuteWorkshop]

Big mistake. Huge… 😬

[@Micha_Ba]

😂😂😂😂😂

[@HivesToHome]

At least you can show her all the Festool items that were essential to building these 😂😂

[@richardclarke9966]

@@HivesToHome On the plus side, Santa's bringing me some new string for Christmas. Woohoo!

[@davidhull2060]

I recently tried a 'back to basics' build....after a whole day of hand sawing (literally!) planing, chiselling and hand sanding, I stood back to survey my handiwork. I then took it indoors, opened the door to the log burner and gave it a pagan funeral! More practice needed.

[@frederickmichaud6783]

scribbling a plan, 10 hours of drawing stuff in sketchup, using 1000s of $ of measuring gear... or, let's wing it. A great example of "sometimes, this is good enough". thanks Peter for another great video!

[@10MinuteWorkshop]

Thanks! Not suggesting anyone does this for client work of course, but it's worth taking a step back from it all sometimes and just getting on with it. 👍

[@YaaLFH]

Good enough is much better than abandoned.

[@williamstead6354]

Okay, if your next video shows how you can make cabinets with absolutely no tools and no material, I'm going to be really impressed;-)

[@10MinuteWorkshop]

And now, a trip to Ikea… 😆

[@dougsaunders8109]

Well I can do that for you if you pay me 😂

[@charliefoxtrot7219]

A fun, quick to the point video. thank you.

[@sarge2665]

Another great video. This demonstrates just how simple woodworking can be if we don't over complicate it ourselves. Two simple cabinets very simply made. Excellent 👍🏻

[@10MinuteWorkshop]

Thank you! 👍

[@troyboy4345]

The magic of Millard ... ❤

[@10MinuteWorkshop]

😂👍

[@charleen_miguel]

No nails, no exact measurements, but I will use 700 clamps 😂😂 I loved this bare minimum process and it gives my beginner heart some hope. Loved it thank you for sharing!!

[@10MinuteWorkshop]

At least 700 - and that’s not all of them! 😂 And thanks! 👍

[@stephencave187]

I love the way you lay out using story sticks and bits of material. I did read that it's a more accurate method than constantly using a tape measure. 👌🏻

[@jamesgoens3531]

My kind of project. Keeping it simple and straightforward. Definitely want to see the center cabinet build and how it all comes together. Man, I’m seeing more and more how handy a tracksaw can be. Cheers!

[@matzad747]

Wow, this is a woodworking version of one pot cooking. Awesome Normally, you only the top youtube channels saying how easy something is to build with a full workshop of equipment. Thank you.

[@outoftheboxmedic1608]

Your freaking awesome

[@10MinuteWorkshop]

No, *you’re* freaking awesome! 😆🙌👍

[@NPOAfterMidnight-ft9zj]

Sure wished I could get plywood like this!

[@10MinuteWorkshop]

My old stash. 👍

[@fabricesadde4476]

10:32 of course we'd love to watch that, thanks

[@10MinuteWorkshop]

😂Thanks!

[@daviddura1172]

FUN Friday morning watching this build... just got back from Breakfast at my local cafe here in Lewisville (Dallas) Tx.... we're having a London rainy chilly morning....54 degrees F and drizzle...always interesting spending time with you....

[@10MinuteWorkshop]

Thanks David! Sounds lovely! 👍

[@TheBiggerNoise]

Howdy neighbor! It has been a dreary day, hasn’t it?

[@riba2233]

Very interesting method 👍

[@10MinuteWorkshop]

Thanks! 👍

[@hossenfeffer8383]

Very slick! In the same spirit as my first woodworking class where the instructor taught us to make dovetails using a 3x5 index card, then repurposed it to make the tapered legs on our shop bench. Very harmonious! All the angles were uniform throughout. His most-used expression vis á vis layout was, “Use your eyes.” Thank you. 🇨🇦

[@10MinuteWorkshop]

Thanks! 👍

[@bdm1000]

That's a nice creative little exercise. Thank you for sharing.

[@EddyCarroll]

Very nice, Peter! Folding the cord in half, and then again into two quarters to evenly space the cabinets was particularly satisfying 🙂 Also serves as a timely reminder that we don't need to over-think projects, just get on with them! 👍

[@10MinuteWorkshop]

Cheers Eddy! 👍

[@johnwalker8952]

There's an even easier way to layout a right angle. Set your compass, position the point on th line, draw two arcs that intersect the line. Now increase the radius of your compasses by a centimetre or two. Position the point on each crossing from the first step, strike arcs above and below your line. Do the same from the other crossing. These 2 arcs intersect above and below your horizontal baseline. Connecting them gijves you a perpendicular throughyour starting point. HTH

[@jackincaves8262]

Returning my square and ordering a few dozen clamps instead. Thanks Peter.

[@10MinuteWorkshop]

You can never have too many! 👍

[@mandyleeson1]

It gives me confidence when you make these 'off the cuff' projects, Peter. I wouldn't mind seeing the middle cabinet, but only if it's not too much trouble.

[@10MinuteWorkshop]

Thanks! It’s coming! 👍

[@ptkins]

Thanks again Peter! I randomly found the camera moving with the board when you had it on the mount on top of it a very pleasing shot :)

[@10MinuteWorkshop]

Thanks. 👍

[@iteachtime]

I noticed that too. Made me think how Peter's approaches all his work. The filmography is just as practical as the woodworking techniques. Perfect combination of getting it done with pleasing and satisfying conclusion.

[@jimmcnett]

I would like to see the middle cabinet build. You approach things with a slightly different process than many other KZbin channels. I really enjoy that and learn useful tips from you. I am building a Cribbage board and I chose the mark rather than measure process that you used here.

[@MCsCreations]

Pretty nice work, Peter! And thanks for all the tips! 😃 Stay safe there with your family! 🖖😊 And happy holidays!

[@10MinuteWorkshop]

Thank you - you too! 🙌👍

[@diymco2728]

well... you did it again! A+++ video. this was excellent

[@10MinuteWorkshop]

Thanks! 👍

[@xinixxagnix201]

Change the name to 100minuteworkshop😝, can get not enough of your content , look forward to part II of this build, thnx🖐👍 Peter.

[@10MinuteWorkshop]

Thank you! 🙌 👍

[@bobwanmorgan9906]

Fantastic demonstration, thanks

[@antonoat]

Am I the only one here who dreams of the days when Birch ply was readily available and reasonably priced, seems a very long time ago ! Lol.

[@10MinuteWorkshop]

Too right! Next one is a sponsored video so I’ll be breaking out some 18mm Birch for that cabinet! 😂

[@deanobenito]

Another great vid Peter 😂💚🙏👊 You never fail to inspire me

[@10MinuteWorkshop]

Thanks! 👍

[@NikoFromSofia]

Ah, the good old Manfrotto MDF stand!

[@10MinuteWorkshop]

It’s a classic! 😂👍

[@saintsi6997]

Top man.

[@10MinuteWorkshop]

👍

[@tc9148]

So fascinating and interesting to see how you layer plywood to assemble a piece. So much to think about on my projects.

[@awantamta]

A very ingenious method

[@zoladkow]

Thank you for this! ❤

[@gregorymacneil2836]

let's see the whole project! Great Video!

[@10MinuteWorkshop]

Coming soon! 👍

[@crazygeorgelincoln]

Wow that's a lot of clamps. And that plywood looks immaculate . The other day I made a chest of drawers. Using some old scavanged birch ply that I have used several times in different shelveing setups. For the front and visible edges. For the rest I used the wibbley wobbley ply that looks like I was made by a disgruntled drunk employee flinging any old thing will nilly into the machine from wickes. The stuff warps if you look at it in a funny way. The b and q stuff isn't much better , the 8x4s have been acceptable but when those are out of stock I guess the cut down the bad ones to sell as 2x4s . I applaud your simplifying the tool list , but the festool tips the scales a bit. Used to use a metabo jigsaw for everything. Tried an evolution circular saw ,but the base was bent and the blade did wierd things when warm. Currently using a Ryobi 18v circular (bought because I was tired of timber cutting service not being available on the day I'm most likely to get timber) ,very happy with it ,not super powerful ,but predictable and easy to handle. Even with my faulty eyesight that means I see 1 line as 2 .

[@10MinuteWorkshop]

The clamps could easily have come from Lidl - some of them did actually - and the saw could have been a £60 supermarket special too. I’ve done lots of ‘basic build’ videos with entry level tools, doesn’t mean that I don’t choose to use the Festool I’ve bought for my own projects. 👍

[@temporarynoble]

Nice project 👏👏

[@ronboe6325]

I'm keen on seeing how you'll do the middle shelf with just glue......although I have an idea or two.... :^)

[@BigHenFor]

You've probably guessed that the liner layer inside the outer shell forms the supports for the shelves.

[@Micha_Ba]

Amazing ❤

[@10MinuteWorkshop]

Thanks 😄👍

[@shaun30-3-mg9zs]

Hi Peter, great cabinets for the workshop, some times it easier to play it by eye and for the corners the 3 4 5 is a good way. as always a great video take care

[@10MinuteWorkshop]

Cheers Shaun! 👍

[@54mgtf22]

Hey Peter. Love your work 👍

[@10MinuteWorkshop]

Thank you! 🙌👍

[@johnmcauley7158]

Well done kid

[@johnmcauley7158]

You have inspired so much over the years thanks

[@10MinuteWorkshop]

Thanks Dad! 🙌😂

[@stevepoetzl986]

Yes, let’s see the middle

[@10MinuteWorkshop]

Middle of what?? 🤷‍♂️

[@dannymurphy1779]

@@10MinuteWorkshop He meant the piece you asked us in the vid if we wanted to see another time I think.

[@derekmills1080]

I suggest another 90 degree measurement. Take any reasonable sized piece of card cut by a guillotine (the roller type would do). Mark the edge of the wood. Place the piece of card with one side at the edge, with the bottom right hand corner up to the pencil mark and mark the position of the upper right corner of the card on the wood. Now turn the card over like the page of a book. Place the same bottom corner (now bottom left) at the pencil mark at the edge with the bottom edge of the card aligned with the edge of the wood and mark the position of what is now top left of the card. Remove the card and look at the pencil marks. The bottom mark next to the edge of the wood is fixed, but there was no proof that the piece of card was a 90 degree rectangle, so there may be TWO marks where the top of the card was. It is easy if the two marks coincide - you have a 90 degree line if you join top and bottom. If you have two separate marks at the top, as this project allows making cupboards to fit a space, anyone can guess the mid point of two marks a few mm apart with pretty good accuracy. Sorry this took ages to describe, but it only takes seconds to do. In fact, only ONE edge of the card need be straight and the other edge reasonably so for this to work.

[@Thesidingsworkshop]

👍👏👏👏

[@nickhelm2420]

Hi Peter yes I'd like to see you assemble the shelves in between and the installation. Happy Christmas by the way and all the best for the new year

[@10MinuteWorkshop]

Thanks Nick - you too! 👍

[@graemewhittle1665]

Are you using a new camera? The clarity of the image on these videos is superb.

[@10MinuteWorkshop]

Thanks, yes; switched to a little Sony after many years of Panasonic LUMIX. Love them. 👌👍

[@andyc972]

Thanks Peter, you made this look very easy, and in many ways it should be more reliable than measuring and marking out with a tape, but I certainly wouldn't want to do this "on the fly" a little planning required to ensure all the subtractive measuring is correct at least for me ! Hoping things are straight in the house now ahead of Christmas and Mrs Millard is satisfied !

[@10MinuteWorkshop]

Cheers Andy! Not suggesting anyone does this for client work of course, but for work in your own home there's not much planning needed, really! 👍 And yes, thanks, the house is getting much straighter; couple of 'significant' things to deal with before Christmas, but we had the glass splashbacks fitted this week so it's almost there... 🤞

[@davidmeyer9204]

Thanks for sharing. I love your simple is sometimes the best approach. Thanks again Peter

[@10MinuteWorkshop]

Thanks! 🙌 👍

[@eevanoir197]

Hi Peter , you are one of the best on here - thanks . Do you always sketch out what you want

[@10MinuteWorkshop]

Thank you! Yes, I usually have a quick scribble of what I think it should look like - helps me get it straight in my head! 👍

[@YaaLFH]

Easier construction of a perpendicular line: 1. Mark the point where you want your lines to cross 2. From that point, with a compass mark two equidistant points on the line, one on each side (doesn't matter exactly how far but longer is better) 3. Adjust the compass to a somewhat larger size (again, doesn't matter how large exactly but larger is better) 4. From each side point mark arcs roughly above and below the crossing poing 5. Draw your line through the X where the arcs intersect Done.

[@sewob147]

Measurement using arbitrary units is never to be sniffed at, it's an ability in itself but many people seem nonplussed by the methods. I've done snooker cue cases without any measuring, used 123 blocks to square and trusted my calibrated table and track saws for square cuts etc. How long is a piece of string? Twice as long as the distance from one end to the middle. That pretty much sums it up for me.

[@10MinuteWorkshop]

Perfect! 😂👍

[@konnan442]

I just made a comment in a different video about the difference between carpenters doing YT, and YT'rs doing carpentry, and this video shows up. Story sticks...YT'rs heads just exploded....

[@clemmcguinness1087]

Peter, you're just a wee bit of a genius. Just sayin'

[@10MinuteWorkshop]

Haha, thank you! 👍

[@barryspiers6956]

Nice work Peter, I’m just about to build a cabinet with drawers under my router table and you’ve given me inspiration to do it slightly different! Many thanks

[@10MinuteWorkshop]

Thanks Barry! 👍

[@markfredericks9892]

Great work Peter! What are you planning on storing in these shallow cabinets?

[@10MinuteWorkshop]

There's a ton of small stuff that's been gifted to the channel, I'm just trying to separate it out and keep it together. 👍

[@mikeking7470]

Nice job (as always) will be waiting for the center cabinet build and the hanging or all three boxes.

[@10MinuteWorkshop]

Thanks! Coming soon! 👍

[@warrensmith2902]

I LOVE IT. WELL done Peter, well done. Now I know how you got those great close up shots over the year. Have to dig in my scrapt pile to find my camera pole.

[@10MinuteWorkshop]

Thanks! 👍

[@rickkinney1249]

if you are right handed, how did the hammer hit your right thumb? nice video thanx rick

[@10MinuteWorkshop]

Thanks! Vac bit me as I was getting it back into the cage. 🙌

[@JamesBrown-yn7xr]

How did you trim the backing straight? did you mark both ends and draw a line? Or how did you place the track parallel? Lovely few tricks for when your in a tight spot. Still love the pastry brush idea.

[@BigHenFor]

He marked the backboard at both ends, and placed the track lined up with both marks and then cut.

[@10MinuteWorkshop]

Sorry, don't quite follow about 'trimming the backing straight'?? Do you mean the cabinet backs? They were cut to the same width as the 18mm shelves, using the shelves as a gauge, then the 'square' as a straightedge, then the rail against the straightedge. 👍

[@JamesBrown-yn7xr]

Thank you, I think someone else mentioned you made 2 marks on the back. 8:20 I was referring to the back of the cabinet piece which was too long. So you trimmed it to length. But assuming the back might not be square. But I think you made not 1 but 2 marks on each side and lined the track to that. @@10MinuteWorkshop Always loved this victorian style of carpentry thinking where virtually no measurements are made with a ruler, everything is made relative like most joinery.

[@bjrnmeldgaard9071]

Filmed with the new Sony?

[@10MinuteWorkshop]

Yes. Look OK?

[@bjrnmeldgaard9071]

Looks SO much better - and next level! Really popped on my phone so I had to check on my 32" as well. There were/ has been nothing wrong or bad with your prev vids, but this ... 🎉@@10MinuteWorkshop

[@10MinuteWorkshop]

That’s great to hear, thank you! Looks better to me, but then you never know if you’re just convincing yourself that the money was well spent! 😂 There’s a little bit of exposure weirdness going on, but couldn’t be happier otherwise - and great to hear that it’s noticeable, thanks so much for taking the time to let me know. Very much appreciated! 🙌👍

[@hotingot4067]

Peter, you put us wannabee's to shame. No expensive tools needed indeed. Can you block this video so my wife does not see it? ;-) Thank you for all the invaluable knowledge you share!

[@10MinuteWorkshop]

😂👍

[@dieselrugg]

I know it's for the fun/challenge, but I had to laugh at the fact you don't use a square or tape measure (maybe $30). But then use the track-saw, 20 clamps, rotex with dust extractor...(maybe $2200)? Great video as always.

[@10MinuteWorkshop]

Thanks! But the clamps could easily have been £3 Aldi specials, the saw a £60 Parkside from Lidl. Sander is the chinese copy of the Deros I bought a few years back, still going strong and cost $135. I've done a whole series of 'basic builds' using entry level tools - doesn't mean I choose to use them when I have others that I enjoy using more. And not to labour the point, but it's not about 'saving' $30 on a tape and square (I've had folks ask me if I thought the Benchdogs precision square was good enough, or should they save for the Veritas/woodpecker version...) it's about taking a step back and realising that there are other ways to achieve the same result. Nobody's mentioned the xcost of Birch ply yet, either! 😉 👍

[@dieselrugg]

@@10MinuteWorkshop lol! I know I know….we all have to be critical. I’m always happy to watch your vids and a comment or two, longer than 5 words, never hurt the algorithm gods! Thanks for the reply!!!

[@JimmeShelter]

If that isn't a metric cord, you will get some complaints.

[@10MinuteWorkshop]

😂👍

[@davidkettell1073]

How about using a hand saw instead of a very expensive track saw that the average part time woodworker would never consider buying .I think it costs more than every tool in my shop combined ?

[@yngndrw.]

You're welcome to use the same techniques with one of the less expensive track saw variants he's tested in the past, or even using a hand saw if you'd prefer.

[@10MinuteWorkshop]

👍

[@10MinuteWorkshop]

Firstly, I'm a tracksaw guy not a hand tool user, and secondly, as @yngdrw. says below, I have a whole range of entry level tracksaws that I've used in the past - and a whole series of video called 'basic builds' where I use exactly that, entry level tools used appropriately to make woodwork projects and furniture. I would never suggest that an average part time woodworker uses a handsaw to cut plywood if they expect to get a decent finish; if you can do that then I'll look forwards to your video on the subject. 👍

[@davidfarnall3211]

First. I really need to spend less time down the KZbin rabbit hole........

[@zbigniewcichowski2071]

After all this years, you don't know how to use the hammer? (black nail)

[@10MinuteWorkshop]

Right handed, so that would be a heck of a trick! 😂 Vac bit me as I was getting it back into its kennel. 🤷‍♂️👍

[@dougsaunders8109]

Ooo too off piste for me, no measuring 🫣. Giving me sweats just thinking about it 😂 Worked out well!

[@10MinuteWorkshop]

😥👍😂