My go-to woodworking books (And some other interesting stuff)

[@StumpyNubs]

Dowel jig in the video (not sponsored): amzn.to/2VRj0F9

[@zafarsyed6437]

You didn't put a link for your book?

[@AnttiNannimus1]

I've watched your videos for many years now, and while I miss the charming, small shop, rustic early stuff, I also enjoy the way you have matured, evolved, and succeeded. Even the spilt blood has been interesting and compelling drama, and we've learned a lot from it. Thanks for the injury update too, because we like you, and care about the personal stuff, including your family too. This is another fine video with lots of good information. I like almost everything you do, except the defensive stuff that seems to be responding to your worst moronic critics. You have earned your stripes, paid your dues, and earned our appreciation and respect over and over again. If you hadn't already done that, nobody would be here. The trolls don't deserve any of your time, but more important than that, they especially don't deserve any of OUR time. Every time you respond to them, I cringe, and it feels like I need to find something else to do until its over. You have WAY too many other great things to talk about, and those trolls will never give up anyway. To hell with them! They add no value to what you do. Trust in yourself always, because we do too.

[@arthurchaves3188]

You’re one of the best, clear, concise, and educational communicator. Love to listen, watch, learn, and laugh. Be Well, Do Good Work, and Stay in Touch!

[@larrybriggi9898]

James - So glad your recovery is going well. You deserve credit for openly discussing the incident, your recover and progress. Another fellow teaching home building recently lost a battle with a jointer. While these incidents are traumatic and devastating, they are all good reminders that what we do has some dangers and it is worth taking the time to do things to minimize that danger. Appreciate your creativity, teaching skills and humor. Thanks!

[@leehaelters6182]

Larry, obliged if you could provide a pointer to find the other unfortunate guy so I could learn his story. No longer in an educator's capacity, but still trying to keep up and add to the knowledge base!

[@chrishand259]

That’s one of the reasons I love this channel... you keep all the viewers in mind and show multiple ways of doing things. It includes those that don’t have more expensive tools but also educates people about different ways of doing things ... as well as pros and cons of different methods. This channel is like a woodworking encyclopedia. One of my favorites!

[@jeffdorrity5609]

Good for you sticking up for us ... Variety of Tools for Variety of Woodworkers!

[@philwalmsley1116]

James, another excellent video. Best of luck with the hand therapy. I know what you are going through. I have had surgery on both of my hands for an aliment called dupuytren’s contracture. I too lost strength in both of my hands; however, I have been using hand grips daily and that has helped me tremendously. I also do quite a bit of rope work (marine environment) making eye splices in double braided line to make custom dock lines. Keep exercising that hand as much as possible. All the best to you, sir.

[@leehaelters6182]

Phil, very interesting, that about the rope work. I am an appreciator of things nautical, line, rope and knot related. It is ancient technology that is kind of pure, as many materials have a combination of aspects such as tension or compression, but rope can only be appreciated in tension (well OK, an exception would be fenders.Make any of those?) Still highly relevant in todays world, in a similar way to woodworking. Did you come to the splicing by way of looking for therapuetic activity? Super idea! Cheers! L

[@BobMuir100]

Thanks for the update on your injury it really does hammer home the importance of safety. The back drop is great, I think it breaks most video rules but for you it does it. You are not a hypocrite, not even close. I do wish reference books were spiral bound so you can lay flat and work with your hands while following the books advice etc. So pleased you push books and not always online information sources, you just cannot beat a book at times! Who’s James Hamilton? Do you loan your books? You are brilliant and for me great entertainment, thank you so much.

[@StumpyNubs]

I'm James Hamilton

[@BobMuir100]

Stumpy Nubs ahhh didn’t pick up on that, very sorry.

[@rcracing1921]

I’m very new to the art of woodworking. Always been able to do general carpentry, but the skills needed to build the intricate things hasn’t been refined. So I’ve taken to KZbin to get a tutorial on some of the things I need to work on. As a result I have stumbled on to your page and have watched 90% of your videos. I’ve learned about different jigs I didn’t know I needed, different ways to approach problems, and different methods to achieve similar results. Thank you for taking the time to teach the less skilled these very important lessons. I’m happy your hand is healing and looks like it’ll make a great recovery in the end. Be well, and stay safe!

[@afisher555]

Rich, check out Charles Hayward books. You will learn loads, and correctly too. They are out of print but easy to find. He was the editor of the Woodworker magazine.

[@robertlaudensack376]

I definitely appreciate the versatility you show in your videos. Knowing different technic will allow me to select the best option for a job at hand. So please keep on!

[@trudi1962]

I watch a LOT of woodworking channels, and you are my clear favourite. I've learned so much from you. It's good to hear you're healing well. Stay safe! The US is a scary place at the moment.

[@walrod622]

I like your approach of not using only expensive tools. I used your advice on sharpenning by hand.

[@gillesdesrosiers696]

Hello, I am a french canadian who discovered your channel about a year ago, I am 69 years old and follow an ebenisterie (cabinet making) course right now and I like you video they are very interesting well done with calm and experience THANK YOU ! KEEP GOING !

[@SawdustmakerLori]

I love that you show all different tools and ways to do things. It shows you embrace and want to help woodworkers of all types. You've made remarkable progress with your hand injury rehab. Best wishes that it will continue to improve with each passing day. Keep up the great work and stay well!

[@crmcbrideww]

SawStops, CNC routers and Powermatic tools are cool but don't make me jealous. However, your books are absolutely making me drool!

[@glencrandall7051]

One of the greatest woodworking videos of all time and people are wasting their time commenting on the background. They must really have a dull life. Same thing about your use of tools. Norm Abram got the same thing all the time too. No matter how many times he explained the reason for tool selection he was still accused of being the tool king. Keep up with what you are doing. You are doing it right. Great library. A number of your books appear to valuable in more ways than one. Glad the hand is improving. Long time subscriber, thank you for sharing. And stay healthy.

[@frankolinde1111]

Glad to hear your hand is better. Stay safe. Thanks for the video. Always a pleasure to watch your postings.

[@Faustustopheles]

I'm really glad you're doing better, James. Thank you for the update. I hate that you are still in pain but I hope time and your amazing efforts will pay off and you will continue to improve.

[@davidlyons7238]

Thanks for your hand update. Glad it's better. I threw away my chainsaw grinder attachment. Thanks for the heads up.

[@ronl6060]

I appreciate your making things with simpler tools. Not everybody has the high priced tools and a major workshop to work in. Please continue making projects that the common man can make using power tools and wood you can get at the big box stores.

[@adoptmeeverything]

You made great comments about variety. Thank you for doing things this way. Your channel is great.

[@mikes1345]

The variety you show is what makes it interesting. I may only have the simpler power and hand tools but do even enjoy the modern stuff I will never use. But dont let me near your library! I dont want to be accused of swiping some historical tool books!!

[@terrytopliss6423]

It's nice to see The Stach doing stuff,I think the way you do your videos and what you choose to show is great. Like you have said not everyone has a shop full of power tools but you can't please everyone.

[@cliveclapham6451]

Woodworking diversity is good 👍 Injuries not so much, good your healing👍 Time for a cold one👍👍👍

[@evans_workshop]

James - Glad to hear your hand is doing better. Really enjoy your videos. Thanks for the quick tour of your bookshelves. I love books too and enjoy building my library of real physical books. Stay healthy!

[@AnnaBanana362]

I appreciate this video. I like that you explain why you make different kinds of videos. I am one of those people who needs to see variety. As a new woodworker I don’t even know what I don’t know.

[@MrMarkpeggy]

It is good to hear that your hand is continuing to heal. Keep up the hard work. Thank you for the great video James!

[@ldzeppelinsurban]

The complainers never cease to amaze me. Keep doing what you are doing Stumpy! Your channel is probably my favorite, if not definitely top 5! I really miss the Old time woodworking series btw!

[@57RGilbert]

Love the mini tour of the books.

[@katherinecarroll3706]

Thanks for using alternative methods of doing woodworking

[@hazembata]

God bless. Glad your hand is improving. Picking is important work.

[@TimRoyalPastortim]

James, it is great that you are diverse in your teaching. I resemble the old Blue Collar cheap woodworking in reality, but find that I can do whatever I put my mind and hands to.

[@robandjudygross1112]

As a retired physician I think it's so wise to let woodworkers know how quickly injuries can happen--to anyone. We can all be more careful. Used to see a lot of folks with trauma that could have been prevented. Glad you're healing Stumpy!!

[@jimw544]

Glad to see the hand is much better. Thanks for showing us how to do the job with different tools. I would love to have a Tormek, but... money gets in my way. Lost Art Press has fantastic books. I have met Christopher Schwarz, the Lost Ark guy, and he is not only a great woodworker but he is a schooled and well trained writer. A great combo for great woodworking books.

[@janderson8401]

I liked your explanation of why you build your projects with a wide variety of tools. My wife and I would often spend Sunday evenings at her parents and would watch This Old House and The New Yankee Workshop with my father-in-law, Lou. Lou was an avid DIYer who had converted a Rambler sedan into a pick-up, built his own travel trailer, and eventually turned the trailer into a cabin. His main complaint about Norm was that every project seemed to entail a specialized piece of equipment like a morticing machine. Of course every time I bought a new power tool for my work as a carpenter, I would be called Norm for a while.

[@chrismattson]

thank you for keeping to your guns & doing videos for all type of wood workers. I am a woodcarver: machines and straight lines are my very week point so i find all information entertaining an help full. You never know where inspiration comes from please keep up the great work

[@giuseppedeepakbentihandtoo3809]

There should be more videos on the web like this one😊Thanks for making it 👍👍👍👍

[@Ferndalien]

Having been through a few hand injuries - nicked a tendon on the bandsaw, broken bones, torn tendon, perseverance is essential to recovering as much strength and dexterity as you can get. You've got another couple years to go doing those exercises. I urge you to keep it up.

[@KennyKing315]

I have always enjoyed your product James! I truly hope you keep up the things you enjoy and that teaching us novices is one of them! Take care in life as we get older we just ache more...be a fighter!

[@markbryan9989]

Good video! James, 45 years ago I ground the end of my index finger off on an industrial grinding machine. The good news is that you will probably be able to tell when the weather is about to change for the rest of your life!! Glad you are healing. Thanks James.

[@craigkeeney6391]

Thanks for bringing back your library and recommended books. I have gotten some of them and have enjoyed the ones I have purchased.

[@kirkradzwill8311]

I'm glad your hand is getting better. I liked the explanation of the videos and the books. Keep yapping.

[@coreygrua3271]

Will JH ever run out of video ideas? Nah! Am I ever thankful for this sweet example of selfless sharing. The library review gives me comfort since I have a number of my own, complete with a bit of sawdust on the top of each one. Who doesn’t appreciate sawdust as opposed to dust/dust?

[@Kenfitzpat]

Great episode. My coffee got cold because I was paying attention lol. Enjoyed your choice of books. I have some in my library. John Wilson has several books on Shaker Boxes as well as numerous articles over the years explaining the process. He also has a very good book on making hand tools. All of his stuff is available on his website including the articles. Can you tell I admire John Wilson. Thanks for your videos I enjoy them very much. Finally glad your hand is healing. Ive been woodworking for 50 years and so far my only injury was from a utility knife where I managed to cut a tendon. It was a long journey to get feeling and use back. When I say so far its for a reason. No matter how much practice and use of tools it happens in an instant and I think in my case it was thinking nothing would happen. It does. I have a new sense when I work in my shop now. I look then look again before I use any power or hand tool.

[@StumpyNubs]

I know John personally and have his books. In fact, we have talked about making some videos about his boxes and his tools. I just haven't had the time yet.

[@Kenfitzpat]

Stumpy Nubs I’ve taken several classes with him and Eric while attending woodworking events. I learned a great deal from him even though I had been making his boxes for about 10 years. Very personal and professional.

[@nicolasboulic5166]

Thank you for letting us know all these books, I found out more about Tage Frid's books after you showed them, after a few searches on the internet I bought the three books new for a pretty good price compared to the amount of details and knowledge these books contain, yet they are very clearly and simply well written. There are also a lot of pictures. I received them two days ago and I've already learned so much things, especially about alternative joints, as well as interesting and clever jigs. Things that you don't very often see on the internet unless these are what you're looking for. Thank you very much! :)

[@gregtaylor9331]

I have worked as an industrial arts teacher, primarily woodworking, for many years before the school district did away with the program (long sad tale!!) and was 'forced' to finish my educational career as a librarian. (No real complaints: I learned a lot made great friends and I hope influenced some students along the way.) And you come along with a vlog covering woodworking and two sections on BOOKS!! I also share your love for Sloan's books, as well as Freid's, But there were books that I hadn't seen before and I have acquired a reasonable collection over time!! If I may, I love The Soul of a Tree: A Woodworker's Reflections ,by George Nakashima for it's biographical nature as well as description of the spiritual connection between woodworking and trees. I am sure you have one somewhere! Anyway: I have droned on long enough. Great to hear that the hand is recovering! Great video(s) and channel!!

[@leehaelters6182]

I have a feeling that Stumpy (I know that his name is James, but I must now and forever use his self selected nickname) has read every woodworking book ever printed. Of course, I was thinking things like "No Hayward? No Joyce?" My last domicile was near to the Nakashima compound. Now I am transplanted to his homeland. Hoping that I can bootstrap my way up to woodworking again out of a small rented house with no space for such. Keep it up, Stumpy! You are the Boss with the Hot Sauce!

[@vferdman]

Love your channel. Keep doing what you are doing because it's excellent. Great information, honesty and mix of content.

[@andrewknots]

Thanks for the library tour. Suggestion for essential shop gear: a big roll of brown paper I have a dispenser with 750mm wide rolls - instant table cover for spraying …

[@danschumacher8879]

Always enjoy your approach, glad to see your healing up. Great library!

[@olddawgdreaming5715]

Great video James, enjoyed the content very much.👍👍 Thanks for sharing with us. Fred.

[@chrisnickelson7307]

Hey Stumps we need more old timey videos mate we love em.

[@deconkeys562]

Please keep up the great work. You are correct, a variety of subjects, techniques, and projects is what sets you apart from other wood workers. - Thank you

[@jimknowles5483]

Your presentation is thoughtful, broad and well presented! Don't give negative comments a thought! Besides, there are so very many ways to do the same thing.........!

[@UnicornBikes]

I'm not really a woodworker, nor do I ever intend to be one, but these video's are very interesting to watch. I don't know if there's one already, but I would love to see a video comparing workholding between wood and metal work. I personally find the idea of having my fingers anywhere near a blade terrifying, but I have no problems milling steel at crazy feed rates or cut depths.

[@packetlevel]

Looks like you have the 1968 edition of Popular Mechanics Do-It-Yourself Encyclopedia - I have a copy of the 1955 - I love all the old DIY ideas, and there's a lot of smarts there, from back when you couldn't just go buy it all at home depot. It's the mind set I was taught by my father, who lived through the depression.

[@jimmymurray2996]

I enjoyed this video... not that I don't enjoy the others. Keep up the good work.

[@TroubleNow]

Thanks. Enjoyed your book collection!

[@bobhall2171]

Loved the book reviews 👌. I kept stopping the video to go to Amazon and put some in my favourite list for books for future purchases. I'm more of a diy'r rather than a woodworker and my skill set is about as such too so I need all the help I can get. Personally I find reading publications the best for me so a big thank you for this vlog.👍

[@patcallaway9804]

Good video. Sit back, relax and have a cold one. You deserve it.

[@catfishcave379]

I watch this channel for the wealth of information, history and technique you bring to a subject that is usually only covered in a task oriented fashion. I look forward to seeing the full gamut of ways to do something; there may be a technique or tool I don’t know about that would work better for me. There is always room for one more tool...

[@caneycreekwoodcarver]

Love the book collection. Wish I had them all.

[@snturner10]

I appreciate what you do with your videos. Thank You!

[@scottygadlin6739]

Glad you are improving with hand functionality. I would love to see a video on Dowelmax, I have one and it is an amazing tool for joinery.

[@timhalcomb4041]

Enjoyed the information and the build. You have a blessed day.

[@dmcwoodworx2968]

I forget the number of times I've watched someone making something that I also know how to do. AND learnt something new to me. Please keep the How To videos arriving at my front E-Door.PS ( Just in case someone else needs to know this ) Vitamin A creme is supposed to help scars like yours heal quicker, IF it's applied ASAP after the wounds heal & the stitches are removed. It helps that it is cheap, about $5 for a 100gram tube.

[@garrybolstead6145]

Vlog/Yappin' is always informative & fun. Both your vlogs & youtubes plus Shawn Graham at Wortheffort are the first ones I view upon receiving my Notifications. Keep up the great entertainment & teachin'. BTW: "My eyes are down here guys..." I'm still laughing..

[@omsteadproperties5565]

Thanks for the info on the books, it was helpful!

[@curtiszeitelhack981]

James, I am glad to hear your hand is healing. Keep up the good work. Like you, I am a big fan of Lost Art Press. I don't buy everything they publish, but it seems like I can never find enough room around here for their latest, but somehow it ends up here anyway.

[@DonsWoodies]

Way, way back in 1977, I sliced (actually burned) thru the tendon on my right hand little finger. Did that on an OD grinder with a freshly dressed fine grit stone wheel. The doc had to sew it back together twice because the first time it broke. (ouch) Anyway, not as extensive as your injury, but it took a few years before I got the full movement back. Also, the classic "I could tell when it was going to rain" pain for a while. Eventually though, it is now just a faded memory with a very minor scar. Hopefully yours will eventually get to that point also.

[@terrytolhurst9269]

I really enjoy your videos and find them helpful. You guys are lucky you have such a huge range of tools to choose from. Here in Australia we can get some of them but by the time they get here they are super expensive. Still, one can always dream. talking about new videos, how about some of that more expensive stuff, Jessem, Incra, Woodpecker, Leigh (jigs) etc. while we may not have them now, aspiration is something most of us have in spades.

[@anthonylorbach9365]

I enjoyed this video. I am someone who is thinking about getting into some small woodworking projects and a few of your book recommendations were for books I had tentatively picked out on Amazon.

[@geoffreybongartz8857]

Thank you for your Video's and it is good to see you hand is healing well. I also have had a few fingers bitten over the years.

[@zed9452]

Hey shows it going. I made a workbench using a. Steel table frame I had I just put some planks on top got it really close to level. I've got a really nice carpenter vise to put on. Give me some advice on how to determine the height things that I should consider before I cut the legs.

[@BeaverCraftTools]

Useful information. Thank you!

[@nw24153ns]

I certainly appreciate alternatives in woodworking as I Don't have all the expensive tools, I just can't afford them, but I still like woodworking as a hobby. My regular job is a nurse.

[@budlloyd3127]

honestly I absolutely love that you do your tutorials using tools that most people have, one of my favorite things about this channel! thanks for another great video! I look forward to the next one!

[@donwilliams3356]

James Keep at the work on your hand. If you recall, four years ago I snapped my dominant arm just above the wrist, and the primary long-term problem was the soft tissue damage to my fingers due to swelling from the cast. After four years I have regained more than 95% of my previous dexterity, including the fine motor skills. As a practical matter there is almost nothing I cannot do again, and I was able to build up the hand strength to 100%. I found out that the biggest hurdle was doing PT properly as I was actually working too hard at my exercises and inflicting more inflammation than I was resolving. It took fellow woodworker and hand PT specialist professor Michael to train me on the most effective exercise regimen. I still do stretching every time I am sitting still.

[@StumpyNubs]

For some reason I thought you broke your femur. Otherwise, I remember it well. It was shortly before WIA in Kansas City in 2015. Freddy Roman taught your classes for you. That was my first time teaching at WIA, I was very nervous, but you gave me some moral support by sitting in and not falling asleep :)

[@donwilliams3356]

@@StumpyNubs You remember well, it was a tough eighteen months for me, first the hip and then the arm. IIRC I was still on crutches from the hip when I met you and Mike. Fortunately I have been mostly injury-free since then.

[@mtall1331]

I like what you said about making videos for your audience. I used to watch Norm Abrams on TV. I like his projects but I couldn't reproduce them because his tools were too sophisticated and I am a novice Woodworker.

[@andrewbieger5004]

Glad to see you are getting the use (or most of the use) of your fingers back. Coulda gone REAL bad.

[@Yawles]

Thanks for sitting down with us and yapping. It's always great to hear what's happening. Proof of life generally needs the person in question to be holding up the current newspaper. But even better would be Mike showing that N. Korea dude how to scroll saw. Then the CIA would be happy - or not

[@slimz2258]

Okay, another enjoyable and informative video, Stumpy, as always. And, like everyone else, I'm glad your hand is healing. But, to me, the best part of the video might just be the Sjobergs bench ad at the end which features a shot of the Koenigsegg sports car. I believe I need one of those cars to get to and from the hardware store a little quicker. Will it carry a 4x8 sheet of plywood in the trunk? Does it have a trunk? Perhaps if you included a sponsor link to the local Koenigsegg dealer, someone would use your link to buy the car, and you could retire on the 0.1% commission you'd receive. Keep up the great work! ;-)

[@leehaelters6182]

Good point about the link. Only need one buyer!

[@andrewbrown8148]

Nice video, James~! I especially liked your addressing the subject of presumed hypocrisy. Very well said, but then again that goes for about everything I hear in your posts. Also, I'm happy to see that you're healing well. I was "bitten" by my table saw years ago ('97?) and know how painful that injury can be. I was very lucky in that the blade didn't hit bone, tendons, or ligaments..."just" the fingernail and flesh down a bit past the first knuckle of my left index finger. It looks pretty good now, so I guess we're a bit more like starfish than we realize. Stay well, stay safe~! BTW, that Dowel-Max looks great~! It may be time to upgrade my 30 year old doweling jig. :-)

[@BronkBuilt]

Another video full of great information.

[@diannbruce9542]

Arnica 30c and comfrey salve will help a great deal ,from a 75 yr old arthritic.

[@ssquared8076]

I would love some of the history of tools. I miss some of the old timey type videos. Also love the lost art press books. the two black books from them have really changed how I'm approaching my personal work.

[@jaayjones5937]

Roy Underhill books too? I hope your pain from injuries subside over time. I still have some sensitive areas from mine. And I have a finger that looks similar to yours that happened over 40 years ago when I ran an drill through the finger.

[@jazzgod21]

💯 on the variety. I don't have a cnc, probably never will, mainly due to cost and space reasons. I get why to use it, for precision, but i often turn off a video when i see everything is done with a cnc. If the parts are too specific for me to make on my own, what's the point

[@barrymondahl7079]

Always great to watch your videos, learn something everytime. so looking forward to the inclusion of History content. Book review was fantastic. More, more please.

[@timpedzinski230]

Interesting update. I think your diversity of tools and techniques are great. You didn't mention your book which is on my buy list at Amazon. Keep bending the hand. It will get better over time. Maybe never like new but better.

[@ironwood1621]

You’re not a hypocrite. I’m sure a lot of woodworkers appreciate why you do what you do. I know I do.

[@crazytomato4845]

God I love this guy, and glad to hear the hand is healing, but about that nerve damage on the finger, you'll always get some tingling pain for the rest of your days sad to say, but it gets better over time, I just barely nicked a nerve on my thumb knuckle and it still tingles to the touch nearly 10 years later

[@caleb234]

Eric Sloan also did 'A Reverence for Wood', one of my earliest woodworking books. It's falling apart too, but it's a great little bit of historical woodworking.

[@mgreene939]

I like watching whatever you want to show us.

[@akbychoice]

Scars mean you survived with a reminder of what not to do. Glad you are healing.

[@J.A.Smith2397]

I LOOOOVE A GOOD BOOK TOO! I just paid 20$(he didn't wanna sell) for a 1983 readers digest 101 diy projects cause it had pretty great plans n pictures!!!

[@rileyisawesome10]

"eating, woodworking, drinking cold ones, eating" haha the essentials!

[@Retrodility]

At first I wasn't sure that I like the in-between clips of a mystery project being build but meanwhile I really like it, together with the music it gives your videos a kind of old-fashioned TV show feeling. And that's a compliment. I really like the idea of the slide-out sharping stations for space saving reasons but are this stations stable enough? I already get mad when I do my sharping on a not so stable table which starts to rock forth and back.

[@StumpyNubs]

They would be if I added a locking mechanism. But as it is, they are just a place to store the sharpening stuff. I lift it over to the bench to use it.

[@gregroberts875]

GREAT Video nubs... love your channel

[@seanmclean8594]

In your opinion, what is the best book for the art of making picture frames and shadow boxes?

[@edayers315]

Well done!