The UNCOMFORTABLE TRUTH about building custom furniture.

[@KeithJohnsonCustomWoodworking]

New Bespoke Post subscribers get 20% off their first box of awesome - go to bespokepost.com/keithjohnson20 and enter code KEITHJOHNSON20 at checkout. Thanks to Bespoke Post for sponsoring!

[@lindaday4133]

Hello, thank you for sharing, table is amazing and cats is very helpful❤ just one question what is brand of roller that you use for glue? Thanks!

[@KeithJohnsonCustomWoodworking]

@@lindaday4133 a.co/d/3qNQq9A

[@ykj8904]

It's really discouraging when people complain about the price and compare your work to Ikea furniture. It's like a punch in the face.

[@KeithJohnsonCustomWoodworking]

Yeah, box box stores and online retailers have done a number on what people expect to pay for custom work.

[@scottlandb6579]

This is a great comment. I find it an odd point in my own furniture. I just dropped 2 grand in blk walnut for a piece I’m doing for my wife. I could’ve just spent 1500 getting her some pottery barn piece she wanted. Sad part is she really will have no idea the difference only I will.

[@rashkavar]

@@KeithJohnsonCustomWoodworking Honestly I don't get people who compare cheap mass produced furniture like Ikea to custom woodworking pieces (or even pieces made in advance and then put up for sale). You get what you pay for: factory produced particle board cut, finished and boxed up for final assembly or hand crafted art pieces created by a skilled craftsman who's probably devoted thousands of hours of their life into getting really good at woodworking, sometimes with the added benefit of the piece being designed with your own input to make it perfect for the exact purpose you're using it for. These are very, very different products.

[@stereothrilla8374]

I’m assuming that happened to you because I didn’t hear Keith mention it.

[@billballeza377]

A buddy once asked me to make him a narrow five drawer chest for his Harley T-shirts. He showed me a picture of one he saw at a place called Unpainted Furniture that he said he would have purchased, except that it cost $175.

[@spiritededucators]

Please do a shop tour. Your efficient, compact shop that puts out high quality work is something I’d love a closer look at. Dimensions, layout, workflow and you reasons for your choices would be super helpful.

[@KeithJohnsonCustomWoodworking]

I definitely will at some point! Gotta get through these backlog of commissions first! 😬😂

[@LanceCustomWoodcraft]

@@KeithJohnsonCustomWoodworking Subscribed; first saw ya over on Jason's channel. Love the content and looking forward to the shop tour!

[@johnmalecki713]

@@KeithJohnsonCustomWoodworking I like your idea of storing the tracks for the track saw. When I get mine I'll do the same. What are the things that hold them to the door? Looks like they're from Festool. Love your work.

[@KeithJohnsonCustomWoodworking]

@@johnmalecki713 Thanks! Those are made by FastCap 👍🏻

[@artimiprojektai]

This video could be a great example for all the clients who complain about high prices of handmade furniture. Soooo many steps and so much skill needed to do this, its incredible to watch how precisely everything is cut and assembled. That black leather cord brought this video to the pro pro level of woodworking. Seems like a small detail but makes it look so great! Amazing job!

[@KeithJohnsonCustomWoodworking]

Thank you so much for the kind words and sentiment. That's why I love when clients watch my videos because they can see how much work actually goes into their custom piece of furniture.

[@kellyb7321]

This feels like a lesson I have to relearn once a month. Any time you take a step for granted that it will be quick, it ends up being a bigger time sink than you can imagine. Maybe one day that lesson will stick. That being said, the desks are amazing and the attention to detail is always worth it in the end. Great video!

[@KeithJohnsonCustomWoodworking]

I feel like I have selective amnesia when it comes to those extra details. I alway think "this time it will be different and not take as long." 😂 And thanks so much for the kind words - they are greatly appreciated. 🙏😃

[@mikehales9926]

A very wise mentor of mine said to me “50 years from now what do you want your work to say about you?” I think yours will alway speak well of you. Really enjoy your videos, keep up the good work.

[@KeithJohnsonCustomWoodworking]

Thanks very much for saying that, Mike. Thanks for watching and the support. 🙏🏻

[@nathanb3606]

Thanks for that nugget of advice at the end about learning/experimenting not on the client's dime. It's a tough truth about being in business for yourself but is crucial, in my opinion, to being able to hold your head high at the end of the day, every day. Great build Keith! I love the desks!

[@KeithJohnsonCustomWoodworking]

Absolutely! There is only so much we can learn on personal projects...experimenting and pushing yourself on client builds is what we have to do to keep improving. Thanks for the comment, Nathan!

[@davidcotney7585]

So glad Jerry didn't get glued up to something. He’s a cool cat. Enjoyed the video and those are beautiful desks. Its so great that on KZbin we have you on one end of the technology complicated hard to do spectrum and Steve Ramsey on the other end. You are both masters

[@KeithJohnsonCustomWoodworking]

Thanks so much! I'm sure Jerry will eventually find himself in a sticky situation 😹. And Steve is definitely a legend - love that guy!

[@JasonPeltier]

I feel your pain. I'm 80% done with a table that I should have charged twice as much. But I'm learning a lot, and I have a lot of new tools because of it. So basically, I'm really not making anything on this project, but it will definitely help out future projects. And by the way, your work is amazing.

[@KeithJohnsonCustomWoodworking]

Custom work is very difficult to price. Sometimes you get it right and sometimes you don't. Unfortunately, there's no magic formula when building a piece for the first time. Thanks for watching!

[@bowlchamps37]

@@KeithJohnsonCustomWoodworking Not sure how it works in the US, but in Germany and Europe, you roughly do 1,2 x(material cost) + hourly rate + transportation. As a rough calculation for the customer. The 20% on top of the material cost is energy cost, machines etc.. If you build cheap cabinets from plywood e.g., this number can go up to 50% because the use of machines is the same. The hourly rate is what you charge, it depends on the region. It goes from around 30€ in South Italy up to 100€ in Northern Europe and around 350€ for premium.

[@andrewjonas5523]

Keith, this was hands down the best video you’ve done to date. The educational aspect was phenomenal but the relatability and entertainment values were off the chart. Great video man.

[@KeithJohnsonCustomWoodworking]

oh wow! That's awesome to hear. Thanks so much for the comment and the kind words. 🙏👊

[@averagejoesworkshop]

I continue to learn from your videos, and you're absolutely right. It's not fair to charge the client for you to "go to school", but that stuff you experiment with is the difference between a good project and a great one! I find value beyond the financial when I learn from my builds. Keep it up!

[@KeithJohnsonCustomWoodworking]

Well said! Thanks for the comment, Joe. The stakes are higher when you are building for a client, but that makes it that much sweeter when you are able to deliver.

[@scottbennington2936]

As a 2nd gen mover (and wood working hobbyist) I appreciate your attention to detail and the art of your craft. Hopefully the 3 men and 2 trucks "cheapest/fastest in town" moving rate, will understand what they are handling. #priceless

[@KeithJohnsonCustomWoodworking]

Thanks Scott! We can only hope! 🚛

[@bowlchamps37]

My most uncomfortable thing about custom furniture is the time you deal with the customer. Making plans, talking about their preferences, using a software to make a 3D model for visualization. That´s why I stopped making custom furniture in the mid1970s (when I would draw 3d models by hand). I started building furniture and then selling it in stores. Anything I wanted to build. Nowadays, I use agents, since most of my furniture goes from Germany to California. Advantage is that you can build what you wanna build, easier stuff or more challenging, you can choose your own wood, details etc.. And I spend a lot more time in the workshop and not in the office. And you don´t have to deal with nagging customers or customers that change their mind mid-build and want some other changes. And money wise, you earn up to 50% more on the piece cause you not only have that one customer but you have dozens, hundreds who push the price upwards.

[@KeithJohnsonCustomWoodworking]

Sounds like you worked your way into a great situation. That's awesome!

[@billm4560]

You did an awesome job on that one Keith! I like how you did those legs and that top is unreal! Oh… glad the kitties were there to help!😸Thank you for sharing your work and knowledge!

[@KeithJohnsonCustomWoodworking]

Thanks very much, Bill! The cats are always on the clock 😜😹

[@seanbrotherton542]

Always impressive builds. Your personality and commentary really send it over the top. But let's be honest! We all know the cat is the brains behind the operation! Love the channel and your projects!

[@KeithJohnsonCustomWoodworking]

Thanks Sean! That means a lot. And Jerry is definitely the brains behind the operation 😹

[@BobBrittonBespoke]

Keith, those desks are seriously bad ass. What a great build. Like you I LOVE to challenge myself and push the boundaries of what I can do/design. I've done this my whole life and it's lead me to have multiple different careers. I love the details you put into your work, simply amazing. Please keep these videos coming!

[@KeithJohnsonCustomWoodworking]

Super appreciate the comment and encouraging words, Bob! Without challenges, I would be pretty bored...probably less stressed, but bored!! 😂

[@BobBrittonBespoke]

@@KeithJohnsonCustomWoodworking Here's a question for you... I see you used the vacuum bag to glue up your veneer into one panel. Other than a vac bag is there some way to do this? I have some 1/8" veneer and want to apply it to plywood, but don't have the setup you do.. should I get one? or is there another way?

[@KeithJohnsonCustomWoodworking]

@@BobBrittonBespoke just make some slightly curved clamping cauls with the convex edge down in the middle. When you clamp the ends it will apply even pressure across your material.

[@BobBrittonBespoke]

@@KeithJohnsonCustomWoodworking Thank you! I'll do exactly that.

[@CordellWoodworks]

I'm a simple man, I see a Keith Johnson video and drop everything I'm doing to watch. The kid's lunch can wait.

[@KeithJohnsonCustomWoodworking]

Wow! That is super humbling! I hope it was worth the kids crying in the background 😜 😂

[@thebobloblawshow8832]

Kids are all little moochers.😄

[@Dickie2702]

The only way to make a good living creating one off pieces of furniture, and I mean the only way is to work with clients who appreciate the unique nature of your work and don't ask the price. I always added 20% to my calculated price to cover the extra time the kind of details you have shown here inevitably take. Lovely work Keith, wish I was not retired with all the cool tools you guys have now. I love your passion by the way, reminds me of myself 50 years ago.

[@KeithJohnsonCustomWoodworking]

Couldn't agree more! Thanks Richard. Enjoy your retirement!

[@npreschel]

Great design, beautiful grain, ingenious. What a collection of excellent pearls. Thanks for sharing this wealth of knowledge and experience. Would love to see the whole process.

[@KeithJohnsonCustomWoodworking]

So nice of you! Thank you. So glad to hear you enjoyed the video.

[@glennRNL]

Great job, Keith. Please know that your attention to detail inspires me on my woodworking journey. Peace out from Atlantic City

[@KeithJohnsonCustomWoodworking]

That’s awesome, Glenn! So glad to hear that and thanks for the comment ✌🏻

[@rickbratto6167]

I’ve been watching your videos for a long while now, and you get better and better - even a bit magical (in my mind) with your projects. I’m usually in awe. Such a talent, great sense of wit, and somehow you always seem to narrate your work as though it is EZPZ! Thank you for being a woodworker that I aspire to be. Greetings from the Detroit area!

[@KeithJohnsonCustomWoodworking]

Wow, thank you! That's super kind and it means a lot. It makes all the extra work filiming and editing worthwhile. 🙏👍

[@briannelson4122]

Love your content Keith! I first saw you on Jason's channel and followed the link to yours and am glad I did. I send links I find helpful and or fun/interesting to my son that is far more creative than myself. I'm a retired union carpenter by definition, however all the woodworking I've done, or should I say fine woodworking, was by choice, not for a check. All of these things aren't foreign concepts for me so it's a natural transition. My son however has a completely different background and just likes this stuff and calls when he needs advice or just plain doesn't want to mess up expensive material! Channels such as yours are extremely helpful if for nothing else than to take away some of the trepidation some of these types of projects can induce. Thanks ! and keep this great content coming!

[@KeithJohnsonCustomWoodworking]

Hey Brian! So glad to hear you found your way to my channel through Jason’s! And it’s very humbling to know my content is helpful and shows that we all make mistakes and none of us really know what we are doing all the time. 😜

[@crzyworm623]

Really enjoyed this one for the level of detail and thought. The black lace trick for centering, such a great detail that was needed to pull off that clean look.

[@KeithJohnsonCustomWoodworking]

Thanks very much! And I couldn't agree more on the black lace trick...I'll be locking that one away in my tricks drawer 😉

[@WoodWorksKentucky]

Really enjoyed the video and the details you provide! Learned a few things so thank you! Also really like how you reach out to other woodworkers for input and how easily they provide it. It just shows very few have egos and are all in to help progress the trade. Thank you and keep up the great work! Tell Jerry HI!

[@KeithJohnsonCustomWoodworking]

Thanks Bruce! I greatly appreciate the comment. I'm very fortunate to have a wonderful network of close woodworking friends to bounce ideas off of and reach out to for advice.

[@calvarycustomsllc]

Awesome video Keith! You have some great words of wisdom there at the end. Btw, It was great meeting and talking with you at WBC!

[@KeithJohnsonCustomWoodworking]

Thanks Justin! And it was great meeting you as well. See you next year!

[@mdaddyw_1323]

Amazing desks. I'm not a professional, but I appreciate stretching out of your comfort zone or trying some completely new idea that popped into your head to expand your skills and test your limitations. It gets lost on KZbin, because it's not the most exciting to watch, just how much time gets sunk into the design and testing of a part or project prior to even making the first real cut. That and sanding. So much sanding. It's easy to forget how long even relatively "small" projects actually take.

[@KeithJohnsonCustomWoodworking]

Well said! And I think clients are under the impression that once an order comes in we just pull wood off the shelf and start building. There is so much more to it than that!

[@shawnmorin3848]

Great pieces! And excellent advice at the end. As I grow I have been bit with the time does not always equal the money, but that is what makes it a craft and not assembly line.

[@KeithJohnsonCustomWoodworking]

Thanks for the comment, Shawn! Unfortunately, when creating one-off unique pieces of furniture, sometimes you can take a hit on the hidden costs. As long those hits don't outweigh the winners, then I'm OK with it!

[@nateellis628]

That is beyond beautiful! There is nothing more entertaining than watching a craftsman at work

[@KeithJohnsonCustomWoodworking]

Thank you very much, Nate! And thanks for watching 👍

[@stg6186]

Wow - great pieces of furniture Keith. Very inspiring. Slainge

[@KeithJohnsonCustomWoodworking]

Thanks very much, Slainge!

[@martingagne3136]

that was epic woodworking ....Mr keith YOU ROCK!!!!

[@KeithJohnsonCustomWoodworking]

Thanks Martin!! 🙌

[@robertomartinez5519]

And here I am trying to make a stuffed animal cage for my kid. You are an artist. Wonderful.

[@KeithJohnsonCustomWoodworking]

Thanks Roberto! To be honest, a stuffed animal cage for your child is more important. Knock it out of the park! 🙌

[@estebanbarbalarga4776]

“Valuing your time”…. Throughout these videos I feel the tension between the need to entertain and to inform. There are the dictates of this short-form era we’re all obsessed with that demands brevity but that doesn’t respect the huge amount of work and talent that goes into a project like this. Keith is such a natural and entertaining presenter and clearly recognises the importance of the details that are so invaluable to other makers so it must be so frustrating to be restricted in this way. You Tube is great for enabling people like KJ to find an audience but wouldn’t it be great to have a longer, slower paced opportunity to really value what is on offer here? Like a tv series?

[@KeithJohnsonCustomWoodworking]

Thank you so much, Esteban! I greatly appreciate your thoughtful comments and insight. Thank you for watching my videos and all your support! 🙏👍😎

[@Fisey22]

this is absolutely stunning. so many neat features.

[@KeithJohnsonCustomWoodworking]

Thanks very much!

[@steveferguson1232]

I so love your work. It’s like you are not one bit afraid to try anything new and then nail it. Beautiful work Keith. Oh you should get Jerry and Lola an agent, make them earn there keep. Lol. Love shop animals

[@KeithJohnsonCustomWoodworking]

Thank you very much! And that's not a bad idea about getting the shop cats their own agent...they are definitely becoming little furry divas! 😹

[@davidmeyer9204]

Absolutely Beautiful. If I could have just one ounce of your attention to detail I would be much better. I also need to not be afraid to try something new. I laughed so hard at your "buff your wood in the shop wearing slippers" Oh there is just so much more to say. Keith thanks so much for sharing!

[@KeithJohnsonCustomWoodworking]

Thank you so much, David! I always appreciate you taking the time to watch my content and leave a comment. And I'm surprised the sponsor let the slipper comment through! 😬😜😂

[@lauramarshall6376]

I love your kitties! I've never seen 2 such interested cats! They are beautiful and definitely add comic relief to your videos. :)

[@KeithJohnsonCustomWoodworking]

Thanks Laura! They definitely keep me company and provide some much needed stress relief 😸😸

[@AcM.5233]

I use that same recessed outlet and if fit it inside my wood top on my couch when you lay down the center section so we can charge our phones while we watch our movies at night. Great quality parts that come highly recommended for me

[@KeithJohnsonCustomWoodworking]

That's a great idea! Thanks for the comment and enjoy movie night!

[@estebanbarbalarga4776]

Thanks

[@KeithJohnsonCustomWoodworking]

Thank you, Esteban!! 🙏😎

[@johnidi70]

Amazing craftsmanship and design. The attention to detail is incredible.

[@KeithJohnsonCustomWoodworking]

Thanks a lot, John! 👍🏻

[@emmojo3428]

Your comment about how you try to estimate how long something will take but sometimes missing the mark, this is true for many industries, software engineering as well. Looking at a set of requirements leads me to believe a task may only take 5 days but when I get deep into the work, it turns out being much more complicated and so we have to be flexible with our estimates. Great craftmanship on your part and love the attention to detail you put into your work!

[@KeithJohnsonCustomWoodworking]

Thanks for the comment. Guesstimating on new custom work is always tricky and almost impossible to get exactly right - too many variables. And thanks for the kind words about my work!

[@jimrosson6702]

Keith the desk turned out absolutely beautiful and stunning. You are a true craftsman I love watching your videos each time they come out to see what you are going to do next . I’m amazed and always stunned by the little details you put into what ever you are building and how you go about it that is what sets you apart from others in what you build.keep up the amazing work and thank you for sharing your knowledge with us all.

[@KeithJohnsonCustomWoodworking]

Wow! Thank you so much, Jim, for following along with my content and the very thoughtful comments. I greatly appreciate it and it’s very humbling to know that my content is so well received. 🙏🏻

[@ludvigbydal7812]

Excellent work!!! I agree it's hard to know what it would take to make a desk like this, about time and so how much to charge. High end design furniture usually sells very expensive, more when it's only a one-of-a-kind piece. Great video thanks.

[@KeithJohnsonCustomWoodworking]

Thank you very much! And thanks for the comment.

[@christopherkoopman7278]

Great Video! Love the little details all over this project. Challenging yourself is a good thing.

[@KeithJohnsonCustomWoodworking]

Thanks Christopher! And yes, love to constantly challenge myself. 👊🏻

[@travisg1759]

Well done sir, well done. I'm about to build a desk for myself similar to this. I've been noodling how I wanted to manage the cords and I was onto something similar but not as elegant as this. Glad I saw your video before I did it my way.

[@KeithJohnsonCustomWoodworking]

Oh great! Glad it was helpful. There are so many different ways to approach cord management and it can get a bit crazy!

[@michaeldean2053]

Never be afraid to ask for more money on a one-of-a-kind piece. Love your videos.

[@KeithJohnsonCustomWoodworking]

You can always ask, and it’s usually “that’s more than we went to spend. Thanks anyway” 😂

[@hectorpizzani9796]

Such a beautiful build again. Woodworker goals!!!!

[@KeithJohnsonCustomWoodworking]

Thank you Hector! 👍🏻😎

[@tommyminimalist]

Thank you so much for making this video. I’m a hobbyist. I learned so many techniques by just watching this video. Cheers

[@KeithJohnsonCustomWoodworking]

Glad it was helpful! Thanks Tommy 👍

[@henrysara7716]

Great woodwork on a very elaborated desk. Thank you KJ.

[@KeithJohnsonCustomWoodworking]

Thank you, Henry! 🙏🏻👍🏻

[@woodworksbygrampies1284]

Hola! 🖐Those are two amazing looking desks!🤩Thanks for sharing all of your experiences as you went through the build for them, I'm sure anyone who watched will have learned something by watching this. The point you make at the end is great insight and I'm sure it's a debate that will never reach a definite conclusion one way or the other. Take care and have a good one, Adios! 👊

[@KeithJohnsonCustomWoodworking]

Thanks so much! 😊

[@rongoldberg8174]

You are insanely great. Top 10 woodworking channels of all time.

[@KeithJohnsonCustomWoodworking]

Wow! Thanks Rob. That’s very humbling.

[@josh_watson]

Whoa. What an incredible two part build series. Those desks are stunning. Well done sir! Cheers

[@KeithJohnsonCustomWoodworking]

Thank you kindly! Cheers, Joshua!

[@billylandes8830]

KEITH! I'm amazed by your patience with the cats! HAHAHA All the while creating such beautiful artwork...I'm intimidated & impressed...I also really dig ENCurtis, he's very skilled, also reminds me of Clark Kent when he wears his glasses HAHAHA

[@KeithJohnsonCustomWoodworking]

The cats are actually like therapy animals for me 😺. As much as they can get in the way, they always make me laugh with their antics. And Erik totally can pull of the Clark Kent persona! 😂

[@rickpouley2857]

Beautiful tables! Love your videos!!

[@KeithJohnsonCustomWoodworking]

Thank you, Rick! Cheers! 👊

[@keatonherzer5038]

wow keith! i'm usually impressed by your work but this is next level! thanks for sharing all the challenges and how you solved them its super cool to see! great stuff!

[@KeithJohnsonCustomWoodworking]

So glad you enjoyed it! Thank you so much for the comment and the kind words 🙏🏻🙌🏻

[@TotalBoat]

Beautiful design and build!! 😍😍👏👏

[@KeithJohnsonCustomWoodworking]

Thank you! 😊

[@WrongTimeWatch]

Amazing work. Every detail was accounted for.

[@KeithJohnsonCustomWoodworking]

Thank you very much!

[@ohasis8331]

An intriguing work but very beautiful. I watched this for the aesthetics.

[@KeithJohnsonCustomWoodworking]

Thank you!

[@hackandsawco]

Lovely work. Really impressive solutions to the problems. I wanna be this good woodcraft when I grow up. 😀Looking forward to more.

[@KeithJohnsonCustomWoodworking]

Thank you very much!

[@joshoneill2584]

You are by far my favorite woodworking KZbinr! Amazing job as always! Keep up the good work Keith!

[@KeithJohnsonCustomWoodworking]

Thanks Josh! That is super humbling and I appreciate it 👊🏻

[@AndrewR74]

Incredible work. You are an inspiration. Thanks for sharing.

[@KeithJohnsonCustomWoodworking]

Thank you so much! 🙏🏻🙌🏻

[@elkcircle7245]

Very nice detail work.

[@KeithJohnsonCustomWoodworking]

Thank you very much!

[@holdemNE1]

17:31 I pee'd a little laughing so hard. Excellent video, thanks for posting.

[@KeithJohnsonCustomWoodworking]

😂🤣 It’s funny cuz it’s real 😜

[@c.a.g.1977]

My hat's off to you, Keith, the design and execution of the build are just awesome!

[@KeithJohnsonCustomWoodworking]

Thanks you VERY much! I really appreciate it.

[@TheDesignerXD]

Lol Jason is rubbing off on you. :) "What, you've never snuck into the shop late at night in your slippers to buff your wood?" HAHAHAHA

[@KeithJohnsonCustomWoodworking]

I hope he’s not rubbing off on me 😳😂

[@luctoulouse]

12:30 I have the same cat....with the same habit. ha ha ha ha Awesome built. Thanks for sharing

[@KeithJohnsonCustomWoodworking]

😹 they like to be all up in my biz. I wouldn’t have it any other way!

[@MCsCreations]

Beautiful work, Keith! Really amazing looking tables!!! 😃 Stay safe there with your family! 🖖😊

[@KeithJohnsonCustomWoodworking]

Thank you! Will do. Be well!

[@verdonrocksphotography3510]

love every second of that build, beautiful piece of precision design, what a nifty machine is that "sharper/origin"..... keep them coming, can't wait what next project will be, cheers V!

[@KeithJohnsonCustomWoodworking]

Thanks V! And yes, that Shaper Origin is such a versatile and handy machine to have in the shop!

[@johnmclain6535]

My head hurts from all the detail. Amazing 👏 👏👏👏

[@KeithJohnsonCustomWoodworking]

Thank you so much! I'm still pounding the Ibuprofen 😜😂

[@johnmclain6535]

@@KeithJohnsonCustomWoodworking and hopefully an adult beverage of your choice!

[@KeithJohnsonCustomWoodworking]

@@johnmclain6535 Lots of seltzer and coffee is all I need!

[@meperson]

Keith your woodworking, video skills and attention to detail are amazing. You definitely also know how to milk sharper origin - they should sponsor you. Thanks for sharing and motivating all of us mere mortals 😊.

[@KeithJohnsonCustomWoodworking]

Thank you very much! So glad my videos are helpful 👍 🙌

[@rs2024-s4u]

Your work shows real artistic talent for balance and beauty your desk is notinng short of spectacular. What I ased when pricing exxtras was to estimate how much time item would take now that I had a method and try to add that to cost if possible that way your customer is not paying for you to learn but rather a fair amount for the added feature. One thought I would give client a special sacrifical thin piece to place under mount wher mic is attached to desk as this areaa will surely show wear with use on this beautiful desk.

[@KeithJohnsonCustomWoodworking]

Sometimes you have to work within a budget and I will take a commission based on the challenge and gratification and not so much on the money.

[@lexwoodworks3841]

Experience is a payment, too, and to me more valuable ☺️ Your previous experience enabled you doing this awesome project. I got nervous too, watching you doing those cuts after flipping the table for the USB box or when drilling that cable whole 😅 It's so impressive how accurate your outcome is 👏👏👏

[@KeithJohnsonCustomWoodworking]

Thanks for the comment! And yes, experience is definitely a form of payment and I don't take that lightly. I learn something new on every build and I also try a new technique on every build. If I built the same thing all the time I would go crazy!!

[@rodneykiemele4721]

These were two great projects, Thanks for showing.

[@KeithJohnsonCustomWoodworking]

Thanks for watching and the kind words, Rodney!

[@grocerygetter100]

Love your shop helpers! Hello kitties!

[@KeithJohnsonCustomWoodworking]

Thank you! 😸😸

[@stephanelamboule5972]

Just perfect work 👏👏👏

[@KeithJohnsonCustomWoodworking]

Thank you! 🙏🏻🙌🏻

[@renderwood]

I need my own Copper Pig! Outcome is damn pretty. I would have taken the podcast desk as my regular desk instead!

[@KeithJohnsonCustomWoodworking]

👍😎

[@renderwood]

@@KeithJohnsonCustomWoodworking But where do you store the key? Now I feel those get lost easily if no dedicated spot for it.

[@KeithJohnsonCustomWoodworking]

@@renderwood sticks underneath the desk on the metal mounting bracket

[@davidbuyck6808]

Magnifique. Un énorme travail. Félicitations.

[@KeithJohnsonCustomWoodworking]

🙏👍😎

[@calebhowell8422]

Your work is freaking out if this world good!!!

[@KeithJohnsonCustomWoodworking]

Thanks man! That means a lot 🙌🏻

[@amandaashworth5000]

Great video, I finally understand what I’m doing. Thanks man

[@KeithJohnsonCustomWoodworking]

Thanks very much! Cheers 👍🏻

[@МатвейСологуб-ш3б]

Thank you, Mr.Johnson for a great video!

[@KeithJohnsonCustomWoodworking]

You’re welcome. Thanks for watching!

[@wasrados]

beautyful job!!!! wow🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩

[@KeithJohnsonCustomWoodworking]

Thank you very much! 🙏🏻😃

[@romeoC9968]

Really enjoy your builds, worth the watch

[@KeithJohnsonCustomWoodworking]

Thanks very much! 🙌🏻

[@saint-miscreant]

i’m getting secondhand stress just from watching, but they turned out beautiful and worked great with the legs from the last video!

[@KeithJohnsonCustomWoodworking]

Super appreciate that! And sorry for the spike in your blood pressure 😜

[@Tbick321]

Awesome tip on the business side. I really took it to heart.

[@KeithJohnsonCustomWoodworking]

Glad it was helpful! Good luck with your business!

[@StCreed]

That cat is waaayyyy too relaxed there at 19:47 :)

[@KeithJohnsonCustomWoodworking]

Yeah, he’s incorrigible 😹

[@wittworks]

well done

[@KeithJohnsonCustomWoodworking]

Thanks bro! It's mostly staged, though.

[@markk4015]

Love your channel, it's a pleasure to watch your attention to detail. Off topic question from this video, but what type of jig do you use/recommend for dovetails. I didn't see any listed on your list of jigs. TIA. Mark

[@KeithJohnsonCustomWoodworking]

Thanks Mark! I appreciate the kind words. I have used the Porter Cable 4212 dovetail jig for 20 years and it works great, BUT if you really want a superior jig, then look at Leigh

[@markk4015]

Will do. Thanks for the advice and quick reply! Mark@@KeithJohnsonCustomWoodworking

[@chrisstipe3031]

Rubio, Osmo and Fiddes, you trying to spread the love or you just can’t pick a favorite? Awesome video, you make amazing furniture!

[@KeithJohnsonCustomWoodworking]

😂 just trying to find the best! And thanks so much for the kind words 👊🏻

[@treggmichelleliebler399]

Very skilled kraftsman, love it!

[@KeithJohnsonCustomWoodworking]

Thanks so much! 🙏🏻👍🏻

[@thefilthelement]

2:11 is that the Woodpecker offset base?

[@KeithJohnsonCustomWoodworking]

Yes, it is.

[@thefilthelement]

@@KeithJohnsonCustomWoodworking do you find it worth the $500 price tag?

[@KeithJohnsonCustomWoodworking]

@@thefilthelement nah. Check out the Seneca Woodworking Domiplate

[@jimbecker5675]

The folks at Willard Bros are very nice. I still have a couple of cherry boards I bought there back in about 2000 or 2001!

[@KeithJohnsonCustomWoodworking]

Oh wow! That is some properly aged cherry 🍒!! And yes, they are fantastic down at WB!

[@jimbecker5675]

@@KeithJohnsonCustomWoodworking It hasn't told me what it wants to be yet, but a "sister" board went into my main bench. BTW, check out Bucks County Hardwoods for slabs, too, should the need arise. John and Morgan are nice folks and AFAIK, they've supplied some material to Nakashima over the years. I'd be happy to introduce you to them sometime.

[@KarelKubela]

Oh man, you did a fantastic job! And you are right. I am not a woodworker, I do sun protection. And always when I say to a customer yes, no problem, I can do it and charge him something, it took always at least two times more time than I expected!😂

[@KeithJohnsonCustomWoodworking]

Glad to hear it’s not just furniture makers who are nice guys 😜. I’ll never regret going the extra mile on a project and I’m sure you would either 👊🏻

[@robertberger8642]

Great desks! Nicely done.

[@KeithJohnsonCustomWoodworking]

Thank you, Robert! I appreciate it 👍🏻

[@x.....p-x7j]

12:26 That paw stomp of disapproval, He was probably mad you weren't in bed already at 11pm.

[@KeithJohnsonCustomWoodworking]

No doubt. 😜😹

[@melissaschaefer854]

Gorgeous!

[@KeithJohnsonCustomWoodworking]

Thank you Melissa! ☺️

[@gregmize01]

Beautiful job(s) Keith! Hi Jerry! Hi Lola!

[@KeithJohnsonCustomWoodworking]

Thanks man! The shopcats say hello! 😺😺

[@ronj8000]

Great pep talk at the end of the video!

[@KeithJohnsonCustomWoodworking]

Thanks Ron! The ramblings of a furniture maker 😂

[@DaninVA]

Fantastic work and design!

[@KeithJohnsonCustomWoodworking]

Thank you very much!

[@fantinwoodworking]

Another beautiful piece my man… it’s hard to find what else to say, but it’s such a treat when your videos come out. A friend came over the other day and saw me obsessing with some detail in a project and made fun of me, I said: you should watch my friend Keith… then you will understand it :).

[@KeithJohnsonCustomWoodworking]

😂 Thanks Fantin! We are definitely detail obsessed! Much appreciated, my brother! 👊

[@ghosttreewoodworks]

The details in this one are on another level. Wow

[@KeithJohnsonCustomWoodworking]

Thanks Anthony! I appreciate it 🤙🏻

[@disklamer]

On challenging projects that are really interesting or beautiful and where there is something to be learned, a skill or technique, and there is a showcase result, I feel it can be worth it, like you say for the personal satisfaction and growth. As long as you can feed yourself :) And wrt pricing: customers do not know what a thing would cost. They do know what they want, and how badly they want it, and that they probably want it at any price they can afford. So, business-smart operators charge a fifth over what the client can afford, and add commission, tax, transport, overhead and tooling fees. At the end of the day, the client wants “the thing”. They will pay what it costs, as long as it is not prohibitive. Be transparent and all is well.

[@KeithJohnsonCustomWoodworking]

Thanks for the comment and checking out the video! 🙏👍