THIS DETAIL WAS A FIRST... (Lost my shirt on this one...)

[@InsiderCarpentry]

My Favorite Miter Folding Tape - Duck HD Clear Packing Tape - amzn.to/49g5PkX (Amazon - Earns Commissions) My Favorite Tape Dispenser - amzn.to/3Q77T5F (Amazon - Earns Commissions)

[@alitabattlechicken9732]

As a carpenter myself I gotta give you lots of credit for striving for perfection. That’s what separates the top guys from the rest. I don’t envy the painter 😂

[@anon.cashpoorloser5285]

10 minutes in and you've already done more for other trades than I've ever seen a sub do. "How are they going to paint this now its installed?".. "How are the flooring guys going to install flooring around this or make it work with other details like a staircase?" I'd usually hear, "not my problem, that's on them." You literally did the hardest part of flooring for them by working the math backwards and installing the first course square/parallel with the hallway. Hats off to ya mate, you're a rare breed.

[@Hvn1957]

Really enjoyable. I’ve been a pipe organ installer for 45 years, so I appreciate large scale installs like this. I also appreciate your comments about getting along and thinking about the next guy. So very true. I have been working with and around trades on sites all over the country for my whole career, and I have never once had a conflict. Leaving your ego at the door is a major skill. Great video, and thanks so much for your hard work on it.

[@Frieslick]

master craftsman is an understatement.

[@gregorymacneil2836]

Great job! Everyone who watches your videos learns to either be a better tradesperson or appreciate an artisan. You do excellent work!

[@JackKirbyFan]

Your work is stunning and I can't imagine the constant pressure you are under to get the job done under budget. I'm so impressed with your work ethic. Great work!

[@rickdog7813]

I am a semi-retired Union Carpenter ( commercial) in Cleveland, Ohio. I have done ( along with a highly skilled and talented partner) quite a few extremely high end installations in the past. I would love to show you pictures as well as video of a slat barrel ceiling that intersected with convex radiused windows at each classroom along the 200 foot corridor. Where the radiused ceiling intersected the radiused windows it then becomes elliptical. I literally designed and built a machine in order to make these compound elliptical cuts. This install took several months. The supervision at the company I was working for understood exactly why it was taking so long. In the end, it was unbelievable. Very expensive. This was in a very prestigious private high school for boys East of Cleveland. Most fun I've ever had. 😊

[@Xcal2390]

Fabulous work. Couldn’t help but smile about the bulkhead not being plumb. Of course it wasn’t. That would make things too easy!

[@gijo1609]

For the first 20 years of my career I was a machinist. For the last 20 years of my career I was a small custom home builder and many times did the trim carpentry on some of the homes I built. I found it very difficult my first few years building custom homes as it was tough finding tradesmen that had enough pride and care in their work. When I finally found a trim carpenter that had many of the characteristics you have, I was thrilled. Unfortunately he got into another line of work after about five years doing trim carpentry for me. I am retired now and I really appreciate watching your videos and really like how are you try and improve your methods to be as efficient as possible, while still doing a high-quality job.

[@mansardmanor3869]

If you still work in the Trades When you find a person with excellent abilities Pay above rate to retain, then educate that person to a higher position Foreman, Supervisor, Find & Purchase Property Learn to repeat what you're doing Then when they have Mastered and ready to move on independently You let it be known that you are willing to be the BANK Financing the project for RePayment of Loan with a bit higher rate for RISK. Or/ And Percent of PROFIT at close of escrow Do this with all employees, you'll be a millionaire in no time ❤😊

[@sparksmcgee6641]

​@@mansardmanor3869 the amount of time to bring someone up to a top tier level is the problem. You can't expect employees to spend 10-20 hours a week outside work learning things. And there is some inherent abilities in top tier construction. You can't practice you way into a superbowl win.

[@mansardmanor3869]

@@sparksmcgee6641 someone with the CAN DO mindset will do it, & Make Millions If you can't then you succeed Peace

[@AlAmantea]

Spencer, your attention to detail and empathy for other trades in your work is something to be proud of. Not many trim carpenters take the time to do highly detailed meticulous work like this and always try to game the system instead of putting in the work. Making it look like it grew there will forever take extra time and effort, but I find it to be very rewarding and satisfying. I use Scotch brand HD clear packing tape myself, as I find it releases better and leaves less residue but still has great tack and good stretch. I'll have to compare it with the duck brand that you use. Fantastic work as always, but I would be willing to bet it took you about a week to do just that slat beam wall, maybe longer!

[@rickysdrywall5288]

You never cease to amaze Spencer! The quality, and level of perfection is rare, but even more rare is a guy that looks out for the trades that follow him. I hope the GC, the homeowners, and the other trades know how rare you are, and appreciate you.

[@MichaelCZUSA]

Excellent content as usual, Spencer. I believe many, if not all here, appreciate the extent of the details you share to help others reach beyond their grasp. This video has a couple bonus comments! First Bonus Comment: “Treat people the way you want to be treated….looking out for those who follow us.” My client is having large draperies installed throughout her new home eight feet up on nine-foot walls. In casual conversation, she mentions she likes the drapes pulled fully open to let all the window light come in. The curtain installer had no blocking in place to receive her brackets for these heavy draperies and I don’t believe she even considered it. During the framing walk-through for my trade, I installed ample blocking, two stud bays either way of the windows, at eight feet up for her brackets. I don’t know the drapery installer, nor do I know what brackets she will use, but, she’s got blocking in there now! I adamantly believe the time invested in helping others pays dividends that can’t be held in one’s hands or carried in one’s wallet. Second Bonus Comment: “and again….if you’re afraid to get a little PL on your finger, are you even a man?" Those of us who have watched your Floating Shelf Installation video fully understand THAT bonus comment! LOL!

[@watti-yi7sw]

Tip for you from guys who set and caulk commercial glass. Small pump soft soap dispenser. Fits in your apron and a dab guarantees slick finger. Great job and as usual tips and tricks much appreciated.

[@iansteward4708]

Just making sure the soap does not affect the caulk at all?

[@watti-yi7sw]

@@iansteward4708 no affect on the caulk just acts as a lubricant. It takes very little.

[@kallara10]

Excellent engineer and caring subcontractor I have ever seen.

[@jiml9971]

I have been following you for a couple of years. I always thought you were a master craftsman. However this job is out of site awesome. It’s truly inspiring to see such beautiful craftsmanship thank you for the opportunity to watch you do your craft

[@galenfowler8453]

Wow you are unbelievable! The best trim carpenter I have ever seen. Thank you for sharing your work with us.

[@russmartin4189]

OMG. What a precision demanding job. Talk about pressure, unless you just have a mind and stomach for it, which it seems you have. Congratulations on another beautiful install.

[@russkellogg8189]

Incredible! You are a master! It is truly refreshing to see someone who takes such pride in their work.

[@joelwerre]

That's one of the coolest details I've ever seen.

[@joedake2287]

I enjoy watching other like minded craftsmen. I install mostly high end cabinetry and trim. Always nice to see the forethought and planning of the final result with other trades in mind. Sometimes when the opportunity comes that the result of the project is not always as lucrative as you would like, but the product you leave behind holds inherently more personal satisfaction value is when you know you have a career and not a job!! Keep up the good work.

[@iansteward4708]

Solid work man. That’s one thing I can’t stand when working with veneer is how thin it can get. By the time I (finish carpenter) do my minimal sanding, then the painter does his sanding there is rarely much left of the very part that is being showcased. Sure wish there was more there to work with. Great job on this one as usual.

[@kevinlucas8437]

Incredible workmanship !!! I was getting a headache thinking about all those precise cuts. As always great tips !!!

[@FENATECH]

Wow, as always love the attention to detail and your thorough explanation of how you approached it and the process you take to execute it. Very nicely done and looks fantastic!

[@RONJON46331]

Wow. That's different. Pretty cool.

[@dougdiplacido2406]

Amazing workmanship. The architect must love to challenge the finish carpenter.And the painter has a serious challenge also. Hope we can see it all finished out. Thanks for sharing.

[@richthomas5013]

Excellent work. And the video production is equal to your carpentry. 👏🏻

[@locolorenzo]

The most amazing trim build I've ever seen! Designed with Golden-Ratio Aesthetics, and built with Golden-Rule Heart! At the beginning of the video, I thought those were solid hardwood beams. (I still do! - It's simply a case of believing my lying eyes - lol.) Lawrence

[@donwilliams3626]

My hats off to this designer. You all make a great team. And "everyone knows you will make it right no matter how long it takes". Top notch workmanship. Thanks for sharing the details with your humble viewers.

[@roczilla6834]

Hi Spencer, thanks for the post and going through a lot of details. Also it’s great that you explained many different difficulties with the veneer and layout. It’s absolutely essential to communicate with everyone involved and this shows your experience. This gives the process the real deal on everything from start to finish. This post is not filled with every perfect and you show some shots are not so perfect. Keep up the amazing work and can’t wait to see it all finished.

[@thomasnelson2463]

Outstanding craftsmanship!

[@CharlieGroh]

You're making my framer head hurt calling those vertical elements "beams!" ;0)

[@jnmc-vx4fw]

Next level finish work…as a builder you should be proud of what you do and you definitely deserve to be proud of your work

[@adsbadsb9488]

Wow! You are an excellent craftsman. Hope the owners will allow you to show the finished results of the whole home trim details. Can't wait to see it!

[@rickteeden8656]

I feel sorry for the painters trying to stain and paint between those slates. At least you’re trying to make it as easy as possible for them. Also, the amount of time, effort and attention to detail on your part is the reason that you are the best of the best.

[@ericdecorte8773]

Fantastic skills you have and also the rare ability to teach well too!

[@danieldurkton2942]

Looks Great!! Beautiful craftsmanship… Have a Great Weekend!!!

[@yf2615]

Nicely done! All your steps and preplanning was exactly how I will do it, I will be adding at the top soffit 90 deg L-shape wood , before drywall, joint rock/wood left and right will be hidden 1st and last slats, This step will give you precise 90° same precuts at the top slots, all of them ,no hassle . Just my 3 cents😊. You doing great interested to watch it.

[@dmccaffe]

Appreciate your work and you sharing it with us.

[@theodoreshasta7846]

Nicely done! You must have been relieved after you woke up from this nightmare.

[@timlitton]

I live about a 2 miles from that house. That “neighborhood” is amazing.

[@InsiderCarpentry]

It's my favorite street in fort wayne.

[@donz327]

Outstanding work! You're truly a Master at your trade.

[@johnbruno1936]

Communication is key in everything!! Well done!!

[@davidparker8475]

Sweet! A labor of love for sure.

[@josephvan66]

Fantastic precision workmanship! Curious if you priced that phase of the job by itself and it lost you your shirt?Because it seem like you made good time on the rest of the trim throughout?

[@InsiderCarpentry]

Just this line item. The rest of the house was fine. There are always some items you do better than expected and some worse.

[@corcoransullivan1562]

Also, your carpenter brain is like a computer. That project is wild, excellent work.

[@BH-hy6ow]

I always lose money the first time I do something new and custom like this. It’s a combination of under-bidding and taking extra time because I’m learning as I go. As Spencer knows, the next time goes better because you can accurately estimate it, and you move a lot faster with the lessons you learned

[@anneoreilly4900]

Lots of wood everywhere. You’ve proven how organized you are.

[@richardshaw3094]

Your talent and attention to detail is inspiring. Thanks for sharing your knowledge

[@henrypeisch5289]

14 slats in all. In the Bible, the number 14 represents deliverance or salvation. I’m not sure if you were thinking about that as you installed the last slat or not. But possibly experienced both. Nice to get some things done and behind you.

[@rrpp1425]

Amazing work and tutorial. Appreciate the time taken to produce the video and share.

[@degrom542]

Your customer or builder should watch this video. They all think everything is done in one day and we're making a killing. I've been doing high end work like yourself for over 30 years and still can't figure out how to price out these types of jobs. T&M is just not worth it .

[@henrypeisch5289]

Look into cost-plus contracts. Having a cost plus agreement can protect your margins in many cases. What is your time worth? Carpenter contractors tend to value themselves and their employees on the low end of the trade spectrum. Why should an apprentice plumber or electrician be worth twice the hourly rate of a carpenter with 10-15 years experience and who understands the plumbing and electrical trades better than the plumbing or electrical apprentice. Start by asking yourself what you are worth. If it’s only 35.00 an hour, never do T&M.

[@billmillar7234]

Wonderful work...... kudos from an old trim carpenter/wood worker 50+ years

[@peternatoli2555]

Wow, Spencer! I never made it as a carpenter due to medical problems. Thank you for sharing the wonder of finish carpentry.

[@corcoransullivan1562]

I bought that laser on your recommendation. Very happy with it! I’m adding your tool recommendations to the list of useful info you provide. Keep it up, great channel!!!

[@marcthibault8723]

Awesome work! Hopefully we can get a tour of the finished house! 🇨🇦

[@vladv.8819]

Beautiful, God bless you brother

[@jas-jgeneralcontractors423]

Hello from Wasilla Alaska, just to let you know what a great detailed work you do. Keep it up. Thanks again

[@shigthehandyman]

A master craftsman at work! Awesome job Spencer!

[@scottbertrand2057]

Another well thought out project! I really hope u didn’t lose on this project. Keep up the fine work

[@hammerandhome]

Great Job Spencer!

[@lukecarter7906]

By no stretch of the imagination did this look easy! Your craftsmanship is top notch and it is a joy to watch 👏🏽👏🏽

[@BWIL2515]

I've done that type of pain in the ass jobs and always so glad to be done and say I'm not doing it again but a little time goes by and I do them again I forget and think back that it wasn't so bad to only break even or I could have worked at McDonald's and made more money another great job

[@henrypeisch5289]

Even a level 5 drywall finish may leave a slight cove where the substrate transitions to corner bead. You handled it properly by not scribing however. You want the stained slats to retain straight rips and not scribes. In the future, the architect can specify or the project manager can request skim coat plaster (veneer plaster and not drywall mud) and the use of a screed to eliminate corner bead cove created by the use of standard drywall knives. This will guarantee the final appearance intended by the design. Most decent tapers can master this skill quickly the first time attempted. Especially if the finisher has experience with remodels - where floating and feathering is often required. Veneer plaster tends to hold bead better over time. If the drywall crew is using hot mud on first coat at corner bead, they will be the correct crew to apply veneer also.

[@shaneenp5932]

So much respect for your beautiful work. I’m so glad I came across your channel! I had no idea that a detail like this would be crafted from plywood. Sorry, I’m a Barrister so I hope you forgive my limited knowledge. I recently saw a detail like this in a photo that returned the slats to the wall across the ceiling like the one you described in the original design and was contemplating building something like this in my apartment. I assumed each slat was a solid piece of timber. I apologise if this is a silly question, but can I ask why you would choose your detailed construction method over solid timber? Wouldn’t that be easier and less time consuming? Btw, my ceiling height is nothing like yours and your slats are much sturdier than my scale will permit so I realise cost of materials is a factor tending against solid construction. I can’t wait to keep watching more of your videos!! I really appreciate your skills as a tactician in addition to your execution. Maybe that’s the lawyer in me!!

[@VottyS]

Our man Spencer is a first class trim carpenter!! A++

[@dennisthompson8424]

With plywood, if you know you’ll be making a cut where the blade exits on the finished face, (tear-out) put a piece of tape on that face, or even better a sacrificial piece of wood if you can. It doesn’t prevent all of the tear-out but can help when you're going for clean cuts.

[@AnotherScreenname]

Beautiful!

[@daveklassen924]

Great video! Love that the saw noise is lower

[@kleincarpentry1438]

You are The Master! I'd love to know how many hours you had on this project. Thank you for making great videos that teach us less-experienced tips, tricks, and how to avoid pitfalls.

[@IceCat143]

Can you please do a video on determining how much to charge? You went over this a couple of times before but in jobs like this, I figure it must be hard to estimate the amount of time you’ll spend there. Also, delays in delivery of materials and other variables. Just interested to hear about all that.

[@sparksmcgee6641]

I second this. Just in a range how you did the original hourly estimate and which products you priced. Then what you would do now on an estimate. Hours and product price at time of estimate. Putting this in durring videos would encourage people to try better work knowing they're not going to make money but at least only lose hours. Hopefully end up with a tool afterwards. Thanks

[@Californians_go_home]

There are certain jobs that should only be charged time and materials. This is a perfect example. In a custom home with a custom detail like this, if they are worried about time and materials, they can’t really afford the house. There are people with money and people trying to look like they have money. Time and materials in a situation just like this one should never ever be an issue.

[@squeekhobby4571]

Just brilliant

[@Obtuse94]

You are an amazing artist.

[@eileenb234]

Outstanding!

[@henrypeisch5289]

Fun project to watch. A couple of terminology critiques. A bulkhead in this context typically describes a framed assembly that contains a soffit - sometimes acting as a chase or raceway. The framing members you skillfully worked around are girders, beams or headers. If the nickel gap ceiling in the foyer was attached to a framed soffit assembly, the structure would then be correctly termed a bulkhead. But it’s a beam or girder. The “dado” detail on the base trim and coffered ceiling beams is not a dado. It’s a groove. A dado is cross grain and grooves run with the grain. Same plow but different term. It looks like the only dados on the job might be the ends of the plywood slat boxes where they meet at the 10’ lengths. Great solution there. Nice to see honorable mention for safety glasses. Also rare to see caulk on your projects. I’m guessing you might have used almost a whole tube on this house. First time for everything. The quality of your work definitely ups the game of the trades that go before you and that follow you. The painter should love you. The builder is very fortunate in this respect. You elevate everyone’s game. I’m wondering if you installed any solid blocking inside the end slats for rail bolts or if you think that is overkill. Maybe the abbreviated newel post connection to and in combination with the end slats - met the balustrade lateral weight resistance calculation. But I know you always think about blocking. You never know when a saloon brawl might break out on the second floor. On the topic of profitable work vs losing your shirt…often the jobs you want to take the wife and kids to see are jobs you lost money on. Often when you lose money, the value to the client will be exceptional. But it all seems that it evens out. Just a heads up for the term “slat” on future jobs whether it’s this type of trump border wall slat wall or your Lamello Zeta stain slats on painted backer assembly… anytime you see the word “slat” when doing a takeoff from prints or if the word “slat” is mentioned by designer/architect, take your bid for that assembly and triple it. Slat = $. There have been comments about designer/architect detailing this build. One off designs typically require shop drawings from the fabricator. Designers and architects are not installers or fabricators. I’m hoping that you are able to charge a ton for design fees when this service is required and that you are not giving your sketchup skills away for free. Great video and fun to watch. Keep them coming.

[@henrypeisch5289]

Technically a packed out girder could be considered a bulkhead. I’m going to guess it’s packed to about 14” in overall depth. So, I’m going to let the designer have their way with the term. But I would still correct them simply because they are interior designers. The interior design drawing shows that the height of this packed out girder is maintained the entire length but site conditions show it’s dropped (possibly the thickness of a 2X) at one section. Any idea what happened there. It looks off to me. I realize you didn’t frame and close the walls but I’m sure the discrepancy came up in conversation. Can’t know for sure without seeing the open frame or a floor plan. My guess is the support section of the packed girder was sized differently to carry the weight of the second floor beam coming from the perpendicular direction. IMO, someone should have flagged this because it looks like a mistake that was not addressed. If it’s over sized beams sharing (spliced over) that support column, the balance of the girder spanning your slat wall detail could have been packed down to have a continuous “bulkhead” line at the bottom. Little things that are missed will haunt a job in some cases. Sorry to nit pick but it’s hard to find much that is wrong with this video. Although I try.

[@Ydnar6929]

Wow I love it!

[@dtna]

You're incredible. A true artist.

[@steverobbins4872]

I'm always impressed by your work and your videos.

[@wooody1956]

Beautiful work and very time consuming. I know as I am in your trade. The problem I run into is trying to explain why this cost so much. Almost all customers and that includes designers and architects can't see the time involved and hence the pricing consequence. Your videos hopefully will inform. NIce work along with right attitude of work!

[@Stevelemontrudy]

That's amazing. Great job.

[@davids8493]

Simply outstanding Spencer! Well done and explained thoroughly. 👏 👍👍

[@caseymclennan7773]

That's incredible. Really well done.

[@MrRustyjackson]

Wow!, just Wow! I'm trying to figure out why the painting contractor wouldn't finish paint the drywall and stain the columns after you built them but prior to installation? I love how you think through the process & challenges to come up with solutions. ANd as a former machinist I love watching the accuracy of your work.

[@tonysoprano3691]

One of the finest chippy you will ever see

[@bseely772]

Amazing look. Great job 👍

[@OmarGarcia-bi7jq]

Excellent video, always learning something new 👍🏼

[@johnnyhimburg6652]

Nicely done Spencer once again man I'm finish carpenter myself it takes ALOT of planning and patience! Great job man you definitely earn it!

[@2chipped]

Fantastic craftsmanship! Having scuffed wine racks in between coats of finish, i do not envy the poor painter. I have small hands,and they are 1 1/2 thick at the base. Since you have 2 different woods meeting paint....ooof

[@bignicnrg3856]

Top quality.....both in your work and videos. Top notch cuz

[@chrisbrehmer7759]

You are an amazing carpenter! I have followed you for some time now. I had a question regarding this slat wall you are building. Using plywood which I totally agree with, but how did you get such a nice 1/4" detail between the two where they meet. What I am asking is that detail seems like it would show the layers of plywood.... Thank you !

[@MrDazthaman]

Solid for. New sub earned.... Outstanding quality.

[@pro-fitkitchensandbathrooms]

Unbelievable work as always 👏👏👏🙌🙌

[@eirikmangseth7952]

You’re just awesome. 😊

[@alvinsterk2918]

It looks really good thank you for explaining things

[@tomreidy1237]

Great job Spence

[@faqcheckberry3752]

You're the man!

[@DanielCube468]

So tidy. Could you put the tape on before you circle saw the notch? Save you having to apply it after, and get tight to the wall?

[@rickobbink4674]

Wondering if you have considered shooting the pins on a slight angle to avoid or eliminate the chance of the piece "sliding" on the pin since it is headless?

[@IndianaJBird]

Pl Premium tracks and soon you find it all over. This could potentially cause stain problems later, especially when working with unfinished material.

[@concierj7993]

high lvl stuff right here, sir. Brilliantly structured video also. Would love to see a quick rundown on your nifty folding lumber rack design! Cheers from Australia

[@lougjolaj7839]

You are a good carpenter but you have good ❤ by thinking for others 👍💪