Tour Nick Offerman's California Workshop

Parks & Recreation co-star Nick Offerman is more than just a gifted actor. He's a bonified, true-blue woodworker. Take a tour of his workshop and find out why Nick is more at home in the shop then on the set. Visit www.FineWoodworking.com for more woodworking technique videos.

[@RYN988]

I like how he repeatedly says he's fortunate. it's always a good quality to count your blessings and be humble. What a great great man.

[@downeybill]

he even called his canoe "lucky boy"!

[@Satanthony]

yeah he doesn't have to apologize for being successful.

[@CheetosMUFUKKA]

I’m reading his book “Good Clean Fun” and he’s incredibly humble and thankful for everyone that’s helped him throughout his life. Each person working at his shop has a “chapter” that they tell a bit about themselves and gives a project to the reader. Very cool.

[@el_duderino8202]

Wow a multi millionaire talking about how good they've got it but don't help a single soul... you're a fucking idiot...

[@aitotem]

He also uses the word "earned" instead of "get" when talking about having a workshop that big at the beginning.

[@rennerhogan9138]

I wanna see Nick Offerman make KZbin videos on woodworking

[@kren1101]

He has a couple making cedar strip canoes

[@colinmurphy2214]

Watch Thomas Johnson Antique Furniture Repair. It’s like drugs man.

[@ian_b]

Also, meat and tall ships.

[@Pun_Solo]

...as Ron Swanson.

[@dirtydigger3218]

Same! My neighbors have a mill. They mill almost everyday. They have some awesome stuff. I'm trying get them to sell me a slab of redwood. I should have jumped on the offer of $100 cause now they know what they are worth. Me and my big mouth.

[@cmomofilm]

The best thing about Nick is he clearly is 80% Ron.

[@cmomofilm]

***** Same thing.

[@cmomofilm]

***** But he was born from Nick, 80% worth I'd say.

[@YungCoconutJuice]

Most of the cast of Parks & Rec are also true to their characters.

[@Rensune]

That's alright: Real Humans can't be that perfect

[@michellereyes2628]

If you want some great woodworking plans then I recommend you visit this website here: HootWood. com

[@systematic101]

I absolutely love that Ron Swanson is basically him exaggerated.

[@duckenomics7981]

A lot of great characters are based off of the actors themselves IRL

[@ReegusReever]

Basically, in one strand of the character, but aye...

[@systematic101]

@Alpha Centauri his political view was not what made Ron on the show.

[@systematic101]

@Alpha Centauri because a person's political view shouldn't be what defines the person. If you watched him and didn't see he was much more complex than that it says more about you.

[@nathanhollins5010]

@@systematic101 I know this is 4 months old but I cant agree with that comment more and I am a libertarian that enjoyed hearing Ron's exaggerated points. But you hit the nail on the head. If you cant see past that, you are part of the reason we have the political climate we do.

[@benaaronmusic]

Fun fact: The canoe he built was used in the final episode on Parks and Recreation. You can tell he has an obvious passion for fine woodworking. Great work, Nick Offerman!

[@crimdelacrim5195]

I hate you for telling me that cause I just started watching Parks and Recreation

[@carllos25]

Hey, fuckhead. at least have the courtesy of telling us SPOILER ALERT. fucking douche

[@mattjones6450]

@@carllos25 Its not a big part of the show at all, chill out lmao

[@gwpeoples]

@@carllos25 lol dude Ron paddles a canoe in the last episode, not much of a spoiler

[@colinwinkelmann299]

@@carllos25 Ben marries Lesley

[@Tacos_Paco]

I like how you can see Nick's mind melting as the host touches his rig. It is like a dude sitting on your motorcycle without asking

[@darrenengelbrecht7346]

Noticed that too, really bugged me that he kept touching everything

[@scaf5363]

I don’t really think he cares tbh..

[@beezymeech]

I doubt he cared very much.

[@Tacos_Paco]

@@beezymeech I disagree, but that is okay.

[@wjpshaw]

He'll consider himself fortunate to spend the afternoon checking alignment on everything.

[@jamesx2703]

"Ron, none of this is up to code" "Sure it is, the Swanson code!" *cuts up city codes book on band saw*

[@tailsofpearls]

It's the same workshop and saw too!!!

[@terrymatthews4713]

So him going to Lowe’s on Parks and Rec was truly him... Employee: “Can I help you sir”...... Ron: “I know more than you” keeps walking

[@mikekeens9326]

I recently moved to a new area, all they have is Lowe’s and Ace Hardware. I’m a novice woodworker/general handy man through life experience and KZbin. I can pretty much tell anyone at Lowe’s “I know more than you.” Now, my Home Depot and True Value that I used to go to at my old house, nah, they knew way more than me.

[@bgrigg07]

The biggest difference between Ron and Nick is Nick would never say that.

[@amigotres12]

Hahahahaha yes!!!

[@homer655]

I wish Nick had a woodworking show on YT

[@scottywayne3601]

or a tv show like the woodright's shop

[@johngeiger3770]

He would easily earn over a million subscribers.

[@PhantomSavage]

For some reason I just want Adam to come visit Ron's workshop and do some kind of one-day build with him. I feel like that's something I need to see in my life.

[@pdxdonut]

I was literally just thinking that!

[@joegreen3809]

Adam savage?

[@flippedturtle4739]

@@joegreen3809 yes

[@randypalmer2328]

I was impressed by how easily Nick moved from scene to scene, it's almost like he could be good at acting if woodworking doesn't work out!

[@mindeloman]

"Death does not scare me. What I am worried about is spoiling my children. I don’t want ’em to be the kind of people who never work. Live off their trust funds. Who BUY their wooden furniture..." - Ron Swanson

[@wildsurvivalskills]

I have never been so jealous!

[@CircumcisionIsChildAbuse]

he's got a dewalt chop saw. whats to be jealous.

[@thedude7726]

he is like the bob Ross of wood working. so calm and cool.

[@silvermediastudio]

He was low key analyzing ways to kill the host, crew, and hide the bodies.

[@xX88B88Xx]

He wasn’t kidding when he said “I know more than you”

[@backwaterbible9732]

1:07 He built a wood floor over the concrete floor to run the dust ducts in. Nice trick.

[@WillBravoNotEvil]

Nice catch! I'll bet the place is full of quietly integrated, well-thought-out touches.

[@drake8168]

Yeah, noticed it too!

[@nobody-zq4bx]

good eye i missed that.

[@dedalliance1]

Also has a sweet stereo system throughout the entire shop with a master controller that can control the volume in each room.

[@Schrankerle]

Probably also has a good supply of M95 masks on the shelf.

[@Robert-xp4ii]

As much as I've always loved woodworking and wanted to have such a shop, I can't believe I'm just now learning that Nick Offerman is a woodworker. I like him 100 times more now.

[@GeofanyAndhika]

No music No "hey guys" No excessive transition No colorful opening This is nice video Just people discussing things they love More of that is figure skating

[@kazumasatou6256]

You need to rephrase it for this topic. You should have ended with, "any more than that and this becomes The View".

[@pvanny]

Kazuma Satou Perfect video for ron swanson

[@SnootchieBootchies27]

I love that Nick knows that he's spoiled. Ha! So lucky to be able to do what he loves and be awesome at it!

[@fademusic1980]

He's so humble about it

[@Schrankerle]

Yeah, most of us take it for granted that we are spoiled. Every so often, it really hits us.

[@brentsaylor1725]

Sounds to me like he's earned everything he has.

[@Smithy250]

He acknowledges that he's lucky to have had the opportunity to get into something like p&r. Definitely not spoiled though. He's worked his ass off in acting and in woodworking. Deserves it all.

[@SnootchieBootchies27]

@@Smithy250 yeah, spoiled is probably not the right word. He is talented and has earned it

[@northernnorm65]

awesome shop and an incredible stash of slab wood but the best part was his acknowledgement of how fortunate he is to have all that

[@69adrummer]

Although I don't watch the show, I have always kind of liked this guy. I have a new found respect for him and wow, what a shop!!

[@tiby70]

69adrummer my girlfriends dad told me about *mysecretblueprints. com* he was showing me few plans in there for a new deck, they had tons of projects

[@KevinTKeith]

I love the tiny moment at 5:10 when they enter the storage room and Asa visibly recoils at seeing all that wood. Just an authentic, unscripted reaction - that I think we all shared!

[@tommacari4103]

Nick Offerman is quickly becoming one of my favorite celebrities

[@roanokemarine0311]

It’s always amazing to hear someone talk about their passion.

[@brianafrojack5215]

Wow!!! I liked him as an actor and being a weekend woodworker when I have time, hearing this really makes me appreciate his talent.

[@dirtydan179]

"And this goes up and down?" Nick: "Yes, it goes up and down."

[@xl000]

you've gewatchen the video too ?

[@walter9724]

Watching this made me cry remembering my late father and grandfather who were both woodworkers. My grandfather was a carpenter who build houses and my dad was a backyard shed carpenter who basically taught himself. Those two side tables were beautiful. My dad made a statue out of an old tree stump of an unknown tree and was a similar color as to those tables. He was very talented. Hello from Australia

[@miguelruiloba3565]

When the KZbin algorithm randomly blesses you with an old Ron Swanson clip.

[@johncannata4703]

That "little" closet full of gorgeous slabs is my dream! God i wish i had even 1 of those big slabs to work with!! Nicks an excellent, and humble guy! Never knew, now i'm a huge fan of his!! #thanksnickofferman

[@loudfast1261]

pal, us tree climbers have unbelievable examples available. call around check what jobs they have coming up. i craned out a 20 foot 18000 pound trunk of mottled burled oak last month, no one wanted it, kills me man. ive the same pattern in 150 yr old Cedar logs I'm slabbing today. Call around you will have that stash no problem.

[@monographicmonologues]

Quarantine boredom has got really bad I thoroughly enjoyed this

[@ZombHarris]

emg_ same here brother

[@day245]

emg_ no need to be quarantined to enjoy this

[@stoneryoutubecommenter3240]

day245 you know the good life son

[@roccoreig3711]

Oh god we've been in a month now

[@stoneryoutubecommenter3240]

Rocco Reig personally I treat like I’m in prison. Work out everyday and reading lots of books

[@Rygoat]

I get the impression that Nick started woodworking as a way to just help out. He talks about how it started because of making stage props etc and there's just something so pure about how this very skilled hobby/passion has emerged

[@lulumoon6942]

He's referred to using hand woodworking tools as a kid.

[@frankytripod1]

I’ve been a carpenter for the last 22 years since I left school and enjoy this man nick only just seen the u tube content looking now forward too reading the books 😃😃👍👍🍀⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[@TrentVandal]

He's the epitome of manliness just by holding that cup!

[@batbawls]

Fine, you win this time, Offerman.

[@waylontmccann]

He never ceases to get cooler. And damn, that jig is impressive, a smart, and strategically simple design. Thanks for sharing this with us. ;)

[@ChristopherSmith-bh4sz]

Its rare you get an actor that's good with his hands and knows his stuff! Love and respect this guy.

[@HandmadeDarcy]

The almost imperceptible skip at 5:04, as he goes into his “closet” is true passion. How beautiful the world would be if everyone could find and follow their passion, and help others follow theirs - it’s the core of humanity and should be the aim of society, not money!

[@AdmiralMah]

Yeah, Nick is definitely one of those actors that the producers just say, “okay, for your character, we just need you to be yourself”

[@dustinf11]

Building guitars is the exact same feeling as he had building a boat. You just keep doing steps, then it's a beautiful guitar that can play music and you are blown away. Every guitar I finish, I swear I just get lucky.

[@keithwoodcrest]

I've watched this interview a few times over the years, never gets old to me. Love hearing Nick talk shop and the interviewer asks great questions. Fantastic interview/tour all around

[@brycelowe6658]

The guy interviewing him reminds me of Toby from The Office.

[@closerthanabrother9703]

Yeah Bryce I agree... his tone and some facial mannerisms are similar

[@Klesh]

That router jig is an excellent alternative, and much cheaper than buying a huge planer nice shop man!

[@inscrutableone]

I just loved this video, NINE YEARS LATER! Nick keeps impressing me, not just down to earth but earnestly normal.

[@jessmac1893]

Every time I see this or another interview about his craft, be it woodworking or acting, I love how humble Nick is. Just an amazing human.

[@rftek]

That surfacing jig is a great idea! I don't have room for a planer but could maybe build that jig to use occasionally.. nice work Nick.

[@jandtlivinglife3130]

That design has been around for years. I didn't like that he insinuated that he invented it. Ok shop though.

[@alvindueck8227]

That's some seriously fantastic work you do there

[@johnlong2k9]

I so loved working with wood back in school, I so miss it. I do still have a table I made in high school that is now 27 years old and still looks like it did way back when.

[@tomiossi8092]

You can so easily tell what a great person he is. Us locals glad he came from this area of Illinois.

[@ValladaoMateus]

His beard grew throughout the video.

[@rosaleslem]

It just hit me that the interviewer guy's the same as the one who walked out when Ron got his chair award.

[@scottmcfarland5830]

It's so relieving to see an actor actually talk about chop saws, band saws, joiners, etc. is so so cool

[@mattyforlife]

What a humble fella admits his acting career give him the ability to have the shop

[@sustainableliving880]

Great Shop. Great Gear and stock. Lucky Man!

[@jeremysewell2805]

can we just take a second to appreciate how fit Nick Offerman is? Dude looks like he's fresh out of the Marine Corps!

[@prauwnsauce]

30 seconds in and he’s already so humbled. We can all use a Little Nicky in our life

[@bootsfree]

This has to be the most chill video on KZbin.

[@u.sonomabeach6528]

Don't you love it when you already respect an actor and then see a whole other level that makes you like them so much more!

[@foolspeedahead]

I love how Nick Offerman is just a more outgoing version of Ron Swanson.

[@bluecollar58]

He may be the most likable person I’ve ever been exposed to in my sixty two years. A world full of Nick Offermans would be a wonderful place.

[@Neildo430ci]

After my father retired, I started collecting wood working equp. He passed recently, but I vowed to start doing wood work. I liked the things he made when I was very young. Quality was great with what minimal he had.

[@andrewrojas5614]

"The possibilities are endless".. that is Ron talking

[@Noble909]

He slices his french toast on the miter saw and eats corn on the cob with his lathe.

[@Krizefugl]

+Noble909 no corn on the cob!

[@bcask61]

That’s Freedom Toast pal.

[@AlasdairGR]

I personally like to slice my steak with my bandsaw.

[@ghostdtx]

@@AlasdairGR butchers do

[@crzzymnn911]

Oh god that would destroy your teeth lmao.

[@FreakinPeanuts]

he always seemed like a cool. guy. I'm now seriously impressed. much respect

[@m1dn1ght5un]

Nick Offerman is just the most effortlessly cool man I've ever seen

[@ADCFproductions]

"I'm surrounded by a lot of women in the department, and that includes the men."

[@chrisdiersen1522]

Great video. One quibble though...they talk about finding large wood slabs like it's some sort of great mystery you have to solve by calling municipalities, talking to old timers at the tavern, etc. Save yourself the trouble and search the internet for "living edge slabs for sale" or "natural edge slabs" which will turn up a number if places that sell such wood. Add your location to the search and you may find one or more purveyors of such slabs nearby. I found three within a couple of hours of my southern California home. The guy I buy my slabs from deals almost exclusively in slabs of reclaimed wood. So they're out there, and the internet makes them pretty easy to find.

[@godbluffvdgg]

Most carpenters know where to get them...The best way is to look up Lumber Yard then give them a call...Most likely they'll steer you in the right directions...

[@rrumple39]

He's referring mostly to the cost of them from most suppliers and how to find them for cheaper. I can go to my local woodcraft store and buy one for hundreds of dollars or I can go to my buddy who has a tree removal service and buy one for $100.

[@Schrankerle]

@@rrumple39 Exactly, our club occasionally get emails from people who want to sell us bowl blanks. They don't realize we are like chainsaw beavers when a tree comes down.

[@will4may175]

This reminds me of the New Yankee Workshop, with Norm Abram, it aired in the 90s in UK along with This Old House, watched them all, even my missus enjoyed it.

[@uuuultra]

Yes those shows gave me an unrealistic representation of what it was like to actually work at a wood shop where you aren't constantly being yelled at by your boss and under the thumb of the ever impatient customers

[@davidsnyder7341]

You can tell he appreciates that the guy interviewing him is a real craftsman

[@jorgep1]

Offerman is the reason I want to learn woodwork. When I buy my first house I want it to have a space where I can start practicing on little projects.

[@MatteusNova]

Nick Offerman is just an alias he uses, he's really Ron Swanson. But keep it to yourself.

[@robertsacamano]

+jorge palacios Yeah I always thought that woodworking was cool but now that I saw some videos about his work I'm really thinking about practicing, I'm actually in need of a side table for my bedroom so maybe I'll do it myself

[@bighands69]

If you really want to learn to woodwork start doing projects using only hand tools. No machine planers, machine saws, Routers or cheap tacky gadgets. Just plain tooles like handplanes, Hand saws, Squares, Chisels and other hand tools. Learn to square the wood by hand, learn to cut straight by hand and learn how to choose wood. If you stick to these basic concepts then you can become an exceptional woodworker. You will not be good at everything but you will hone in on areas that you are good at and enjoy. Do not just think about the finished product but try and get pleasure out of the techniques. I just love cutting joints by hand.

[@SynysterGoose]

I'm glad he has a decent amount of money and remains humble.

[@resipsaloquitur13]

Nick is a real human. And a craftsman. I’m so glad I found this. Nick is Ron. Ron is nick. Except Nick is a real dude. And he makes legend stuff out of wood.

[@RedBeardCarpentryWoodworks]

My hats off too you Offerman, I had no Idea you were a wood worker! Beautiful shop!!

[@Jim-vq9yg]

Thank you

[@needleonthevinyl]

It's so cool seeing someone who's mostly known as an actor in a pair of broken-in carhartts

[@kriscodangus2851]

Funny, he calls it a municipality instead of a city. True gentlemanly.

[@thebatmakescomics]

It's nice to see actors are just as competent at woodworking as they are at everything else that isn't acting.

[@haterskeephatin101]

amazing how most actors will sit back relax and take a break from life and work after they get their check, here, Nick Offerman cashes his in on woodworking items to keep him busy. Most Admirable.

[@redfreckle2044]

Was he drinking out of that stain can? What a badass.

[@Geekybros111]

Shill he drinks stain

[@user-neo71665]

@@Geekybros111 He drinks coffee and whiskey then pisses stain

[@silvermediastudio]

Naptha

[@tommylyeah]

@@user-neo71665 - I'd stain a project with Rons' homemade stain.

[@alexanderdeamond986]

neo 71665 Ha! That's great and deff brightened my day. Lol. Thank you for that.

[@awad7391]

those night stands are awesome

[@beforever]

I want those as speaker stands.

[@colin6473]

Nick is the Bob Ross of woodworking. Make it happen.

[@MrPicklejuice98]

Let’s not forget his role as the dad from Kings of Summer, loved that performance

[@crzxm]

That router jig inspired me to make my own.

[@dustinallenphoto]

this man is my role model. go to the same university he went to and he did some work in our japanese garden a few years back. some fine alumni the u of I has!!

[@roguishpaladin]

So, when people walk into that garden do they walk out with a luxurious, foot-long beard that would be the envy of any man?

[@c.w.miles-cowboycookstoryt1528]

I was gonna throw shade at you Offerman, but now I humbly honor you. Youre the real deal man

[@degenererad]

that is some sturdy furniture! love the natural feel

[@certifiedlawnpros]

Anyone else notice how nicks heart stopped at 4:08 when the guy dropped the wood?

[@ThaGr8Cornman]

MIne did too...

[@brokenwave6125]

He just stopped talking because of the loud noise for a second. As a furniture maker, I can guarantee he didnt care even a little bit. Us carpenters are used to starting and stopping conversation from the sounds of saw, drills, or wood banging. Its no big deal.

[@colonelangus6885]

No. Didn't notice at all.

[@___Joe___]

Alex Schultz if you look closely, Nick’s left pectoral twitches. Definitely a palpitation.

[@bo64625]

@@brokenwave6125 as a wood worker, would you appreciate a guy youve never met moving shit around your shop like its his?

[@bogrowlie]

This is the manliest creative art I've ever seen. Makes me want to get drunk and chop some wood.

[@CoolRiffz]

I like that router trough surfacing idea, nice one. I'll keep that one in mind for the future. Cool of Nick to share

[@jandtlivinglife3130]

That design has been around for years. I didn't like that fact that he insinuated that he invented it. Other than that, pretty decent shop with some good old equip. No 50" thickness sander though.

[@beatonthedonis]

This is the best thing that has ever come out of the United States of America.

[@charliehinde1701]

"You're the first non-me to set foot in this building in years"

[@onechonkboi6291]

Thanks. Was looking for this comment. Up you go!

[@lockodonis]

Probably the coolest guy in the world...! His wife is super fit too!

[@doogiemoster]

This is incredibly happy to know! I love the Ron Swansons

[@quattro_zay1894]

Nick offerman is a true man's man!!!!

[@LoadedGunn47]

Christ, it's like RDJ and Tony Stark. Dude's just playing himself, lol

[@DrewTheAwsom]

If you read his book he begs to differ lol

[@LoadedGunn47]

Oh really, which one is that? RDJ or Offerman?

[@DrewTheAwsom]

Offerman

[@roguishpaladin]

There are differences, but probably more similarities than a humble person would feel comfortable admitting. Also, now I want an "Iron Man and Ron Swanson vs. The World" movie. Or maybe we can get Ron Swanson a cameo in Avengers? I mean, he IS a park ranger now.

[@stevencooper1103]

I feel like a lot of Parks and Rec's characters were based on the actors, almost to a parody level.

[@cleganefriedchicken3819]

I can feel my facial hair growing as im watching this.

[@laci0604]

One of my biggest dreams is having a table made by Nick Offerman!

[@thewhitehorse100]

I am fortunate enough to have purchased those end tables before someone got them. They are worshiped.

[@ICanCreateThat]

Nick Offerman gives me life and inspiration as a budding woodworker.

[@AirSofter241]

The canoe at 7:32 was actually used a couple of times in Parks and Rec

[@benaaronmusic]

Yeah, I just noticed it was used in the final episode. Must have been really proud of that canoe.

[@roguishpaladin]

@@benaaronmusic Visually, at least, I would be too! Can't speak for how it sits in the water, of course, but we'll have to give it the benefit of the doubt.

[@dale8809]

Holy crap that's a neat workshop. Well deserved for such a talented wood worker.

[@yodaisgod2]

When you look in the dictionary under the word "man", there is a picture of Nick Offerman.

[@ryandowd5415]

I have tried this. It is true.

[@mfcyeahyouknowme]

#truth

[@ChinchillupaGuy]

Drinking a double whiskey with a throwing axe in hand and more chest hair than chewbacca, who is paddling the canoe they're in, which was built by Nick Offerman.

[@drbelli]

2:10 from that traverse action on both axis, i can tell... that you my friend need to buy a cheap priced Bulk of skateboarding moving parts( polyurethane wheels, abec 1 ball bearings, nylon bushings/spacers...). True linear motion like some camera rigs have, you can even use your nicely done wooden Jig, and make it run smooth like a sip of pure Scottish nectar. this is not a suggestion or friendly advice, i just did this to my woodworking machines and found it worth sharing, the choice of having shaky lines is yous, good day mister Mick Offernem.