Two 2x4 Challenge: A Mid Mod Stool Made Entirely of 2x4s!

[@WesleyTreat]

The response to this video has been a wonderful surprise. Thanks to everyone for their feedback! (Except the weirdos who insist I violated the challenge by cutting the wood to something other than pieces still measuring 2x4.)

[@whycomment2895]

Great project! "Exploring my vocabulary" has now been added to my vocabulary.

[@tobins6800]

If you are going to revisit in the future, consider this modification to your design. Cut slots so that the bands can fit through. Give it that extra bit of mystery when they join up inside one of the slats. Also, have a hinged top for shoe storage, or stuffed animal cage. Another thought is to add the led's on the inside of the legs.

[@WesleyTreat]

Tobin S - I had originally planned to cut notches for the bands on the inside edges of the fins, but decided to nix them for the sake of time. Slots are an interesting idea.

[@SuperJoejoe1224]

Wesley Treat the fact that people are saying you violated the challenge shows that they do not follow the podcast or the p er ople who run it, because there projects were similar in they changed the 2x4s as well

[@jonshomo1167]

Brother, I feel your pain (i.e. "exploring my vocabulary") on projects, yet mine are not nearly as novel as yours. Great job, love your manner and honesty, and keep up the great effort and projects!

[@Scooter5440]

The honesty, humor and skill which Wesley brings to his videos is uplifting and inspirational. Woodworking is like golf, an endeavor of recovery and improvisation.

[@reylasharp6349]

Thanks for sharing! I really appreciate it when wood workers showcase their mistakes. As a beginning wood worker I get frustrated a lot and it's refreshing and adds some comical relief to see the more experienced get frustrated as well.

[@WesleyTreat]

Just keep in mind that nothing ever goes perfectly, even for the professionals. You just learn how to cover the mistakes.

[@linkinprk1981]

I've watched this a few times since upload... It's now been almost exactly 3 years since this was uploaded going from 7k subs to 97K subs... very well deserved. Here's to 100K and MORE!

[@pferguson2212]

I am never not blown away by your skills and honesty in your videos, you are an inspiration and funny to boot! Turned out great and I agree with another commenter (probably several) that the bands would not have added anything to this, actually would have detracted from its simplicity and purity! Keep those videos coming!

[@ahilal]

I really respect and value the way you included your mistakes. All of my projects are a process of overcoming mistakes, re-designing around them, etc. Thanks

[@WesleyTreat]

That's what the old TV woodworkers would never tell you. It's always that way! Making things is a process that very rarely, if ever, goes as planned. Thanks for watching!

[@Unfinished_Projects]

I just love when the sound of the next clip starts half a second before the actual scene! Thanks for the videos!

[@WesleyTreat]

Thanks! It's a little trick I picked up to make the jump cuts less jarring. Oddly, an abrupt sound change can be more unnerving than an abrupt visual change.

[@andreww6738]

Great looking project! I wouldn't have even made it to the different vocabulary. Hats off to you for sticking it out. Amazing what you can do with a couple of spruce 2x4's.

[@Huzzahgamers_inc]

I'm not even half way thru and I have got to say I LOVE your video editing, You speed things up at just the right time and your use of time cuts to make things look like you are doing them in quick succession is just masterful!

[@MrJKellerLewis]

I appreciate you showing all the struggles and mistakes. It frustrates me to see people build stuff and everything fits together perfect the first time using rough materials. Very cool design! I never would have considered anything rounded in a 2x4 challenge!

[@charliecampbell1763]

I just love the way you admit you were wrong and then solved the problem good luck from Ireland

[@robertsorenson4076]

You sure hit my button. Mistakes are not failures. thanks, Bob

[@cmmguy99]

I appreciate the humor and pacing of your videos... only pausing to explain something that isnt obvious. Very clever and interesting. Thanks!

[@cam_DA_Hawkdriver]

I like the wood grain on the top. Creative way of using 2x4's.

[@rcook4419]

LOL. love it. it makes me smile to see other wood workers exploring their vocabulary as I do on custom projects. Keep up the great work.

[@mikekernan5388]

Thanks for showing us that perseverance pays off. And here's to exercising your vocabulary! Thank you for sharing. Mike

[@FishersShop]

I thought I was the only one that screwed up their projects! Great job, Wesley!

[@WesleyTreat]

All. The. Time. Thanks!

[@jimmyflores1856]

You sir, embody what I believe to be the essence of woodworking.

[@the.original.throwback]

Great video. Thanks for the reminder that wood is truly a transformative medium which, with imagination and skill, has almost endless possibilities. A lifetime ago, while attending college, I worked nights at a food processing plant and was amazed by some of the fantastic wood used in pallets; curly and birdseye maple, walnut, cherry, and many that we couldn't identify. Some of the older guys carefully scavenged the wood and made marvelous treasures from material that would otherwise have been scrapped. Jess

[@mickmotly4083]

very well done! "you don't need no stickin bands" . very much admire you sharing your screw up,it shows an integrity in your efforts.thanks

[@TurningRound]

That was a really cool build. I guess I missed the challenge, but now I have a new podcast to listen too and a bunch of videos to watch.

[@Hiksan5]

Wow Wesley, that has to be the best 2x4 entry I have seen - both regarding project, design and filming. Original and creative. Would realy love to see this project done again in hardwood and with the bent laminations! Thanks for sharing

[@BronkBuilt]

One of the coolest things I've every seen made out of 2x4's. Awesome! I also appreciate showing mistakes.

[@williambeshearssr3958]

I really enjoyed it thanks I love wood working and watching someone else build something I haven't tried your an inspiration to me God Bless and keep building

[@gatekeeper65]

I've been a subscriber since I first saw a video you posted of building a light controller for a sign you made. I love your imagination and your craftsmanship. Looking forward to whatever creations you post in the future.

[@orangeorchid9067]

Beautiful!!! The final piece can function as both stool and side table. Good job! Thanks for leaving the bloopers in there too. It's nice for us newbie woodworkers to see the pros make mistakes too.

[@dominicm6144]

What an awesome result! Thats a really one of a kind product. Great job there! Inspiring design too.

[@209slaris1]

Great Job! Loved the trials and tribulations while getting the piece done, it made the piece even more worthy!. Keep up the good work!

[@nitromoose]

That turned out to be a really cool table. Really enjoyed trying to figure out what you were doing and how it was going to come together as you went.

[@robbates3309]

solid presentation, nice editing, excellent pacing, nice light humor, good speaking speed. love it when you show the mistakes, oh yeah, sweet design work too. their are several very good woodworkers out there but few of them can turn out a quality entertaining video. good work

[@WesleyTreat]

Thanks!

[@NoRegrets187]

Nice freaken work, man. You never realize how much wood is in a stud until you do a project like this. Very nice creativity, and awesome outcome. Subscribed.

[@bigbadjohn10]

I like it! In this case less is more, without the laminations the design is clean and uncluttered and really neat. Well done.

[@duronboy2]

Very nice. Nothing wrong with revisiting the design, even WITH construction lumber!

[@atomiczombie22]

I learn as much from watching other people’s mistakes as anything else. Thanks for sharing both the pain and the glory. It turned out great if you ask me 👍

[@williambarrington1998]

I really enjoyed this video. I thought your method of filming it was fun and interesting. I also liked the concept of your seat. Keep up the good work. I even learned a few things, and I have been doing carpentry for 15 years!

[@CannonfireVideo]

I'm not a woodworker. Been a film buff all my life. You really know how to tell a story visually! Nice bit of film-making.

[@WesleyTreat]

Thanks!

[@spinsight]

Hey man. Love this. Glad to see I'm not the only one that gets stumped sometimes. Very nice final piece. Kudos on the perseverance!

[@yetijake194]

Loved the video, made me realize how many cool things you can do with just some simple tools and some 2*4's

[@damntoofunny1832]

I'm glad you cursed at points of frustration. I'm also glad you persevered through. I love that stuff. Great job!

[@40317330EJM]

Using 2x4's! quite industrious, this well done, I am going to copy your method and make a few of these for myself. Thanks

[@SuperNaturalselector]

Great video, love the design. So many possibilities. Amazing to see that much come out of so little.

[@WesleyTreat]

Thank you!

[@christopherjames5192]

The struggle is real! Thanks for making an honest video showing just how frustrating this wonderful craft of ours can be. I love the final result and I think it looks cleaner than it would have with the rings.

[@ymemag9861]

What a great build! very impressed with the steps taken and your injenuity.

[@jostler1483]

Stool, end table or lamp, the versatility of this piece matches its unique attractiveness. For the price of a couple cull 2X4's :) Matched only by wonderfully concise editing that clearly revealed each step (and misstep :) ) with admirable efficiency and integrity. What's not to love here??

[@FrederickDunn]

WARNING! You may be receiving some "angst" from my wife very soon. All I did while watching your video, was make a list of woodworking tools I "absolutely need" for my shop! sitting here, pen in hand - Oh, I need one of those! Ohhhh that's a must!!! Clamps!!! Amazon!!! Band Saw - how did I survive without one? Final note to self.. make a better table saw push stick with a hand grip! THANK YOU Thumbs up and I really enjoyed watching you work!

[@joejones2847]

Frederick Dunn go to harbor freight the hell with amazon the clamps and certain things from harbor freight are worth the price. My band saw came from there my drill press my saw blades. All 50 of my clamps. Just don’t buy cheap drill bits to drill in metal.

[@FrederickDunn]

@@joejones2847 Thanks Joe, you're too late! :)

[@jtb2353536]

Awesome honest woodworking video. Thank you!

[@meteda1070]

Really nice work and the design turned out awesome.

[@jarredfoster016]

I love how realistic you made that ha! It's always nice to see people make mistakes on videos like this. Well done man!

[@honchiejake]

I gotta say I really like you editing technique. Great rhythm and storytelling. Great build as well.

[@ceeF4]

Excellent design and execution Wesley...also glad to see its not just us in the UK that gets all the wonky twisted 2x4's 😆👍👏

[@WesleyTreat]

Yeah, it's real hit-or-miss. Luckily, it wasn't too hard to find a couple of good ones on that particular day. Thanks!

[@pemtax557]

First of all, this was one enjoyable video to watch. Secondly, your thought process on the design and implementation was very clever and quite entertaining. I also was impressed with the final result, it will make a fine end table. It was refreshing to see that you chose to allow some of the more human moments to make it past the edit process ... cheers!

[@nafitron]

Love this! yes, even the mistakes...it's great to see them too so we can all learn! GOOOOOD stuff!!

[@goldbunny1973]

I absolutely love woodwork and consider it a travesty that we weren't allowed to take Woodwork or Metalwork at School. The stool-table is great! I'd like to see someone exploring metamorphic/folding furniture that are handy fold-aways in campervans etc.

[@travholt]

Entertaining style and talent for editing. Nice work!

[@talegunner115]

Great sense of humor! I would have considered giving up. Glad you didn't

[@jeremyashton746]

I love how you use ratchet straps as clamps. As a light duty metal fabricator I do this all the time!

[@joejones2847]

Jeremy Ashton they actually sell them as clamps now. They even have 90° corners about 2” long on each end for the strap to fit through so you can clamp a square together

[@ryanaltman4466]

I really like how you made the push stick to match the curve! neat idea.

[@scottsandlin7743]

This the first video of yours that I have watched. Two minutes in and I couldn't find the subscribe button fast enough. LOVED the video style and the project. Keep up the great work!

[@NM-zq4wy]

Great video. You put just as much effort into video quality as do your projects. Thanks.

[@NOLAMarathon2010]

Aside from the quality of the project -- and it is a good project -- that's a very nice piece of filmmaking, in my humble view. It earned a "subscribe" from me.

[@TheDigigram]

Just love the custom made push sticks for the ovalish shapes. Safety first!

[@donaldasayers]

Except he's not using a top guard which is mandatory in the UK.

[@johntripp2028]

@@donaldasayers The top guard makes the table saw unusable. Do they come by and check in the UK.

[@donaldasayers]

@@johntripp2028 In industry, which means if you employ anybody, yes they do. If a worker or you had an accident and there was no top guard, then your insurance would be void as well. Yeah ok there are some things you can't do with a top guard on but there are good safety reasons why you should not be trying to do them. What operations did you have in mind?

[@johntripp2028]

@@donaldasayers If we are talking about the same thing which is the guard that covers the blade , I would say any operation that requires blade visibility. Which for me is all operations. I hadn't had mine installed since right after I purchase my saw. I recently put it back on. I found it so onerous that I removed it. Maybe a better guard would work, but as it is I feel safer with it off. We have the same requirements for a commercial operation.

[@joejones2847]

Donald Sayers who in the world has the job of coming to your “flat” or home in the UK and seeing if you have the guard in place? My top guard won’t allow the blade to turn to 45° I installed it the first 3 cuts I made with it. But to the point do the police (bobbies) check your personal saws over there? It’s mandatory here too per OSHA but that’s occupational safety not residential

[@knifespirits]

Absolutely loved it. Great use of material (two 2x4). Very creative, beautiful design and practical. Awesome.

[@tonyboschi7960]

I love the names of the templates and how one is scratched out and renamed "jig" ! LOL! Excellent work!

[@DrPsyc71]

I think it turned out amazing! Kudos to you!

[@southernborn715]

That's a Home Depot for ya . Dig through 20 boards to get 1 straight one !

[@goldbunny1973]

I thought he'd show himself walking away leaving a pile of 30+ rejected lengths lying in a pile! LOL.

[@joejones2847]

The Mouse I thought the same I thought he would leave a pile and take the pink ones two and the first two would be straight.

[@jeremymenning56]

I don't even bother with home depot. I found a dependable lumber store at slightly more price. It's worth the premium. I totally understand the pain though and feel for those who have no choice.

[@MKahn84]

Just using 2x4s to make 20 tent poles and some spares (for medieval pavilions), I spent about 90 minutes picking through the pile of 2x4s at Home Depot to select enough with straight grain and no knots through the tent poles. I examined well over a hundred 2x4s. Some were good enough to yield two poles, others only one. We had a big party to cut them out (first into 1.5" squares, then octagonal) and one of the guys wondered where I got such good wood, commenting that it was nice enough to make furniture. Yes, straight grain and no knots matters when it comes to tent poles. We get some strong winds. I've seen tent poles made by people who didn't take such care just snap at the knot when the wind got heavy.

[@jackwatkins7382]

@@jeremymenning56 is it a national brand? You didn't share the name of it with us

[@metaspencer]

great build, man. you really blew my mind with what you did with such simple materials ... very cool

[@GianmarioScotti]

Sir, you're my favorite youtuber and this video is in the top 10 all time favorites. This was a joy to watch.

[@johnthompson3462]

Don't know if it was worth all your time to make it,but was a pleasure to watch you do it.Well done

[@WesleyTreat]

Learning is never a waste of time. Thanks!

[@williambranham6249]

As we say in the South, "I heard dat".

[@Jkirk3279]

It’s a vanity project, but it’s pretty. One of those things Makers do to see how far they can push. Which is how we got Louis IV chairs. The lightest possible design that will hold an adult. I can see using CNC to manufacture these from plywood with matching slots on the disks.

[@64t120r]

Very nice. I like your use of sound with the clamps and weights.

[@greglawrence742]

Agreed. That was as entertaining as the actual build.

[@oszthemetalhead1366]

I very much like your design idea. You could use anther type of wood but 2x4 is very excellent as evidenced by your stool.

[@jeremypetro1084]

Brother I've been building stairs for about 25 years up and down the east coast and i'm really impressed that you only had a few second beep. My video would of been just bleep bleep frustrated bleeping more bleep. Nice job buddy!

[@clarkeugene5727]

I know what you mean Jeremy. Measure twice cut once even has its loopholes.

[@beartenon888]

You could certainly use a bandsaw. They're not terribly expensive and I find I resaw stuff all the time. Your project had loads of resawing. Nice project, by the way.

[@John.117]

Not only a cool challenge - but a great job editing the footage. Well done!

[@kenschweim6159]

A rare fun to watch video....great skills and down to earth personality

[@mirandalewis7238]

10:21 to 10:30 is my life in a nutshell right now!😂 I love your videos by the way. I think my favorite so far is the DIY PCB board.😁👍

[@djsoundbytes]

This is a beautiful yet simple piece. I am sure it was a lot of fun creating this stool. Excellent work my friend, I look forward to seeing more.

[@jackwatkins7382]

Hey dude, you any kin to Neil Diamond. Just joking dude, on the Neil and the m o n d my mind works in mysterious ways!

[@djsoundbytes]

@@jackwatkins7382 LoL nope but I wish I could say I was!

[@rockusbacchus]

This is the first one of your videos I've stumbled on. I hit the subscribe button right after the "specific kind of business" comment. I also really liked the stool.

[@joejones2847]

rockusbacchus same here brother he Hooked me no one has had my attention like this since I saw my wife dancing in the bar 16 years ago

[@jasonobrien1363]

Very entertaining. Enjoyable to watch the creativity. Thank you

[@11SecSTionStockSnail]

Great work. And ideas. New challenge. Grab 8’ 2x4s and make same thing but using your bendsaw to split it in more pieces. Honestly as soon as I saw you use the table saw with what seemed like a standard kerf blade I thought to myself. This guy with his talent could probably do so much more with a bandsaw. Few moments down the video timeline I was surprised to say the least. None the less, ingenuity level is 11. Great job

[@KlipGames]

Great job, looks good, and the video has a great personality to it. Keep up the good work!

[@mmordors]

Awesome project ! Great job of the stool and video. You have a nice assortment of tools also.

[@mikal7359]

Awesome, great videos. You are skilled and do fine things. You're not afraid either to show a failure.

[@vaughnemett4545]

Dang! Now I have to make one of these. Great video and creative concept. Thanks for sharing.

[@homegamerengineer3747]

Awesome job, great story telling and video work. thanks for sharing!!!

[@ralpholiver1519]

Practical Entertainment with a Twist of Humor....well done .....very real and fun

[@frankphoto2]

I like the idea and the creation. Here's what i marvel at after carefully observing what gets thrown away at construction sites - The amount of material that gets discarded - Thats got to be perfectly good for something ? What marvels would you create from all that landfill stuff. ? that might be a great reclamation "green" project challenge.

[@pw3543]

Great job thank you! This really inspiring me to light up my woodworking equipment. It has been sitting far to long.

[@jeffmclaird6597]

Made me chuckle about going through the 2x4's at home despot. I do exactly the same thng :)

[@allistermoto3740]

very awesome, looking forward to maybe making a bench similar to this

[@carybrown3192]

Wow,wouldn't believe it if I hadn't seen it,very nice end product!

[@martinmadsen4162]

great build love the look of the stool and really loved the curved pushstick. i would have never thought of that.

[@TheMrWoodsman]

Outstanding, your a true craftsman!

[@chriss2295]

I love the way you shot this. Great camera work and edit. Fun stuff

[@gtsipejr]

Impressive shop. I'm envious. Nice job all around.

[@jimtully543]

Great vid thanks for sharing. Nice to see that we all make mistakes. The real test is what we do with these ‘lessons’. Nice recovery from the laminate issue. Perhaps some thin metal straps around the outside to give it a ‘barrel’ appearance. The straps would also pull in on the slats to keep them from possibly moving outwards.

[@brianrobinson1565]

Just busy with my own project. Lovd it when you said: "......"

[@legomaker3105]

I dig your projects. Always interesting and entertaining AND informative. Keep up the great work

[@larsdg7048]

This looks great - kinda like a whiskey/wine barrel. If you give this a try again, using some hardwood ply might be pretty cool (and a bit easier I suspect!)

[@mikew3924]

Have you bought a surface planer yet? I got a 12" table top used for $50 it's a life saver for consistent thickness. If you were to use the bands they should've been on the outside. Nicely done, finally a KZbin video that makes me want to build something neat and I am a finish Carpenter of 13 years professionally that works in a cabinet shop

[@joejones2847]

Mike W I want a planer pretty bad! And a scroll saw. They are next. I have two trees I’m cutting into “lumber” since the hurricane blew 100’ tall trees over and wasted them I don’t have to be the jerk killing them.