this is why you don’t do dovetail joints

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Special thanks to @ENCurtis @CowDogCraftWorks @AnneofAllTrades @woodwhisperer @KeithJohnsonCustomWoodworking for helping me learn dovetails. But not @bentswoodworking
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[@wittworks]

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[@alexsnow3319]

You can do both and still show off hand-tool skill. Chonk out large sections with power tools, use hand tools for finery.

[@richpeggyfranks490]

Decades ago I was told, "Knowing how to make a joint is skill. Knowing how to hide your mistakes is artistry." Thx for another info-taining video.

[@wittworks]

that's the truth. thank you

[@pipepuffah6548]

It was " if in doubt, make a feature of it" for mistakes when I was an apprentice

[@howesfull8]

@@pipepuffah6548 Norm (who is not power tool shy) said, "Celebrate the joint." He was not talking about the devil's lettuce.

[@rajon25]

A little putty and paint make the builder what he ain't.

[@rajon25]

@@pipepuffah6548 I am a software developer (that larps as a contractor) and we say it "The difference between a bug and a feature is how good your salesperson is." Same meaning but I love that the sentiment exists in more useful industries.

[@davids8493]

Putting the Festool label on the Ryobi jig saw, comedic genius! 😂😂😂

[@wittworks]

I got the shade of green mixed up

[@davids8493]

@@wittworks only slightly. 🤣🤣

[@dietmarfinster3176]

This is supposed to distract from the fact that there is a Mafell under the RYOBI cover!

[@KyleVeatch]

🕊️

[@WillLeingang]

💯

[@LesterBricks]

Hearing you talk about how long it takes to make something makes me feel VERY seen. Got into wood working when I bought a house and every seemingly simple task has balooned into a multi-step, multi-day (if not week) process

[@wittworks]

that's the way it goes!

[@roberthousedorfii1743]

Lester, do NOT feel bad. I started out around 21, 58 now, by saying that a $20 towel rack was WAY TOO MUCH money, and I could make something nicer for much less.... $200 later, we did have a nicer towel rack.... After spending the $200, I simply HAD to recover my money one way or another. 37 years later, still not there yet. Just have fun and make a couple nice things.

[@cmaterick]

My usual t-shirt I wear while woodworking says, “We do these things not because they are easy, but because we thought they would be easy.” 😊

[@CLove511]

Can y'all talk to my wife and tell her that big projects probably won't be done in a couple of hours on a Saturday?

[@JBCavern]

We must be brothers! I do my research before starting a job and then announce to my wife that the guy in the video said it takes 15 minutes, which means it'll take me at least two hours! 🤣

[@ShopNation]

Compressed hamster bedding is trademarked. Expect a call from my people. By my people I actually just mean me. Let’s catch up 🕊️

[@wittworks]

Totally fair. I’ll fly up in May to work off my debt in framing.

[@peterkitchell8586]

I never comment on these woodworking videos. Literally my first time. I have been woodworking on and off for 50 plus years. I agree with so much of your approach. Experiment, make mistakes, fix them as best you can and don't be embarrassed by how long it takes. Even with all the power tools, it can easily become a slow tedious process. I like the power tool/hand tool approach. Nice to use the hand saw, chisel or hand sanding when you can. In the North East humidity would make that joint open and close no matter what you do. I am pretty sure the vertical and horizontal pieces will soon be different heights. I have cut pieces up after years of movement and rejoined them only to have it all move again in the next season. Solid wood I so much more fun than plywood. I think beech is a great choice, tight grained and pretty stable. The furniture industry certainly agrees. What's the point of having all those wonderful tools if you don't jump in and play with them?

[@wittworks]

Thank you!

[@rickkcir9959]

Hybrid approach!!! I like that name. I am big on using the best tool for the job too. I love hand tools. There is nothing like a super sharp hand plane and the glossy finish it leaves, but there is also something very satisfying about running my Milwaukee jig saw through a piece, with a sharp ground blade, and seeing a near perfect finish. 🕊🕊🕊

[@pilotalan]

Solid A for a first attempt, and A+ at making it work via corrections, adjustments, and fixes. This is a GREAT example of actually showing the gaps and problems, the fixes, and the final product. 🕊🕊🕊 Much appreciated, and loved the cameos ("Siri, call the Beard")

[@wittworks]

thank you!

[@dominictramonte2687]

Hi! New subscriber here. Didn't take me too long, I jumped on when I saw the Ryobi jigsaw with the Festool label. I've been a woodworker as long as I can remember. I've done other things, but I've earned most of my living doing woodwork. I'm retired now, but that only means I have time to build a shop in my garage and make things I want to make instead of my customer. Like yourself, I love hybrid woodworking. Power tools are great and fast. Hand tools are great and slow. Both take a lot of skill, and the skills are different. You can get there with either one but using both together lets you use your judgement when either is appropriate. And it's often highly amusing to see the look on everyone's face when you're working in a shop with 50 benches and nobody can figure out how to even the tops on this monster cabinet we built, and I took a Stanley No 5 hand plane out of my toolbox and slicked them all up in about 15 minutes :-) Some of the younger guys had never seen one, lol. Given it's your first set, I'll grade you a B+ on the 🕊tails. It would have been better to not have to put in a piece, but knowing you did, and how to, merits you an A on that part. You're right it takes artistry to know how to hide your mistakes, because everybody makes them. One thing I was taught was there's more than one way to skin a cat, and sometimes we do things one way because that's how we were taught, or learned by experience. Doesn't mean our way is the right way, or that any other is the wrong one. It means that's the way, among a myriad others, we're most comfortable. I'm in Fort Worth, and I love the Plywood Company too. Perhaps we'll run into each other there one day. My family escaped the lottery so far, praise to all gods great and small. Uncommonly warm weather we're having this year; I suspect that's part of the reason. Stay safe out there. I've got 50 years in and 10 fingers. Dominic

[@Phazaar]

Having seen a few of your videos via the recommendations algorithm, I had no idea you were NOT a 1M+ account. It's surely on the horizon - great content, excellent presentation, humour, and the right level of self-awareness. Your point about 'showing them the way' is exactly why I've been gearing up to start the same thing. Immediate sub, at least for oppo research ;)

[@wittworks]

Wow, thank you!

[@francoisdevlin]

Good job bringing in Encurtis, it's how I feel watching some of his work sometimes. As a weekend warrior with a day job, 3 kids and zero joinery experience, I think you did great, you went for it. Solid B+, 🕊️

[@wittworks]

Thanks for sharing!

[@worstworkshop]

The ENCurtis section was one of the funniest things I've seen in a long time! 🕊🕊🕊

[@wittworks]

I'd say thank you, but we both know you only watch Lee and SNL, who are both not funny.

[@worstworkshop]

@@wittworks Clearly I watch you too. Try not to read too much into that.

[@cdnbean]

thanks for making me almost spit out my morning coffee!@@worstworkshop

[@jbocaneg17611]

This was very impressive for someone who's never done dovetails work before. You get an A, just because after all the challenges, distractions and life itself, your tenacity made it happened at the end and it came out just beautiful. Well done!

[@justinsayre4856]

What I loved most about this is the honesty of showing your "mistakes" and how you fixed or featured them. Great job, and inspirational. Also, I now have a book to read (The War of Art), and a great quote about resistance. No, wait, not a quote about resistance. The quote was "...the brain works best when it is curious and engaged in solving interesting problems..." - and that I am going to use! Thanks!

[@wittworks]

Thank you

[@rashkavar]

Overall, I'd give the dovetails a B with an A+ for error correction - the fact that they definitely needed filling, and that sanding error both knock you down a peg or two, but you didn't have to redo it, so it's not a C. (F would be giving up on it entirely in favour of a different join type. But you did well enough with filling the gaps that it looks great from a finished project perspective, and you turned the sanding mistake into a neat asymmetry accent, which is top tier fixing work.

[@CDonkey1983]

I've seen your videos before and enjoy your content. Sorry it took a while but happy to say I'm subscribed as of today. The story about why you started and about your kids hit a spot with me. My kids say the same thing!!! You had (have) the strength and courage to do what I want and wish I could. (I know I can do whatever I put my mind to do to show my kids.) I just work so long every day and week to provide and take care of my family and am too scared to not continue a secure income. Even though I'm just only 1 new subscriber (which may or may not mean a lot to you) your words and this video has touched me in a way that means the world to me. Keep up the great work and thank you for the inspiration I may or may not pursue.

[@wittworks]

Thank you! No shame in holding onto a secure income. I wouldn't have made the plunge full time had it not have been for losing a job

[@RNMSC]

As someone who's seen far too many re-purposed pieces of furniture, the chamfer on one edge just gives it the character that lets you confuse people with the stories of how you found this in the back of a barn out on the west end of town that was about to be torn down, and you're just sure that they found that it wouldn't fit in the dormer bedroom the way it originally was so they probably knocked that corner off to give them a quarter of an inch more space so the door would open and close, while telling the next guy that when you made this table you were debating whether or not you should ease this one corner so that if someone fell coming through the door when there was Ice on the steps, they wouldn't have a sharp edge of the table to land on, then you put the chamfered edge on the far end of the table because you're just that kind of a guy. Then let the two people try to work out what's going on with the table. Because of course the best thing to see when two guests start to argue is the 🕊tails carrying off the ☮.

[@wittworks]

thats funny

[@dscham1507]

@@wittworksthat's an understatement. Even getting in the 🕊around the end. Probably planned from the start. I'd take an hour to write such a comment.

[@Geppetto04]

🕊️only two things matter, enjoying the process of creating and the end result, which is a beautiful piece of furniture.

[@daveturnbull7221]

@@Geppetto04I have to disagree slightly - to me only the process matters since my 🕊skills are still non-existant and everything I make falls apart. I class myself as an expert at turning any wood into firewood but boy do I enjoy the process😁

[@davids8493]

0:43 compressed hamster bedding! 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@MarcosElMalo2]

Farticle board

[@wittworks]

isn't that what it is?!

[@davids8493]

@@wittworks it most certainly is! Still laughing. 🤣🤣🤣

[@billgiles3261]

Must remember that one.

[@BillVerstege]

Because of that one comment, I watch all the way to the end.🕊

[@TCGE08]

Only one chamfer? You psychopath! Thanks for the tip on the nano stuff. I’m totally going to apply it to my own table project. 🕊️

[@alineharam]

Two chamfers would have been better, but the one states that symmetry should be slightly violated, as it is in nature. You made a left and a right. I do like fiddler crabs for the same reason.

[@FrankLepore]

Gonna be honest. One of my absolute favorite parts of your videos are the KZbin woodworker crossovers that occur. It's been great watching you level up, and I remember back when you had like 20k subs! Your production quality has always been great.

[@wittworks]

Thanks! I try not to over do them but they're fun. KZbin can be lonely and I like to try to make it a community thing.

[@brianbecher5781]

I love the way it turned out! (The layered beech actually gives me some ideas!) Mid way through the video, it finally struck me what I enjoy about your content, and what TRULY sets you apart from the others in the YT woodworker space - the subtle and skillful ministry. Bravo my friend and glad the family is healthy again! 🕊️

[@wittworks]

Thank you! appreciate that

[@Bamamarama]

That dig at Blacktail had me laughing pretty good. KZbin woodworking is such a meme.

[@wittworks]

He loves the Beatles so much

[@andy_swart]

Drew, I'm so sorry to hear about your family's ongoing sickness. I'm in North FW and we've had the same thing going through our family! A+ on the 🕊!

[@21trips]

Me 3

[@wittworks]

thank you. I guess it's everywhere?!?!

[@21trips]

@@wittworks We are DFWites too. Got same stuff at the same time. Back to back just like you.

[@XGuard04]

In DFW too. My family also hit the same lottery... 😑

[@jordteee]

I rarely if ever comment on KZbin videos, but this video was a perfect blend of my woodworking hobby, entry level ways to handle dovetails with a mixture of tools, and supreme voice commentary. I’m not sure if it was the stories about passing around sickness with the kids, extended times inside from inclement weather, or the extended time it took to finish the project I could relate to the most. I love the way you pace your videos alongside the commentary. Reminds me of ol Frank Howarth. 10/10 for me - looking forward to your next video!

[@jordteee]

🕊️🥰

[@wittworks]

thanks! Frank is my hero.

[@amandameglio2903]

Having watched A LOT of videos on dove tails but never having done any furniture woodworking. I am impressed! First time? A+!

[@wittworks]

Wow, thank you!

[@maximilianweingast7051]

Sir, I come from the land of lime green power tools and really enjoy your videos. The main reasons are: You have a welcoming and inclusive nature, meaning there is no elitist approach ("if you don't do it that way, then") and your narrative is from a deeply positive perspective. All your projects scream: "I don't know if I'm going to do it right but if not I'm going to learn a lot along the way", which I thoroughly enjoy. Thank you for your content.

[@wittworks]

Danke 🇩🇪 💚

[@mikep3813]

* Unless your name is John Malecki

[@thehawkc]

Glad you're whole family is better. You are the most honest and funniest " woodworker" on KZbin.

[@wittworks]

you're kind. thank you. are you saying there are boring and dishonest woodworkers on youtube? 🤪

[@NickElliottOutdoors]

Looks great. I used to watch my grandfather build furniture in is garage workshop when I was a boy. Watching your videos has inspired me to take up the hobby myself.

[@SzechuanChickenDog]

How....how is it possible you dont have 10x more subs...? Awesome channel. Does anyone else remember the marking knife video?? The only woodworking channel that made me cry...excellent video!

[@user-cb5lq5gv8m]

Great video - Good+ woodworking. Of course, that comes from a woodworking newbie who has yet to try making a real fine furniture piece. I am waiting for my impending move to Tennessee to set up my woodworking man cave and try my hand at making tables and chairs for my new home. I enjoy your videos🕊🕊 always come away with a nugget or three to help me in my future woodworking projects.

[@wittworks]

thank you

[@jmezzofante9337]

I am sorry. I clicked off to watch cat hunting dove videos. A real wood worker will use beaver teeth they collected from their forearms after fighting a beaver for some prime black walnut. I recommend use what ever works best for you. If you like the speed of power tools, go for it. If you like the satisfaction of doing it by hand, do that. Nice first attempt. I would give an A for the final result.

[@Religion0]

I'm sorry, but a *real* woodworker would use their own teeth. Or pull their teeth out and replace them with beaver teeth.

[@luisaraujo4708]

I’ve just watch this video, the second I’ve watched of yours; I think I’ve found a replacement for rewatching Norm Abram’s republished videos. He was a real woodworker and excellent instructor on PBS from the ancient time before the interwebs (yes I am that old) whom I considered the very best at the craft. You keep doing you and I’ll keep watching and contributing 👍🏼 to influence the KZbin alligatorism thingies to look on you favourably. Oh, yeah; I can’t be bothered looking for the 🕊️ emoji and your first dovetails are definitely an “A”. Fixing the mistakes gets you an “A++” cuz that’s how you learn and get better at the craft.

[@Snedesk]

Actually Norm was a carpenter who became a good woodworker. Remember him first on the original This Old House?

[@erichoel6379]

Your subscription story worked. I'm a subscriber! The great projects, the spiritual wisdom and the snark-filled content were definitely strong selling points as well.

[@threepe0]

This is so refreshing thank you!!! To see some mistakes, and how to deal with them and adjust, I think is massively important; I imagine a lot of beginners or would-be woodworkers see people drawing straight lines and think "well, I can't even do that, so this isn't for me..." but something I've found watching really experienced woodworkers is that, even with chops built up over the years, things don't always go to plan. What has continually amazed me though, is the creativity and flexibility they develop in order to make the accidents look intentional, or even turn out better than planned. It reminds me of musicians; If you know what to look and listen for, you might catch a glimpse of your hero royally effing up, but turning it into magic anyways. Nearly everything, when it comes to wood, is fixable. As with most things, perfection is the enemy of progress. You can either let fear/apprehension rob you of a potential good time, or not. On that note, I'm going to go brush off my tools and get to work. Thank you for the inspiration.

[@Superman360]

I'm always impressed by your videos. Your planning, music and overall production quality is that of a top tier youtuber.I see you going far. As far as your 🕊tails go, you get an A, not perfect, but for a first time, way better than my attempts. Dovetails seem so easy until you get halfway and realize how perfect they need to be.

[@wittworks]

Thanks! Appreciate you recognizing the work behind the video. The video was harder than the doves.

[@jimmydiresta]

Beautiful 🎉

[@wittworks]

You should start a KZbin channel

[@EMTdrummer]

Hearing from God directly is a serious comment!!

[@bradboyer1381]

Your flow in the video is so pleasant to watch. Just...smooth. Effortless--as in effortless looking, even though you know most of all how arduous the editing actually was. I'm just saying...the end result is so satisfying for us viewers. Thank you. Other reflections: this has been the worst "lottery" winter for my family, too, up here just north of you in Oklahoma. I don't know why this is; we're all normally much more healthy. It's just a really bad year. Courage, brother, courage. Now as far as your design/ execution: I love those big, fat, juicy dovetails. Nothing subtle. Yes! I thought the way you hid your not-perfectly-fitting joints with offcut splines (word?) and glue-n-sawdust turned out very nice. I imagine a really close inspection would reveal this, but, yeah, for an entry table that is unlikely to get that kind of scrutiny, probably more than good enough. The only concern I have is for the left-right resistance to racking. Yeah, this is an entry table, not a bench, so maybe irrelevant. But I'm curious: did your 2" (3"?) thick planks have sufficient oomph to resist such racking (did you test for this?), or not? Curious minds want to know.

[@danielgamble9630]

As someone who aspires to create furniture I'd be proud for people to see, I found this video informative, entertaining, and inspiring. I hope you keep creating, and I think you should keep rolling with the hybrid woodworking style whether combining powertool and hand tool methods in one project or trying out projects that highlight each. I fully understand the desire to embrace the history of word working with hand tools, because it just feels honest ... but I also have 2 kids, chores and want to see things get done.

[@stephenshipley1066]

I hope your family understands that the table is not for putting things on . . . or touching. It's just for admiration and adoration ;-)

[@wittworks]

hahaha

[@lblbuilders]

what’s up with all the new tools…i’m thinking you must have caught your flu and sinus bug while shopping online…hence todays sponsor surf shark. having had small kids, the beach is genius. it looks like a kid has already marked on it…A- on the dovetails - I probably would have ended up with a table 8” narrower (after I erased my first try). With all the track saws you own, you used the cordless festool…maybe the most honest review ever given.

[@wittworks]

If you look closely I actually used 3 different festool track saw models just for the trolls 🤪

[@michaelkelley6905]

That was super fun to watch. It’s actually quite an inspiration to see you trying dovetail on the first try with an entry table, plus gigantic pins and tails! Every time I try something new when woodworking, I make tons of mistakes and learn from them. This is encouraging, because you leaned into the errors and owned them. The power tools you use are above my financial capacity to acquire, so I have to do more restoration of old, used stuff for my builds. Let me say, it builds character, and it’s a poor (skill level) craftsman that always blames his tools. I just built a three legged chair with 9 through tenons (wedged). I made it from Catalpa which I milled on my bandsaw mill (all manual handling - woodland mills bandsaw) I made the wedges from an Osage orange (Bois D’Arc) log a guy gave me and I milled that too. I’d have to give my joinery a C+, I’d put your dovetails at A-. It’s such a satisfying thing to take an idea and turn it into reality. 🕊️. Great video.

[@wittworks]

Thanks!

[@curtisbarbarapowers8095]

In my considered opinion, your dovetails are great. Best of all, the honesty and self-depreciation strike a ringing chord with me. I am a wood hacker of dubious skill, but I love the craft anyway. My first dovetails were cut raggedly and I didn't mark one of the sides of the intended drawer body and accidentally cut tails instead of pins on one end. your fixes for the gaposis was great.

[@67malibuman]

Nice work on the dovetails and entertaining video. The Beach really gives the table a great look and works really nicely with the joinery.

[@wittworks]

Thank you very much!

[@cdnbean]

I really enjoyed you bringing in Encurtis and The Wood Whisperer - love knowing there is such a supportive community. I'm new to hand tools and agree with having a hybrid approach (I sometimes like being a masochist and using a hand saw, but really it's the process that I enjoy) I would highly recommend Matt Estlea for things hand tool related - has the BEST online handtool school out there!!

[@wittworks]

Thank you. I watched a lot of Matt when learning this. He's great.

[@JBCavern]

This is the first of your videos that I've seen. I love your sense of humor and humility. I'm also okay with your not getting the dove tails quite right but I'm sure they still look a ton better than what I could do. Dove.

[@wittworks]

I appreciate that!

[@neverusedutube]

Your video was really motivating to get back to some wood projects I've been putting off. Thank you! 🕊

[@Warhawk76]

Not that interested in woodworking to be honest, but as a father to three boys your story about why you started your channel is about the most inspiring thing I have heard in a long time. You rock! And I subbed, good luck sir!

[@codyhuddle]

Found you and just started watching you and your one of my top woodworks to watch now. I can feel you so much with you and the kiddos getting sick. My house just did the same thing. Glad your house is better. Your comedy is right up my alley. Keep doing you and making the haters hate lol great channel man. 🕊️

[@macnalty]

DFW guy here, I too feel like for a first-time dovetail project you did extremely well, it is an earned skill cutting dovetail much like playing golf. Great editing and camera work, interesting choice on the wood. Put the word out as often as possible that when fellow woodworkers are using birch in any form, plywood, etc., we are sourcing that from Russia and some loophole they have manipulated to sell to us. Maple is a reliable, nice domestic choice if this works with your thoughts on Russia.

[@wittworks]

Thank you. It was beech not birch

[@jagdpanzer911]

I've found it in the perfect moment. Just before my 1st table with this kind of joints. Thanks for this video! It helped me to rethink my design :)

[@hartleyhubbard3827]

lol..... (scribble/scribble...forehead rub...bewildered look) Greg (garden grove, CA usa) this has been very enjoyable to watch! I"m 60 and feel like I'm a "rookie" at everything I do in life. Seeing your tools & shop, and knowing you're not a rookie, and yet mistakes happen and time-lines get extended, and costs increase... all this fits nicely in the age-old saying "misery loves company". How many posts on KZbin that we admire, have had edits, and cuts, and retakes - and an assumption is developed "this person is a master at their craft - they never get anything wrong."? It's refreshing to see a true master have "set backs". (I'm going to show this to my wife, right now - It'll make me feel better)

[@dalemoore692]

I love hand cut dovetails, they show another level of care and skill technique that comes by time and effort. They are difficult no matter what people say. Love the table and chamfer on one side only - it tells a story of your woodworking journey.

[@lolaharwood619]

This video really resonates with me- I'm an a-level (18 yrs old) design technology student doing a cabinet making final project, and I've had a lot of knock backs - my teacher has also been kind of a patronising arse in places, trying to tell me how to do it when at the end of the day its my project and she shouldn't interfere. But this video shows that I can make mistakes as I'm going, as long as I'm willing to solve them as I go- thanks for the motivation. That joint was definitely an A

[@sueb4154]

I love the spalting that you chose to leave exposed on the surface of the table. I love the shape and aesthetic of the feet that you created. I love that you chose to keep the beech "sample" table as opposed to recreating it in walnut. I love the finish with the white Rubio and ceramic coating. I am a total nube when it comes to dovetails as well, but I give you an A+ for your first-ever really LARGE pins and tails. But! I do so want to kick your butt for not chamfering both top edges! My symmetry meter just dropped off the edge of the earth!

[@michaelgarlick3297]

I have never done dovetails...I primarily do rough carpentry but have been thinking of starting to do some other projects, including things I would use dovetails for and this makes me feel like this is something even I can do and provided some good tips I can use. Thank you

[@norbertsorger1398]

Remember Bob Ross: "We don't make mistakes! We only have some happy little incidents! Sincerly spoken, I would'nt have been satisfied with those dovetails, but in the end: who cares? The result looks great and (almost) nobody would ever give this table such a close inspection, to find out all the parts of wood and glue you've inserted to hide those "little incidents" I made a lot of dovetail joints by hand within the years, but it is somehow not predictable. Sometimes they turn out great, but sometimes you struggle to hide all the "little incidents", because in principle the joint works, but does not look "professional". Just use it and think about, where you can improve it the next time! Greetings from Germany (so don't mind my bad English) Norbert

[@katiezilch9424]

Awesome for a first attempt-I didn’t get to finish my first hardwood dovetail project yet 😢. I think a hybrid approach is the the most approachable/fun. Mix and match techniques with what you like/have available! I really liked using masking tape too (and another KZbinr’s dovetail guide). Thanks for sharing your first dovetail project-flitting off to watch a cat video 🕊️.

[@titusflavius9566]

It was a pleasure watching you man, great sense of humor and great work. Unreal tools of course.

[@wittworks]

Thanks. I think.

[@ericd7975]

Some good communication rules up front, fair enough and I agree. Just tripped over your channel and I thoroughly enjoyed it - so thank you. Loved your humour and your skills . I am now a subscriber . So - happy days, looking forward to your next video . Cheers and thanks ! 😀😳🥸

[@wittworks]

Awesome, thank you!

[@sgt_retiredcharlie4102]

Love your whit and your honesty about the mistakes you made; as well as showing how you dealt with them! Absolutely LOVE that you only chamfered one side of the table! MY OCD IS SCREAMING!!! LOL 🕊 🕊 Bigger and Better Dovetails than I've ever made! Great editing as well, my friend. *Parenting... You're doing it right! Shalom, from Tennessee.

[@travislebaube7646]

First time watching, loved it. I hope all of your videos are like this. You are refreshingly... normal, human. It is very inspiring for me, who is also battling literal everything you talked about. Thank you! 🕊

[@subgeeze]

Nice job! My first large dovetails were for my Roubais-style workbench, and at least they are functional. I had to fill gaps, too, also using wafers of wood---thicker ones than you needed. So yours were objectively better; therefore, to protect my self esteem, you get an A+.

[@fletchro789]

Great video production skills! Good sound as in microphone work, good background music, and good voice-over acting. Also great camera quality and shot positioning made this video really enjoyable to watch! Peace! 🕊️

[@vferdman]

A+ from someone who is really bad at dovetails, but appreciates the resourcefulness. Project came out great, though I WOULD finish both edges the same way (you're welcome). I would, in fact, round them over with a fairly largish radius bit. But it's not my project and that's a detail that is personal. Enjoy the fruits of your labor and stay well!

[@michaelhirst5344]

Great video. I would have gave you C for the dovetails. The Wood Whisperer has a good point though. I have not tried a dovetail yet. I started building a guitar from scratch a long time ago and cut the neck too thin and had to redo it. The resistance struck me too. I am just getting ready to try the neck again. Thanks for the video.

[@claybowser698]

It's amazing the timing of me watching this particular video because I am working on a challenging dovetail project. I've already jacked up my practice pile of wood that will now be cut smaller to save for future something else practice. Now I've just cut a bunch of pieces to cut ten dovetails in a row so I don't mess up my second try on this project. And I am dealing with ear infections in both ears and everything I hear sounds like I am hearing it from the bottom of a swimming pool. I was gonna cut everything by hand but my tails are on a long piece like your table so I am cutting them on my really really old Rockwell bandsaw instead but I am cutting out the pins by hand. I think your videos are super cool man. Oh I was born in Fort Worth and went to Haltom City Junior High.

[@darren2461]

I hardly ever comment on videos, but man - this project is absolutely beautiful. B+ on the 🕊️tails, solid A on the touchup work, A+ on the production value and the cameos (hats off to encurtis for the self aware humor!). And the end product? A+++ on the decision to go with the “paint grade” beech. That wood is stunning - great grain / spalting selection for the show face and wonderful choice on the finish. Maybe it’s because we only get to see white oak and walnut on KZbin, but it looks practically exotic. Weird thing to say about for a ‘boring’ domestic that’s 1/2 my cost for red oak, but it’s true.

[@wittworks]

thanks for commenting!

[@bill40bates]

I’m going to try my first try at dovetails soon. Hopefully they look that good when I’m done! Great work.

[@daveb9562]

I drunkely (not a word but it should be) stumbled across this channel and I absolutely love it. I love the snark! I love how real it is. Thank you, for making me laugh and teaching me, I truly appreciate it. Those dove tails are great B+, because they always can be better....yeah i'm that guy. Keep up the great work, keep teaching those kids what they should not do with their lives!

[@davohbg1996]

Dear Drew This is an excellent project and the result is impressive. I assume you are an enthusiast in woodworking as I am. With other words we are not professionals and learned it in a apprenticeship. So our learn curve to aquire the necessary skills and techniques is/was steep. From my point of view, the most important point is the enjoyment to work with wood and learn new things. It is creativity on many levels. Yes, I am a Festool fan too. Having the right tools does not substitute lack of skills but helping to bridge deficiencies to get good results in a good time. At least this applys to me. To put the circumstances into considerations the result is excellent and I like you honest comments to this excellent video. Thank you for this and I like it. I hope you understand my remarks as concouragement and constructive and not as the opposite. English is not my mothertongue. Keep in touch - Kind Regards from Bern (Switzerland)

[@brokenbarbespoke]

I love this man! Looks great! I also was facing a lot of issues during this last month and it has also put me behind. I am glad that you made it through and your family is now safe from those awful infections and I hope that they stay that way! I went ahead and purchased The War of Art (thank you for the link) I look forward to reading through it for inspiration :) 🕊🕊🕊🕊🕊

[@wittworks]

Thank you

[@PracticallyMint]

because I have to be honest, A-/B+ on fitup, but you get the bonus points for your recovery methods, and extra bonus points for that fantastic finish you put on. I tried a set of hand-cut dovetails on a bookcase I was building from red oak, and quickly learned just how hard it is to master that skill so my hat is off to you for having the , er, let’s call ‘em Texas truck hitch ornaments (TTHO?) to do it on such a big stage. You’ve earned my subscription with that performance, and I look forward to whatever you come up with next!

[@wittworks]

thank you. welcome aboard

[@andersonolive4553]

Drew 🕊️ this was such a good one on so many levels. You do such a good job at translating (right word?) the struggle from video to real life. It makes your videos that much more relatable. The Easter eggs made me laugh out loud. Hope the family is all happy and healthy now too!

[@wittworks]

Thank you

[@Nick_Graham_Woodwork]

Like Mark said, for a first time, those are great. My first hand cut dovetail looked like bad box joints. I keep the picture to remind myself how far I’ve come.

[@corycolman2810]

First time viewer! Really enjoyed it and your track saw review for Milwaukee as well. Appreciate the subtle humor. New listener and now new subscriber! Thanks for great content!

[@Control-Freak]

Early in my venture into woodworking I thought I could adjust dovetails, it never worked. Now I know which lines must never be crossed and which ones don't matter as the other piece will be later cut to fit. Nice job fixing things up. Here is a tip when buttering up joints with glue and sawdust, use a plastic spatula, metal ones can sometime turn the glue sawdust black. Not sure why I know that.

[@jonathanporto7612]

🕊tails are no easy undertaking and I think you nailed it! A+ good sir...for taking on a huge joint, keeping us wildly entertained, and for always bringing in your fellow Tubers!

[@eljevandeventer6514]

Thanks so much for this idea and sharing. I can't grade your work ... 39year old 🕊️ tail virgin here but boy those looked A+ to me!! ... my client (the wife) now wants a similar table. Thanks for the motivation, will be trying this now too (and yes I'll be using a mix of power and hand tools like you, with a smile) as long as it's wood right!? Hehe

[@Nocturnal2010]

A I'm ADHD and still enjoyed the entire video. I plan on doing my 1st dove tails soon 👍🏾👍🏾👍🏾 I go out of my way to hide joints and/or fasteners so it ought to be fun lol

[@wittworks]

Good luck!

[@leewarren8651]

That finish is fly! 🕊️ The spalting on that beech looks so good and the dovetails came out really well. Showing the fixes on the gaps was really helpful; going to use those on my projects.

[@wittworks]

thank you

[@cosmicartist1]

A common carpenter's trick for softening end grain for more effective chiseling/paring is to spritz the grain with clean water. Equally important is to keep your chisel razor sharp. If possible, have one tool for chiseling and a separate chisel or slick used only for paring. The force of hammer blows from chiseling takes the fine edge off your blade quickly and almost immediately lessens its ability to make fine paring cuts.

[@btall3833]

Nice job, it made me want to try a Dovetail, I’m looking forward to your next project

[@mikeberndt181]

I’ve built custom cherry kitchen cabinets and more. Seeing other people who pay attention to detail and having love for their work is rare. Many people just don’t care enough or I’m too much of a perfectionist. If I was paying for wood projects I don’t think I’d have 2nd thoughts about having you do one for me or recommending you to someone so take that as your grade. I’ve worked for people who were architects in their homes and they were picky and hard to work for. I believe it was my personality and attention to detail that allowed me the opportunity to work for people with such high standards that also paid very well.

[@RichyPful]

I love it! Solid B+. Pros: this video was a LOT of problem solving - which is what real woodworking is - scratching your head, fighting with tools. I also love the lopsided chamfer. It creates a story, a talking point. 🕊️

[@wittworks]

haha thank you

[@markhopkins7204]

First effort aside, results should make you feel proud..having never considered a project using beech, you've also inspired me to try this wood out soon..thanks for sharing!

[@wittworks]

thank you

[@kollegedave]

The video was great. The Pressfield book is great. I am in no position to grade dovetails; I use pocket screws. Good for you to take the challenge on. If I made those dovetails on my first try, I would be happy. Great job for your kids. There is a lot to admire in this video.

[@ninenailswoodshop]

Not only did you make solid A 🕊tails on the first try, but you made them HUGE! Having never made them before I can't imagine how nervous I'd be skipping thinner lumber and going straight for the biggest dovetails ever! Also, well done weaving an incredible story into the video as always. I'm always so impressed by your storytelling.

[@medan729]

Thats an A+ on the dovetails. And I subscribed so i can see your review of Ridgids new track saw. And in hopes you do more projects like this. This was a gem of a video and that entry table looks awesome!

[@wittworks]

Thanks for the sub!

[@KingsFineWoodworking]

Beautiful work, and fantastic video. You should have 10 times that many subs. I'm gonna call KZbin in the morning and straighten that out!

[@wittworks]

Hahaha. Thank you

[@mcargent]

This is the first of your videos that I've watched. I'm 52 and I haven't done a dovetail yet. I may actually have to try to do some at some point. I totally appreciated your choice of beech. Worked in a lumberyard for 13 years, and it's under rated (and smells so good). I find it humorous that it's called "spalted" now instead of "wormy". Good job. I have to give your 🕊tails an A because they're better than any I've done. 😸

[@wittworks]

Thank you

[@alexmccurter2885]

So glad the KZbin algorithm suggested this. Like the piece, love the video. Keep up the great work, brother.

[@wittworks]

Thank you and thank big Al

[@terryandrews49]

Even the 17th century master cabinet makers used a mix of ancient and the latest tools that they could lay their hands on. Using a mix of power and hand tools is the natural way to go. However accurate marking out is essential, as is accurately cutting to those lines. Removing wood is easy putting it back invisibly is impossible. Not to mention a loose joint is always a weak point, and likely will come back to haunt you, even if well hidden. Besides which having to do restoration before a piece is even finished, is totally lost time. However every mistake we make is a learning opportunity.

[@roberthoyle6442]

I was watching a pack of feral cats hunt down buffalo in North Florida when it flipped over to this channel. I am glad it did because I saw Mark Spagnolia. Glad I did because I like Mark and I subscribed to your channel Mark, Thanks.

[@misteritscuz]

Love seeing Matt Outlaw aka 731 Woodworks in your Patreon list and seeing all of the other KZbin WW community supporting/messing with/talking shit on each other.

[@marshallmurrell4583]

I don't know how I might grade your work. Not perfect, but far better than my first attempt at a hand cut dovetail. I am definitely a hybrid woodworker. I get the best dovetail results with my Porter Cable dovetail jig. Just last week I cleared out waste from a series of bridle joints in walnut with my set of super duper Narex chisels. What a disaster!!! I'm going to use epoxy to fill the voids. Thankfully, the voids in the joints will be on the floor under the dining table so not readily visible. The tops are protected from view by the shoulders. Enjoy your videos. Keep up the good work. Greetings and best from Dallas.

[@wittworks]

thank you

[@robertquiles7815]

Great video! It gives me confidence to go and make my first 🕊tails! The one chamfered corner truly shows it's a custom piece. A roundover on the other end would have made people go crazy!

[@Onomishar]

Loved how you fixed the gaps and sizing of your first 🕊️ tails!

[@wittworks]

Thank you! 😊

[@oliverking9951]

Really appreciate the honesty in this video. I'm sure my first attempt at dovetails will be somewhat similar! Happy to hit the subscribe button and will now be working through your back catalogue. Enjoy the stadium tour with your kids!

[@G.I.JeffsWorkbench]

Pastor (still?), you continue to inspire. Your humble, practical presentation style is what makes me glad to be a subscriber. I agree with/ the Whisperer, your 1st ever dovetails earned a solid A, IMHO. A close review of how you made them reminds me that it’s ok to be a “hybrid” woodworker. I think it was Lincoln Street who said that the mark of a great woodworker is the skill to cover up “oops” moments. You succeeded at this. I’ve also heard that medieval craftsman (persons?) would intentionally leave a non-functional flaw in their DOVE work, so as to be grateful for their blessing of skill, yet not to purport to be as awesome as their Creator. Festool sticker on Ryobi? Hilarious. As was the line about replacing it with/ a “real” jigsaw (i presume it was a Bosch in Festool colors…). I’ll do my best to remember the name of the ?negative energy force? (I’ve already forgotten the name). Nice phone a friend to Curtis. I’m sure he’d give your dovetails a C, but whatever. Thanks for continuing to follow his admonishment to “make a thing,” without surrendering to the ?Resistance?, or to a compulsion to be perfect or nothing at all.

[@wittworks]

Thanks! I can’t say what Erik graded them because he used a lot of cuss words but I think he was excited and happy.

[@jacquessauvageau6256]

Good job with the joints: they look very good, as is this whole project (the nano coating really adds a nice sheen). I think the hand vs power tool debate is sterile: the end result is as important as the journey to get there, whatever suits you and the mood you're in when you execute it: You wanted to learn something new and you seem to have had a blast. And more importantly you have enjoyed the journey and the end result makes you proud. Nothing beats that! Thx for sharing!🕊

[@trleith]

I like the chamfer on the one side only. Keep the asymmetrical vibe, the sharp line against the wall will look great and not collect dandruff. But instead of a chamfer, maybe a round-over on that side and front edge for comfort and damage resistance. I bet it looks great and you don't risk hamster invasion, giving them no place to sleep. And you're also right about what draws "engagement" -- an important skill for any KZbinr.

[@timjohnston57]

A+ Buddy, I just love your videos you have the right amount of comedy, sincerity, and woodworking. Kudos to the job and I’m looking forward to seeing your video of when you’re standing on the star at the Cowboys stadium with your little ones looking up. Thanks again.