▼EXPAND THIS SECTION FOR MORE RESOURCES RELATED TO THIS VIDEO▼ *Tools used in this video:* -Mechanical Pencils: amzn.to/2PA7bwK -Marking Gauge: lddy.no/10muz ★THIS VIDEO WAS MADE POSSIBLE BY★ -Fisch Forstner Bits: amzn.to/2tvzbJg -Fisch Drill Bits: amzn.to/2BHJLl4 *Please help support us by using the link above for a quick look around!* (If you use one of these affiliate links, we may receive a small commission) *Links to more Stumpy Nubs:* -More videos on our website: stumpynubs.com/ -Subscribe to our e-Magazine: stumpynubs.com/browse-and-subscribe/ -Check out our project plans: stumpynubs.com/product-category/plans/ -Instagram: instagram.com/stumpynubs/ -Twitter: twitter.com/StumpyNubs -Facebook: facebook.com/Stumpy-Nubs-Woodworking-Journal-305639859477973/
@@jbtechcon7434 I'm wondering this too. I guess making the wedges slightly larger than the gaps means even if those tiny hinges do break, there's so much friction (and glue) between all the pieces that the main part of the tenon won't slide out - the large piece in the middle would have to break to get it to come out.
@@lewiscarroll4290 Yeah, the glue is there, but the friction will be reduced. If those hinges break, your tenon now has SLOPED sides! I know the slight compression from pushing wedges in adds something, but it can't be enough to make up for a sloped tenon. I think you'd be better off putting in a normal tenon and driving a hard dowel through it sideways.
There are many well-meaning woodworkers on RUclips but very few of them can explain *why* things are done in a certain way. Your knowledge shines through and your teaching style makes it possible for us to learn and understand, rather than simply copying.
Know what I love most about this video? That you're being open about the tremors and don't care, not allowing yourself to be discouraged and do work with those hands. Hats off.
In addition to the craft skills already recognized in many other comments and the equally excellent and not hectic camera work and film editing, I would like to emphasize something else: As a non-native English speaker, your emphasis, expression and comfortable speaking speed make it easy for me to follow your explanations. Thanks for that. And also that there is no annoying music ;p
As a non-native english speaker brother, I really don't miss a background music too. I wish you luck on the great journey of language fluency, and I advice you continue to search content on youtube, most part of my own fluency came from here, I not even known she existed since some years ago when I tried speakng with my uncle that have really learned the language. I wish you luck and a great new year (today was is 30/12, to people os the future reading this)
I never wanted to say anything, but I actually appreciate the tremors. My hands aren't the steadiest by any means and it actually makes me a little less worried
Same thing here, different reasons for the shakes mind you. This tells me I have no excuse for not attempting chisel work and letting my CNC have all the fun instead of me.
Ain't any of us perfect, and we sure get less so after we pass 70! (If it doesn't shake, it aches.) But woodworking is so much more fun once we're retired! And Stumpy, that is one nice joint!
I don’t have idiopathic essential tremor but I do have other imperfections. “Of my three score years and ten, minus two will not come again” Shame that Stumpy needs to explain. I have seen abusive comments. I just wish he would mix in more jokes as in the earlier videos.
What I always tell my friends is my hands don't need to be steady if I'm already moving them. I just need to move them in the right direction. What they do when I'm not trying to move them is irrelevant.
I come from the city of Cantù in Italy where woodworking has been the main industry for many decades and some of the most famous furniture makers are. Do you know it? It the birthplace on Castello smoking pipes too. I remember the air of the town filled with table saws sounds and the smell of cut wood everywhere. It’s so nice to watch your video for me now that I am old and living in Australia.
Dude I love you. I understand essential tremor. That's probably why you are not a fine-detail artist (like painter or portrait) but you KICK ASS at woodworking and building. I saw you completely NAIL one of your pencil marks while compensating for the tremor! I LIVE THAT TOO every single day. Keep being awesome 👌
You've mentioned the tremor before, & talked a little about some of the less than polite things people have assumed about your shop habits as a result. This was the first time I saw it clearly. I do have some medical training, so this is a little biased, but how anyone could mistake that tremor for something non-neurologically caused is beyond me. But, some people have to find something to gripe about. Haters gonna hate, but you are awesome!
For those interested, Rockler has an amazing sale on the Fisch 16-piece Wave-Cutter Forstner bit set thru the end of September 2021. I doubt if you'll ever see them selling for this low again. My set arrived yesterday. 😀
I've only just found the Stumpy Nubs channel, and I'm brand new to woodwork. This is by far one of the most accessible, explanatory and educational carpentry channels on the web. I love the care that's taken to explain EVERYTHING - not just how to, but why, what to watch out for, and other techniques. My interest is in creating furniture for Bonsai, so mostly outdoors, but this is now my go to channel for woodwork. The only downside I've found is that I have zero room (or budget) for machining/'milling tools (for the most part, I'm restricted to hand tools) and my only source of affordable wood is recycled (ie pallets) . But the channel is so rich with useful information I have actually found myself inventing projects to practice what is being taught. Thanks Stumpy Nubs. This is a brilliant channel
I've seen that joint done many times, and done a few myself, but never thought about your approach with the slanted cuts. Always saw it with the holes drilled. Have to admit your technique here makes a lot of sense. Gonna do that in the future.
I've been a metalwork fabricator for about 10 years now and Im just beginning to get into woodworking properly (for hobbyist purposes). My God what a can of worms I've opened! Im virtually having to unlearn everything I know about metal and re-learn for wood. For instance he mentions, sneaking up on the correct dimension and never go over. With metal working, its not a massive issue and can sometime work to your advantage. If your cutting a mitre frame for instance and you over cut the angles, with metal, not a problem, just fill the gaps with weld. But nooo such luxuries with woodworking! I feel this learning curve may well be a steep one! and Hopefully an enjoyable one!
Cut yourself some slack and take your time... As we often say in woodworking, "Measure twice. Cut once." It's a reminder to double check that you REALLY want that material wasted out... AND save the sawdust for each piece and kind of wood you use. It can be mixed with glue to form a paste that you can then smash into any gaps that might show... It's ONLY a cosmetic fix, SO you're joints need to be physically and functionally tight (that skill comes with time and repetition, like anything)... BUT there are lots of little places where a gap or hole here or there is no consequence structurally... AND with a bit of "glue-dust paste" to match the wood around it, nobody but you needs to know about it. I'm lucky I guess... going the other direction, from leather and wood-working toward metal. My angle grinder still makes the welder I am more like the welder I'd like to be. We're all learning. ;o)
An addition to what gnart said ... Most important thing first: Safety. Watch James' (Stumpy Nubs') videos on safety; this will help you keep your fingers for your next projects. ;) Basically you only need to learn one tool: The Chisel. A saw is a bunch of chisels on a row (angled differently, but they're just chisels). A plane is a chisel held in a fixed position (except from those that fly, but that's a whole different story). A drillbit is 'made' of two chisels that go round and round. ... You get the idea. ;) Now wood differ from metal in several ways, one of them is the 'grain' which metal doesn't have. You need to think about which direction a board will expand/contract and you should get familiar with crosscuts and ripcuts. James made videos about this; so did both Rob Cosman and Paul Sellers. I recommend Titebond; it's a good glue, which covers most needs; it's fast and it's strong. In some cases (outdoor) you may want to use Elmer's, which is more expensive, but should last better in moist environments. Matt Estlea started out a few years ago with a series about how to "Plane Correctly", "Saw Correctly" and other videos in the "correctly" category; they're worth watching. Also Paul Sellers is good at teaching sawing (getting a straight cut with only a hand saw; he tends to use hand-tools and he keeps things simple). Last but not least: Happy woodworking - remember you can combine with metalworking, since you have the skills. =)
@@68HC060 arguably, a plane that flies is also a chisel: It splits the airflow into a fixed (high pressure) part and a loose (low pressure) part, thus generating lift. And, as with chisels, the wing being dull or rough causes drag. It is actually a quite remarkable and obvious analogy when you think about it. Disclaimer: I am not an expert on aerodynamics or fluid dynamics in any way.
@@68HC060 I didn't know I was playing - what did I win? :-) Anyway, I think many great ideas have begun like this: someone saying "X is not/can not do Y", in just the right way to make someone else realise that - surprisingly - X actually is/can do Y. And in an even more abstract sense, everything that happens in the universe is either stuff being joined together or stuff being split apart.
You make such amazing videos, all so clearly explained, the camera angles show everything, remarkable craftsmanship. That you continue to make them despite thinking you have to apologize for some physical condition that obviously does NOT affect your ability makes you a better person than me. Thanks for everything!
Fisch work and they work well. After watching one of James videos where he abuses a Fisch Forstner bit, I purchased one and was immediately amazed. Now I don't use any other Forstner bits. Definitely worth it and highly recommended!
+1 for Fisch quality - I bought a set of brad point Fisch drills on Stumpy's recommendation some years back and have never regretted their purchase, even though they were quite expensive. They are excellent.
The New Yankee Woodshop got me started in woodworking 30 years ago. I loved watching Norm Abrams and now I found you with a very similar and comfortable demeanor. Having just retired I now have more time to spend in my wood shop and I am. You’re great at explaining techniques and I’m going to put them to good use! Thank you!!!
I love how you explain things succinctly and clearly, without the verbal diarrhoea that too many RUclipsrs seem to suffer from! You're inspirational. Also, you had me in stitches with your closing comment! Well played, sir!
I, too, have "essential tremors" and have found a wonderful doctor who understands it and has given me the meds to make my tremors virtually disappear, Good luck with yours.
I'm sorry people comment about your hands shaking, I've never noticed until you said something about it and watched so many of your videos. Thank you for making such quality tutorials, they help me so often and are really some of the best wood working content out there.
Excellent tips. I'm one of the guys that cut the saw cuts in the tenon straight. I will never do that again, thanks to you. I learn from every video I watch of yours. Thanks for sharing your expertise!
I love the way you use different FROM instead of the usual TO, or even worse THAN. Also “smarter people than I” You have been so well educated.. Besides, the video is informative as well as being a great presentation. I’ve never seen a description of this before either in a video or a book.
hey, no need to appologize for your shaky hands. Im impressed you are very skilled dispite of the shaky hands. I know a lot of photographers that use glasses. painters that use tape for straight lines. Waiters that use calculators. ect. Stay safe, and thanks for the content. Im motivated to start doing wood working , but I dont know where to start.
As my field of profession is kind of related (luthier), but I never had formal training, I find videos like this very useful. This one expecially is very well executed, every single step is perfectly explained and demonstrated without going overboard, and the level of product placement reduced to an essential minimum. Thank you sir, I do subscribe now!
One thing I've recently started doing when laying out mortice boundaries with a wheel-style marking gauge is to reference off of the opposite side of the work piece so that the gauge crosses the mortice. That way, the shape of the cutter is aligned such that the plumb side is the actual line that I want to cut to and the sloped side is in the waste. I find that I get cleaner lines this way.
I have two style gauges. One has the bevel facing in, one has the bevel facing out. That way I get clean lines for both sides of the mortise. The problem is remembering which one is which. :-)
My dad had essential tremors and was the only person that I knew that had it. Now you are the second. Dad had met one other person in his entire life and I remember how excited he was when he told everyone that he had found someone that he had this in common with. Keep up the great work.
I am a self taught female woodworking hobbyist and I love watch your videos. You have an easy voice to listen too and so much knowledge! Thank you! I also wanted you to know that there is a medical procedure available now that will lessen, if not completely, make your essential tremors go away. A neighbor of mine had it done and she is 80. She no longer has them!
You’ve told us about your tremors before, but until this video I had never actually seen them. They do concern me, but more because I want you to be healthy and happy and teaching us good woodworking tips for a long time. I’m glad to hear that they don’t materially impact your ability to do the work you enjoy.
I really like how you don't let slight issues like the essential tremour get in the way of your work, some people might have decided working with their hands wasn't for them because of slight inconviences like that.
I remember my grandfather using joints like that when building the bed that he and my grandmother slept in for the rest of their lives. It still is in use in a cousin's guest room some 65 years later.
I love your videos not only for the amazingly informative take you always have but also because they show that you can still produce beautiful and precise work even with your Essential Tremors. It's amazing to see how you don't let small things hold you back from doing (and excelling) at the things you love!
Great video as always. I swear you're one of the best woodworkers on RUclips at explaining and showing something so that people of all skill levels can understand. Much thanks! 👏👏
I liked your analysis of the process when it comes to drilling the hole through the tenon to prevent the wood to crack. This makes sense to me and I think I will follow your thinking and do it the same way.
Doode... You are the business! Blessed that I have your extensive, focused and articulate knowledge at my fingertips. Long may you reign as king of RUclips.
Never apologise for your condition, it's not your fault if people are prompt to juge... You are one of the best woodworking channel, keep on like that. Best Regards from Belgium.
Stumpy, completely understand about the tremors. All my life I was told that my shaky hands were nerves. In my early sixties a neurologist told me it was an essential tremor, a genetic condition. Can be frustrating at times, can’t it. 🥴
My dad is in his mid seventies and has developed that over the last year or so. Took me a while to ask about it, I was afraid what the prognosis was or if he'd even looked into it, knowing how stubborn he his.
Thank you for another informative video! Been watching your videos for over a year now as I fumble along in my wood working hobby. I always enjoy your attitude and your dry wit. I never noticed that your hands shake in your videos. My best friends mom has essential tremors too. I'll share your channel with her husband and they'll enjoy your work too.
Loved the "if you don't have a marking gauge... Get one". Was expecting you to give some alternative, so not only was it good advice you had the low key humor element.
All t he hundrfeds of pieces of furniture ive made and never tried a wedge tenon, very cool. Makes me miss working with wood. Love your channel. even an old guy like me can learn something
James...yet another gold standard video and that wedges mortise and tenon is gorgeous. I agree with the other commenters in the comments section...by far the most lucid, logical and well explained tutorials on the tube! I can honestly say I have learned more watching your channel than any other and look forward to applying those learnings each time I get a chance if they are relevant to my situation. Phenomenal as always!
Sending gratitude from a Daoist monastery near Seattle! I’m doing all the traditional woodworking here, and have had to learn a lot from instruction online. Your channel has been wonderfully helpful during this part of the the learning curve! 👍🏻☯️🔨
I've only recently starting learning about woodworking, and I gotta say your videos are my favorite ones! You explain the entirety of an issue thoroughly and without fluff to lengthen the video. The amount of useful information you pack into these videos while keeping them extremely digestible make you my go-to for any topic here! Thank you!
Thanks so much stumpy. I seem to learn something new with every video. I've always done a straight cut for my wedges so now I'll try the angle cut. Thanks mate.
Stumpy - you are undoubtedly the best at teaching the little nuances of fine carpentry of any RUclipsr. Period. (BTW, my son-in-law suffers from the same malady as you Like you, it is not a problem that causes too much grief...but gets more noticeable as he ages.) Just to let you know you're efforts are appreciated. KUDOS.
Hi All! I also have essential tremor. I suffered for years until a doc saw fit to prescribe Propranolol, which works for my high blood pressure too. As long as I remember to take it, it is extremely effective in reducing my tremor. It's like night and day! Love your videos! I had given up on learning how to cut mortise and tenons, but after this video, will break out my Forster bits, and try those! Thanks!
u rock dude, i hadnt planned to comment but the ending was worth confirming to all that this vid does come across as quite strong, good looking and not too shabby with your delivery about wedges and how to make them. fine work!
This is an incredible video -- not only is it information dense, but the information is arranged in such a way that each new point builds on the ones before it. There's no gaps, or leaps in logic or procedure. It flows well from one point to the next with clear examples. Not only that, but there's also a discussion of the problem before the solution is explained, so the viewer has a clear idea of what's going on and why these steps are being taken. A real feat of demonstration. I don't do any work with wood, but after watching this, I think I understand how to do this very well.
I just found your channel in Nov 2021 and I can't wait to go back through all your content. Thank you so much for making these videos and sharing your knowledge online
You’re right about it being a good looking accent. In fact, Woodsmith published plans for a bed that called for inlays to mimic that look. It was in the early 90’s and i had neither the skills nor the time to do an actual wedged tenon so it looked pretty appealing to me. The bed has stood the test of time but now I would definitely do the real thing. And I bet it would take me no longer to make than the fake inlays.
Awesome. I think you could make a more accurate guide for the chisel by adding a small block of wood with the proper angle to the side of the jig with the angle line on it. Having a hard time verbalizing what I mean.
When chopping out mortises and the like with guides, I used to have to glue popsicle sticks to my guide blocks... It does give a certain tactile feedback, and decrease errors... ;o)
Thank you so much for sharing the info on the tremors. I have that same thing and some days are worse than others. I have to explain the same. But I've never known anyone else with essential tremors other than me, so again thank you for sharing that. I just recently have gotten into wood working and your videos are my go to, to learn what I need to know next.
so many youtube channels just like this one with guys displaying massive skill making things look easy, thanks for the video even though these videos make me feel stupid, my life took a different path with my own set of skills but i wish i could do this
Superb, that's the best looking joint I've seen in a very long time, thank you James, for this video which will definitely be saved for my next joint. (Which will probably be the strongest joint I've ever done)
Really, the only tough part there is depth precision... Matching wedges to it is best done with the wedges just a tiny bit shorter than perfect, so they definitely seat, and still fit to width... As to the mortise... socket... You'll want to (optimally) be within 1/32" (around .5mm ish?) of exactly "dead on balls" from it to your tenon (depth to length) and usually, it's alright... What you don't want is stopping the whole piece with a 1/8 inch of tenon sticking out because the wedges won't sink flush with the end... OR wedges too thin to tighten the tenon in place. AND test and sneak into it BEFORE you add the wedges... Once they get involved you've got ONE fit-up... and glue or no glue, there's no taking it apart. It's either good enough to last the test of time, or it's going to show off where you F'ed up ... forever... I highly recommend a sense of humor... especially if you drive forward on your own. It took me probably about a dozen wonky adventures on the blind wedged tenons before I quite ironed it out, myself... BUT it is wood, after all, and there's a little bit of forgiveness... Once you've got a "style" or "system" to do them reliably, they're a lot of fun to dry-fit. There's no glue, no signs of screws, no nails, and even older guys who know the craft can be stuck there scratching their heads... ;o)
His wedging theory with the angled cut to a narrower 1/16 of an inch makes sense when you also have knowledge of felling trees and how the fibers need to bend. Definitely makes sense than just cutting straight down and drilling holes.
I recently built a router table to clamp into my vice. Then I needed a rack to hang it on and two wedged mortise and tenon joints allowed me to make it using what I had lying around. Even in pine, it's impressively overengineered.
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Dear Stumpy, I’ve essential tremors, it’s great to see a highly skilled craftsman with ET producing excellent product. Well done
Is 1/16" really enough "hinge" to leave down there? I know you want it easy to bend, but that sounds so thin!
@@jbtechcon7434 I'm wondering this too. I guess making the wedges slightly larger than the gaps means even if those tiny hinges do break, there's so much friction (and glue) between all the pieces that the main part of the tenon won't slide out - the large piece in the middle would have to break to get it to come out.
@@lewiscarroll4290 Yeah, the glue is there, but the friction will be reduced. If those hinges break, your tenon now has SLOPED sides! I know the slight compression from pushing wedges in adds something, but it can't be enough to make up for a sloped tenon. I think you'd be better off putting in a normal tenon and driving a hard dowel through it sideways.
There are many well-meaning woodworkers on RUclips but very few of them can explain *why* things are done in a certain way. Your knowledge shines through and your teaching style makes it possible for us to learn and understand, rather than simply copying.
Whenever I finish a Stumpy video I feel like I have a greater understanding of a concept than I would with ANY other RUclipsrs' videos.
And usually more than one concept at that.
Very few woodworkers get my attention. They have to have presentation that keeps you attention while giving you proper instructions.
As do I!
I like Stumpy, but you should check out Rob Cosman.
I agree totally. I have learnt such a lot since finding his channel.
Know what I love most about this video? That you're being open about the tremors and don't care, not allowing yourself to be discouraged and do work with those hands. Hats off.
Yes I see before he has hand tremmors
In addition to the craft skills already recognized in many other comments and the equally excellent and not hectic camera work and film editing, I would like to emphasize something else:
As a non-native English speaker, your emphasis, expression and comfortable speaking speed make it easy for me to follow your explanations. Thanks for that. And also that there is no annoying music ;p
As a non-native english speaker brother, I really don't miss a background music too. I wish you luck on the great journey of language fluency, and I advice you continue to search content on youtube, most part of my own fluency came from here, I not even known she existed since some years ago when I tried speakng with my uncle that have really learned the language. I wish you luck and a great new year (today was is 30/12, to people os the future reading this)
Sir, I'm college educated ,80 year old American, and do not have your English fluency, so never ever apologize!!
I never wanted to say anything, but I actually appreciate the tremors. My hands aren't the steadiest by any means and it actually makes me a little less worried
Same thing here, different reasons for the shakes mind you. This tells me I have no excuse for not attempting chisel work and letting my CNC have all the fun instead of me.
Ain't any of us perfect, and we sure get less so after we pass 70! (If it doesn't shake, it aches.) But woodworking is so much more fun once we're retired! And Stumpy, that is one nice joint!
I don’t have idiopathic essential tremor but I do have other imperfections. “Of my three score years and ten, minus two will not come again”
Shame that Stumpy needs to explain. I have seen abusive comments. I just wish he would mix in more jokes as in the earlier videos.
What I always tell my friends is my hands don't need to be steady if I'm already moving them. I just need to move them in the right direction. What they do when I'm not trying to move them is irrelevant.
I have an essential tremor as a permanent side effect from a medication in highschool. It's nice to see a video from someone like me!
I come from the city of Cantù in Italy where woodworking has been the main industry for many decades and some of the most famous furniture makers are. Do you know it? It the birthplace on Castello smoking pipes too. I remember the air of the town filled with table saws sounds and the smell of cut wood everywhere. It’s so nice to watch your video for me now that I am old and living in Australia.
Dude I love you. I understand essential tremor. That's probably why you are not a fine-detail artist (like painter or portrait) but you KICK ASS at woodworking and building. I saw you completely NAIL one of your pencil marks while compensating for the tremor! I LIVE THAT TOO every single day. Keep being awesome 👌
Yes I see he has tremmors
You've mentioned the tremor before, & talked a little about some of the less than polite things people have assumed about your shop habits as a result. This was the first time I saw it clearly. I do have some medical training, so this is a little biased, but how anyone could mistake that tremor for something non-neurologically caused is beyond me. But, some people have to find something to gripe about. Haters gonna hate, but you are awesome!
The expanse of your woodworking knowledge seems endless and your style of teaching is superb. Thanks you for sharing.
not just that but knowing where people go wrong or how to show it in a way that can be understood
Your delivery is beautiful. No shouting or hyperventilating. Well structured and calm and, obviously, rehearsed. Makes me want to do some woodwork.
I'm now too old to fully follow the "how," but I hang on to the finish because can I still enjoy the "Wow!"
You're a good teacher, Kid!
The guide block…very clever. I haven’t done many mortise and tenon joints, nice to learn about the guide block.
For those interested, Rockler has an amazing sale on the Fisch 16-piece Wave-Cutter Forstner bit set thru the end of September 2021. I doubt if you'll ever see them selling for this low again.
My set arrived yesterday. 😀
Thanks for the heads up. Just bought a set.
@@Stratomacaster Ditto. Thanks David K.!
I've only just found the Stumpy Nubs channel, and I'm brand new to woodwork. This is by far one of the most accessible, explanatory and educational carpentry channels on the web. I love the care that's taken to explain EVERYTHING - not just how to, but why, what to watch out for, and other techniques. My interest is in creating furniture for Bonsai, so mostly outdoors, but this is now my go to channel for woodwork. The only downside I've found is that I have zero room (or budget) for machining/'milling tools (for the most part, I'm restricted to hand tools) and my only source of affordable wood is recycled (ie pallets) . But the channel is so rich with useful information I have actually found myself inventing projects to practice what is being taught. Thanks Stumpy Nubs. This is a brilliant channel
I've seen that joint done many times, and done a few myself, but never thought about your approach with the slanted cuts. Always saw it with the holes drilled. Have to admit your technique here makes a lot of sense. Gonna do that in the future.
I've been a metalwork fabricator for about 10 years now and Im just beginning to get into woodworking properly (for hobbyist purposes).
My God what a can of worms I've opened! Im virtually having to unlearn everything I know about metal and re-learn for wood.
For instance he mentions, sneaking up on the correct dimension and never go over. With metal working, its not a massive issue and can sometime work to your advantage.
If your cutting a mitre frame for instance and you over cut the angles, with metal, not a problem, just fill the gaps with weld.
But nooo such luxuries with woodworking! I feel this learning curve may well be a steep one! and Hopefully an enjoyable one!
Cut yourself some slack and take your time... As we often say in woodworking, "Measure twice. Cut once." It's a reminder to double check that you REALLY want that material wasted out...
AND save the sawdust for each piece and kind of wood you use. It can be mixed with glue to form a paste that you can then smash into any gaps that might show... It's ONLY a cosmetic fix, SO you're joints need to be physically and functionally tight (that skill comes with time and repetition, like anything)... BUT there are lots of little places where a gap or hole here or there is no consequence structurally... AND with a bit of "glue-dust paste" to match the wood around it, nobody but you needs to know about it.
I'm lucky I guess... going the other direction, from leather and wood-working toward metal. My angle grinder still makes the welder I am more like the welder I'd like to be. We're all learning. ;o)
An addition to what gnart said ...
Most important thing first: Safety.
Watch James' (Stumpy Nubs') videos on safety; this will help you keep your fingers for your next projects. ;)
Basically you only need to learn one tool:
The Chisel.
A saw is a bunch of chisels on a row (angled differently, but they're just chisels).
A plane is a chisel held in a fixed position (except from those that fly, but that's a whole different story).
A drillbit is 'made' of two chisels that go round and round.
... You get the idea. ;)
Now wood differ from metal in several ways, one of them is the 'grain' which metal doesn't have.
You need to think about which direction a board will expand/contract and you should get familiar with crosscuts and ripcuts.
James made videos about this; so did both Rob Cosman and Paul Sellers.
I recommend Titebond; it's a good glue, which covers most needs; it's fast and it's strong.
In some cases (outdoor) you may want to use Elmer's, which is more expensive, but should last better in moist environments.
Matt Estlea started out a few years ago with a series about how to "Plane Correctly", "Saw Correctly" and other videos in the "correctly" category; they're worth watching. Also Paul Sellers is good at teaching sawing (getting a straight cut with only a hand saw; he tends to use hand-tools and he keeps things simple).
Last but not least: Happy woodworking - remember you can combine with metalworking, since you have the skills. =)
@@68HC060 arguably, a plane that flies is also a chisel: It splits the airflow into a fixed (high pressure) part and a loose (low pressure) part, thus generating lift. And, as with chisels, the wing being dull or rough causes drag. It is actually a quite remarkable and obvious analogy when you think about it. Disclaimer: I am not an expert on aerodynamics or fluid dynamics in any way.
@@lhpl Good enough. You win. =)
@@68HC060 I didn't know I was playing - what did I win? :-)
Anyway, I think many great ideas have begun like this: someone saying "X is not/can not do Y", in just the right way to make someone else realise that - surprisingly - X actually is/can do Y.
And in an even more abstract sense, everything that happens in the universe is either stuff being joined together or stuff being split apart.
My proudest moment as a beginner was doing a wedged tenon for a simple outdoor bench. I'm grateful for all the instruction
You are an amazing teacher sir. I honestly don't care what the video is about until the video is finished. Then i rewatch it to actual learn.
You make such amazing videos, all so clearly explained, the camera angles show everything, remarkable craftsmanship. That you continue to make them despite thinking you have to apologize for some physical condition that obviously does NOT affect your ability makes you a better person than me. Thanks for everything!
Fisch work and they work well.
After watching one of James videos where he abuses a Fisch Forstner bit, I purchased one and was immediately amazed.
Now I don't use any other Forstner bits.
Definitely worth it and highly recommended!
+1 for Fisch quality - I bought a set of brad point Fisch drills on Stumpy's recommendation some years back and have never regretted their purchase, even though they were quite expensive. They are excellent.
The New Yankee Woodshop got me started in woodworking 30 years ago. I loved watching Norm Abrams and now I found you with a very similar and comfortable demeanor. Having just retired I now have more time to spend in my wood shop and I am. You’re great at explaining techniques and I’m going to put them to good use! Thank you!!!
I love how you explain things succinctly and clearly, without the verbal diarrhoea that too many RUclipsrs seem to suffer from! You're inspirational.
Also, you had me in stitches with your closing comment! Well played, sir!
I, too, have "essential tremors" and have found a wonderful doctor who understands it and has given me the meds to make my tremors virtually disappear, Good luck with yours.
Thank you for addressing the ET issue. The more we can educate the public, the better.
I addressed it in an entire video on the subject long ago. but I still get insults about it in nearly every video.
I'm sorry people comment about your hands shaking, I've never noticed until you said something about it and watched so many of your videos. Thank you for making such quality tutorials, they help me so often and are really some of the best wood working content out there.
This is why I watch your vids. The bit about making the guide for the chisel and angled kerf cuts. That's the stuff you don't get anywhere else
Well done, James! That's a great tutorial. It should be in the Smithsonian.
Excellent tips. I'm one of the guys that cut the saw cuts in the tenon straight. I will never do that again, thanks to you. I learn from every video I watch of yours. Thanks for sharing your expertise!
Very informative and useful. Thanks for posting.
To expand the mortice I use a rasp. Quite quick and easy.
I love the way you use different FROM instead of the usual TO, or even worse THAN. Also “smarter people than I” You have been so well educated..
Besides, the video is informative as well as being a great presentation. I’ve never seen a description of this before either in a video or a book.
"almost as strong and good looking as I am" Brilliant.
Thanks Stumpy
hey, no need to appologize for your shaky hands. Im impressed you are very skilled dispite of the shaky hands. I know a lot of photographers that use glasses. painters that use tape for straight lines. Waiters that use calculators. ect. Stay safe, and thanks for the content. Im motivated to start doing wood working , but I dont know where to start.
As my field of profession is kind of related (luthier), but I never had formal training, I find videos like this very useful. This one expecially is very well executed, every single step is perfectly explained and demonstrated without going overboard, and the level of product placement reduced to an essential minimum. Thank you sir, I do subscribe now!
One thing I've recently started doing when laying out mortice boundaries with a wheel-style marking gauge is to reference off of the opposite side of the work piece so that the gauge crosses the mortice. That way, the shape of the cutter is aligned such that the plumb side is the actual line that I want to cut to and the sloped side is in the waste. I find that I get cleaner lines this way.
Thanks for sharing this pro tip. Your contribution is the primary reason I read comments.
I have two style gauges. One has the bevel facing in, one has the bevel facing out. That way I get clean lines for both sides of the mortise. The problem is remembering which one is which. :-)
@@criswilson1140 that’s a good idea. Maybe color code or label the gauges?
Never realized how much fun Woodworking could be! The knowledge that some people have in Woodworking is incredible! Thank you for all your videos!
That guide for the chisel is a game changer. Never seen anyone do that before. Thanks.
As someone with ET who's trying to get into woodworking, seeing that it causes no issue for you is a big relief :)
i wish we had these videos in woodworking at our school .. They only showed us how .. not the why ..
Thank you !
My dad had essential tremors and was the only person that I knew that had it. Now you are the second. Dad had met one other person in his entire life and I remember how excited he was when he told everyone that he had found someone that he had this in common with.
Keep up the great work.
I am a self taught female woodworking hobbyist and I love watch your videos. You have an easy voice to listen too and so much knowledge! Thank you!
I also wanted you to know that there is a medical procedure available now that will lessen, if not completely, make your essential tremors go away. A neighbor of mine had it done and she is 80. She no longer has them!
The wedged M&T is my favorite joint. Stumpy great job at showcasing it.
You’ve told us about your tremors before, but until this video I had never actually seen them. They do concern me, but more because I want you to be healthy and happy and teaching us good woodworking tips for a long time. I’m glad to hear that they don’t materially impact your ability to do the work you enjoy.
“Almost as strong and good looking… as I am” - this got me sold. Subscribed
I really like how you don't let slight issues like the essential tremour get in the way of your work, some people might have decided working with their hands wasn't for them because of slight inconviences like that.
LOL - the deadpan humour at the end got me just right
I remember my grandfather using joints like that when building the bed that he and my grandmother slept in for the rest of their lives. It still is in use in a cousin's guest room some 65 years later.
I love your videos not only for the amazingly informative take you always have but also because they show that you can still produce beautiful and precise work even with your Essential Tremors. It's amazing to see how you don't let small things hold you back from doing (and excelling) at the things you love!
Great video as always. I swear you're one of the best woodworkers on RUclips at explaining and showing something so that people of all skill levels can understand. Much thanks! 👏👏
This is not a joint, this is poetry!
I liked your analysis of the process when it comes to drilling the hole through the tenon to prevent the wood to crack. This makes sense to me and I think I will follow your thinking and do it the same way.
Doode... You are the business! Blessed that I have your extensive, focused and articulate knowledge at my fingertips. Long may you reign as king of RUclips.
Never apologise for your condition, it's not your fault if people are prompt to juge...
You are one of the best woodworking channel, keep on like that.
Best Regards from Belgium.
Stumpy, completely understand about the tremors. All my life I was told that my shaky hands were nerves. In my early sixties a neurologist told me it was an essential tremor, a genetic condition. Can be frustrating at times, can’t it. 🥴
My dad is in his mid seventies and has developed that over the last year or so. Took me a while to ask about it, I was afraid what the prognosis was or if he'd even looked into it, knowing how stubborn he his.
This is an INCREDIBLE tutorial.
Thank you for another informative video! Been watching your videos for over a year now as I fumble along in my wood working hobby. I always enjoy your attitude and your dry wit.
I never noticed that your hands shake in your videos. My best friends mom has essential tremors too. I'll share your channel with her husband and they'll enjoy your work too.
Loved the "if you don't have a marking gauge... Get one".
Was expecting you to give some alternative, so not only was it good advice you had the low key humor element.
As you said, THAT is an excellent joint, both aesthetically and physically.
All t he hundrfeds of pieces of furniture ive made and never tried a wedge tenon, very cool. Makes me miss working with wood. Love your channel. even an old guy like me can learn something
You are such an effective teacher. Thank you for what you do
I was mediocre at best at woodwork in school, but this is one of the most interesting videos I've seen for some time here. Great job
James...yet another gold standard video and that wedges mortise and tenon is gorgeous. I agree with the other commenters in the comments section...by far the most lucid, logical and well explained tutorials on the tube! I can honestly say I have learned more watching your channel than any other and look forward to applying those learnings each time I get a chance if they are relevant to my situation. Phenomenal as always!
I am not a woodworker but I found your channel. You make woodworking interesting and demonstrably understandable.
Sending gratitude from a Daoist monastery near Seattle!
I’m doing all the traditional woodworking here, and have had to learn a lot from instruction online. Your channel has been wonderfully helpful during this part of the the learning curve! 👍🏻☯️🔨
I've only recently starting learning about woodworking, and I gotta say your videos are my favorite ones! You explain the entirety of an issue thoroughly and without fluff to lengthen the video. The amount of useful information you pack into these videos while keeping them extremely digestible make you my go-to for any topic here!
Thank you!
A straight up, easy to understand tutorial. Thank you sir.
Great info. You always do a fine job of transferring info. And anyone that makes the negative comments about shaky hands are just jerks.
I have the shakes too. Drives me nuts. Brilliant work, thanks for the lesson!
So easy to understand, and lightly funny. Thank you.
I have essential tremors too! Growing up my friends would always make fun of me when I ate cereal. Glad to see somebody else succeeding with it.
One of the best woodworking teachers online, thank you!!
This is one of the most inspirational channels on youtube - thank you. After watching your content I believe could actually make these.
Thanks so much stumpy. I seem to learn something new with every video. I've always done a straight cut for my wedges so now I'll try the angle cut. Thanks mate.
Stumpy - you are undoubtedly the best at teaching the little nuances of fine carpentry of any RUclipsr. Period. (BTW, my son-in-law suffers from the same malady as you Like you, it is not a problem that causes too much grief...but gets more noticeable as he ages.) Just to let you know you're efforts are appreciated. KUDOS.
Hi All! I also have essential tremor. I suffered for years until a doc saw fit to prescribe Propranolol, which works for my high blood pressure too. As long as I remember to take it, it is extremely effective in reducing my tremor. It's like night and day! Love your videos! I had given up on learning how to cut mortise and tenons, but after this video, will break out my Forster bits, and try those! Thanks!
u rock dude, i hadnt planned to comment but the ending was worth confirming to all that this vid does come across as quite strong, good looking and not too shabby with your delivery about wedges and how to make them. fine work!
This was how I was taught to make frames and doors by the most experienced and best carpenter I was lucky enough to work for absolutely amazing joints
This is an incredible video -- not only is it information dense, but the information is arranged in such a way that each new point builds on the ones before it. There's no gaps, or leaps in logic or procedure. It flows well from one point to the next with clear examples. Not only that, but there's also a discussion of the problem before the solution is explained, so the viewer has a clear idea of what's going on and why these steps are being taken. A real feat of demonstration. I don't do any work with wood, but after watching this, I think I understand how to do this very well.
Stumpy Nubs and Pask Makes are my favourites. Love you guys
I just found your channel in Nov 2021 and I can't wait to go back through all your content. Thank you so much for making these videos and sharing your knowledge online
You’re right about it being a good looking accent. In fact, Woodsmith published plans for a bed that called for inlays to mimic that look. It was in the early 90’s and i had neither the skills nor the time to do an actual wedged tenon so it looked pretty appealing to me. The bed has stood the test of time but now I would definitely do the real thing. And I bet it would take me no longer to make than the fake inlays.
Dude, your stuff is amazing. Who would've thought physics could be explained so easily it made sense.
Wow. Passerby always watching never commenting. Loved the video. All info, no fluff. 10/10 would watch again.
Awesome. I think you could make a more accurate guide for the chisel by adding a small block of wood with the proper angle to the side of the jig with the angle line on it. Having a hard time verbalizing what I mean.
You mean adding a stop lined up with the sloped line that sticks out to support the chisel.
@@darrynfrost5400 That's it!
Good idea for people like me who suck at chisel technique.
Understood, nice idea
When chopping out mortises and the like with guides, I used to have to glue popsicle sticks to my guide blocks... It does give a certain tactile feedback, and decrease errors... ;o)
Thank you so much for sharing the info on the tremors. I have that same thing and some days are worse than others. I have to explain the same. But I've never known anyone else with essential tremors other than me, so again thank you for sharing that. I just recently have gotten into wood working and your videos are my go to, to learn what I need to know next.
so many youtube channels just like this one with guys displaying massive skill making things look easy, thanks for the video even though these videos make me feel stupid, my life took a different path with my own set of skills but i wish i could do this
i dont do woodworking, but still love stumpy videos
Superb, that's the best looking joint I've seen in a very long time, thank you James, for this video which will definitely be saved for my next joint. (Which will probably be the strongest joint I've ever done)
I was just thinking the other day about how to overcome the problem of the joints being pulled apart. This is perfect, thank you!
Great explanation of each step and the mechanical importance of them. 10/10
id love to see a vid on blind wedge tenons as an addendum to this one.
Really, the only tough part there is depth precision... Matching wedges to it is best done with the wedges just a tiny bit shorter than perfect, so they definitely seat, and still fit to width...
As to the mortise... socket... You'll want to (optimally) be within 1/32" (around .5mm ish?) of exactly "dead on balls" from it to your tenon (depth to length) and usually, it's alright...
What you don't want is stopping the whole piece with a 1/8 inch of tenon sticking out because the wedges won't sink flush with the end... OR wedges too thin to tighten the tenon in place.
AND test and sneak into it BEFORE you add the wedges... Once they get involved you've got ONE fit-up... and glue or no glue, there's no taking it apart. It's either good enough to last the test of time, or it's going to show off where you F'ed up ... forever... I highly recommend a sense of humor... especially if you drive forward on your own.
It took me probably about a dozen wonky adventures on the blind wedged tenons before I quite ironed it out, myself... BUT it is wood, after all, and there's a little bit of forgiveness...
Once you've got a "style" or "system" to do them reliably, they're a lot of fun to dry-fit. There's no glue, no signs of screws, no nails, and even older guys who know the craft can be stuck there scratching their heads... ;o)
Great job teaching! I have never sloped the tenon cut. Will have to try.
Folks might enjoy a video on hidden wedged mortise and tenon joint!
Thank you. This is the best video on wedge tenon.
Fully agree with that last statement!
His wedging theory with the angled cut to a narrower 1/16 of an inch makes sense when you also have knowledge of felling trees and how the fibers need to bend. Definitely makes sense than just cutting straight down and drilling holes.
I recently built a router table to clamp into my vice. Then I needed a rack to hang it on and two wedged mortise and tenon joints allowed me to make it using what I had lying around. Even in pine, it's impressively overengineered.
One of the best mechanical joints!
That is one BEAUTIFUL looking joint! Well done, and thanks for sharing 👍
You sure explain things well. Thank you.