Of all the woodworkers on RUclips, I believe you are the best teacher. When you do a tutorial, you not only tell me which variables matter, but why they matter. You then show the affects of those variables being to big/small/long/short, with simple methods for making adjustments. I can watch any box joint video, and can make a successful jig, but all that does is teach me how to make a jig for box joints Your videos teach me fundamental knowledge, the quality of my resulting box jig, just tells me Wether or not I'm proficient in the techniques you're teaching I'm a total amateur, and I've spent the last 3 days getting every step perfect I've learnt SO much of this one video!
Hi William, I am a retired metals trade teacher and am setting up to do some woodworking as a hobby in my retirement. I love your clear, simple and well explained methods. I have watched many videos on how to make box joint jigs of which many seem more complicated than they need to be. I just love the simplicity and accuracy of your jig. Cheers from Australia Garry
I followed the instructions of another box joint video. It was a lesson in futility and frustration to put it mildly. I watched and studied this video and followed Mr Ng’s simple instructions. I now have a great looking and superbly functional box joint jig. His instruction and explanation is exceptional. I made the jig, did a cut, made one small adjustment, cut again, and now I have perfect box joints.
Hi William, I just found your channel by accident two days ago and I immediately subscribed. Your relaxed style of 'teaching' is very good to watch and I specifically like when you show us how we could stuff-up if we are not concentrating. I'm looking forward to exploring all your past utubes and also all futute ones. Thank you so much for taking the time to explain to us less experienced woodworker how it is 'done'. Kind regards, kmdc from Oz.
Joe Curia here. Thank you for your videos. I have to watch them several times to get it all. I even take notes. I am newly retired and found wood working challenge fun. I need to learn to keep me happy. Thank you again.
It just doesn't get any better than this! That, my friends, is a true professional and an expert teacher! - - - Simple but Amazing! - - - Thank you Mr. Ng
I've been Building Giant Scale Radio Control models for the past 40 years, and watching your concise and easy to follow videos, I am excited to start doing actual WOOD Work in my shop at my new retirement home, Thank You.
I found your channel a few years ago and watched every video. I've always wanted to do woodworking but never took the plunge. Over the last year, I've built and helped with a few things; all out of necessity rather than an artistic creation. I'm about to take to dive-in, building out my workshop as tools are being shipped. And so here I am again, rewatching your videos. There is a lot of good content for woodworkers on RUclips. Much of it is more inspirational. As far as I'm concerned, what you have put out is essential to having a strong foundational knowledge, enabling an aspiring woodworker for growth. Thank you for putting it out and keeping your channel up. I hope to one day see you putting out more content. Even if it's a patreon type of thing, I'd immediately join up. Haven't done anything like that before, but I would, again, immediately jump aboard if you were to.
First time watching a video from this youtuber and I'm extremely impressed. He is incredibly efficient and everything he does is calculated and precise. I was a bit skeptic at first when he started talking about thousandths of an inch and thought it was overkill. Then he went into great detail to explain why he does that and the benefit of it. Truly impressed and I honestly can't wait to watch more of his videos...and purchase a caliper.
I have literally watched dozens of box joint videos. Yours is the first to explain and use the reference line. Nobody else follows through with all four sides of the box. All they show you is just the joint. No your not anual...as a metal shop owner and fabricater I appreciate the extra 1 to 5 minutes to save hours and material down the road... Great job
"I'm more nervous than Mike Tyson in a spelling bee..." That line alone was worth the entire 20 minutes of this video. Thank you very much for posting this! I like your teaching style a lot. You not only show how to do it right, you show how to correct small problems as they happen - and they WILL happen. I really appreciate this approach, and I know some others do as well. Glad to see that you're back making videos!
I have watched more than a dozen or so videos on how to make a box joint and this is the BEST and most logical one so far!!! You are an excellent instructor!
Hi John Beckman. There's no reply button following your comment, not sure why so I hope my reply finds you. The opening measures .365 times that by 5 = 1.83 plus the fingers measures .360 times that by 6 = 2.16 add those together = 3.99 inch. OK so I'm .01" off. :-) Thanks for watching .... but not too close please.
Thanks William, I was wondering how the math worked on this. By the way, If you are looking for suggestions for an upcoming video, how about doing one on the 45 degree miter sled you mentioned you were going to do in your 5 cut method video.
There are many components to building a table saw. One plan I found which succeeds in merging these is the Wilfs Wood Blueprint (check it out on google) it's the most helpful resource i've seen. look at the amazing info .
as a commercial cabinet maker i always enjoy william's videos as there is the opportunity to learn a new trick. my comment is to all the incra jig enthusiasts... if i filled my workshop with all the gadgets and bits and pieces available i would never fit in the shop myself lol. the cost of having all this stuff lying around and having to store it becomes a negative investment. so often the cheap little stuff you can make in a few seconds is just as good. i can cut dovetails on a table saw or bandsaw faster than it takes me to set up a jig and run them with a router. even as a hobbyist it pays to learn how to do things simply without all the gadgets. remember the old craftsmen used a few handsaws, chisels and planes to quickly and effectively build what ever they wanted and often quicker than using the modern machine equivalents we have today.
Good point. Wish I had seen this video before buying my Incra jig. Could have saved myself some money. I could just never get my homemade jig very accurate. This video was the best I have seen yet for building a jig. Many thanks.
Richard Thaxton i am not saying do not use modern conveniences.. i use power tools as well as hand tools. what i am saying is this... sometimes it is quicker to use hand tools than to set up a power tool to do the same job. it pays to keep an open mind when deciding how you want to achieve a solution. if i am making one drawer i will do it by hand. if i have a large number to do then i will take the time to set up a machine to do the job for me. dependent on whether the customer wants an entirely handmade joint or machine cut.
Richard Thaxton A good craftsman knows when to use power tools and when to use hand tools. It's about making a living, finding the fastest and easiest way to get the job done. Unfortunately woodworkers don't get pay by the hour. I think that's what Tayler is trying to say. Thanks for watching, much appreciate it.
Someday if I learn half of the skill's you have,I can grow old and die a very happy man. You teach without talking down to people who don't have the knowledge you have,and that is rare.Thank's for what you do.
This is by far the best and most comprehensive box joint video I have seen. I don't have calipers in my shop, but after watching this video it will be the very next tool I'll be acquiring.
Best video I have seen explaining box joints. Tomorrow I plan on going out to the garage and burning the other jigs that have almost driven me to insanity. Thank you for making this so clear to me.
I am brand new to woodworking and have watched several videos on box joints. Every other video shows how to connect two boards together, but never shows the entire box. I'm sure for more experienced people that is not a big deal, but I need to see the entire process. I have now watched several of Mr. Ng's videos and subscribed. These are some of the best and most detailed videos on RUclips! I really appreciate all of the detailed directions, and the great sense of humor. Great teacher!!!
Mr. Ng, Thanks for the video! I worked in a machine shop/tool room of a large manufacturing concern and appreciate the fact that you are very exacting in measurements (in the thousandths of an inch)! I have never owned a table saw in my life and because this is my first experience with such, I desire to be just as accurate when creating my first jigs. Your videos are what I was looking for to create my first crosscut sled and box joint jig. Many thanks for this video and I am looking forward to other videos from you, R. Baumann
Beautifully made video - and so relaxing to watch you explain this concept with ease. You have convinced me to start using my calipers instead of going through a frustrating trial-and-error session with my joints. Much appreciated sir!
have watched hundreds of vids on the subject tried dozens of diff methods and have to say for new woodworkers this was the most clear' consise explanation out there ; extremely well done
followed directions from video for my first attempt ever at dove tails. Finished with pleasing results, Thanks William, more videos please. would like to see more on chair making, once again Thanks!
Hi William, I have watched many woodworking videos and been impressed but your skill and accuracy is something else, I do loose you a little when you talk in thousands of an inch as here in the UK we mostly use millimeters but I think your work is awesome and I will be watching all that you do. Thanks Again for sharing your knowledge and experience., Phil Andrews , Hereford England.
+P Andrews Hi Mr. Andrews, I like and do use the metric system. I think it's much easier but here in the US, I don't think we're going to switch anytime soon. I will try to reference metric in my future videos. Thanks for your comment.
Therte are plenty of place that teach the same joint. However- the HUGE value here is your technique for fine tuning measurements. These are the lessons of a master tradesman, not an "artisan". Bravo.
Bula from Fiji William. I made the jig and wanted to add my comments. I added .005" to the size of the spacer and everything worked out perfectly the first time, just like in the video, cheers! I have been woodworking for about 50 years and typically did finger joints with a router and jig. My current project requires 16, 8-inch deep drawers, which is way too long to listen to a screaming router. I only have one table saw, but didn't change blades to make the spacer. I took a 1 x 3" piece of stock and cut a rabbit with the dado set to get the thickness of the spacer, then used my bandsaw to cut it to height, and miter saw to cut the width. Also, when cutting the finger joint on the side pieces, I set up a front piece for the spacer and then cut the first finger on both ends of the side piece before removing the front piece from the jig. This saved me from putting that front piece in 96 extra times. Lastly, I wanted to remind everyone, USE SAFETY GLASSES when doing this process. My project is out of recycled 20 year old pressure treated fir, which causes a lot of chip out while cutting the fingers. Two pieces hit within 1" of my eyes with enough force to break my skin, and I never saw the chips coming. I was very glad I was wearing the safety glasses. BE SAFE EVERYONE!
Outstanding video! Nobody can accuse William about being too wordy or over-explaining! Which is good, but it makes you listen hard (or re-run the video several times :) ). William puts the ng in imazing!
To the guy who is talking .001 " in woodworking say's " this cut is not critical " my palms still sweat. This is absolutely fantastic the way you show how to easily to make very, very small necessary adjustments. Thank you
William, you have a ton of knowledge, and the kindness to share it, thank you for this. You also have the gift to be a good teacher, and that is rare. Also a gerat sense of humor that I really like ;-) your approach is very similar to mechanics machining, accurate, efficient, perfect ! waiting for your next videos !
Just bumped into you for the first time. You Rock. Common sense...simplicity...logic...etc,etc. Judging by your view numbers you've been doing this awhile. I'm sorry it took me this long to find you.
It's been a while since I took a class with you and I forget how good a teacher you are. Thanks for being a champion of accuracy and rational thinking. SteveMetsch
William. This is my first time watching one of your videos and I affiliate with your calm demeanor. You work studio is immaculate and you look wise. I had to stop the video and tell you this. I am pleasantly impressed. Thank you for taking more time to share your wealth of knowledge. Subscribed.
I like your preciseness with the caliper I've been using it for almost everywhere in the shop. I did learn adjusting the fence with a caliper from you as very handy. Love all your videos.
I think that was the best explanation of how to make nicely fitting finger joints, and explanations why you do or don't do something, I have ever seen / heard. Thank you.
I liked your use of .006” clearance in your joints. I worked for a major US window manufacturer and this was the clearance they used in the mortise and tenon joints on their window sashes. This provided the proper clearance for the glue.
This is by far the best description of making a box joint fixture and more importantly, the best way to set it up. So many videos that I have watched just show the principal but not how to set it up so that you have the correct pitch of the 'fingers' to match the widths/heights of the drawer. Doing this makes the job quicker and you have less wasted material. You are a great teacher and you describe the process well so that it is clearly understood. Look forward to more of your videos! :)
Thanks for teaching such a great tutorial on box joints William. I used your method for a series of humidor drawers recently. I was kinda giddy with excitement when I got that oh-so-elegant fit, but made sure no one was watching when I did my happy dance 😊. Even though I only have one table saw in my small shop it wasn’t that bad to get this setup. I know it takes a tremendous effort to create these videos and I want you to know that this effort and your humor are HUGELY appreciated.
What a great video and a wonderful teacher. Thanks for taking the time to provide this and all of your instructional videos. I wish I could take some of your classes. Thanks again!
I'm a Mechanical Engineer gettng into woodworking. Your use of percision, the way you talk about dialing in your cuts and most importantly WHY you have set your clearances and sizes to what they are realy clicks with the way my mind works. I'm going to be checking out a bunch more of your videos.
Repeating what Pac Memphis posted 4 years ago: This is beyond a doubt, the best box joint jig video I have ever seen. You are the benchmark for wood workers and teachers. Thanks!!
One VERY small enhancement would be at 14:42 in the video. Instead of removing the drawer front/back reference piece (to get your reference spacing), keep it in place, and flip your side piece end-over-end (like you do at 14:55) and make its first cut, as well. That way you don't have to keep setting it in place and removing it. The same applies to any number of additional drawer sides - if you keep the reference piece there, you only add/remove it once (instead of at least twice, and up to four times per drawer). That said, this video is still awesome, watching it a year later. I love the elegance of your solutions!
It's very possible that this method is/was used in actual speed production, but he didn't want to go too fast in teaching the ideas here. It's also possible that he was a little distracted as many people are when an audience is involved, and didn't do every step the exact way or order he would have in normal production. Lots of us outright destroy work if we know somebody's watching, lol.
Wow, thanks for going slowly and clearly. Ive never done finger joints ; The fog of confusion surrounded the steps to make accurate measurements. 13:55 is where my confusion got wiped away; there and the actual width of the slot; I never would dream that allowing 10 thousandths for glue is appropiate. I could tell by the sound of your dry assembly going together, that it was juuuust rrrright! Amzing use of the feeler guage; not trial&error, like I would do(mostly time GOBLING error). I would run out to the shop, but its bed time! This is why I always did half laps,or just glue&screws. Thanks again, Mr. Ng; so glad you've planned time for more videos!
I love how accurate you are, and the practical tone in your instructions. Thanks a million, as I will be stopping off to get some materials to build one of those bad boys myself ;)
I have watched this several times but not had a project to use it. I just made a laundry rack for my wife today and used box joints using this method. I'm proud to say that I was successful and it turned out great. Thank you William, you are an 👍👍 excellent teacher and to all the skeptics out there, the thousands in accuracy are super important. Just .002-3 in the wrong direction or too much or too little clearance is the difference in a good fit or a joint that doesn't fit at all. I keep a caliper handy at all times.
So nice video to start new year! You are clear and I love your way to speak. I am italian so I am happy when I can understand everything because you have no accent at all :-) I marry your concept of precision. I am starting a production of design furnitures in my country over internet and you are right saying the more time you spend in setting is money you get back! I am so sorry you are so far, I would like to learn in your school :-( Here is almost impossible to learn, you must do all by yourself. I am so happy for utube american woodworkers, I learned so much from you, summers woodworking,mr bigerock, wood whisperer, steve ramsey and all the other guys. I want to thank you for sharing again your deep knowledge with us. I wish you all the best and hope one day you make some dvd to buy for distance teaching....or online teaching....craftsy style.... Happy new year From Italy Christian
Mr. Ng - After following your instructions for making the box joint jig, I made a box that went together perfectly the first time and in much less time than I ever have before. I've made boxes with this joint in the past but it was always through a series of trial and error iterations that took way too much time. Hopefully I will be able to repeat this success on all my future projects with box joints. Thanks for sharing your methods with us. It has been a big help!
William, I have been watching your videos for a long time now. I am 71 years old and presently finishing up my professional life as a civilian contractor on an air base in the Persian Gulf, I am going to retire 31 December and I will be starting my wood working in a much more serious fashion. I have been in residential construction for 45 years and I have done a lot of wood working in the past. My retirement is going to include a complete wood working shop and my present tool budget is set at $15,000.00 so it going to be complete and I will be having fun. Until then I keep my dreams alive until then. Thanks for all the good advise!!!!!
That's awesome Dave! I'm on the other side myself, I've just begun my professional life as a computer programmer, but I'm also starting my woodworking shop as a hobbyist. My budget is way smaller than yours off course, since I only started earning my own money recently! Should be a fun ride for me as well!
Thanks for your comment Felipe. Wood working is a great hobby. It allows you to be very creative and to be able to see your handy work around the house is great also. I often have friends ask what tool in my shop I feel is the most important and I always answer your imagination!!! When you use your imagination you can accomplish so much more. Where are you located?
Thanks Lane. In a way I envy you. I came back from Vietnam 31 December 1968 and my intentions were to stay in the military as an Army pilot but I ended up getting married. My wife didn't want a military life so I started going to National Aviation Academy in St. Pete Florida. I got my commercial, multiengine, instrument rating and CFI with the hopes of being able to get into commercial flying but soon learned that the road to a living in that profession is filled with poverty. I started working in residential construction. Even though I have often thought of what I gave up but I have been very blessed in my life and I have no regrets. If you wish to send me an email my email is harringtondave10@gmail.com
Thanks. I liked your video despite having seen the same approach from others before. I think it's those little differences that you have added that make your method is a good as it gets for production runs. Looking forward to your next video.
William, I started learning and doing these box joint jig in the last two years. There are ton people in RUclips to teach us how to do "box joints", but no one had taught us how to calculate and be more symmetric on all sides like yours. I don't think no one can touch your skills. Honestly, I've never listened your 20 minutes since I saw your video. I've thought there were too much talking. I would just follow people's 5 minute video. Lol. Now that I really understand about making "Box Joints," I went back to your video. I can't believe, I didn't paid attention on your vid. I wished I should had listen to you earlier. Next time, I'll look yours stuff. Thanks again. Oh yeah....I just got your comment, "....Mike Tyson in a spelling be..." Lol. I'm just laughing to myself all day.
Simple. Effective. Cost efficient. Time efficient. Youre not the most exciting cat to watch, but I love your clear, concise no bullshit mannerisms that get the job done to the best of your abilities. Even a sample test bit came out perfect. Wish you were closer, I'd love to take your advanced joinery class someday!
Mr Ng, Thanks for the great instruction. I'm now retired in the Texas Hill Country and enjoying life after a long career in manufacturing management and industrial safety. My degrees are in industrial arts and technology and also industrial safety. I was lucky enough to work in an environment that I love. You're a very good teacher and having your knowledge and experience available to everyone here on RUclips is a wonderful resource. Keep up the great work you are doing. Barry Litchfield
The Wood Whisperer Thanks Marc for stopping by my channel, but shouldn't you be making video? HaHa You're my inspiration for making these videos so I better get cracking myself.
Do you have any drawings or side photos of your push block/stick? It looks pretty straight forward, but I can't tell if the handle is angled slightly or not.
I don't care what you detractors have said in the past in the now or in the future. As in enthusiast woodworking Individual I just find you to be an incredible resource and inspire thank you much.
Hi William, thank you for the very informative and sometimes humorous videos. Good thing Mike Tyson doesn't know where you live. 😊 It would be great to get a tour of your shop, could you make a video of that? Please clean it up first, I saw a spec of dust in the corner. Take care SK
Steve this looks like a good idea, except for us Brits, who for some reason are not allowed to use a dado set. This means we are screwed and can only cut as wide as a single blade hence we need a jig that takes this into account.
@Keith Same here in Germany. Dados aren`t allowed in companies because of the safety. What you do in privat doesn`t matter. But you can`t buy them nowhere...Or when you find some they costs up to 300 Euro. I only know one Onlineshop who sells them in Germany.
So I bought a router box joint jig - it works just fine, but I could never get things to line up. This video makes it very simple. After watching it, I went out to the shop and made my first box joint box that actually goes together like it should! Thanks so much!
The opening measures .365 times that by 5 = 1.83 plus the fingers measures .360 times that by 6 = 2.16 add those together = 3.99 inch. OK so I'm .01" off. :-)
I noticed this same thing as well. Thanks for asking this question. WilliamNG's explanation below cleared it up for me...need to make the dado .365 instead of .375 (as he says when first referencing his dado stack width).
Dear Mr Ng, as a SilverSurfer (>60) I've startet WoodWorking for a hobby . Drinking a mug of Coffee while watching Your videos makes me calm, relaxed, smiling and, of course, smarter. It's better than any therapy :) Thanks from Hamburg Stay healthy
If I had had this guy for a wood working instructor back in the day, my chosen career would have had a far different trajectory - no question about it.
I have looked at many videos of folks claim they can show how to build a Box Joint Jig , so far your the only one who's jig will give a pleasing visual effect after the joint is cut and the box assembled . Most if not all were not symmetrical. Thanks for taking the time to do it correctly .
William, I love this video. Watched it so many times but I'm a bit confused by one thing. You state you like a 4" drawer height because it gives you perfect symmetry. I'm trying to figure out how that is. 4" is 32/8. You use a 3/8" dado. 10 fingers and spaces is 30/8 and 11 is 33/8. How does that work out perfectly? What am I missing? This is important as I'm trying to figure out for my own set of drawers I'm building. Thanks! Update: I actually did the math. You're short as I expected but only by 0.015". Who could spot that? Look forward to seeing more of your videos!
The gap is .01 less than 3/8 and the finger is .015 less. 5 fingers and gaps = .125 exactly. Minus one more finger or gap is .01 to .015 less as txlonghorn calculated.
+Mario Monti rofl, that was hilarious. i have just recently become serious about upping my wood-working skills, so glad i've found his videos etc.awesome stuff!
The first time through, i though, dude, why so harsh, then i went and set everything up, and having only one table saw, i, yup, totally 'got' it. Instantly cracked up over what is obvious now, not so obvious then. Great method, and my results will improve, but first try, not bad, not bad at all. Thanks sensei.
I think this guy is The Godfather of RUclips woodworking. He is referenced by just about everyone. Thanks for starting the movement!
Of all the woodworkers on RUclips, I believe you are the best teacher. When you do a tutorial, you not only tell me which variables matter, but why they matter. You then show the affects of those variables being to big/small/long/short, with simple methods for making adjustments.
I can watch any box joint video, and can make a successful jig, but all that does is teach me how to make a jig for box joints Your videos teach me fundamental knowledge, the quality of my resulting box jig, just tells me Wether or not I'm proficient in the techniques you're teaching
I'm a total amateur, and I've spent the last 3 days getting every step perfect
I've learnt SO much of this one video!
Hi William,
I am a retired metals trade teacher and am setting up to do some woodworking as a hobby in my retirement. I love your clear, simple and well explained methods. I have watched many videos on how to make box joint jigs of which many seem more complicated than they need to be. I just love the simplicity and accuracy of your jig.
Cheers from Australia
Garry
"I don't know what to tell ya. Kind of sucks huh?" Love his dry humor along with his great instructions!
He was just casually flexing on all of us with only one table saw at home haha
Oh, and great teachers implement humor in their teaching. It keeps the students engaged and the lessons entertaining! :)
I found these tutorials much, much more informative than any others I have seen on woodworking on youtube.
I followed the instructions of another box joint video. It was a lesson in futility and frustration to put it mildly. I watched and studied this video and followed Mr Ng’s simple instructions. I now have a great looking and superbly functional box joint jig. His instruction and explanation is exceptional. I made the jig, did a cut, made one small adjustment, cut again, and now I have perfect box joints.
Hi William, I just found your channel by accident two days ago and I immediately subscribed. Your relaxed style of 'teaching' is very good to watch and I specifically like when you show us how we could stuff-up if we are not concentrating. I'm looking forward to exploring all your past utubes and also all futute ones. Thank you so much for taking the time to explain to us less experienced woodworker how it is 'done'. Kind regards, kmdc from Oz.
Joe Curia here. Thank you for your videos. I have to watch them several times to get it all. I even take notes. I am newly retired and found wood working challenge fun. I need to learn to keep me happy. Thank you again.
It just doesn't get any better than this! That, my friends, is a true professional and an expert teacher! - - - Simple but Amazing! - - - Thank you Mr. Ng
Thanks for all the effort you put into making these teaching videos. I enjoy the them very much. Also, your sense of humor. Thanks again.
Makes you wonder who the ass-hats are that downvote his content.
I've been Building Giant Scale Radio Control models for the past 40 years, and watching your concise and easy to follow videos, I am excited to start doing actual WOOD Work in my shop at my new retirement home, Thank You.
As far as I’m concerned, William NG is a wood-shop wizard and he has to be a mathematical genius, which is where I lack. Wonderful video’s!!!
I found your channel a few years ago and watched every video. I've always wanted to do woodworking but never took the plunge. Over the last year, I've built and helped with a few things; all out of necessity rather than an artistic creation. I'm about to take to dive-in, building out my workshop as tools are being shipped. And so here I am again, rewatching your videos. There is a lot of good content for woodworkers on RUclips. Much of it is more inspirational. As far as I'm concerned, what you have put out is essential to having a strong foundational knowledge, enabling an aspiring woodworker for growth. Thank you for putting it out and keeping your channel up. I hope to one day see you putting out more content. Even if it's a patreon type of thing, I'd immediately join up. Haven't done anything like that before, but I would, again, immediately jump aboard if you were to.
First time watching a video from this youtuber and I'm extremely impressed. He is incredibly efficient and everything he does is calculated and precise. I was a bit skeptic at first when he started talking about thousandths of an inch and thought it was overkill. Then he went into great detail to explain why he does that and the benefit of it. Truly impressed and I honestly can't wait to watch more of his videos...and purchase a caliper.
Well yeah, unlike some RUclips channels, this guy has a real background
I have literally watched dozens of box joint videos. Yours is the first to explain and use the reference line. Nobody else follows through with all four sides of the box. All they show you is just the joint. No your not anual...as a metal shop owner and fabricater I appreciate the extra 1 to 5 minutes to save hours and material down the road... Great job
"I'm more nervous than Mike Tyson in a spelling bee..." That line alone was worth the entire 20 minutes of this video.
Thank you very much for posting this! I like your teaching style a lot. You not only show how to do it right, you show how to correct small problems as they happen - and they WILL happen. I really appreciate this approach, and I know some others do as well. Glad to see that you're back making videos!
Mark, Thanks for your comment. It's nice to be back on you tube. Thanks for watching.
He wouldn't be suggesting that MT is a bit thick is he? Lol.
@@11111972cjb not at all. William was never nervous. Nor would Mike Tyson be. He's smarter than may give him credit for
I'm more nervous than D Trump passing a lie detector test.
Mark Lindsay CNC nemmemost
I have watched more than a dozen or so videos on how to make a box joint and this is the BEST and most logical one so far!!! You are an excellent instructor!
Hi John Beckman. There's no reply button following your comment, not sure why so I hope my reply finds you. The opening measures .365 times that by 5 = 1.83 plus the fingers measures .360 times that by 6 = 2.16 add those together = 3.99 inch. OK so I'm .01" off. :-) Thanks for watching .... but not too close please.
Thanks William, I was wondering how the math worked on this. By the way, If you are looking for suggestions for an upcoming video, how about doing one on the 45 degree miter sled you mentioned you were going to do in your 5 cut method video.
Cool
William Ng di
There are many components to building a table saw. One plan I found which succeeds in merging these is the Wilfs Wood Blueprint (check it out on google) it's the most helpful resource i've seen. look at the amazing info .
👍👍👍👍
I really wish this guy would make more video's. I love his presentation style and the fact that he actually had a commercial shop. No wasted time.
as a commercial cabinet maker i always enjoy william's videos as there is the opportunity to learn a new trick. my comment is to all the incra jig enthusiasts... if i filled my workshop with all the gadgets and bits and pieces available i would never fit in the shop myself lol. the cost of having all this stuff lying around and having to store it becomes a negative investment. so often the cheap little stuff you can make in a few seconds is just as good. i can cut dovetails on a table saw or bandsaw faster than it takes me to set up a jig and run them with a router. even as a hobbyist it pays to learn how to do things simply without all the gadgets. remember the old craftsmen used a few handsaws, chisels and planes to quickly and effectively build what ever they wanted and often quicker than using the modern machine equivalents we have today.
Good point. Wish I had seen this video before buying my Incra jig. Could have saved myself some money. I could just never get my homemade jig very accurate. This video was the best I have seen yet for building a jig. Many thanks.
So lets go back to using horse and buggy, covered wagons, flintlocks, walrus tooth fishhooks. Jeez....
Richard Thaxton
i am not saying do not use modern conveniences.. i use power tools as well as hand tools. what i am saying is this... sometimes it is quicker to use hand tools than to set up a power tool to do the same job. it pays to keep an open mind when deciding how you want to achieve a solution. if i am making one drawer i will do it by hand. if i have a large number to do then i will take the time to set up a machine to do the job for me. dependent on whether the customer wants an entirely handmade joint or machine cut.
Thanks Taylor, really appreciate your support and comment.
Richard Thaxton A good craftsman knows when to use power tools and when to use hand tools. It's about making a living, finding the fastest and easiest way to get the job done. Unfortunately woodworkers don't get pay by the hour. I think that's what Tayler is trying to say. Thanks for watching, much appreciate it.
Someday if I learn half of the skill's you have,I can grow old and die a very happy man.
You teach without talking down to people who don't have the knowledge you have,and that is rare.Thank's for what you do.
ldg332004 :) I'm still learning, no need to talk down on anyone. Appreciate you taking the time to watch and comment.
You are "VERY" good at what you do!
I just want you to know it is an honour to have you sharing your knowledge to us. Thank you very much
Jim Cooney Thank you for the kind words. Much appreciate it.
That must be the most beautifully organized shop I've ever seen.
This is by far the best and most comprehensive box joint video I have seen. I don't have calipers in my shop, but after watching this video it will be the very next tool I'll be acquiring.
not only a master craftsman, but also a master educator. well done.
Best video I have seen explaining box joints. Tomorrow I plan on going out to the garage and burning the other jigs that have almost driven me to insanity. Thank you for making this so clear to me.
Outstandingly clear.
The ability to teach is a gift. Thanks.
I am brand new to woodworking and have watched several videos on box joints. Every other video shows how to connect two boards together, but never shows the entire box. I'm sure for more experienced people that is not a big deal, but I need to see the entire process. I have now watched several of Mr. Ng's videos and subscribed. These are some of the best and most detailed videos on RUclips! I really appreciate all of the detailed directions, and the great sense of humor. Great teacher!!!
Mr. Ng,
Thanks for the video! I worked in a machine shop/tool room of a large manufacturing concern and appreciate the fact that you are very exacting in measurements (in the thousandths of an inch)! I have never owned a table saw in my life and because this is my first experience with such, I desire to be just as accurate when creating my first jigs. Your videos are what I was looking for to create my first crosscut sled and box joint jig. Many thanks for this video and I am looking forward to other videos from you,
R. Baumann
I am a retired Tool & Die Maker and I used calipers all the time. I am glad some else saw the need for more close fits and to do it right, Thank you.
Beautifully made video - and so relaxing to watch you explain this concept with ease. You have convinced me to start using my calipers instead of going through a frustrating trial-and-error session with my joints. Much appreciated sir!
have watched hundreds of vids on the subject tried dozens of diff methods and have to say for new woodworkers this was the most clear' consise explanation out there ; extremely well done
followed directions from video for my first attempt ever at dove tails. Finished with pleasing results, Thanks William, more videos please. would like to see more on chair making, once again Thanks!
Hi William, I have watched many woodworking videos and been impressed but your skill and accuracy is something else, I do loose you a little when you talk in thousands of an inch as here in the UK we mostly use millimeters but I think your work is awesome and I will be watching all that you do. Thanks Again for sharing your knowledge and experience., Phil Andrews , Hereford England.
+P Andrews Hi Mr. Andrews, I like and do use the metric system. I think it's much easier but here in the US, I don't think we're going to switch anytime soon. I will try to reference metric in my future videos. Thanks for your comment.
I love the degree of precision that you go into. This was a great explanation and definitely helped me try my hand at box joints.
Therte are plenty of place that teach the same joint. However- the HUGE value here is your technique for fine tuning measurements. These are the lessons of a master tradesman, not an "artisan". Bravo.
Man, you are such a good teacher. I wish I could come out west and take a few classes.
z
_@🐈🦄
No need!
He's right here offering it for free!!!😄
Bula from Fiji William. I made the jig and wanted to add my comments. I added .005" to the size of the spacer and everything worked out perfectly the first time, just like in the video, cheers! I have been woodworking for about 50 years and typically did finger joints with a router and jig. My current project requires 16, 8-inch deep drawers, which is way too long to listen to a screaming router. I only have one table saw, but didn't change blades to make the spacer. I took a 1 x 3" piece of stock and cut a rabbit with the dado set to get the thickness of the spacer, then used my bandsaw to cut it to height, and miter saw to cut the width. Also, when cutting the finger joint on the side pieces, I set up a front piece for the spacer and then cut the first finger on both ends of the side piece before removing the front piece from the jig. This saved me from putting that front piece in 96 extra times.
Lastly, I wanted to remind everyone, USE SAFETY GLASSES when doing this process. My project is out of recycled 20 year old pressure treated fir, which causes a lot of chip out while cutting the fingers. Two pieces hit within 1" of my eyes with enough force to break my skin, and I never saw the chips coming. I was very glad I was wearing the safety glasses. BE SAFE EVERYONE!
Outstanding video! Nobody can accuse William about being too wordy or over-explaining! Which is good, but it makes you listen hard (or re-run the video several times :) ). William puts the ng in imazing!
To the guy who is talking .001 " in woodworking say's " this cut is not critical " my palms still sweat. This is absolutely fantastic the way you show how to easily to make very, very small necessary adjustments. Thank you
William, you have a ton of knowledge, and the kindness to share it, thank you for this. You also have the gift to be a good teacher, and that is rare. Also a gerat sense of humor that I really like ;-) your approach is very similar to mechanics machining, accurate, efficient, perfect ! waiting for your next videos !
Just bumped into you for the first time. You Rock. Common sense...simplicity...logic...etc,etc. Judging by your view numbers you've been doing this awhile. I'm sorry it took me this long to find you.
It's been a while since I took a class with you and I forget how good a teacher you are. Thanks for being a champion of accuracy and rational thinking.
SteveMetsch
+Stephen Metsch Thanks Stephen. Hope we can meet again.
Some people are just born great teachers. Thank you for all that you have posted. The information you provide is awesome.
William. This is my first time watching one of your videos and I affiliate with your calm demeanor. You work studio is immaculate and you look wise. I had to stop the video and tell you this. I am pleasantly impressed. Thank you for taking more time to share your wealth of knowledge. Subscribed.
William, I love your videos and the clarity of your explanations, but I equally love your sense of humor!
I like your preciseness with the caliper I've been using it for almost everywhere in the shop. I did learn adjusting the fence with a caliper from you as very handy. Love all your videos.
I think that was the best explanation of how to make nicely fitting finger joints, and explanations why you do or don't do something, I have ever seen / heard. Thank you.
I liked your use of .006” clearance in your joints. I worked for a major US window manufacturer and this was the clearance they used in the mortise and tenon joints on their window sashes. This provided the proper clearance for the glue.
I agree. This is great information that I will use going forward.
This is by far the best description of making a box joint fixture and more importantly, the best way to set it up. So many videos that I have watched just show the principal but not how to set it up so that you have the correct pitch of the 'fingers' to match the widths/heights of the drawer. Doing this makes the job quicker and you have less wasted material.
You are a great teacher and you describe the process well so that it is clearly understood. Look forward to more of your videos! :)
Love the fact that he speaks in terms of .001 of an inch. I was a former machinist and love the fact that he advocates this close tolerance .
Once a Machinist always a machinist!
JIM
Thanks for teaching such a great tutorial on box joints William. I used your method for a series of humidor drawers recently. I was kinda giddy with excitement when I got that oh-so-elegant fit, but made sure no one was watching when I did my happy dance 😊. Even though I only have one table saw in my small shop it wasn’t that bad to get this setup. I know it takes a tremendous effort to create these videos and I want you to know that this effort and your humor are HUGELY appreciated.
What a great video and a wonderful teacher. Thanks for taking the time to provide this and all of your instructional videos. I wish I could take some of your classes. Thanks again!
I'm a Mechanical Engineer gettng into woodworking. Your use of percision, the way you talk about dialing in your cuts and most importantly WHY you have set your clearances and sizes to what they are realy clicks with the way my mind works. I'm going to be checking out a bunch more of your videos.
This truly was the best woodworking instructional video I have watched. Thanks so much for producing it!
Repeating what Pac Memphis posted 4 years ago: This is beyond a doubt, the best box joint jig video I have ever seen. You are the benchmark for wood workers and teachers. Thanks!!
One VERY small enhancement would be at 14:42 in the video. Instead of removing the drawer front/back reference piece (to get your reference spacing), keep it in place, and flip your side piece end-over-end (like you do at 14:55) and make its first cut, as well. That way you don't have to keep setting it in place and removing it. The same applies to any number of additional drawer sides - if you keep the reference piece there, you only add/remove it once (instead of at least twice, and up to four times per drawer).
That said, this video is still awesome, watching it a year later. I love the elegance of your solutions!
It's very possible that this method is/was used in actual speed production, but he didn't want to go too fast in teaching the ideas here. It's also possible that he was a little distracted as many people are when an audience is involved, and didn't do every step the exact way or order he would have in normal production. Lots of us outright destroy work if we know somebody's watching, lol.
Wow, thanks for going slowly and clearly. Ive never done finger joints ; The fog of confusion surrounded the steps to make accurate measurements. 13:55 is where my confusion got wiped away; there and the actual width of the slot; I never would dream that allowing 10 thousandths for glue is appropiate. I could tell by the sound of your dry assembly going together, that it was juuuust rrrright! Amzing use of the feeler guage; not trial&error, like I would do(mostly time GOBLING error). I would run out to the shop, but its bed time! This is why I always did half laps,or just glue&screws. Thanks again, Mr. Ng; so glad you've planned time for more videos!
I love how accurate you are, and the practical tone in your instructions. Thanks a million, as I will be stopping off to get some materials to build one of those bad boys myself ;)
Thank you. Appreciate your comment.
Thank you, this was very helpful.
I have watched this several times but not had a project to use it. I just made a laundry rack for my wife today and used box joints using this method. I'm proud to say that I was successful and it turned out great. Thank you William, you are an 👍👍 excellent teacher and to all the skeptics out there, the thousands in accuracy are super important. Just .002-3 in the wrong direction or too much or too little clearance is the difference in a good fit or a joint that doesn't fit at all. I keep a caliper handy at all times.
So nice video to start new year!
You are clear and I love your way to speak. I am italian so I am happy when I can understand everything because you have no accent at all :-)
I marry your concept of precision. I am starting a production of design furnitures in my country over internet and you are right saying the more time you spend in setting is money you get back!
I am so sorry you are so far, I would like to learn in your school :-(
Here is almost impossible to learn, you must do all by yourself.
I am so happy for utube american woodworkers, I learned so much from you, summers woodworking,mr bigerock, wood whisperer, steve ramsey and all the other guys.
I want to thank you for sharing again your deep knowledge with us.
I wish you all the best and hope one day you make some dvd to buy for distance teaching....or online teaching....craftsy style....
Happy new year
From Italy
Christian
Hi Christian, Thanks for your comments. We're working on some online classes. Thanks for watching.
Such a gracious comment.
Mr. Ng - After following your instructions for making the box joint jig, I made a box that went together perfectly the first time and in much less time than I ever have before. I've made boxes with this joint in the past but it was always through a series of trial and error iterations that took way too much time. Hopefully I will be able to repeat this success on all my future projects with box joints. Thanks for sharing your methods with us. It has been a big help!
William, I have been watching your videos for a long time now. I am 71 years old and presently finishing up my professional life as a civilian contractor on an air base in the Persian Gulf, I am going to retire 31 December and I will be starting my wood working in a much more serious fashion. I have been in residential construction for 45 years and I have done a lot of wood working in the past. My retirement is going to include a complete wood working shop and my present tool budget is set at $15,000.00 so it going to be complete and I will be having fun. Until then I keep my dreams alive until then. Thanks for all the good advise!!!!!
That's awesome Dave! I'm on the other side myself, I've just begun my professional life as a computer programmer, but I'm also starting my woodworking shop as a hobbyist. My budget is way smaller than yours off course, since I only started earning my own money recently! Should be a fun ride for me as well!
Thanks for your comment Felipe. Wood working is a great hobby. It allows you to be very creative and to be able to see your handy work around the house is great also. I often have friends ask what tool in my shop I feel is the most important and I always answer your imagination!!! When you use your imagination you can accomplish so much more. Where are you located?
Absolutely. Making usefull stuff that I will use myself is something amazing. I am from Brazil!
Congratulations Mr. Harrington 2 more days! I envy you 7 more years for me @ age 67 enjoy.
Lane
Thanks Lane. In a way I envy you. I came back from Vietnam 31 December 1968 and my intentions were to stay in the military as an Army pilot but I ended up getting married. My wife didn't want a military life so I started going to National Aviation Academy in St. Pete Florida. I got my commercial, multiengine, instrument rating and CFI with the hopes of being able to get into commercial flying but soon learned that the road to a living in that profession is filled with poverty. I started working in residential construction. Even though I have often thought of what I gave up but I have been very blessed in my life and I have no regrets. If you wish to send me an email my email is harringtondave10@gmail.com
Let me just say , You are AWESOME explaining and showing how to make a box joint. I love this video WILL AND thank you for sharing it.
excellent teaching here. nice tip on the feeler gauge as well.
Of all the many countless videos about finger joint jigs, this is the very best! Thank you!
Thanks. I liked your video despite having seen the same approach from others before. I think it's those little differences that you have added that make your method is a good as it gets for production runs. Looking forward to your next video.
William, I started learning and doing these box joint jig in the last two years. There are ton people in RUclips to teach us how to do "box joints", but no one had taught us how to calculate and be more symmetric on all sides like yours. I don't think no one can touch your skills. Honestly, I've never listened your 20 minutes since I saw your video. I've thought there were too much talking. I would just follow people's 5 minute video. Lol. Now that I really understand about making "Box Joints," I went back to your video. I can't believe, I didn't paid attention on your vid. I wished I should had listen to you earlier. Next time, I'll look yours stuff. Thanks again.
Oh yeah....I just got your comment, "....Mike Tyson in a spelling be..." Lol. I'm just laughing to myself all day.
Excellent teaching skills !!! - effective and complete . . . a pleasure to watch :-)
I like your style William... great video with attention to important detail for accuracy. Kudos!
Simple. Effective. Cost efficient. Time efficient.
Youre not the most exciting cat to watch, but I love your clear, concise no bullshit mannerisms that get the job done to the best of your abilities. Even a sample test bit came out perfect.
Wish you were closer, I'd love to take your advanced joinery class someday!
Mr Ng, Thanks for the great instruction. I'm now retired in the Texas Hill Country and enjoying life after a long career in manufacturing management and industrial safety. My degrees are in industrial arts and technology and also industrial safety. I was lucky enough to work in an environment that I love. You're a very good teacher and having your knowledge and experience available to everyone here on RUclips is a wonderful resource. Keep up the great work you are doing. Barry Litchfield
Great video William. Thanks for sharing your insights!
William Ng is awesome! I hope to visit his school eventually.
The Wood Whisperer Thanks Marc for stopping by my channel, but shouldn't you be making video? HaHa You're my inspiration for making these videos so I better get cracking myself.
Ricky Mcgrath Thanks Ricky, I look forward to meeting you someday.
Hi William, Thanks for the simple and effective teaching moment. I'll be using your technique from now on. CHEERS!!
Love the video makes box joints a ease. Thanks
Not only a great instructional video, but it imparts a bit of unintended humour. "It kind of sucks." Priceless.
That was a great video and yes it does suck to have only one tablesaw. Looking forward to trying this after I make a dado sled.
HaHaHa, I couldn't pass up on a little shop gloat. Thanks for watching.
Do you have any drawings or side photos of your push block/stick? It looks pretty straight forward, but I can't tell if the handle is angled slightly or not.
jocmarti The handle is straight, not fancy but practical.
this guy is fantastic at explaining how and WHY on everything I have seen him do. I love it.Keeps me up late watching.Thanks William Ng
"I dont know what to tell ya....kinda sucks huh?" PRICELESS!!!
REALLY
That was the comment that made me subscribe!!
@@jadmcgregor Me too!
"More nervous then Mike Tyson in a spelling bee." I am now subscribed.
I wouldn't know. I have two table saws.
I don't care what you detractors have said in the past in the now or in the future. As in enthusiast woodworking Individual I just find you to be an incredible resource and inspire thank you much.
Hi William, thank you for the very informative and sometimes humorous videos. Good thing Mike Tyson doesn't know where you live. 😊 It would be great to get a tour of your shop, could you make a video of that? Please clean it up first, I saw a spec of dust in the corner. Take care SK
Steve this looks like a good idea, except for us Brits, who for some reason are not allowed to use a dado set. This means we are screwed and can only cut as wide as a single blade hence we need a jig that takes this into account.
@Keith Same here in Germany. Dados aren`t allowed in companies because of the safety. What you do in privat doesn`t matter. But you can`t buy them nowhere...Or when you find some they costs up to 300 Euro. I only know one Onlineshop who sells them in Germany.
So I bought a router box joint jig - it works just fine, but I could never get things to line up. This video makes it very simple. After watching it, I went out to the shop and made my first box joint box that actually goes together like it should! Thanks so much!
Six fingers and 5 sockets, each with a width of 3/8", adds up to 4 1/8". In your sample, you used 4" wide stock. What happened to the extra 1/8"?
The opening measures .365 times that by 5 = 1.83 plus the fingers measures .360 times that by 6 = 2.16 add those together = 3.99 inch. OK so I'm .01" off. :-)
a good reason to use mm and not fractions of the kings inch as unit of measure.
You just got schooled
I noticed this same thing as well. Thanks for asking this question. WilliamNG's explanation below cleared it up for me...need to make the dado .365 instead of .375 (as he says when first referencing his dado stack width).
@@xl000 yes. It will be more easy to understand how to measuring the wood 👍👍👍
Dear Mr Ng,
as a SilverSurfer (>60) I've startet WoodWorking for a hobby .
Drinking a mug of Coffee while watching Your videos makes me calm, relaxed, smiling and, of course, smarter.
It's better than any therapy :)
Thanks from Hamburg
Stay healthy
"Mike Tyson at a spelling bee" LOL haven't heard that one in years!
If I had had this guy for a wood working instructor back in the day, my chosen career would have had a far different trajectory - no question about it.
There is always a part in his videos where he gets all Christoper Walken! LOL
I have looked at many videos of folks claim they can show how to build a Box Joint Jig , so far your the only one who's jig will give a pleasing visual effect after the joint is cut and the box assembled . Most if not all were not symmetrical. Thanks for taking the time to do it correctly .
p.s. William also demonstrates economy of motion! No wasted movement, no fumbling - I should be half as co-ordinated!
Dear William, Thank you for sharing all the knowledges you have. Do not listen to the people mentioning 'rocket science'.
William,
I love this video. Watched it so many times but I'm a bit confused by one thing. You state you like a 4" drawer height because it gives you perfect symmetry. I'm trying to figure out how that is. 4" is 32/8. You use a 3/8" dado. 10 fingers and spaces is 30/8 and 11 is 33/8. How does that work out perfectly? What am I missing? This is important as I'm trying to figure out for my own set of drawers I'm building. Thanks!
Update: I actually did the math. You're short as I expected but only by 0.015". Who could spot that? Look forward to seeing more of your videos!
I dont understand your update. You can see in the video that he has 11 fingers. At 3/8" thats 4.125"!
I get the same thing.....it's 4 1/8"
remember, his dado blade width is .0010 less than 3/8 at least that's the way i see it
The gap is .01 less than 3/8 and the finger is .015 less. 5 fingers and gaps = .125 exactly. Minus one more finger or gap is .01 to .015 less as txlonghorn calculated.
The symmetry includes drawer inside depth,top clearance and the type of drawer slides used.
Thanks William for this easy to understand demo. I also admire the calmness you display.
...only one tablesaw. "Kinda sucks, huh?" HAHAHAHAHA man that cracked me up big time. Perfect! GREAT video. Thanks!
The best woodworking videos on the entire You Tube. Only problem is, we need more.
YOU'RE SHOP IS SO CLEAN. I think maybe I'do do better fishing.
🇨🇦You are not only funny and entertains, you are also a master craftsman and master teacher! 🇨🇦
Thanks so much for taking the time to make this video!
"I don't know what to tell ya, kinda suck hu?" LMAO!
I can’t get over how cool that shop looks!!!! His voice as a teacher... I could listen all day! I’m a fan already
More nervous than Mike Tyson in a spelling bee, HAHAHA.
Thank you for this. This was the clearest box joint video I've seen. None of the others seem to mention the reference mark, which seems critical.
@5 minutes. It kind of sux, huh? Bwahahahaha
***** I laughed.... sooooo hard. He definitely gave the max rub-ins on that.
+Mario Monti rofl, that was hilarious. i have just recently become serious about upping my wood-working skills, so glad i've found his videos etc.awesome stuff!
+Mario Monti - laughed so hard at this, instant sub.
LOL sux is my life
The first time through, i though, dude, why so harsh, then i went and set everything up, and having only one table saw, i, yup, totally 'got' it. Instantly cracked up over what is obvious now, not so obvious then. Great method, and my results will improve, but first try, not bad, not bad at all. Thanks sensei.
I have been watching lots of woodworking videos and must say that your shop is the most orginized and clean shop i have seen.
Thx for an awesome video