Nice work on the units, very impressive. Another way to do this would be to use approximately 1/16" thick x 2 1/8" wide solid wood for the edging on all the plywood units. This would show less edge grain on the shelves and sides and allow the overhang to simply be sanded off and avoid the routing process altogether. The plywood would have to be glued together with spacers going the length of the sides and shelves however as the 1/16" veneer would need backing for strength. These units would get put together first without the veneer and then ripped to the correct width first to allow the edges to be perfectly square and straight. Pieces can then be be glued and clamped together with the veneer two units at a time with the veneers facing each other. I use some sort of cushion between the veneer strips to provide even pressure on the veneers and keep any excess glue squeeze out from sticking the veneers to each other. I feel anytime you can reduce the thickness of an edging or faceframe, you reduce the chances of sanding (or routing) through the often too thin veneer on plywood.
Only 15 so it’s amazing. My dad built homes sir probably 50 yrs. I showed him a Spencer stair video one day & he watched intently. Then he commented that’s the guy you hire, give him the plans , take all his phone calls , then leave him alone? He will make both him & I money !
When I was active and had my own shop I was building projects like this and furniture. Since my wife passed away I sold our house and my shop and it never got back up and running again. Just took the life out of me. I like to think I was on your level on projects such as this. Love to see someone else that lives their work like you do Spencer. Look forward to your next video as always.
Sorry to hear about the loss of your wife. There are absences that are beyond filling. Given your evident continued interest, perhaps there's a way for you to rejoin this part of yourself, maybe through teaching or some appropriate volunteer activity, to pass along your hard-earned knowledge and passion for the craft. Many could benefit from all you have to offer.
Correction at 5:30 You have a *convex* bit to make a *concave* edge on the plywood. Aside from that, I’ve got nothing to add to your great work except to always say, “amazing work, Spencer!”
Love to see a video of the poor chap painting the backs of the cabinets. Spencer I would love to see you set up a finishing department with all the space you have . We finish most everything before we fabricate. The finished product is what your judged on. Love seeing your business grow .
I thought the same thing......oof what a pain in the arse to tape off that stain grade oak. It makes me think it would have been better to prime and paint that back panel once before he stapled them on. But, like he said, that's not his problem...it's the painter's problem.
Typical shortsighted crap that you see on so many jobs: "not my problem." No way will that paint job be as good as if it were done PRIOR to the back panel installation. A better way would be to coordinate with the painter. Or, for god's sake, just roll the paint yourself! There was a time when a carpenter would pick up a paint brush or roller.
For such high quality work and expertly detailed video’s you deserve waaay more views. This stuff so much better than your next epoxy river table video. 👍
Great video! I believe that the 23 gauge, as well as 21 and 18 have a chisel point. This means that when you are firing oins,with these smaller gauges, you should be holding the gun perpendicular' not parallel. This way, the pin will deflect to the right or left, rather than the fron or back. however, with the larger 15, and 16s, the chisel is cut the other way. and should be nailed with the gun parallel. The pins on the 23 are so small that it may not matter, but this is a good rule of thumb. I hope this is helpful. I am a retired furniture maker of 35 plus years, and am still learning. I have gained a lot of new ideas from you and enjoy very much your superb content! thanks.
Other than some adjacent base trim at the drywall, it’s trimmed. Scribed to drywall and a short piece of white oak added at the soffit and paint grade base inside at the back panel. Thin brick will bury the stiles closest to the fireplace. Let’s hope the mason or tile guy masks off well and with clean hands.
In my day here in the southeast, the expectation was that the work would be scribed to the drywall. In those cases, shelves were usually adjustable with a single fixed shelf in the center. (Aesthetics on shelf nosings flush with the frame weren't crucial, and weight would be less). An oversize face frame would be scribed onsite and attached with the case pulled out, so glue could be applied and pocket screws could be attached. Once the FF was done, the piece would be slid back into the opening and would fit like a glove. The alternative method would use either fillers or 2-pc framing to butt the drywall.. You end up with a finished look, but the only aspect you have to sweat is scribing face frames or fillers. Dimensions on the case weren't critical. In my experience, designers always over-specify and obsess about details the average homeowner would never notice or appreciate - often driving up costs without benefit. Your 2" fixed, flush shelves being an example.
@@landonedwards7504 it might be preferred to have a designer helping the client to spend money. Higher margins maybe. We always loved them for that reason. Build in a line item for “conferences” though. Often you will have to tactfully educate a designer about best methods - in the presence of the client and this requires skill and patience. We have done it the same as you describe but attach the face frame prior to scribe. In this case with the video, with thin brick and grouted mortar joints, I would have done these cases the same with only slight structural improvements on the build. A scribe to masonry is always fun and an opportunity to show your skills but in this case, I would let the brick meet the stile - as was done in the video. The only concern is staining the raw oak with thinset or similar mortar. I believe the stile meeting drywall was scribed however. Keep watching.
Class A work from start to finish, and lots of good tips and advice. The painters should have stepped forward and painted the plywood back before you stapled it in place, but that’s their problem. Thank you for all the effort you put into this video.
If the bookcases were done the way the designer wanted, the field finish by the painter would have been stain and finish, then paint the back (drywall). Shop paint of the back before assembly would, still require repainting on site. If this is the look the designer wanted, and the white oak was not shop finished then practically speaking there is no benefit in applying paint if stain and finish is also not shop applied. Sometimes best method has to stand behind design whims. We could argue that wanting painted drywall as a back to the bookcases is why designers are designers. Give people what they want even when you educate them on best practice and they still want something else. Possibly the designer will learn something from this project. Many designers and some architects want a specific unconventional result but maybe it’s our job to tell them how to get there. Placing a back on these bookcases when open back was the design intent…is a good example of this.
@@henrypeisch5289 I have to wonder how much thought the designer gave to this small detail of the project. To my mind placing bookcases with open backs against drywall is a non-starter for all the reasons Spencer noted. Besides, can anyone tell the difference between painted drywall and a suitably finished backer? I doubt it, especially with the bookcases full of books or whatever. Furthermore, the backer can probably take more of a hit than drywall. The owner is fortunate to have Spencer on the job.
@@theodoreshasta7846 it’s often about creating a unique design. Maybe the wall paint will be used on the 1/4” ply back. Same look as drywall. Our challenge is to work with the designer. If we need a disclaimer with a design (like installing horizontal balusters over an open to below floor space) we probably should pass on that aspect of the project. It is a goal to eventually understand as many aspects of the building process as possible so we can guide the design process without saying “no”. But there are times to say no anyway. I have always believed that licensed architects should be required to spend at least 2 years in the trades before certification. Maybe the same should apply to interior design professionals.
It is really nice to watch a video that is put out on RUclips for informative reasons rather than entertainment. I am so tired of watching people that think that they are entertaining, but have no substance to what they’re talking about. Not only are you extremely informative and painstakingly detailed about how and why you do everything that you do but you are also entertaining at the same time because of the detail and the information that you convey. Keep up the good work. I have always enjoyed watching your videos.
Man buddy u hit the nail on thee head! I am always trying to learn! Bottom line I want to reduce the number of clients I hv to those who are aware of prices however; will pay your price w/ o haggling ! That means I hv to execute precisely in my carpentry builds! Listening to music, 10 x speed ( while they work thru what seems to them to be boring) and I am screaming nooooo I need to see how you executed that joint ! I am done I cancel and move on! I even spend hours watching framing so if a customer states I hv this issue I understand and can refer them to the right framer, roofer, ect.,. In order to be competent; passion is a huge part of it! Bout 3/4 years ago I clicked on Spencer and I found that teacher! Great resource!
Im a electrical contractor by trade for about 30 years but have done alot of wood work also. Man would love to work with my guy here for about a year, to have the opportunity to learn from a true master of wood working. Outstanding quality work!
I really like watching your videos. I learn so much from watching them. I am a hobbyist but you have helped me improve the quality of my work so much. Thanks for what you do and keep it up.
I am a finish carpenter and have done so for the last 15 yrs. For people who don't know the inner workings of running trim and doing built ins etc, He is the real deal. It's not often you see someone who delivers such high end results consistently in every aspect of his jobs. The customers are getting their money's worth without a doubt. Even us experienced carpenters learn new techniques/efficiency from watching this channel. Keep up the good work man. You have a awesome thing going and I have nothing but respect for you and what you do.. to many more years from Woodstock Ga. 👍👍💪
I guess I started at a company that did this stuff, so I really don't know any other way to do it. The houses look similar to the ones we do. Mr. Lewis is definitely high level, luckily I worked in a shop full of him, and I was the guy who was a master at looking stupid.
very informative as always. spencer gives us for free a master class in so many aspects of carpentry and he never stops learning as we do as builders. love it! also the comprehensive breakdowns on tool set ups and case use is unrivaled. thank you!
😊Hey there. You are absolutely amazing. You have the right tools, great shop and skills to get it done. You have patience and ability. I commend you. Thanks for sharing the videos. Philip 👊🏼
When I come across a channel like this, with a guy who does such a great job and gives people so many detailed and valuable explanations about how to do things the best way, I can definitely not leave without subscribing. Thank you for sharing your experience.
Surprised not to see clamps on the back edges at the filler strips to pull them together. Must be nice to work with flat plywood ! Another awesome video. Thank you and more like this please.
Can’t thank you enough for all this content that you put out. I am a remodeler by trade, but fine woodwork and trim carpentry is my passion. The amount of knowledge I’ve gained by watching your videos is immeasurable. Keep up the great work! Would love to take the leap and transfer to what you do, as you know, it’s not an easy step.
I appreciate your response I really do. I’m putting drawer faces on at the moment. Got a walk thru tomorrow. Man I know you hear this a lot but I really find your channel a breath of fresh air. You are the real deal and I relate 100%. Thank you for the tip. God bless.
Made similar matching bookshelves but ran dado slots for 3/4" shelves with a router with the shelf fronts behind the face frame. Glued them in, clamped them and they're solid as a truss beam.
Spencer your videos in my opinion are the best thing to watch on TV. Keep up the good work. Next to Norm your videos are the best. This may be your most informative and fun videos you’ve made yet!
hello, cabinet maker here. when I assemble like this (bookcases, fixed shelves, I would cut a pair of spacers at the height of the opening (here being 17") this way we would not have to worry about a pencil line on pre-sanded material and each shelf would be exactly at the same height due to the spacer not changing size. Just a tip that's especially helpful working alone. Great work
Spencer, love your videos, brother. I hope you’ll take this in the way that I mean it. Speaking for every woodworker who’s NOT in the trades, it does my heart good to hear someone like you say they’ve screwed up countless built-ins. It’s the feeling every hack golfer gets when they watch Tiger shank one into the woods. Thanks for the honesty!
The blade with the high tooth count is a must for cross-cutting but I would still highly recommend a crosscut sled. The zero clearance with a sled really makes a huge difference as your material has virtually no chance of tearing out on the underside. Great work and awesome in depth video!
Brilliant - thanks so much for taking the time to produce these videos. What I aspire to mostly is the level of calm you bring to your workplace. I run around like a blue arse fly then wonder where the day has gone !
My lord that clamp rack should come with an 18+ rating haha! Excellent video and content, as ever. Many thanks for your ongoing effort to educate us all.
I have a tip to prevent blowouts when nailing, so that I almost never get blowouts if I'm careful. I relates to the chisel tip on the nails and the orientation of the gun. You only get blowouts to the left or right of the gun, but never up or down, because the bevel on the nail point can guide the nail along the wood grain. Try it out! Thanks for another great video.
Love it. I worked in a custom shop for ten years. Only thing i would have added to that is one domino to the oak on shelf and to face frames to make lining up the faces and assembly easier. Pre domino machine i would have done exactly what you did. I'd have sprayed it iny shop too. I def wouldn't want to paint that back after the fact.
This vid was a banger. I love these long form carpentry videos. So many small expert tips that add up to an incredibly professional result. I am a huge fan of the design also (except the drywall backer idea, lol). Expertly executed, Spencer. 👍 👌
You are a wonderful craftsman. I’ve been in the cabinet business for over 30 years. I know quality and you have it. The castle machine is the best money can buy
Dude. Perfect timing. I don’t know how or why but you always post a zinger like this whenever I come up against a new challenge. Thankful beyond words.
@28:ish I had a close call with kickback recently, so that cut-to-width sequence scared me... Love your content-- nice to see a creator/ builder with confidence real-world experience
I really like your reasoning for making them bigger and then cutting down, I would not have thought about that. I have some 'chunky' shelves in my future and this is a great video to flag for rewatching.
I love how you teach. You are so specific on the details even while knowing your videos are a blend of how to and just trade enjoyment from how to place your wood to be cut to not tearout or over build to cut down. I feel like an apprentice of yours. I do feel a bit let down seeing the gaps and the top trim board installed at the home. I would have really appreciated your few extra minutes of time to at least explain how you were going to fill gaps and finish the install if you didn’t have to do the remainder of the filming. Bravo buddy you are still my favorite trim you tuber. Thanks for challenging me to be the best at all my skills with your level of detail.
Wow man. You are a busy guy. I never expected you to respond. That makes sense. That’s for pointing this out. I’m building some simple one now, nothing like yours. My brick is already there so I’ll probably need shoe or quarter on mine. Thank for the video.
I so appreciate this type of video - detailed enough to really be useful, not just edited for length. And its really all about the planning and strategy separating work that is 'good enough' from...well, pretty fabulous. I hope your clients appreicate you!
Love your videos. I was wondering if you would possibly do a video showing how you use sketch up. I’ve seen that people have different ways of using it and would love to see how a professional carpenter goes about it. Beautiful work!
I built one of these for my house early last year. I learned a lot of the stuff you laid out here the hard way. I wish you made this a year earlier but good one.
Well, I wasn't expecting a master class in built-in shelves. Great detailed video. All the stuff and none of the fluff. Definitely a subscriber now. Thnaks!
20:36 You can also use the festool MFK700 for this exact purpose. It’s a much smaller trim router so easier handle, and they’ve refined the fence a lot too to make it easier to use.
I know the table saw is king but you really should think about investing in a high grade panel saw. I work for a cabinet shop in Massachusetts, the owner purchased one a few years back. It is an absolute game changer. Anways always a pleasure watching your content!
Thanks for walking us through the details of your thought process for each step. I learned so much more that way than I would have from a simple “do this” video. It really helps me as I think about how to approach a given project.
Thanks Spencer for showing us how it’s done. Great reminders at all key steps. This video is a real confidence-builder for a project that can be a little intimidating. That Castle machine is sweet! Someday. I’m also a big believer in “idiot” marks, especially for built-ins. I tried using a Pentel Hi Polymer Block Eraser to take off pencil lines. They have worked well for me. Amazon sells them, in bulk if you use them a lot (like I do). Erasing with the grain usually takes the marks off completely, or at least close enough. Sometime you need to sand the area (w/ 180 or 220j - lightly, by hand - if the surface will be stained or clear-coated. This has worked for me to eliminate all eraser debris. I agree that a stapler is The tool for back panels. Really hold tight. It’ll stay on there nice & tight - even when you’re moving it into place. Thanks again for all of the time to take to make us better, and yes, please make more project videos. They really help.
Nice work Spencer! After 30+ years of carpentry, I'm always learning from you. This was a fun one. You could still make this a free standing unit by adding panels to the outside. Something I might add to your shelves is to do them like floating shelves. Take two of the spacers and attach ithem to the insides of the box for each shelf. Would have been nice to paint that back panel before attaching, oh well. Many Thanks!
Thank you for this detailed video ! Been watcing you for a couple years now and gotta say youre one of my top favorites to watch and i try to watch your videos as soon as they come out. As always top notch work and outstanding results. Cant wait to see more!
Not making this up......as soon as the flooring is down and I run the base in my current job, I'm building two bookcases to fit in the cavities either side of their fireplace. Timing is everything! Thanks, Spencer!👍
![BLACK BAG - Official Trailer [HD] - Only in Theaters March 14](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/Du0Xp8WX_7I/mqdefault.jpg)
THANKS FOR YOUR SUPPORT!!!
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Do you have a link for the bit you used for the edge trimming?
Hi, I just built a bookcase with a secret door for a client and I think I under charged him... How much do you charge for those build ins...
Nice work on the units, very impressive. Another way to do this would be to use approximately 1/16" thick x 2 1/8" wide solid wood for the edging on all the plywood units. This would show less edge grain on the shelves and sides and allow the overhang to simply be sanded off and avoid the routing process altogether. The plywood would have to be glued together with spacers going the length of the sides and shelves however as the 1/16" veneer would need backing for strength. These units would get put together first without the veneer and then ripped to the correct width first to allow the edges to be perfectly square and straight. Pieces can then be be glued and clamped together with the veneer two units at a time with the veneers facing each other. I use some sort of cushion between the veneer strips to provide even pressure on the veneers and keep any excess glue squeeze out from sticking the veneers to each other. I feel anytime you can reduce the thickness of an edging or faceframe, you reduce the chances of sanding (or routing) through the often too thin veneer on plywood.
@@tomruth9487 Cool! Could you make a video please?
Could you please link the stapler? Thanks! Love the video! Learned a lot!
I've been a trim carpenter for over 45 years and he always amazes me. He definitely deserves your respect!!!!
Agreed. 👍
Same here. Been doing it for 35 years. I have a lot of respect for him.
Every day is an education.👍🏝️🇨🇦
Only 15 so it’s amazing. My dad built homes sir probably 50 yrs. I showed him a Spencer stair video one day & he watched intently. Then he commented that’s the guy you hire, give him the plans , take all his phone calls , then leave him alone? He will make both him & I money !
Why not just use 3 sheets of plywood per shelf to make up the needed thickness??
46 years in construction, 28 years in finish carpentry. love watching your videos.
When I was active and had my own shop I was building projects like this and furniture. Since my wife passed away I sold our house and my shop and it never got back up and running again. Just took the life out of me. I like to think I was on your level on projects such as this. Love to see someone else that lives their work like you do Spencer. Look forward to your next video as always.
Sorry to hear about the loss of your wife. There are absences that are beyond filling.
Given your evident continued interest, perhaps there's a way for you to rejoin this part of yourself, maybe through teaching or some appropriate volunteer activity, to pass along your hard-earned knowledge and passion for the craft. Many could benefit from all you have to offer.
I'm sure your wife would never want you to be unhappy. I know you miss her, but for her, live a better life.
@@TerryPullen I assume you say this from experience of your own. Sorry for your loss as well😢. It's not easy, is it??
I'm almost 74, but I wish I was 14 again and you were my Daddy. I would learn so much and become a carpenter like you!
Correction at 5:30
You have a *convex* bit to make a *concave* edge on the plywood. Aside from that, I’ve got nothing to add to your great work except to always say, “amazing work, Spencer!”
The convex bit makes the concave edge
@@greghope235right. That’s what I wrote. Spencer said the opposite.
That’s correct. I came to the comments to see if anyone else caught that mistake.
Love to see a video of the poor chap painting the backs of the cabinets. Spencer I would love to see you set up a finishing department with all the space you have . We finish most everything before we fabricate. The finished product is what your judged on. Love seeing your business grow .
I think they will tape and spray with an hvlp gun
I thought the same thing......oof what a pain in the arse to tape off that stain grade oak. It makes me think it would have been better to prime and paint that back panel once before he stapled them on. But, like he said, that's not his problem...it's the painter's problem.
The back panels should have gone to the painter before assembly. It helps everybody achieve a higher quality product.
Typical shortsighted crap that you see on so many jobs: "not my problem." No way will that paint job be as good as if it were done PRIOR to the back panel installation. A better way would be to coordinate with the painter. Or, for god's sake, just roll the paint yourself! There was a time when a carpenter would pick up a paint brush or roller.
For such high quality work and expertly detailed video’s you deserve waaay more views. This stuff so much better than your next epoxy river table video. 👍
Great job. You did an excellent job explaining this. And a great job with the shelves. Thank you.
Great video! I believe that the 23 gauge, as well as 21 and 18 have a chisel point. This means that when you are firing oins,with these smaller gauges, you should be holding the gun perpendicular'
not parallel. This way, the pin will deflect to the right or left, rather than the fron or back. however, with the larger 15, and 16s, the chisel is cut the other way. and should be nailed with the gun parallel. The pins on the 23 are so small that it may not matter, but this is a good rule of thumb. I hope this is helpful. I am a retired furniture maker of 35 plus years, and am still learning. I have gained a lot of new ideas from you and enjoy very much your superb content! thanks.
Sorry for not checking my spelling! Oops!
Although I'm just a lazy hobby carpenter building small furniture, I always learn something useful from your videos!
I'd like to see how you trim it out after setting them in place!
Other than some adjacent base trim at the drywall, it’s trimmed. Scribed to drywall and a short piece of white oak added at the soffit and paint grade base inside at the back panel. Thin brick will bury the stiles closest to the fireplace. Let’s hope the mason or tile guy masks off well and with clean hands.
In my day here in the southeast, the expectation was that the work would be scribed to the drywall. In those cases, shelves were usually adjustable with a single fixed shelf in the center. (Aesthetics on shelf nosings flush with the frame weren't crucial, and weight would be less). An oversize face frame would be scribed onsite and attached with the case pulled out, so glue could be applied and pocket screws could be attached. Once the FF was done, the piece would be slid back into the opening and would fit like a glove. The alternative method would use either fillers or 2-pc framing to butt the drywall.. You end up with a finished look, but the only aspect you have to sweat is scribing face frames or fillers. Dimensions on the case weren't critical. In my experience, designers always over-specify and obsess about details the average homeowner would never notice or appreciate - often driving up costs without benefit. Your 2" fixed, flush shelves being an example.
@@landonedwards7504 it might be preferred to have a designer helping the client to spend money. Higher margins maybe. We always loved them for that reason. Build in a line item for “conferences” though. Often you will have to tactfully educate a designer about best methods - in the presence of the client and this requires skill and patience. We have done it the same as you describe but attach the face frame prior to scribe. In this case with the video, with thin brick and grouted mortar joints, I would have done these cases the same with only slight structural improvements on the build. A scribe to masonry is always fun and an opportunity to show your skills but in this case, I would let the brick meet the stile - as was done in the video. The only concern is staining the raw oak with thinset or similar mortar. I believe the stile meeting drywall was scribed however. Keep watching.
Class A work from start to finish, and lots of good tips and advice. The painters should have stepped forward and painted the plywood back before you stapled it in place, but that’s their problem. Thank you for all the effort you put into this video.
Thr painters would have to go to Spencer's shop. I would of just added finish to the cost of the bookshelves and painted it my self
If the bookcases were done the way the designer wanted, the field finish by the painter would have been stain and finish, then paint the back (drywall). Shop paint of the back before assembly would, still require repainting on site. If this is the look the designer wanted, and the white oak was not shop finished then practically speaking there is no benefit in applying paint if stain and finish is also not shop applied. Sometimes best method has to stand behind design whims. We could argue that wanting painted drywall as a back to the bookcases is why designers are designers. Give people what they want even when you educate them on best practice and they still want something else. Possibly the designer will learn something from this project. Many designers and some architects want a specific unconventional result but maybe it’s our job to tell them how to get there. Placing a back on these bookcases when open back was the design intent…is a good example of this.
@@henrypeisch5289 I have to wonder how much thought the designer gave to this small detail of the project. To my mind placing bookcases with open backs against drywall is a non-starter for all the reasons Spencer noted. Besides, can anyone tell the difference between painted drywall and a suitably finished backer? I doubt it, especially with the bookcases full of books or whatever. Furthermore, the backer can probably take more of a hit than drywall. The owner is fortunate to have Spencer on the job.
@@theodoreshasta7846 it’s often about creating a unique design. Maybe the wall paint will be used on the 1/4” ply back. Same look as drywall. Our challenge is to work with the designer. If we need a disclaimer with a design (like installing horizontal balusters over an open to below floor space) we probably should pass on that aspect of the project. It is a goal to eventually understand as many aspects of the building process as possible so we can guide the design process without saying “no”. But there are times to say no anyway. I have always believed that licensed architects should be required to spend at least 2 years in the trades before certification. Maybe the same should apply to interior design professionals.
@@henrypeisch5289 Amen to that.
I absolutely want to see more project videos. Great work!
More to come!
It is really nice to watch a video that is put out on RUclips for informative reasons rather than entertainment. I am so tired of watching people that think that they are entertaining, but have no substance to what they’re talking about. Not only are you extremely informative and painstakingly detailed about how and why you do everything that you do but you are also entertaining at the same time because of the detail and the information that you convey. Keep up the good work. I have always enjoyed watching your videos.
Man buddy u hit the nail on thee head! I am always trying to learn! Bottom line I want to reduce the number of clients I hv to those who are aware of prices however; will pay your price w/ o haggling ! That means I hv to execute precisely in my carpentry builds! Listening to music, 10 x speed ( while they work thru what seems to them to be boring) and I am screaming nooooo I need to see how you executed that joint ! I am done I cancel and move on! I even spend hours watching framing so if a customer states I hv this issue I understand and can refer them to the right framer, roofer, ect.,. In order to be competent; passion is a huge part of it! Bout 3/4 years ago I clicked on Spencer and I found that teacher! Great resource!
Excellent teaching points and tips on achieving top quality. Thank you.
As a carpenter myself 45 years. I want to say. Excellent video. Beautiful cabinets, well done on all aspects.
Love the spring loaded nail punch at timeframe 23.32. Have not seen one for many years .
Im a electrical contractor by trade for about 30 years but have done alot of wood work also. Man would love to work with my guy here for about a year, to have the opportunity to learn from a true master of wood working. Outstanding quality work!
I really like watching your videos. I learn so much from watching them. I am a hobbyist but you have helped me improve the quality of my work so much. Thanks for what you do and keep it up.
I am a finish carpenter and have done so for the last 15 yrs. For people who don't know the inner workings of running trim and doing built ins etc, He is the real deal. It's not often you see someone who delivers such high end results consistently in every aspect of his jobs. The customers are getting their money's worth without a doubt. Even us experienced carpenters learn new techniques/efficiency from watching this channel. Keep up the good work man. You have a awesome thing going and I have nothing but respect for you and what you do.. to many more years from Woodstock Ga. 👍👍💪
I guess I started at a company that did this stuff, so I really don't know any other way to do it.
The houses look similar to the ones we do.
Mr. Lewis is definitely high level, luckily I worked in a shop full of him, and I was the guy who was a master at looking stupid.
very informative as always. spencer gives us for free a master class in so many aspects of carpentry and he never stops learning as we do as builders. love it! also the comprehensive breakdowns on tool set ups and case use is unrivaled. thank you!
Some fine work there, your skill is top notch. 👏
😊Hey there. You are absolutely amazing. You have the right tools, great shop and skills to get it done. You have patience and ability. I commend you. Thanks for sharing the videos. Philip 👊🏼
When I come across a channel like this, with a guy who does such a great job and gives people so many detailed and valuable explanations about how to do things the best way, I can definitely not leave without subscribing. Thank you for sharing your experience.
Welcome aboard!
Surprised not to see clamps on the back edges at the filler strips to pull them together. Must be nice to work with flat plywood !
Another awesome video. Thank you and more like this please.
Can’t thank you enough for all this content that you put out.
I am a remodeler by trade, but fine woodwork and trim carpentry is my passion. The amount of knowledge I’ve gained by watching your videos is immeasurable. Keep up the great work!
Would love to take the leap and transfer to what you do, as you know, it’s not an easy step.
I appreciate your response I really do. I’m putting drawer faces on at the moment. Got a walk thru tomorrow. Man I know you hear this a lot but I really find your channel a breath of fresh air. You are the real deal and I relate 100%. Thank you for the tip. God bless.
I’m just getting into woodworking and cabinetry and this video blew my mind. Thank you so much for sharing. A true master crastman.
Made similar matching bookshelves but ran dado slots for 3/4" shelves with a router with the shelf fronts behind the face frame. Glued them in, clamped them and they're solid as a truss beam.
Spencer your videos in my opinion are the best thing to watch on TV. Keep up the good work. Next to Norm your videos are the best. This may be your most informative and fun videos you’ve made yet!
I learn more from this channel than any other. I can’t believe I get these tips for free.
More built in projects please Spencer. Thanks...
I am always amazed by your work and explanations. I have learned so much from you over the years. Thank you!!!
hello, cabinet maker here. when I assemble like this (bookcases, fixed shelves, I would cut a pair of spacers at the height of the opening (here being 17") this way we would not have to worry about a pencil line on pre-sanded material and each shelf would be exactly at the same height due to the spacer not changing size. Just a tip that's especially helpful working alone. Great work
I am your fan on this industry never stop learning
Spencer, love your videos, brother. I hope you’ll take this in the way that I mean it. Speaking for every woodworker who’s NOT in the trades, it does my heart good to hear someone like you say they’ve screwed up countless built-ins. It’s the feeling every hack golfer gets when they watch Tiger shank one into the woods. Thanks for the honesty!
The blade with the high tooth count is a must for cross-cutting but I would still highly recommend a crosscut sled. The zero clearance with a sled really makes a huge difference as your material has virtually no chance of tearing out on the underside. Great work and awesome in depth video!
Thanks for the amazing video. I feel like I have grown a lot as a carpenter since finding your channel.
"Extra crispy" - love it! Great video!
Brilliant - thanks so much for taking the time to produce these videos. What I aspire to mostly is the level of calm you bring to your workplace. I run around like a blue arse fly then wonder where the day has gone !
I have never subscribed to a carpentry channel on the 5th minute of the first video I've watched. Really great job, a treasure trove of information.
Welcome aboard!
My lord that clamp rack should come with an 18+ rating haha! Excellent video and content, as ever. Many thanks for your ongoing effort to educate us all.
Now I know where I screwed up. I appreciate your video. I definitely learned something from your great video. Thank you.
I have a tip to prevent blowouts when nailing, so that I almost never get blowouts if I'm careful. I relates to the chisel tip on the nails and the orientation of the gun. You only get blowouts to the left or right of the gun, but never up or down, because the bevel on the nail point can guide the nail along the wood grain. Try it out!
Thanks for another great video.
Always learn something from your vids. Thanks for explaining not only the how but the why.
I really like these project videos. Don't even mind the length. Great job!
Love it. I worked in a custom shop for ten years. Only thing i would have added to that is one domino to the oak on shelf and to face frames to make lining up the faces and assembly easier. Pre domino machine i would have done exactly what you did. I'd have sprayed it iny shop too. I def wouldn't want to paint that back after the fact.
As always I found some little lessons you learned and passed along to help make my projects a little better or easier. Thank you.
Nice job. Thanks for sharing your knowledge. And yes, would love to see more like this.
Good job like the festool router set up look fwd to seeing more ,rgd Mike fellow Carpenter and joiner in the uk😊
This vid was a banger. I love these long form carpentry videos. So many small expert tips that add up to an incredibly professional result. I am a huge fan of the design also (except the drywall backer idea, lol). Expertly executed, Spencer. 👍 👌
You are a wonderful craftsman. I’ve been in the cabinet business for over 30 years. I know quality and you have it. The castle machine is the best money can buy
Dude. Perfect timing. I don’t know how or why but you always post a zinger like this whenever I come up against a new challenge. Thankful beyond words.
Amazing amount of tips packed into this video. Fantastic content. Thanks!
@28:ish I had a close call with kickback recently, so that cut-to-width sequence scared me... Love your content-- nice to see a creator/ builder with confidence real-world experience
One of the best teachers I have ever had!
My work consists mostly of shelves, builtins and mantels. I appreciate seeing your "production" techniques which come in handy for some jobs/clients.
Continuing to learn from you! Perfection.
Thankyou Spencer. These videos help take me to a higher level of craftsmanship
I really like your reasoning for making them bigger and then cutting down, I would not have thought about that. I have some 'chunky' shelves in my future and this is a great video to flag for rewatching.
I love how you teach. You are so specific on the details even while knowing your videos are a blend of how to and just trade enjoyment from how to place your wood to be cut to not tearout or over build to cut down. I feel like an apprentice of yours. I do feel a bit let down seeing the gaps and the top trim board installed at the home. I would have really appreciated your few extra minutes of time to at least explain how you were going to fill gaps and finish the install if you didn’t have to do the remainder of the filming. Bravo buddy you are still my favorite trim you tuber. Thanks for challenging me to be the best at all my skills with your level of detail.
Everything was fit tight besides where it met the fireplace which will be covered in brick???
Wow man. You are a busy guy. I never expected you to respond. That makes sense. That’s for pointing this out. I’m building some simple one now, nothing like yours. My brick is already there so I’ll probably need shoe or quarter on mine. Thank for the video.
Put casters on your garbage can, use them as shop carts.
Really nice work!
I so appreciate this type of video - detailed enough to really be useful, not just edited for length. And its really all about the planning and strategy separating work that is 'good enough' from...well, pretty fabulous. I hope your clients appreicate you!
I was wondering about the baker the whole time lol, thanks for clearing that up
Love your videos. I was wondering if you would possibly do a video showing how you use sketch up. I’ve seen that people have different ways of using it and would love to see how a professional carpenter goes about it. Beautiful work!
I built one of these for my house early last year. I learned a lot of the stuff you laid out here the hard way. I wish you made this a year earlier but good one.
Wow, great job and neat how you thought it through with the oversized shelves.
I gotta say, nice job… your attention to detail is awesome
Love your very informative and educational videos. I’ve learned so much. Please keep including the project videos. They educate and inspire.
Well, I wasn't expecting a master class in built-in shelves. Great detailed video. All the stuff and none of the fluff. Definitely a subscriber now. Thnaks!
2nd time to watch this video and I learned a lot from you. Thank you for sharing. Your the best carpenter I every seen
Every time I watch one of your videos it costs me money ! lol never heard of that router bit before now. Excellent video Spenc!
A baker scaffold makes a nice shop cart, plus I bet you can some other uses for it as well.
I REALLY enjoyed this. Great woodwork, great camera work, great narration. Thanks
20:36 You can also use the festool MFK700 for this exact purpose. It’s a much smaller trim router so easier handle, and they’ve refined the fence a lot too to make it easier to use.
So many great tips in this one - Thanks Spencer!
Really glad you’re out there. Learning so much! Thank you.
Wow, so many excellent tips and tricks here! Thanks a ton for sharing!
I know the table saw is king but you really should think about investing in a high grade panel saw. I work for a cabinet shop in Massachusetts, the owner purchased one a few years back. It is an absolute game changer. Anways always a pleasure watching your content!
Thanks for walking us through the details of your thought process for each step. I learned so much more that way than I would have from a simple “do this” video. It really helps me as I think about how to approach a given project.
You inspired me to build some built in for a big TV and an electric fireplace. floating next to that will be 6-8 thick floating shelves, like yours.
It’s stunning how good these look. As professional homeowner who has tried to make similar things I’m in awe.
Very timely for a current project, thanks Spencer
Great channel. I love the ideas you have and very useful to me
Thanks Spencer for showing us how it’s done. Great reminders at all key steps. This video is a real confidence-builder for a project that can be a little intimidating. That Castle machine is sweet! Someday. I’m also a big believer in “idiot” marks, especially for built-ins. I tried using a Pentel Hi Polymer Block Eraser to take off pencil lines. They have worked well for me. Amazon sells them, in bulk if you use them a lot (like I do). Erasing with the grain usually takes the marks off completely, or at least close enough. Sometime you need to sand the area (w/ 180 or 220j - lightly, by hand - if the surface will be stained or clear-coated. This has worked for me to eliminate all eraser debris. I agree that a stapler is The tool for back panels. Really hold tight. It’ll stay on there nice & tight - even when you’re moving it into place. Thanks again for all of the time to take to make us better, and yes, please make more project videos. They really help.
You make me wanna become a carpenter!
It’s straight up amazing with the things you do
Totally jealous of your tools some really nice stuff excellent work as well. You truly have the best of everything.
Nice work Spencer! After 30+ years of carpentry, I'm always learning from you. This was a fun one. You could still make this a free standing unit by adding panels to the outside. Something I might add to your shelves is to do them like floating shelves. Take two of the spacers and attach ithem to the insides of the box for each shelf. Would have been nice to paint that back panel before attaching, oh well. Many Thanks!
Snother banger! Thanks for taking us to school. Invaluable! Thanks!
commenting to help the algorithm....keep up the good work, your videos are the best for wood working.
I appreciate that!
Thank you very for sharing great skills and talents.
I learned something! Never knew about that router bit. Thanks for that! A foam brush works great for spreading glue...
I like that you do the millwork and the installation. That's what I would like to progress to in the future.
Thank you for this detailed video ! Been watcing you for a couple years now and gotta say youre one of my top favorites to watch and i try to watch your videos as soon as they come out.
As always top notch work and outstanding results. Cant wait to see more!
Not making this up......as soon as the flooring is down and I run the base in my current job, I'm building two bookcases to fit in the cavities either side of their fireplace. Timing is everything! Thanks, Spencer!👍
Outstanding video! Learned a lot of new things I’d never considered. Thank you as always.
Absolutely fantastic work, it's amazing to see someone who knows his tools and material so well. Thumbs up for more project videos from me.
Love to see your version of the Timothy Wilmots shop cart!