Early Access Video: Don't Overthink It.
Added 2022-03-19 11:01:00 +0000 UTCFriends:
Many of us over-plan our projects, even refusing to start work until we have a detailed plan. I do this myself and I'm reluctant to touch my tools until I have every component measured out.
But one of the advantages of hand tool woodwork is that we can make piece as we need them, fitting each one to the project until it's done. There's no need to batch components out because it doesn't save so much time.
Instead of planning every detail, it's good to just....improvise a little bit. Sometimes, you should just go down in the shop and start cutting. I bet it will work out better than you think.
Here's a video on a small project that I just did on the fly. It came out great. This is also the last video in my current series on the New Woodwork Economy. I'll come back to this topic next month, but this small project from reclaimed wood is a good place to leave it for now.
This video mentions a new plan bundle. I'll post that next week, but all of the individual plans are already available to you (updated) on the plans archive.
Oh, and we know there are a few sound issues on this video. We're going to re-record a little of the narration next week.
Happy Saturday!
--Rex
Comments
Yup. Planing stop. Here's a great blog-post about them : https://www.theenglishwoodworker.com/woodworking-bench-vices/
Rex Krueger
2022-03-22 11:34:18 +0000 UTCThank you, Martin, for this info. I'll try out one of your suggestions. Appreciated!
Amy Holderness
2022-03-22 10:57:40 +0000 UTCYou can also make one using half a hinge, a block of wood and a couple of bolts. Another source of the metal to make the stop using part of the plate of a retired hand saw - also good source of material for scrapers.
Martin Hartley
2022-03-22 01:27:29 +0000 UTCPlaning or bench stop. https://lostartpress.com/products/crucible-planing-stop
Benjamin Fouty
2022-03-21 15:23:13 +0000 UTCQuestion, I'm not sure if it's this video (I think it is) but you use a type of cleat of some kind on the bench when you plane the wood you're working on. It was metal and had some kind of "teeth" at the end. What is that called?
Amy Holderness
2022-03-21 14:29:11 +0000 UTCOh, you'll see it later. Bet on it.
Rex Krueger
2022-03-21 13:09:13 +0000 UTCWhat is going on with the 2nd plane stop on your workbench!?! Testing something new we will see later?
Bradley Barth
2022-03-21 13:06:06 +0000 UTCThe Paul Sellers rag-in-a-can oiler. Just an oily rag to cut down on friction. Metal planes NEED lubrication. Wax is just as good.
Rex Krueger
2022-03-21 13:02:04 +0000 UTCI'm just a bad as anyone. With a 3D designer on staff, there's a great temptation to over design everything.
Rex Krueger
2022-03-21 13:01:23 +0000 UTCWhen I made that table, I cut the table-button holes on the wrong side of one of the aprons and had to remake the whole thing at the last second. We all do this stuff.
Rex Krueger
2022-03-21 13:00:49 +0000 UTCI wish I could take credit for it!
Rex Krueger
2022-03-21 12:59:52 +0000 UTCI think we all get started that way. My earliest "pieces" are embarrassing.
Rex Krueger
2022-03-21 12:52:40 +0000 UTCI'm glad you think so!
Rex Krueger
2022-03-21 12:50:52 +0000 UTCIf I had done that, then there would be no way to get it off the wall again. My daughter is 9. We expect that playroom to change a lot over the next few years and become other things. Flexibility is the key.
Rex Krueger
2022-03-21 12:50:37 +0000 UTCI'm glad the sound is better. We have no idea why it got bad for a minute.
Rex Krueger
2022-03-21 12:49:35 +0000 UTCHonestly, what you're describing is very "historical." That's the way the old guys worked every day!
Rex Krueger
2022-03-21 12:49:06 +0000 UTCIt's fun when the changes can be creative like that!
Rex Krueger
2022-03-21 12:48:18 +0000 UTCEvery project has one big mistake in it. No exceptions. Once you accept that, you're life gets easier.
Rex Krueger
2022-03-21 12:47:47 +0000 UTCReally? That's amazing. I thought getting free maple was good.
Rex Krueger
2022-03-21 12:47:05 +0000 UTCIt became a bit shorter, but I already started with a longer than reasonable handle, as I know how things unfold for me!
Eduardo
2022-03-20 17:25:50 +0000 UTCRex.....When you were planing the bevels I saw you briefly rub something against the plane. What was that?
John N Stellpflug
2022-03-20 16:24:51 +0000 UTCThis video hit home. I spend way too much time planning and not enough time doing, hence little gets done. Thank you for the wake up call Rex.
Matt Evans-Koch
2022-03-19 23:19:19 +0000 UTCAnd speaking of being improvisational, I plan to make a simple saw till this weekend, but I only have the faintest sketch of plans for it.
Kyle Painter
2022-03-19 20:06:39 +0000 UTCI accidentally took this advice when making Rex's shaker table recently. I created a nice top, but wasn't too exacting on how large it would be. then I cut tenons to a length I thought would fit under the top, and only after I tried a dry fit did I realize I had measured the tenons an inch too long on both sides, and so my legs were wider than the top. I had to cut the tenons again, but I think the extra practice did me some good.
Kyle Painter
2022-03-19 20:04:35 +0000 UTCI love the way you lined up the shelf with the corbels. Great idea with the finishing nails and bamboo. Thanks, Rex. Really helpful.
Amy Holderness
2022-03-19 16:53:30 +0000 UTCThanks, as a complete noob I really enjoy your videos. I woke up one day two years ago and decided to build two gun cabinets. AFTER I built them, I started learning how to work in wood and discovered your channel. I have learned so much from you.
Damon Chessser
2022-03-19 15:40:33 +0000 UTCThe handle kept getting shorter?
Ragnhild
2022-03-19 15:21:08 +0000 UTCGreat advice.
Robert Judy
2022-03-19 15:07:42 +0000 UTCNice and simple. love it. I have the veritas low angle Jack for shooting and that also works well. Question: Why didn't you drill and screw through the corbels to secure it to the wall and then put a dowel to hide the screw?
John Hiemstra
2022-03-19 14:49:16 +0000 UTCOh, I thought the sound was much better than on previous videos. Less telephone-y, more natural. I liked it! (And yes, I really have to stop overthinking that cupboard that my sister asked about a year ago…)
Daniel Bohrer
2022-03-19 14:44:34 +0000 UTCI'm obsessed with using reclaimed wood, so when I built your Tool Tote I used an old shelf from the old garage, which was the worst 1x12 I had. It was badly cupped and very sappy wood. At this point the plans were useless, Having to edge glue two boards to make the bottom and reshape the sides to cut out the waste, the tote became a reality and holds most of my tools. I love working this way because I'm always trying to figure out the next part. I've got my workbench top built out of 22 boards glued together that would have been seven 2x4s of new wood. Still have not figured out how to put legs on the bench with the junk wood I have left. As fun as this is I'm planning on building Jay Bates' Traditional Work Horse using new wood I will follow the plans exactly. Problem solving is what makes this fun for me.
Jerry Kingzett
2022-03-19 14:41:50 +0000 UTCI call that S#!t an "intentional design change"
Mike Washburn
2022-03-19 12:05:38 +0000 UTCEven when I make a detailed plan, I always change something on the fly. This week I started to make a mallet from scrap wood and on the way my mallet became something else. I am almost finishing a Mjörlnir replica!
Eduardo
2022-03-19 11:40:43 +0000 UTCGreat Video! My favorite way to work. You need to trust yourself enough to do this sometimes. Even when you plan something out to the 9th degree $#!t happens.
Kevin S Thomas
2022-03-19 11:20:02 +0000 UTCMy stepdaughter changed beds, and was reluctant to give up the old bed. It turned out the slats were merbau (Philippine mahogany) and so I made a desk out of them for her. She loves it
Matthew Leigh
2022-03-19 11:03:59 +0000 UTC
