My name is Nick and this is Mokuzai Design Having retired I found that I missed working with wood. Strange (to non woodworkers) but true. So I have dusted off my apron, started to re purchase the tools that I sold when I finished work and have rented a small workshop unit. I have decided to record my journey and share any woodworking skills that I may (or may not) have with you. The aim of the channel will be to inspire, teach and be taught by my fellow (worldwide) woodworkers. I will attempt to share woodworking tips, look at tools and review them together and offer a smattering of workshop banter. If you are reading this you will already know that woodworking is not just a job or hobby, it's a vocation. Something all of us, at any level of experience share. It's all in the name - Mokuzai Design. My partner came up with it. Mokuzai is Japanese for wood and is a nod to the superb wood craftspeople of Japan and Design because thats who I am. Lets make sawdust together,
Have been looking at getting a honing guide for some time now,but what one to get? There are so many on the market. Then I just stumbled on to your video. Just the right information for me and narrowed things down a lot for me. Great video and you got a new subscriber.👍
Thank you. I had the same issue. Looked around for ages and wasted some money on cheap versions. I know this isn’t cheap but I console myself with the fact that it’s a lifetime purchase and it does exactly what it’s supposed to.
If you’re making joints that tenons are appropriate, the domino is a smart choice for a business where time is money/profit/overhead. As a hobbyist, I got the dowelmax system because it fits my needs.
at least with the kapex you can sell it for nearly what you paid for it, and upgrade. i got the 60 because its more portable than the 120, i agree its great but has its size limitations.
3:45 if you do get a second bandsaw that is larger, you can put a resale blade on the big one and put a thin detail blade on the smaller one. I only have an old cheap bandsaw that I bought secondhand, but that’s what I will likely do in the future.
I got into woodworking when my better half died just over 3 years ago and needed something to keep me busy. Bought a 20' x 7' shed/workshop, some cheaper power tools/hand tools and started with chopping boards for the family. Always loved wood from my school days 55+years ago but ended up in mechanical engineering. Love it.
Like you, I also regretted buying smaller, less expensive tools. I learned over time that better tools make woodworking so much more enjoyable. "Buy once, Cry once" - as they say. Thanks for making this video.
That's why I've been buying Festool and Laguna. I've replaced too many inferior tools. I don't want to do it again. Yes, bigger is better but there is a sweet spot, too. I had a Bosch sliding compound miter saw and replaced it with a Kapex-120, mainly because the Bosch took way too much space. The Kapex is a great tool. I recently used it for some dados for cross supports. they came out perfectly.
That Sapele looks stunning. The chamfer also came out beautifully. Nice work and great video. Appreciate the mention. And I could not agree more with your statement about negative and positive people.
Well said. There are so many ways of making mortise and tenon joints. yes dominoes are expensive, but not “real woodworking”? Loose tenons aren’t a “new” innovation, and last year I did a short course with “real woodworkers” running a big commercial shop it had a big mortising machine sat in the corner gathering dust and they were using the domino daily……
Love the channel, looking forward to more content. Like you I am working in a small space, but with some organisation, a lot can be achieved. Best regards 👍🏻
For me, a festool domino has been a game changer. It's flexible, accurate and quick to use all at the same time. But most of all I enjoy using it in projects - mine was bought for my 50th birthday. A splurge but one I haven't regretted. That said, a loose tenon joint is achievable in other cheaper ways, so it isn't a tool you need if you're looking to build out an effective workshop. I would say if your interested and going to buy wait for a decent deal. I saved almost 25% by waiting on a FFX deal on eBay. And the domino sortainer with cutters was acquired in a separate deal from Axminster.
Starting a woodworking channel was a commitment in time and finance but its great to see the support that I'm getting from the wood worker community, Thank You
It's always good seeing people's workspaces. I'm in a third of a garage! So those american twin garages look like stadiums to me. I wish I had the plans for my Dad's shed, I'd love that hanging on the wall...
Hi Nick, great to have you on RU-vid! I love the bit about retirement - working on what you want when you want it sounds awesome. I wish you lots of fun with your projects and look forward to more videos. You’ve got yourself a new subscriber. Greetings from Germany! Christian
A good start and be interested in how your channel develops. I'm curious where 'Mokusai' comes from (I may have missed that bit 😀). Anyway good luck and looking forward to the next one.
It was my partners idea. I watch a lot of Japanese joinery (amazing talents) and she suggested the word Mokuzai as part of the channel name because it was the Japanese word for wood. A bit of a nod to the fact that they inspire me.
good stuff... curious about the workshop/power etc... i've looked into self storage but most of them don't supply power and won't allow power tool use... any light you can shed on that would be appreciated
Hi Adrian it was a bit of a nightmare finding somewhere. To rent an industrial unit was way above my budget for what Im doing. I came across this place, and whilst set up like a storage place it is actually set up as work spaces. so everyone in there (virtually) are trades people. some just pop in whilst others work there most of the time. The units inside vary in size but even the biggest is below the business rates threshold. My rent includes electricity, use of kitchen and toilets. There is electricity to all units and they are putting a few extra power points in for me. I have put my name down for a bigger unit but not holding my breath as everyone seems settled there. I have been looking for a unit like this for awhile but had to rely on luck in the end. My little unit costs £150 per month so a bit of a bargain. Not sure if any of this is any help. Try searching for workspaces rather than storage or industrial units? Best of luck finding somewhere.
