Fyi, for future reference: instead of having to mess up your building with the spill over on your end grain from the black dye incident; you can use a bleaching agent (Lye, Bleach, and vinegar) all work on wood to help draw out the black dye from light woods. Then you can use a heat gun to dry the wood back out again. Just note, the darker the stain, the more these products wont help. Furthermore, clear nail polish helps too. If you cover the end cap of the intended location before you apply the resin then it won’t seep over, sand afterwards to remove the polish. Or you can simply apply a super thin coat of clear epoxy first and sand that before adding the black epoxy. That way the end grain soaks in the clear epoxy first before it tries to soak in the black dye. Either way. Multiple fixes and preps before you went and butchered it. Maybe you need a workshop think tank. Designs A+, tips and tricks B- 😂
Yeah, get over it. You're far more than "an average woodworker". I've learned a lot from you, and I've been doing this - hobbyist, pro, then hobby again, then pro again (meaning, I'm getting for-real paid for the work) - for about 45 years off and on. I've got ~200 cabins, 1 house, dozens of refurbs, about 200 sets of bunk beds, and just in the last year or so, about 50 customer projects. So... hush up about beating yourself up. You're precise, you're patient, you're very attentive and instructive, etc. That's who you are to be teaching people. :)
I just love watching these videos. I have 0 tools and 0 intention of making anything, but it's like folllowing a mindfullness course. Pure relaxation and an empty mind. Thank you Chris.
I am the EXACT same way!! I love seeing the progression, and even the fixes! The simplicity of the final look hides just how complex the furniture truly is. And you most likely wouldn't realize it unless you were a high-end furniture maker yourself, or you watched this video :)
If I may ask: why didn't you opt for coloring (sorry, I'm German and too lazy to look up the progressive form of dye) the rest of the end grain by taping off the rest and spilling a bit more epoxy? No one's gonna notice the slightly darker colour if it's evenly stained, right?
I died of laughter when he mentioned the third group where you voluntarily tell them your mistakes because i do that too and they're like dude you can barely even notice it and then you're left feeling like why did i even mention that. almost spit out my water when you mentioned that part hahaha.
I have spent my entire career in aerospace engineering. You clearly think like an engineer does. Slow, steady, methodical, never in a hurry. That is how great things are built. I bet when you were 10, you took apart something in your house to see how it worked, or to fix something that was broken. Every engineer shares this story.
I didn't do too much taking apart. But I always loved anything having to do with patterns and art. My mom thought I would grow up to be a "high end tile guy" when I was a little kid
Engineers and designers share a common methodological approach to solving complex problems and creating innovative solutions. While their specializations and ultimate goals may differ, the collaboration and integration of different perspectives are essential for creating products and systems that effectively meet user needs. When I was young, I used to think that one day I would invent something, and based on my knowledge, I associated that with engineering. Years later, I discovered design. The technical aspect of design takes into account numerous methodologies that depend on the intrinsic knowledge of how it will be manufactured. From assembly lines to part breakdowns, tools, drillings, router bits, etc. Regardless of the manufacturing method, whether industrial production or handmade, during the design phase the same tools are often used, such as SolidWorks and parametric design.
when you actually make stuff, the design is foremost, engineering is secondary, but considered. An old boss once said "we ain't building bridges". I was working as a set builder/prop maker at the time.
@@karizma8175 , Well, I don't produce furniture without a technical drawing. It's not a matter of inability; it's a matter of rigor. It's about having a complete piece of furniture in every aspect: design, 3D modeling and manufacturing, which allows anyone in their respective role to understand it or produce it. This also allows for better utilization of materials, time and money management within the established workflow listed step by step, and improved budgeting. This way, you minimize errors and safeguard material parts for potential corrections in all situations marked as critical during the construction phase. Then, you start doing the opposite and create your technical drawing through reverse engineering, considering how it's made, the final product, and deconstructing joints to verify the feasibility of your sketch idea.
I've been a hobbyist woodworker for about 30 years and I've come to realize that the only REAL reason I do it is to come to terms with the radical acceptance necessary in a world that is never perfect. It forces me to slow down, accept, and see beauty - usually even more so when things go 'wrong'. I love how you always highlight that and lean into it. Also, you are not average. Not in any sense of the word. Accept it - I'm a therapist, I know these things. :)
I love that fact that you are brutally honest about your F ups. It's one of the many reasons I've watched all of your content. Your work is awesome regardless of some mistakes, that you find ingenious ways to fix. I'm one of those that would notice inconsistences, though you'd never hear me say it. In my mind it would be "Wow, cool fix." Keep up the good work, I truly do love your projects. Salute.
I love the honesty and humility that you show. We always make mistakes like this. One of my favorite sayings about woodworking goes something like: "A master woodworker isn't perfect, but he's *really* good at hiding his mistakes." I try to be good at hiding my mistakes, just as you do.
heres a huge PRO tip for you, its not mine, i actually saw it from another youtube video, cant remember where though. Instead of buying and using black powder or dye, use CHARCOAL... I know right, mind blown, just buy some charcoal and sand it fine, filter the big chunks and voila, forget you ever stained your wood before, it has worked charms for me, hope this helps
"The vast majority will never notice the fix, and the few that do will view it in a positive light, so it is good enough ...unless youre trying to sell it - then you're fucked." incredible quote, I love it
I guess it depends on the client. Cam from Blacktail Studios has a video where he shows the whole process of adding a small chunk of wood to the corner of a big table that he was building for a client. The end result was brilliant, in my opinion, and not even noticeable.
You sell your self short - you are anything but an “average” woodworker. I love your creativity, your presentation and honesty. Look forward to the next one.
Chris, there is nothing boring about you, your work or the videos, that is why I return here for every video you put out. Thank you for the candid information, for the wise input and for being transparent in your efforts to design and complete each masterpiece. We all make mistakes, we just don't all 'fess up to them. Each perceived mistake is an opportunity for improv and improvement. - Thank you - Jack
Of all the big woodworking RU-vidrs, you are definitely in the top tier for design. One either has an elite eye for this kind of thing or he doesn't. You do. Maybe the best out there.
This might sound really weird, but I'm in the middle of doing my first ever stage musical and one of my scene partners asks me fairly frequently why I care about something that she seemingly finds overly mundane or otherwise unimportant. I can now say that it's because I completely agree with the idea that the details are the design. Thank you for sharing that quote. I feel a lot better about what I'm doing and why.
I can't agree more! What an incredible amount of time and energy that was put into editing this video. I am so impressed, and all to be able to explain all this to us. Thank you so much!!👍
as a carpenter, watching that mistake inception , made my laugh to tears. I was tearing up hearing you say "I got it!" whilst I'm like "noooo don t do that" . Brilliant work mate, keep up the good work (y)
i actually really like seeing your mistakes, i honestly think it makes you more than an average woodworker :) both because of the old "what not to do" but also mistakes and narration like you give are useful to learning how this all works because we get to see your thought process, how the mistakes happen, and either how to correct them, or when, like with the live edge direction screw up, the mistake means just making a new part the right way. i like seeing how people learn from themselves, because i learn from people learning. it's more, visible and tangible if that makes sense, and i always feel like i learn more like that. seeing small fixes in the finished product, only because you know the fix is there, shows how it's done right and you give me a lot of ideas for making the things i want to make, even if i never sell them or want to start a business, because i simply enjoy concepting and saving things to make for myself in the future
I appreciate that. It's funny because 90% of the mistakes seem to be situations where you know what to do, and 99% of the time you do it right...it's just this time you didn't. Like cutting the shelf short. It's actually pretty rare that mistakes like the stained end grain come about...where, I literally didn't know I was making a mistake until the dust settled. I really like including those in the videos as notes to myself for the future. I figure if I edit an entire chunk of video about that...I'm (hopefully) more likely to think about it next time.
Honestly, re the imposter syndrome section, I think it's actually really valuable for tutorial purposes to be talking about where you mess up, because you know how to recover from that; other people are going to make big errors too, and learning how to correct that is pretty huge!
When I got a kreg pocket hole jig for my workshop some 20 years ago I thought I won the lottery. It’s the single greatest thing that I have ever bought for the shop.
So ironic seeing this pop up today after a trip to my hardwood supplier and speaking with a master craftsman who showed me how he made a dining table using the same technique of pattern routing and joining different slabs. Beautiful work.
Chris, all your projects turn out great. Everyone has little oops now and again and the true mark of a professional is knowing how to fix them. the epoxy bleed would never get noticed by anyone but you. So the fact that you took the time to make it better just shows your high level work ethic and professional quality standards. Keep up the great work and keep the videos coming.
As a pro Artist, Watercolor, sculpting, ceramic… For the best look, weight is best at the bottom, also people look at art right to left. Your drawers were perfect where you ended up putting them. Amazing work.
My guy... that end grain fix was phenomenal. The probability that you'd be able to find an even better match than that is next to nothing. Awesome job!
IMHO the mistakes and how you decide to fix them is one of my favorite parts of your videos, it shows some vulnerability and we learn how to come up with creative solutions. win-win
Dude, I could ramble for several lines of comment about all the awesome here, etc. I won't, and just say: Awesome build, awesome design, exceptional patch. Someone below pointed out what made me literally shout - a finish container that will preserve the product. I could use all the thousands of swear words I know and have invented in a totally positive way to express my joy at hearing that, but this is YT, and a family-oriented channel... and you love your family.
Chris. Not boring at all. Lovely piece. I'd go as far as saying that it's one of my favourites that you've done. Maybe because you've used a bunch of techniques that "normal people" could do but bought them all together in a lovely end product. There's no part of that build I thought "omg. I could never do that in my small shop". Really great. I also laughed at the olive garden thing... Genius.
I personally love that you show your mistakes to humble yourself and all of us that we can make mistakes no matter how good we are but a true craftsman can always adapt to the mistakes.
I get it! Thanks for sharing the adventure. I think we share design ideology so every time I see a work of yours that I haven't previously seen, there is a voice in my head that says, "Exactly! Why wouldn't it be this way?" Keep on keeping on!
It's funny hearing the thoughts of more experienced woodworkers as someone who has only done a couple of self-driven projects. Your strengths are that you think long and hard, you consider your options, and then you chose the ones that you think get you closest to the product you had in your head and on the page. At the end of the day, the way the cookie crumbles comes down to how you approach the problems, not how many times you had them. Keep on rolling along down the hills and when you reach the bottom you'll find yourself and your family surrounded by your failures, each one more polished pieces than the last. Learning is always valuable.
You are so right about details. All my work is a minimalist style. Functional. Boring. But I add details that are not obvious, not even noticeable, except subconsciously. People don’t even know why it looks good. That is why I think this piece is such a great piece. I love it and think it is one of your best works! Oh and the measure twice cut once could be measure 100x and I’d still screw up because it thought I was correct the entire time.
An average woodworker produces an average design, but a good woodworker produces a good design because the design process is directly related to one's abilities and understanding of the wood and the tools. You are not an average designer so, therefore, you are not an average woodworker. Thank you for a great video, and the candor to admit your mistakes and how to rectify them.
Using the slabs in this way makes it easy to achieve what you are looking for aesthetically and you can double the yield of your most expensive components. Good on you, it is NEVER a waste of money to use the material that gives you the confidence to deliver on your design
Imperfections and fixes make unique and beautiful pieces. I would call you a true designer and craftsman. Love you Keep repeating that you love your family and it’s nice to see Dolores and your videos.
As I told your friend Shawn, I love you showing the honest mistakes and how you fixed them. It makes me less critical of myself when I make mistakes. So I guess you're a therapist. Keep on making. You're an inspiration.
Thanks for another great episode Chris. Your brutal honesty and humour are second to none. Good luck with the Secret Finish. Looking forward to seeing the end product.
This is the first video I've watched from you. I really like your willingness to talk about mistakes and what they mean. I've never had the income to allow for the use of a CNC for any of my woodworking, so I have some solutions that came from necessity. In the future, if you want to mary 2 pieces of wood together, stack the 2 on top of each other and cut the pattern out with a band saw. You end up with 2 mirrored surfaces, you can use for the same project or different ones, but you know they'll match up exactly when you're done. Happy wood working!
Hi Chris, the playfulness between your beautiful wife Delores ( I hope I spelt her name right ) and you with the leaf blower proves that you LOVE your family and your also a great teacher, I personally have learnt quite a lot in doing my woodworking Thank You. Love your channel.
Dude I felt that double mistake in my SOUL… taking a measurement and confidently cutting that measurement, only to be an inch short is so relatable. Just did something similar to that the other day with some door stiles (styles?) Thanks for sharing the mistakes man, I appreciate seeing the imperfections and alterations that go into others’ projects!!!
I've heard it said that one of the reasons in-person woodworking classes are more useful than watching videos is that through the process of the class there will be lots of mistakes made, and then everyone gets to learn from the teacher showing how to fix those mistakes. I think that means that as a RU-vid woodworker, you need to make more than the usual number of mistakes to make up for not having live students, (Seriously, though, thank you for sharing the mistakes, and the mistakes-upon-mistakes, and the fixes.)
This, and almost every one of your videos are some of my favorites to watch and learn from. Your meticulously crafted designs are a joy to behold. Thanks for sharing. I’m definitely guilty of pointing out all my mistakes to the people who see them. They shouldn’t, but they do become my focal points. My favorite thing to say is - “that’s a rookie mistake, and I’ll never make that mistake again, ever.” I always try and fix them, but that stain bleed was an incredible solution.
It's tremendously reassuring to know that a professional with years of experience still makes the same measuring/cutting mistakes I make as a student. In my woodworking classes and during my internships in woodshops I've been surrounded by people who don't make these specific mistakes, or very rarely, and I've been feeling down as my final year nears its end because I felt like I didn't have "the brain" for the craft. Genuinely thought I was an idiot at times. I'm constantly cutting things too short and if I don't plan out every single step the whole project's a mess, same as you. Watching you f*ck up the exact same way I know I would has comforted me so much. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for this video.
I enjoy your videos… know nothing about woodworking, not interested in doing woodworking myself… by i find it soothing to listen to you… especially that it easy to understand your thoughts, what your doing… and explanation… i am watching the videos to relax after work
This was wonderful. I’m an artist, I paint with oil. Everything I do is contained within your projects. I concentrate for hours at a time. It takes a lot of effort and plenty of mistakes along the way. The closest I come to woodworking if finishing touches on a wood panel or assembling a new easel. I love your videos because of your depth of attention and devotion to your craft/art.❤
Really well done Chris. I love your work and all the wild designs are awesome, but you are a good teacher and communicator. Thanks for sharing your design wisdom.
Beautiful piece. I really like the rounded over sides. It softens the piece and adds a lot of character. I enjoy every video you make. The commentary, honesty, comedic relief and teaching are all entertaining and interesting. Now slap some Piebald into those headphones and get started on the next video! 😂
I have two of the LCW chairs that a cousin gave to us. They are really awesome. It's the one thing in my house where people go...did you make that? And that? and that? And it's all yesses until we get to those chairs. And I can see the disappointment on their faces.
this guy is lowkey a genius, he is like the Vat-19 of woodworking, by making videos that not only teach and inspire, are an effective way to pass time, fun, and are very lowkey an advertisement. this is a very cool video and the creator, even cooler.
An engineer or an artist. No one is both and some people are neither. You sir, are an engineer. And thats why you have so many files and can't wing it. Your work is beautiful.
...oh and another thing. I concur that your plans are the best out there. As an owner of several plans and builder of the piece for which those plans were developed, I can say that they are the best ones I have ever used. No cap. ;)
I had a shop teacher who once said “the sign of a great craftsman is that they can hide their mistakes and still build a great product”. I like to think I’m a great craftsman, as I make at least one mistake on every project. :). I love your thinking, and your approach to design and woodworking.
Great vid! I appreciate your humor, modesty and honesty. I really need to get the ball rolling on a shop area so I can get into woodworking. I am my own excuse.
Absolutely beautiful work Chris it looks amazing. And thanks for sharing your mistakes and how you fix them as a new woodworker I truly appreciate this.
So, I am a new newcomer to your videos but I have to declare, "been there, done that"...as you succinctly deliver, mistakes happen and how you overcome them makes you a better craftsman. I'm a fan going forward!