How to Notch a Wood Post 

Waouw = WOW? Love it!! LOL 🤣

Thanks James... I wish I could take credit for thinking of that bit of video editing magic but I cannot. I saw it elsewhere and figured out how to make it work. It takes some extra planning and editing work to make it happen so I don't do it often but it's cool you noticed and took the time to comment... much appreciated! Best, Matt... and Chip!😁😎

was it my impression or when you clean the dust with the compressor or that part you just move to the side as if you were dodging the dust ? 05:35 =)

James Pakele check out Jay Bates channel he’s a master at replicating himself in videos. 😂

@@NextLevelCarpentry what program did you use to edit with ? subscribed though :)

@@jbonegw FYI I stole the idea from Jay Bates because I thought it was so cool the first time I saw him do it and knew I had to figure out how... Best, Matt

Lee, glad you found this enlightening... woof, woof (old dog learning new tricks?

Thanks, Tom... you snagged the nugget from the video... hope you find it as useful in practice as I do. Its greatest weakness shows when the wood is knotty or has cantankerous grain because the break-out isn't nearly as clean... but then that's an issue when 'busting them out with a hammer' too. As I'm sure you've reasoned more cuts is the best remedy for difficult wood... and you can get some spectacular flying chips with dry, straight-grained wood like these old posts so stand clear of the chips (safety glasses or even a face shield can be prudent) and let 'em fly!

I always use proper safety equipment, past 60 and still have both eyes, most of my hearing and all 10 fingers. ;-)

Glad to hear of your sensible work practices; your story is a valuable reminder for any and all... one slip in a million and you'll have a painful reminder for the rest of your days...

Tom Truesdale pughyuuiiouuiuuhtuhjgaqanoqu

The very definition of "Work smarter, not harder" 👏

I'm glad you found Next Level Carpentry too hotrods27... welcome! Thanks too for watching and commenting here... viewers with your experience add a level of 'authority' to content and I appreciate it. Reaching the age demographic of your students is of interest to me so if you could request a single video topic that you'd most like to see as a 'teaching aid' for you big high school students what would it be? Never know what I might be able to put together for you/them... Best, Matt

@@NextLevelCarpentry Thanks Matt. The one area of instruction that I found to be a constant, no matter what the project, is proper use of layout tools, especially the ruler. Since the geniuses running education decided kids don't need to learn the ruler it's important to show these students how the ruler can help them do the math, especially adding and dividing fractions. Tape measure, folding ruler, speed sq, combination sq, framing square fundamentals. When, where and why. Thanks again, I'm interested to see what you come up with. Danny

@@hotrods27 Thanks Danny... I'll keep that in mind. Seems like great content for short fill-in videos. I've recently actually been contemplating a video to use a framing square to show where the angles on a speed square come from... You're welcome for sure... stay tuned for more! Best, Matt

Hey Rob L it sounds like I share a similar Fascination when watching machinist videos on Clickspring on RU-vid... you know when you're watching a pro when they make it look so easy, right?! Best, Matt

BRU, you can put on a LOT of paint in 25 years so I understand switching to carpentry. Does it make you smile now when you do little carpentry things that make the painter mad?! :-) I don't mind ribbing a painter now and then just to keep them on their game! Thanks for your comment AND subscription!! Best, Matt

Next Level Carpentry . Lol double nail.

Glad to hear it Dave... best thing about this method is that it's pretty portable which should make it easier to use at a 'cabin' where conditions and tools might be less than ideal? Best, Matt

It's a bit of extra trouble but is kinda fun on occasion😁😎 Best, Matt

If you say so,Paradox :-) Thanks!! Best, Matt

Alistair, Thanks... They went to all the same schools and, when they get along, actually seem to get some stuff done around the shop :-)

The quiet one does all the work though. 😁

Cognitor, thanks for the sub... and from halfway around the world? Cool! I sincerely try to keep frippery out of my technique although a bit of it usually gets through the editing process

John, Congratulations on a good career... and a LONG retirement! The block is a fun and useful method and your assessment of it tells me you've had enough experience in your day to really appreciate a good idea when you see one. My challenge is to try to remember those good ideas when I need 'em :-(

Glad you enjoyed it that bit of video Magic... thanks for the subscription Mackenzie Reds! BTW You'll be able to catch my sidekick Chip in the next video upload at Next Level carpentry this weekend... Best, Matt

Vlad C, Thanks for the reassuring comment... I gathered the seeds of these ideas from mentors over the years and try to honor them by paying it forward: "If I have seen further, it is by standing on the shoulders of giants" Isaac Newton

If you search the next level carpentry channel here on RU-vid you will find videos about Edge banding laminate work and professional grade cabinet doors among other things that might be helpful for your kitchenette project. 😁😎 Best, Matt

@@NextLevelCarpentry Thank you. I have something a little bit different in mind but will still be watching all the videos I can.

Paul B, You're welcome... let us know how it works out for you? Good luck with your project... work safe and enjoy!

Hi Cheroxx, A friend helped me find some very old neglected comments hiding out on Next Level Carpentry... so a belated 'thank you' for your subscription... hope you're still watching videos here? Best, Matt

Thanks Kyle, it's good to know the message it getting out... I sometimes wonder what this stuff looks like to new eyes and your comment is affirmation...

You're sure welcome Ryan... thanks for commenting.... and have fun post notching. The part where all the little chunks break off at the same time is pretty cool IMHO! Best, Matt

You be notchin' like a pro there Brett... good luck with your pergola project! Best, Matt

You'll find it's even more fun to do than to watch Aaron... have fun! Best, Matt

Since only the one or two cuts that define a notch have to be located accurately you might be able to fashion a collar of sorts to act as a guide for those two critical cuts on your standing posts. Even simply clamping a block on to guide a cut would be a big help... Best, Matt

Go for a big, deep notch in a clean dry post... you'll never forget it after that! 😀😎 Best, Matt

Hey M, Thanks for watching and commenting! There's nothing like getting tangible results from a RU-vid tutorial to solidify the knowledge gained, is there? A great motivator for me in teaching/sharing 'tricks-o-the-trade' like this is watching how viewers like yourself absorb and apply lessons learned to get results that look 'professionally done'! Some professions loftier than carpentry use the mantra "see one, do one, teach one" which seems to apply here, in concept at least. Regards, Matt

mc4, So glad to hear it! I hope to continue to supply helpful info to any and all who enjoy new challenges and adding to their skillset... stay tuned for more :-)

Denny, Thanks for commenting... it IS really cool to see how clean the pieces come out... I suggest you give this method a try even if only on an old scrap post because it's actually quite fun IMHO

Youbetcha, Fred... thanks for watching and commenting here! Best, Matt

Thanks BakerOne, Now if I could only get 'that other guy' to work a little harder and faster I'd have it made, right?

Thanks! Bext, Matt

Thank you! It's good to know you're learning a few things here... I hope it helps you tackle challenging projects and get satisfaction from the results. I have a long list of video topics but sadly the recording/editing/production/upload process is SO much harder for me than the actual work my publishing rate is slow.

I'm never too old or too proud to learn, keep up the good work, all the best from the UK

Thanks for checking out so many Next Level Carpentry vids! Let me know if there's anything special you are interested in learning that I might know... Kind Regards from very near the geographical center of the USA :-)

Robert, You'll like the tip even more when 'next time' arrives and you give it a try. I'm sure you caught it but having a sharp, square corner on the block makes a difference, especially on shallower notches. Have fun!

Graham, Thanks for watching and commenting... I'm glad to hear my approach appears 'unflustered' because plenty of fluster-causing moments arise in the video recording/production process. My efforts to maintain humility are strongly bolstered by the steady stream of very accurate mistakes that seem to crop up on an all-too-frequent basis :-)

You're welcome Derek... and Merry Christmas to you and yours as well. Best, Matt

If you PT posts are soggy with treatment chemical and/or knotty you may have to adapt a bit but this method should work well for you... work safely and have fun!

billeybop, You're welcome... I think you'll find it IS so easy once you get a little practice...

Glad to hear it Daniel... Thanks for watching and commenting! Best, Matt

Michael, It's fun sharing these things with folks like you who appreciate it... and take the time to comment! Regards, Matt

Thanks for your comment, Simon... glad you liked that part. Truth be told I 'stole' the split screen trick used in this video (and a few other Next Level Carpentry videos) from a video I watched on Jay Bates' RU-vid channel. I had a similar reaction as yours and determined to figure it out and implement it. If I understand, Jay took some video production courses in college and is pretty good at it. I should do more of it because essentially it cuts video production length by 50% by accomplishing the explaining and the doing simultaneously. Unfortunately the time it takes to plan it and set it up complicates the time and effort to build a video in the first place. Best, Matt

@MKMW C Interesting... figures that a video production pro came up with it... takes some non-linear thinking to originate such cool stuff for the rest of us to work with.

Hey Tim, Thanks for the sub... and sorry about that 'contradiction' at 01:15. I wasn't trying to show off, it's just second nature to follow a sharp, straight line on a 'carpentry' project without using a mechanical guide. It would have served viewers better if I'd guided the saw with a speed square in my left hand to demonstrate how well that works. On a 'millwork' project I would definitely use a guide set up of some sort with the speed square trick at the bottom end of a list of choices since a more 'very accurate cut' is required for finish grade work. I do hope that you're successful in using this method when you find occasion to give it a try!

William, thanks for the sub! If you have a LOT of empty moments you want a cure for, this video: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-2IqDsPXfzjk.html has more than most :-) Possibly enough to cure more than one empty moment... PLUS I think you'll find it at least somewhat interesting...

Thanks, Rex... for the nice compliment and for taking the time to comment!

Thanks for commenting and your subscription... Best, Matt

It's a real kick to watch those chunks go a-flying Kevin... but be sure to do something to protect your face/eyes when you do. Have fun with your build... and in case it applies, here's another video I did while building the same pergola: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-0TI7AV8HdXI.html Best, Matt

@@NextLevelCarpentry Thank you sir. That elliptical stick is brilliant and the rafter end template you built will be a time saver as I am going to be shaping quite a few 2x8 rafters and a few 2x10 headers. I've added your tools list and can't wait to add the magnetic tack hammer to my collection. That thing is awesome.

@@kevkev5935 Timing is everything😁😎 sounds like you're well on your way to success! Best, Matt

Thanks Brion... I really try! 😁😎 Best, Matt

Thx Jeremy... it's a little bit of video editing Magic which is fun to do so I always appreciate it when somebody notices and comments😎

Your method might have superior results in the shop building fine furniture. On a job site, you need to cut a notch in a post as quick as possible with as few a tools from your truck as possible. Every carpenter or framer has a circular saw, a hammer and a chisel.

Don't rock the bench, Baby! 😂😂😎Best, Matt

Truth be told there are far more instances where I don't wear a dust mask then when I do Don. Definitely appreciate your comment and concern but I rely on an absurd level of aerobic activity to clear out any dust you do see me breathe in😎 Nice to see a comment from you my friend hope you're doing well in these crazy times...

Thanks Mikey... for the comment AND the sub!

You're welcome Kelly! Thanks for the compliment... Best, Matt

Thanks Jesse... hope it helps you out somewhere along the way. Best, Matt

Legit as it gets :-) You're welcome, Austin!

Harold, You're certainly welcome... it's good to know you found this interesting and informative! A quick browse of your channel subscriptions tells me I'm in great company which is another compliment. Best Regards, Matt

Paul, Thanks... we have a mutually beneficial arrangement even though I've always thought he got dealt a better hand in the looks and intelligence departments

Thank you sincerely, Robert! Sounds like you found this at a 'teachable moment' so I hope you're able to put it to good use when the occasion arises!

I lucked out with the straight, very dry grain on these posts Michael... when not so lucky the 'framer's slick' you mention is perfect for handling less ideal grain. Best, Matt

Thanks for letting me know, Daniel, I really appreciate it! More to come, but a little slow in the video production department with pressure from work on my 'day job' 😁

You're welcome, ygg!

Pappy, Sad how much wood-hacking passes for carpentry, isn't it? I would call making a notch like this with as sawzal 'crapentry' NOT carpentry! :-)

Al, Thank you for an encouraging comment! Wish you'd found this earlier too... it's a great method for so many applications. Hope it comes to mind for your NEXT project!

Hey Brye, sounds like this will stick in your memory... for that 'next time'! Best, Matt

Thanks stoney139! Hope you're able to put it to use on a project of yours soon!