The Most Useful Carpentry Trick I Ever Learned

I learned this from an old-time carpenter back in the 1980s and use it all the time. Once you perfect the technique, you will find so many different applications for it.

[marvinmartin]

I’ve been a carpenter for 50 years now, I’ve learned to measure as little as possible. He’s showing how! Measure twice cut once still prevails though. He knows his stuff!

[djmossssomjd]

Started doing this at 15 ...55 years ago. Moving

[astrorad]

That was wonderful! I worked as a Journeyman electrician for 39 years until retirement, and I appreciate all the techniques trades people utilize in their everyday work life. Thank you for sharing with those of us who are life long learners.

[serenemachine]

When I was 17 I started doing carpentry work and an old timer taught me these tricks to save time. The best thing about this method is that it doesn't take much practice to do it right. I haven't been a carpenter for many years now but occasionally I do still get to use this trick in my home wood shop.

[billycuenca]

Learned this trick in 1969 wood shop. It's something I take for granted. Happy that you are bringing it to a new generation. We call it a finger gauge. I bet you know how to use a thumb gauge, very helpful with a razor blade knife. Glad men like you exist.

[mattedwards]

I am retired now but used that method to mark cut lines. I also was using a folding rule as well. The folding rule takes it to an even higher level. You rarely see a folding rule on the job anymore. I would be lost without one if I was able to work again. Thanks for the video. I am sure some up and coming wood worker will appreciate learning this method of marking a board.

[juliohernandez]

You have blown my mind
So simple, but I would have never thought of it without your video.

[williamboyd]

I learned this technique hanging drywall n have continued to use it ever since learnin it. Excellent tip Sir, thank you for sharin it n God bless

[iplayzthegames]

Saw a carpenter doing this a few weeks into being an apprentice, practiced it a bit and I've never looked back. I must use it near daily on site

[timc]

Voice of experience talking here...not book learning. Love it. Thanks for sharing.

[booyakada]

Your video was very well done, and I am especially grateful how many different applications you demonstrated. 👍👏

[lupinbrabablebix]

I’ve also done this for years as a carpenter, it’s fine on smooth surfaces but you get a few ‘skiffs’ in your fingers on rougher lumber

[aleisterlowenstein]

You can lock your finger similar as a quide while using a circle saw too.

[tednisbeth]

nice job teaching, I am an old carpenter and use all of these tips .

[yevgeniyminakov]

I use that trick all my life, I paid attention when my father used in his shop, I was about seven or eight years old. Can’t say thanks enough to him showing me all those tricks I use now ✊🏻✊🏻

[hannahswann]

Fantastic to know this handy short cut. Thank you SO MUCH! Just like you've always remembered Bob, we'll all be thinking of you forever 😄🙏

[bobholtzmann]

Very useful tool. In addition to using a tape, a yardstick or ruler can be used, too. Back in my high school days, I saw a carpenter building canvas set panels for a play, and used a yardstick with a paint brush fixed on its end (using your method), and glided along the panel edge to paint parallel lines for a stage set depicting building fronts.

[rickymeadows]

Thanks for the vid, keeping these old tricks & tips alive is priceless. It also used to amaze me watching them cut in a roof with compound angles, figuring the slope, pitches and degrees without a day of trig or geometry class under their belt & no calculator. Now days it comes to the jobsite precut, just stick the puzzle pc.'s together & nail it down. We are being dumb-downed with pre-fab & the old-arts are being lost .

[kirkdunn]

member when i learned this trick but been using it for years and years, cant even count how many times or ways i use this on a daily basis for working, it is so valueable in countless applications

the less you have to pull out a tape measure the faster the process

[rodbambauer]

Great shortcut!! But now I see why you need a Whiz Bang Splinter Removal Kit.