Marking and Cutting Pro Tips

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[xXTMoneyXx]

I have been working in the construction field for about 3 years now and I just wanted to say thank you, my boss has noticed a moderate improvement with my work and understand thanks to watching your videos. You are very well spoken and very easy to understand. You would have made an excellent teacher. I am going to try to watch all of your videos. Out of all the videos I watch on YouTube to expand my construction knowledge, your videos are by far the best I have found for me. So again, thank you 😀

[DanteYewToob]

For marking accuracy, my old boss had a neat, fast system for us.
When you make your line, a simple small 'X' on the line in the middle, means 'cut the line', and a simple '>' on the side meant cut up to the line, and also denoted what side to cut on. So you would mark >| like that, and cut up to the line, cutting away the > mark.
A great simple tip, I still use to this day for small wood projects.

Hope that helps anyone.

[TheBladeSickness]

When using a square, you can place your pencil on the apex of your mark. Then bring the square up to the pencil. By doing this, you account for the actual thickness of the pencil lead. That way your line isnt off because of the thickness of the pencil/lead against the square.

[Pete.Ty]

Best thing about carpenters pencil, it stays where it’s put.
You don’t have to climb back down the ladder to retrieve it after it’s rolled
off the roof.

[tMattM]

I just love the vocabulary that is used on this channel.

[sbwyo]

A favorite old photography book of my dad's, several chapters on "misc. techniques:" special filters, lighting, angles, etc. Last chapter was on "holding the camera steady." And it started with: "If this isn't right, none of the others matter." Your video lesson on marking is, to me, a perfect example of the idea of a basic skill so important, that you MUST get it right. Thanks for a great video!

[davidjohnston]

I was taught, especially when working with a crew, make a straight line mark at your length, throw your tail, or apex mark in the direction of the off fall. You still have the apex for accuracy, and know which side of the line it to be cut. This is also helpful working alone, marking a number of pieces, then cutting after all pieces are marked up. There is no mistaking which side is the off fall. We also made it a practice at the start of the day to calibrate tape measures. It's easy enough for the tab on a tape to get bent, pulling tapes side by side to check for accuracy can make a lot of difference. One person up pulling measurements, and calling down to a sawyer, a 1/16- 1/8" difference in calibration, makes for a good fit or a sloppy one.

[darrenmasom]

I'm a joiner/ finishing carpenter/ kitchen installer. This is all very true advice.

[itdmorales]

THIS, is the essence of craftsmanship. Explaining the fundamentals makes me a believer of true craftsmanship.

[briansamaniego-howard]

Never subscribed so fast. I enjoy people who teach a craft they're passionate about, knowledgeable of, and experienced through and through. Thank you

[MHGL]

If you live near a local community college or trade school, I seriously urge and encourage you to apply as an instructor. You're an amazing wealth of information and experience, and the students would love you.
Thank you for sharing with us.

[jamescooley]

I've been doing this for 30 years it's about time someone like yourself give the new guys in the trade the little tricks they need. 😊

[jimdavis]

I wouldn't let anyone I know near my eye with a carpenter's pencil. But I'd let you, and I don't know you. That's how confident you sound.

[longsincelost]

This is the first time in any media format that I've seen someone use the phrase 'Sine Qua Non' without stopping to explain to the Audience what it means. I Doff my Proverbial Hat to you, Sir! You and Yours run one fine Channel, we need more like you.

[stoutlager]

Further to scribing a line with a utility knife for accuracy, always place your knife on the mark first and bring the square up against it. That way you know you're right on when you scribe the full line. This also works great if you're cutting a tenon or something that needs a scribe on multiple faces of the board. Place knife at end of existing line right on the corner of the wood, butt up the square against it, scribe the new side.

[BillLowenburg]

Scott, I have made every possible marking and cutting error you described - and more. Fortunately, I’m not a professional and only do my own projects as a retirement hobby. And my tolerance level for my own incompetence is pretty high. Years ago, when traveling up in Nova Scotia, I spent an afternoon with a folk artist who made the most interesting and quirky things, including furniture, out of wood and found materials. “I never measure anything, ” he told me. “I just eye it up and if it looks good, knock it together.” His work was one-of-a-kind and every piece was unique. I took a lot of inspiration from that conversation and these days often begin building something with only a general idea, improvising as I go. (Of course, my projects aren’t too complex) I realize this approach would probably horrify a lot of guys who follow this channel, and, of course, it would never work in the professional world. But it sure is fun, and stuff usually turns out ok. Since I’m the only one who has to live with the results, it’s interesting to learn from the process as opposed to getting stressed about the outcome. Thanks for the videos, I’ve learned a lot!

[paul]

the importance of two craftsmen working together understanding each other makes all the difference in the world.

[jeffcourtney]

I'm 48 years old and have worked in or around construction industry my entire life. Your videos should be required material for every school shop class. Fundamentals like this are keys to success.

[willmilburn]

Essential craftsman is a heck of a lot better than wrangler star when it comes to practical information, and a lot more entertaining too!

[thinkingprole]

As an amateur, hobbyest wood worker I really appreciate a video like this. It's like being in class with an amazing teacher, who's in my backyard giving advice while you work. There's a least one piece in my house which would have benefited from this video.