10 Things I Wish I Knew When I Started Woodworking

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I started my woodworking career in 2004. Over that time I've had the good fortune of learning from some great woodworkers who were quite generous with their information. In spite of that, there were some things I just had to learn the hard way. With that in mind, here's a list of 10 Things I Wish I Knew When I Started Woodworking that will hopefully save you some headaches, time, and money.

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[marklinton]

I love the "wish I'd known" style videos. I'm just getting into woodworking this year and am amazed at how much can be done with the barest amount of tools. Sure, making my shop cabinets I wish my little tablesaw had a rip capacity greater than 14", but with my circular saw and an mdf guide I can make those cuts on the floor. Don't have the fancy domino tool, but with a jig and drill I can get by. So much can be done with so little. It just takes longer.

[TimberBiscuitWoodworks]

This is honestly the *BEST* list I have come across for beginners and I agree with 100% of it. I especially like the one about searching for typos!

[Rossco]

I love "stop practicing start doing". Thank you for all the great tips!

[estebanbarbalarga]

Wish I could give multiple thumbs up for this

[keithcarpenter]

Thanks for the comment on perfection. It’s my bane. I made my first finger jointed box recently. It was for the ashes of my daughter-in-laws beloved dog. Of course I wanted it to be perfect. Man, we’re there a crap load of flaws in it and I learned a ton from the project. I sent it to her. She thought it was perfect and loved it. I’ve got to learn to not obsess over perfection.

[thomashajicek]

Great tips. My favorite as a beginner is buy the tools you need. I spent a LOT of money early on buying up tools I 'might' need someday because I got a discount. The result was I have a lot of money tied up in tools I don't use, and even bought some things I realized I don't want or need as I learned more. As a result, I spent and wasted more than I saved.
Now I just buy what I need even if I can't get it on sale, or I have to be patient for a sale. No more buying sprees when Rockler or Woodcraft have a general 15%/20% off sale just to save literally a few dollars on something I don't even need and may never need.

[patprop]

4:00, my sister's house is a shrine of my earlier work hahahaha no matter what i made she loved it and wanted it, which as you said, made me learn even faster. A plus I was, i able to look in on it every so often to see what was the wood movement and the do's and don't.

[chriss]

I have to admit, this is one of your all time best videos. I found this more helpful and eye opening than getting a perfect dovetail.

[ohasis]

An old construction foreman said to me once, "it ain't a mistake till you can't fix it."

[metroknow]

I really appreciated your thoughts on perfection in woodworking. When I worked as a new cabinetmaker, I worked alongside the owner of the shop for a while. He gave me some of the best advice that I’ve used well beyond cabinets and is a variation of your ideas. He asked me, “ do you know what the difference is between a journeyman and an apprentice?” His answer: “a journeyman recovers from their mistakes quicker.” They of course make fewer mistakes, but I have used that advice so often throughout my various careers. Thank you for continuing to do what you do!

[rubi]

Your last point is what made me smile. Cheers.

[markp]

LOVED "Start Building". the deep end of the pool is where you learn to swim.

[abdulwoodudlikeknow]

I really enjoyed the honesty in this video about tools. I tell people all the when starting out, buy tools for function, and not always because it's a brand name.

[seanbrotherton]

Those Harbor Freight clamps are great and you can get them dirt cheap.

[Sztivmon]

I love your scientific look back on everything you do. Very educational and inspiring!

[TheAwesome]

Love the poster and bobble heads. Shirt is pretty awesome also. Great tips

[markwarnow]

Another great WEEKLY video!! Thank you for doing these shorts. I find tremendous value in them and I hope you continue to produce them for months/years to come!!

[bradleytuckwell]

I almost didn’t watch this I looked and seen 11mo ago but so glad I did that was great content.I always gain a bit of knowledge from you so thanks.

[dduraeso]

As Steve Ramsay says: "put the crappy side against the wall" 🤣

[bsyishay]

Man you turning gray from day to day and the only thing this means, you're getting wiser.
I really like your channel and advices, just keep educating us!