5 Beginner Woodworking Tips I Wish I Knew Sooner

So buy an assload of blue tape is what you’re saying

When you remove the messing about, jokes and general on camera entertainment, videos like this really highlight just how good of both a craftsman and teacher you are. Would love to see more of these.

John, the edge jointing method you're mentioning here has been my bread and butter method for the past 40 years, so I agree that it's the way to go. What I do that's different to ensure I place the correct face against the fence, is to follow a simple rhyme: Odds out; evens in. So the odd numbered boards will have the numbered face away from the fence, while the even numbered boards will have their numbered face against the fence. I have found this guarantees I won't err, and the students I've taught this simple system agree.

Thanks man I AM A 70 YEAR OLD BEGINNER, RETIRED pipefitter and loving this woodfitting

I like the useful tips for those us with smaller/less equipped shops instead of feeding BS. Other youtubers sit there telling us that we just need to buy this brand and that specialty tool and spend more money on blah blah blah. You're the real MVP John. I woodwork because I enjoy it. Not to use my tools as a status symbol.

Thank you for continuing to show tips and builds rather than tool reviews. Ultimately that's why we all watch you. 🙏

Looking forward to when you get back to traditional builds and maybe more of the sawmill.

That was a great lesson, you're a good teacher. It would be really great if you had 6-8 week classes in your shop, sort of like woodshop when I was in high school a thousand years ago but for the adult home hobbyist. Then again, I'm nowhere near Pitt... so there is that. But a guy can wish! Great Sunday morning video. Thanks!

Great timing just got my first jointer set up yesterday and was going to start using it today. Your tips videos are excellent!!

Don't get me wrong, I like the videos where John's just goofballing with his coworkers, but I really like these more relaxed ones too. Less shouting and more woodworking 😄

I'm an Intermediate woodworker, maybe even sometimes expert...and I thoroughly enjoyed this presentation. I actually picked up the blue tape tips and will exploit them in my joinery! Thanks, well done.

Wish I would have watched this yesterday before cutting a bunch of mortise and tenons. Great video, thanks for the tips

I'm not really the biggest "tips videos" fans, because they are often filled with stuff that you probably will never use. But this one was full of things everyone might not know but should actually know. Well done and thank you.

Thanks John. Being more of a weekend warrior on woodworking those tips and tricks are very helpful. Keep them coming.

FANTASTIC VID. Simple but SO VERY helpful. Love your vids and your work!!

I heard the blue tape and CA glue tip for the first time a couple weeks ago and used it to hold top and bottom of a ring box together to sand all the side flush and round over all the edges. Amazing tip!

Hope we get to see some builds soon

Three bonus tips I'll give you guys that I wish I'd known! First, use painters tape to keep blowout to a minimum. Just cut right through the tape (just be sure to do it on the correct side if you're only going to tape one side). On the down side for a table saw, Downside and across the far edge against the fence for the miter (cedar is notorious for blowing out on the back end of the cut), on the down side for the bandsaw. Both sides for the scroll saw. Second, don't try to joint highly figured wood like a burl or quilted maple. You'll get chip out every time because the grain is so willy-nilly. You'll have better luck on the planer, but sometimes not much. Best to square another way. There are many. Third, and likely the best finishing tip ever. White vinegar. It won't raise the grain, so use it to wipe down your whole piece before finishing and you'll catch every bit of glue from your fingers or near joints that you didn't know you missed while sanding. Very hard to tell sometimes, but you never want to discover residue as you're applying the finish. Find glue, or have it puddled near the joints? Dab with white vinegar, wait a few seconds for a fingerprint, and scrub it off. Vinegar removes residue from within the grain. For thick stuff you just couldn't get to (as in a corner you missed cleaning up). Soak part of a rag with vinegar, and then pat the dried glue. You'll have to wait and then repeat a few times, but eventually you'll see the glue go opaque and soft. Just a matter of peeling or gently scraping it off. Then scrub the rest away with the rag. Just be super careful on joints. You don't want to flood the joint because if it's melting the glue on the surface, it will do the same in the joint.

The edge jointing trick was a game changer for my glue ups. I learned it as the ins and outs trick. It also works at the the table saw but i mark the boards as up and down. Run one board with the face up and the mating edge with the board face down and the same result is achieved. The CA glue blue tape trick also changed the way i work. Do you REALLY need CA glue in your shop? Yes! Yes you do!!

I stumbled accross your channel…u made me feel energized rather than stupid…I’m a 67 retired 1st responder getting my wood grove on but feel woodworking soo advanced I feel dumb…I’ll be watching your channel now…..peace thru superior firepower…….flattfoot 4 ever…..