Well, I’ve been a woodworker for over 45 years and so, obviously, have seen a revolution in what’s available to the smaller shop. Everything from abrasives (I started using the dried skin of a dog fish) to adhesives to routers to….everything. I’m retired now but we did have a sidleline business for a good few years making principally Arts and Crafts pieces here in the UK. However, I’m busier than ever on a 500 square metre barn conversion with all the2nd fix including doors, frames, cornice, picture rail etc. plus lots of furniture. Mostly in European oak. We live next to orchards and, about 10 years ago, the farmer cut down the very old Bradley apple trees as they were past their best. I managed to get a lot of the timber and, you’re right, apple moves and shakes like anything. But it’s a beautiful timber and it’s proximity makes us very happy. Taste personal whilst skill is universal. So, whilst I can’t say that the piece here is not to my taste, I do admire the skill in the making. I rarely use stain by itself although all of the oak has been finished in a smoked oak stain just because it replicates the old fumed oak colour that the A&C makers loved. If I do want a contrast, I tend to use minimal pieces of stained and my favourite is to use Ferrous acid (steel shavings in vinegar) to react with the tannins on the wood. I prefer that not quite opaque look as you can steel see the grain. But, that’s just my taste. Dovetails are a pet subjects of mine. They evolved during the centuries when the adhesives were so prone to failure under stress. Therefore, there was a need to have mechanical joint to hold pieces together. We don’t have that issue and, so, I suggest that dovetails are a vanity joint. Nothing wrong with that if you want to show other woodworkers how good you are but I find they are used all too often detracting from the design rather than enhancing it. I designed a large bureau for a client and we gradually got to what she wanted; finally, she agreed but asked if we could possibly remove those arrow things as they were too fussy for the overall aesthetic. She was right. I agree entirely about using a router for the flat bottoms - by far the most accurate way. I would suggest clamping a piece of timber next to your chisel line and use that piece to ensure your chisel is totally perpendicular. I know there is a fashion to have almost concave bottoms but I’ve never felt the need. Anyway, first video of yours I’ve watched. Very impressed not only by the skill but also by the quality of the camerawork etc. so, a rare thing for me, I’ve subscribed.

Planer was the chef's kiss 👍🏻

That Applewood is lovely. I tend to enjoy the natural wood colors, but as you say, the black really makes the colors and grain of the Applewood pop. Well done!

your channel is criminally underviewed. I've watched about 10 of your videos now they're all really well made and at least as well made and done as many larger channels. I hope you continue to grow the effort you put into the video aspect as well as your projects. gorgeous work.

That apple wood is beautiful, very rich warm tone next to the dyed oak. Well worth the trouble I'd say - nothing like home grown.

Looks really smart mate ! Really like the contrast between the black and the Apple wood

I’ve never seen apple wood till I watched your videos. I do like the book matched planks on the back. And that black ink turned out great.

I’ve been binging your videos this weekend and must say your work is amazing. There’s a great mix of hand tool and power tool use, which is just the type of woodworking I want to be doing. I also love your use of different timbers and how you explain the pros and cons of using them. Your designs are some of the most tasteful I’ve seen on youtube; veering more towards traditional than the mid century modern style that youtube is saturated with. Keep up the good work!

The contrast looks soooo good. I think this my favorite videos of yours.

I really enjoyed this Video. It is sooo much more satisfying than watching any movie. Love it❤

That turned out so nice dude! Im glad you kept the shelf empty in the middle, that back panel is too gorgeous to cover with books!

Fantastic piece! Beautiful combination of wood species.

Looks amazing

Beautiful !

Gorgeous. I love apple wood.

I edge joint panels with my #7 too. Nice job on the dovetails.

Wow!

Great work Morgan. You do some excellent work.

I enjoy watching an artist at their craft. Not only are you an incredibly gifted woodworker, you are also a gifted videographer and your videos are always a joy to view.

This is one of my favourites you made. Stunning piece, you should be very proud!!!

Morgan, once you have hand sawn the side, pins and or tales, knife line along the base to be cut out and you'll get a better finish. I hand chisel back to that line. If you are getting an uneven line using the router then there is very slight rocking of the router. Maybe a shallower cut will assist with that?? As for the rough base, Rob Cosman recommends a spare chisel be ground to 17 degrees for this job in softwood. Further Hayward (1950's) recommends chiseling down on one side and pairing in at 45 degrees until only about 1/6" is left, leaving the outer edge. Then, when it's flipped over to chisel the other side the timber is still supported by that remaining outer edge and is less include the break away. Also, even if it is rough, it's end grain, it's hidden and the joint is where the strength is. The glue just holds it in place.

Oh. My. God… This has to be one of the biggest “Aha” moments I have had watching a woodworking video… Using my machine dovetail template as a line up guide for transferring my marks on my hand cut dovetails. Thanks bud! Beautiful job, and from one Albertan to another, stay warm and stay safe in the shop!

Gosh, that applewood looks great against the black color! Almost reminds me of a cedar look. Love me some wall hanging cabinets! I think they are my favorite projects.

It's beautiful. The applewood has a quietness that stands out, very nice.

Incredible character on the Applewood back. Great looking piece; nicely done.

great project

I really like the look of the applewood. I’ve been wanting to dry out the black stain on open grain woods, hopefully soon. You may like Rob Cosmans method for making dowels by the way!

Wonderful job 😊

The apple wood was a home run! Couldn’t have picked a better contrast. Excellent

Outstanding !!!!! Got me wanting to find some of that apple wood. That contrast between woods never disappoints

Beautiful project; subscribed!

Excellent commentary.

Beautiful! The contrast is striking and quite appealing.

Love this piece Morgan. Looks incredible.

thank you Morgan . the apple wood is pretty .

Absolutely gorgeous!

I really enjoy your content. Keep up the videos. I milled up a few apple and maple boards from trees in my neighborhood and the apple dried pretty wonky with cracking, cupping and twisting whereas the maple is dead flat.

Amazing! Love your work!

Great job! From the quality of your bookshelf to the style of video and music, this was a great video. Also, I appreciated you making sure we knew how challenging apple wood was. You got my subscription!

Wow this one is particularly beautiful. Very nice work!

If you decide to do another similar with ash. You could try burning it. That should give you a similar look but not be as dark. Could look very nice. I do like this one with the contrast between the ash and the apple however. Looks great!

Thanks for sharing the pencil trick!

A really nice, and understated piece of furniture. I was wondering whether, as opposed to nailing the back panels, leaving them loose, and slide in a channel of some kind. Or would this allow for too much movement? I really enjoy your 'mellow' way of presenting your work. Keep it up. 🙂

As the owner of a portable mill, there's a lot of warp and twist you never see in graded materials. I have 2 cherry boards that both cupped and twisted and turned against me inside of a week after they were sawn.

Lovely looking piece.. and great video with good amount of information and flow.. I watch a lot of woodworking on youtube and this style will certainly hook the viewers in. I really like your work and process and hope you get the recognition and following you deserve..

Leather dye is the best, works so much better than the various 'ebony' stains. I use 1/4" brass rod instead of the dowels for this sort of drawer to avoid having to make the dowels.

nice

Great job! Turned out fantastic. BUT.... I don't see any Lost Art Press books on that shelf. You're going to want to correct that. But seriously, looks great.

What 1/4" chisel were you using to clean out the waste in the tales board. I like it. When you speak of a "clean" base in your dovetales are you speaking of the crush that happens in the centre area. There is a simple solution to that if you are talking of that.

My guy mistakes make the dovetails genuine. Looking pretty good from my house though.

nice voiceover a great piece of art simple beauty of contrast

Now that time as passed, How successful was the osmo at keeping the ink off the birch drawers?

Leather dye?

Your furniture is PERFECT, but your Edit style is so so sooooo BORING bro. I just drag the skimmer to see the final result cause you only cut, cut, and cut con camera

Beautiful!