My favorite Rex quote in this one, which has a Zen-like quality: " ... I'm just sitting on a milk crate. It's perfectly comfortable."

thumbs up to have rex do tutorials this thorough for every aspect of life

These videos make me more confident about woodworking whereas a lot of the stuff on youtube makes me feel worse. Truly these woodworking for humans series should be really successful.

From an old fart who's lost a few of those hairs in my ears that pickup sound: Thanks for taking the trouble to speak clearly and at a consistent volume. I really do appreciate it.

"With my shop made square" I had to pause and look closer, because holy crap, I didn't think you made that yourself. That square is a piece of art itself. Have my subscription.

To optimize handsaw cuts, use the knife-marking technique Paul Sellers calls a "knife wall." It is actually quite an ancient trick and if your saw is sharp and well tuned (doesn't show a tendency to turn in the cut), you get a clean cut with no tear out or hanging fibers. It works well. The knife cut also helps with creating clean shot surfaces with no broken corners on your work piece.

Another good position to use either of the jigs is to clamp the cleat at the end of the bench (in the vice you added). It won't move, and you'll have both hands to easily hold your materials and tools.

14:30 onwards ... I tried to make a shooting board as a teenager. It didn't work very well. Then I made another. That didn't work very well either. Then I figured out that they can't work on a plane with a full-width blade - like the one I was using! Another good one, Rex. Thanks

A Bench Hook exactly like yours was the first project my school woodworking class shop teacher had us make, many years ago. I have no idea what happened to it in the intervening years but thanks for this video Rex I will make a new one!

This was brilliant. I am just getting started in woodworking and have very limited tools. No proper bench (using an old table), no circular saw and no benchsaw. Getting edges straight was driving me nuts but this now gives me new hope. Thanks. You have earned a new subscriber.

I specially liked the end, where you did a sort of troubleshooting of the project. Im currently making the paul sellers’ bench and god, just cutting those big leg-frame rail’s tenons can be way too tricky. There’s just so many things that a beginner can (and will) will do badly, so the troubleshooting part is as important as the project description per se. And I didn’t even mentioned the mortises... I spent more time correcting the holes, and then correcting my corrections, than chopping them. After you overcome your frustrations and understand that you shouldn’t expect your joints to be perfect like the ones in the how-to videos, it is actually pretty funny to see each leg a little less crappy than the previous one. Thanks a lot for tour videos!

This guy has saved many of my projects and if I had to pay to watch his videos I would. Although since subscribing to him, my table saw and planer machine are getting lonely. Even my drills are starting to collect dust and My jig saw is basically just for T track. My router still gets some work but now that I’m getting better with my chisels, even he is collecting unemployment. My neighbors probably think I’ve either given up woodworking or that I dont have electricity anymore because my wood shop is a lot quieter . This bald Buckeye is one badass woodworker.

Great Rex. I made a bench hook in a furniture-making course I did and have kept it all these years. A really useful tool..

Rex: It's really idiot proof. My brain: Hold my beer.

My father taught me how to use and make tools in the 60's and 70's and he would always remind me that if you want to cut or plane or hammer something straight; your shoulder, arm and tool should all be in line as well. He was not a furniture maker by any means and; being Australian; we never worked with softwoods (they weren't really available until mid 80's). The main timbers used were Ironbark (Eucalyptus Crebra) and Forest Red Gum (Eucalyptus Tereticornis). Very strong and very heavy. Great channel and great advice.

Thank you, Rex for this channel. Once again you've shown how to make something with minimal tools. Many starting out don't have, or even have access to, the tools shown in others' videos showing how to make a shooting board. Applause and Cheers!

Lesson plans begin with good prep [basic, training/teaching 101], you're doing just fine. I can see you're trying to teach the mental approach to precision here, as much as actual precision. I think a lot of newbies [and its happened to me] go out and buy big 'all-shiny' WW tools/machines expecting automatic accuracy. . .and been disappointed! It should be made clear that your handtool basics are the beginning of all great carpentry/woodworking - the fancy equipment is NOT where the skill lies. Cheers Rex, I'm sure you're having a great impact on the furthering of wood working for future generations.

A great video as always. Congratulations on the 50k, well deserved along with James Wright you are one of the true gentlemen on KZfaq.

Your page is incredible for an amateur on a budget. Thank you for all of this help!

Love the use of the salvaged doors! Yet more good advice. Thank you!

Thank's for all thw wood working advice you've been giving. I've been following them and most of my project turned out better I hoped. And my wife has been very pleased with the thing I've made around the house. Keep up the great work.

I love this series, its like sitting in a class that you can work along with and it progresses building on what you learn. Thanks Rex!

I continue to be impressed with your teaching style and obvious patience.

Thank you. I made a bench hook last year when I first got back into woodworking. I didn't really know what to do with it. Now I do! Thanks :)

Fantastic video, great design too. Love how you made then to work from both directions and upside down too. Thank you for sharing, keep up the great work 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

The first time I saw the Ryoba saw was on yout video now I have 5 or 6 of them. Its nice to have more tools in the box. We use them cutting screen mold in a miter box. Keep them coming

This series has been incredibly helpful for me. I've learnt so much from these videos, and have become much more confident in my woodworking. Thank you Rex.

This guy is as helpful and watchable as Paul Sellers. Both are truly excellent for anyone that hasn't outfitted whatever space they have with every machine tool possible. Back to basics....I wish I was as good as Rex though. Keep up all the great vids. Thank you.

I was grateful that you addressed the use of pull saws because that is pretty much all that we have access to in Japan, and there isn’t much information about their use even on KZfaq Japan.

I really like this series, particularly the "you can do it" vibe of it. Two things that came to my mind regarding accuracy: working to knife lines seems pretty central, and keeping an eye on the lateral adjustment of the plane iron when shooting so your work ends up square in both dimensions.

An addition to the bench-hook that may help true things up is a technique that I know as a "knife wall", essentially taking a wedge out of all four sides of the work piece, where that wedge is at 90 degrees along the cut line, and angled out into the waste. Done right it should guide your saw blade and would be brilliant paired with the bench hook. All that's required is good marks and a sharp chisel.

I really enjoy watching all the videos. One thing about my first Irwin ryoba pull saw. It does not care for staples. I have 1 in shop and 1 in both job boxes. Great tools . Thanks REX.

Thanks for the knowledge Rex. I'm going to make one of these for my shop.

This channel starts to really catch me with its "start with simple tools" approach.

It's quite nice seeing a channel that doesn't concentrate on costly tools that many beginners whom are just starting out, don't have the kind of cash to afford out right.

wow freaking awesome jig.Knocked one up then did 3 cuts of 3 x 2 almost perfect best cross cuts i have ever done ty so much subscribed

Rex, your $30 vise is perfect for grabbing your bench book's cleat and keeping the whole thing immobile. When I had a leg vise I used to clamp my cleat up to make repetitive cuts less laborious. Fantastic video as always.

This was pretty-darned cool! I've not seen such a detailed walk-through anywhere on making these very essential tools - thank you so very much, Rex! ^_^

your videos are great and so encouraging for new workworkers like myself. all the best for the holiday season and a happy and healthy new year.

Rex, the "King" of KZfaq woodworking! Love your videos!

Your channel is full of great stuff, and you're a pleasure to watch.

Every video i watch of you just shows me how much me and my father have been complicating our own lives for a very long time, luckyly i have the time to correct those mistakes when i strat my own solo projects

Crystal clear narration, straightforward instructions and no annoyingly unnecessary music track. Where did you come from? Subscribed!

I absolutely love your videos! They urged me into woodworking more than any others! I appreciate the work you do!

You really put things into perspective saying: it’s woodworking - it’s fun! 👍

Tip: sink and glue a neodymium magnet into the end grain of the fence and the saw blade will still slide but stick to it. But I'd make the fence wider and taller but not taller then the saw blade.

Rex is getting big! Nice job rex, I still remember finding you with 1k Subs and wondering how you didn't have more.

Great job Rex. Very informative and straight forward

Every time I run into a problem with my budget woodworking, you upload a video solving that problem... this time it was square cuts with a pull saw, a few weeks ago it was finding a cheap, thick-threaded screw for my vice. One day I will make a video on my kit to show it off, but the oak I looted has to dry first ;)

great video. More stuff for newbie woodworkers is allways appreciated.

Am a ones follower, your build projects are direct and I will be building the same tomorrow. Thank you!

Glad you're happy making the videos :) they're nice to watch

Men , found this video when I almost finished all my project! But I’ll do my boards right now ! Great videos !

The bench hook and shooting board are really useful fixtures, the first one makes the work quick and the second one is really helpful to correct slightly out of square cuts. It is worth to make them, but it is possible to work without them. The real key of perfectly square cross cuts is the woodworker proficiency, there are no shortcuts to that, grabbing some spare wood, marking cut lines each one 1/2 inch apart from the previous one and practicing the use of the saw is the real "jig" that grants perfect results, it is like driving a car or motorcycle, you can not pretend to be a proficient driver in the first couple of hours you begin to drive it, practicing everyone becomes proficient, hand-eye coordination and muscle memory have to be build. And practicing like that pays a lot, as repeating a thing many times in a row is much more effective then doing it once then skip to an other thing. For the same reason when they study the musicians play over an over the same measure or couple of measures instead of playing over and over the whole piece of music. Also depending on jigs and fixtures can be a shortcut that can mask the lack of proficiency, but as soon as is no more possible to use them, let's say because the cut has to be very precise, but is out of square, the difference between building jigs and training your skills shows up... I have and use bench hooks and in am not suggesting in any way to don't build or use what you show in the video, don't get me wrong. I am only suggesting to the beginner woodworkers that strive to get good results with their saws to spend at the beginning few hours in training, with method and dedication. Only few hours, let's say 15 minutes at the beginning of each woodworking session, can build a skill that will help trough the whole life and it is NOT a waste of time in the long run as precise cuts need less time to be corrected with the plane if they need it at all and prevent a lot of problems in building something complex like a piece of furniture. Few hours of training at the beginning will make spare many hours later... I apologize for the text wall, but i could not find a shorter way to tell it.

Splendid tutorial. Thank you Rex for this wonderful video.

I am in my 70's now just getting back to this wonderful hobby. My dad, who passed away almost 40 years ago taught me the value of keeping your saw blade nice and shiny ... while you're cutting, simply watch the reflection of the piece you're cutting and it should appear that it is going right through your saw blade. Watching your videos, I can see that you're doing just that - even though it may be subconscious to you.

Thanks, Rex, this (and the rest of your videos) are really helpful as I get started.

Rex.. have you ever been described as the new Norm Abrams? It's nice to see basic skills taught simply..... before, you know, Delta starts throughing free tools at you to sell to your viewers. Keep up the common touch. Us cellar wood shop hobbyists appreciate it.

This is the best woodworking series I've seen. Thanks Rex

I put myself through college by making custom furniture with power tools so I thought I was badass. Then I moved to Miami and space became a premium. I thought ... no problem I'll just start using these old hand tools my grandfather (a REAL carpenter) passed on to me since they take up less space than my table saw, jointer, router table etc. I quickly learned there is knowing how to use hand tools and there is knowing HOW to use hand tools. So many things I never had to consider came to the forefront and I almost gave up the hobby I love most in the world. Thank you so much for these videos.

I love that, woodwork for humans. Thanks for the video rex.

I really like the Woodworking For Humans series because you make useful projects using only basic affordable hand tools and lumber from the home center. Thanks for making this series.

Let me just reiterate that you (obviously) having actual teaching experience adds so much value to your instructions. I am a tp-down, ends-mean learner if ever there was one, and you talk straight into my head.

Nice job, I really enjoy the manner in Which you communicate the subjects explained . Keep it up Mr awesome mere mortal.

Freaking brilliant, Rex! Thank so much for your videos. I am trying to self-learn. Your channel is one of my go-to's

I'm learning sooooo much from you so quickly. I'm wanting to do more woodworking and throw away my crapsman consumer table saw.

Thank you! One advice I got, with a smack at the back of my head, when I saw like you: "hey, I paid for the whole saw blade" ;)

Excellent video! Very clear and concise.

Thank you for all the tips and taking your time to teach us

I would like to see more videos about this topic. It is really useful tool for accuracy.

Rex, I really appreciate the way you are introducing people to woodworking, and even more your concept of bootstrapping up through the evolution of woodworking technology and technique. All success at it! Albert Beckers does raise a really important point, though. At 12.35, you cut off your board beautifully like an old timey carpenter; knee up on the bench holding your stock, your shoulder, elbow, wrist, and saw kerf all aligned in a plane. No errant geometry to urge your cut to one side or the other. Now look at the body mechanics at 2.03. As the saw is pushed, so many angles continuously changing; the brain must be constantly feeding a change of angle into the wrist and elbow each stroke, every stroke. I think that the best opportunity for a really square cut is either a fully jigged accessory like a mitre-box, or the time honored technique, for journeyman, master, or novice alike, of a knifed layout line with a tiny trough pared or chipped out on the waste side. The saw teeth start the cut already clear of your layout, and all you have to worry about is keeping it vertical. This is covered by many elsewhere on KZfaq. A keyword could be knifewall.

This is rapidly becoming my favourite channel on KZfaq

My shooting board is one of my favorite shop made tools. I always have fun using it. With a shooting board, you can get off square cuts if your plane iron is skewed to one side. It’s good to try on a bit of scrap before you cut a precious bit of wood! I like to rub some candle wax on the track for the plane. It glides nicely!

Working as a tree surgeon, I learned to love the pull saw.

Great video but... OML!!! The disclaimer in the end... We have a saying in Portugal: "Para bom entendedor meia palavra basta!" Loose translation is: To a good "understander" a half a word is enough! (google translate: To the wise, half a word is enough!) I've been learning alooooot with your videos and even stopped obcessing with that next power tool that will make that specific job more easy and I gues that is the great thing - Practise makes perfection! In portuguese: "Pratica e serás mestre!" (Practise and you'll become a master!) Thaks Rex!! Keep up the good work!

Enthusiastic, practical easy-to-understand concise explanations, while using basic hand tools.

brilliant tutorial for human beginners like me! Thanks Rex!

never heard of a bench hook or shooting board until this video.. nice job

Straightforward, no bull, love it

You asked for pull saw tips and I know one that really helped me. I do not know if anyone has said it and if they have Im sorry for the repeat. Use the metal mirror reflection on the side of the saw. When you are aligned perfectly vertically the mirror reflection lines up perfectly with the wood as if it were 1 continuous piece of wood. Try it and you will see what I mean. It doesnt take long to get the hang of and definitely helped me. Just keep checking it every few seconds as you saw.

Some 4 plus decades ago my uncle taught me keep my saws shiny. The reflection keeps your cut square. If the reflection looks like it passes thru and lines up with the board on the other side or if it looks like the board continues in a straight line (shorter pieces) you will be very very close.

Always great videos!!

Great video. I learn a lot from you. But there is one thing I noticed when you were using your normal sas (2:03). My dad was a carpenter for most of his life and he tought me to place the shoulder and elbow (of the hand that is holding the saw) in the line of the cut to prevent the sawblade from wobling. Then you have an even better chance of getting the perfect cut you desire ..

"...use your perception and common sense...." You neglected to prove a link to a store where I can get some of those.

You should try putting a couple rare heart magnets in the end grain of your wood to help hold your saw tight to your fence.

Yeeessssss dude I was gonna say that! I think I’m gonna make a bench hook. Been thinking about it for a while.

scribbling on the end grain, side to side edge to edge, with a pencil before shooting gives a good indication whether the end has been shot square.

Dear Rex, you were using the double sided Ryoba saw for cross-cutting and getting some wobbling and blade flex as you go. Try out a Dozuki saw which has fine teeth for cross-cutting and a solid spine like a tenon saw to stop blade flex. It really is a magnificent saw. Like your work. Accurate work comes from good craftsmanship, not expensive tools. Cheers.

This channel is a gold mine filled with platinum. Most people are always obsessing over their *_LOUD,_* expensive, inefficient power tools, and it's almost impossible to find videos with proper technique and best practices using hand tools. Thank you so much for making these videos. The odd thing is, I would expect traditionalist, conservative people to produce videos like this, but instead they are the ones most likely to be on board (no pun) with the obnoxious power tool fetish. I don't understand it, but I'm glad you're out here doing the Right Thing, regardless of your philosophical views.

Thank you Rex

Finally! Someone explains why the plane doesn’t just keep cutting. I don’t know why I didn’t realize it before, it seems obvious. But thanks for clearing up my confusion with shooting boards.

Good staff, thanks. I think you can secure it all together with clamps while you cut your pieces too.

I taught my kids that the saw follows your elbow. Position your body so the elbow is directly behind the saw and moves in a straight line.

Great video thanks for your efforts!

I remember my old man had one of those, now I know what it was for. I will make one of those for myself as I am left handed & never cut anything straight 😂.

For situations where you need a 90° cut but you have to cut freehand i recommend polishing the sides of you japanese pull saw to a near mirror finish. that way you can see a clear reflection of the edge of the workpiece in the side of the saw. If the edge of your workpiece and its reflection form a straight line without bending into any direction you are plum with your saw.

Great videos, lovely and clear. I like the shooting board a lot. I've never seen one before. Well done. I think, though, the user will still need to learn the skill of holding the plane square. It is very easy to rock it a bit and lose the "squareness". On the subject of cutting square, I was taught the method of holding your head above the work piece and look down on the saw. You should be able to see both sides of the blade at the same time! Keep it like that as you cut and let the weight of the saw do the work and it should cut true.

At first I didn't like your videos or your style of speaking in them but after a few, I found your content extremely efficient. I've got way better results with basically everything and tend to listen/watch your content while I Finnish my 7th. or so cup of coffee. In a bus, while driving, so on. Thanks for creating these for us to enjoy!

Great video love the tips and tricks you share , thank you 👊😎🤙

I like to use a block plane to shoot square ends, due to the more acute angle and 'bevel up' of the tool. I find it's easier to chop through the end grain that way.