Good glue-ups don't come from cranking down on the clamps... Clamps are there for control, alignment, and holding the joint together, not brute force. In this video, I walk through the basics of choosing the right clamp, using the right amount of pressure, and avoiding a few common beginner mistakes. #grownostr #woodworking #DIY

Quality work takes the time it takes…

Practice makes perfect… No Failure makes perfect. It is thru failure, that you know where you need to improve. #coffeechain #grownostr

The first prototype is complete… What it has reinforced for me is that beginners don’t need a more complicated first project. They need the right first project. This little cedar box isn’t the destination. It’s a vehicle for learning. The goal is to build confidence through measuring, marking, cutting, fitting, sanding, assembling, and finishing. Skills that carry over to every project that follows. Looking back, what was the first project that really taught you something? #FabricatorsFieldGuide #grownostr #woodworking #DIY #proofofwork

A little more context on the first prototype I’ve been building… The first project is a small cedar box. That may sound simple, but it teaches quite a few foundational skills: • measuring and marking • crosscutting • rip cutting • fitting parts • sanding and shaping • glue-up and assembly • applying a finish One thing I’ve been trying to avoid is the typical hobby-kit approach where everything arrives pre-cut and you’re mostly assembling parts. The goal here is different. The student starts with material that still needs to be measured, cut, fitted, and shaped, but in a way that’s approachable for someone with little or no experience. The box is the project, but the real goal is learning the process.

Over the past fews months, I have been asking how people learned woodworking… Part of the reason is that I’ve been developing a hands-on learning system aimed at people who never had a shop class. This weekend I started building the first prototype… #grownostr #woodworking #diy

New video is up! One Overlooked Woodworking Step That Makes Projects Look Unprofessional

I’ve talked with quite a few people on here over the years about learning woodworking at home, especially beginners. One thing I’ve struggled with is how to teach real shop skills when I’m not physically in the room. What I keep coming back to is a field-guide style approach built around real projects, real materials, and progressive learning instead of disposable hobby kits. Right now I’m developing the first project around a small field box / writer’s box using only hand tools. Would something like that have helped you when you were getting started? #woodworking #grownostr #asknostr #diy

I’ve been rethinking the “shop class” idea a bit… The more I worked on it, the more I felt like it needed cohesion instead of just isolated lessons or random projects. I keep coming back to the idea that people connect more deeply to objects that feel useful, lasting, and worth building. Still thinking a lot about what a modern version of learning shop skills could look like for people who never really got that experience… #grownostr #diy #woodworking

“The proper function of man is to live, not to exist. I shall not waste my days trying to prolong them. I shall use my time.” ~Jack London

New video is up! How to saw straight with a handsaw… keeping your cut on track without fighting the tool. Covers setup, starting the cut, and the small habits that keep you from drifting. #grownostr #tools #woodworking How to Saw Straight with a Handsaw

New video is up… Trying a different approach to exterior wood finishing—oil, pine tar, and a thinner. Simple mix, easy application, and it changes how the wood looks as it ages. An Old Scandinavian Wood Finish That Actually Lasts #grownostr #coffeechain #diy

One of my OG YouTube subscribers said in a comment: “I’m not a carpenter.” But as he went on, he described everything a carpenter does. Learning how to plan projects. Figuring out tools and techniques. Building furniture and repairing homes. Paying attention to details that matter… By his actions, he’s been a carpenter all along… and it’s the same kind of hands-on learning anyone can start today. #grownostr #woodworking #diy

New video is up… If you’ve ever stood in the tool aisle not knowing what you actually need, this is where to start. #grownostr #tools #diy Essential Hand Tools Everyone Should Own

Walt Disney… shop lessons! Yes, there was a time… #grownostr #diy

Most people assume more features = better tools… In reality, the tools that last the longest are usually the simplest ones on the shelf. #grownostr #tools

When working on a project that requires extra attention to measurement… Like a cabinet project or furniture. It is a good idea to use a designated tape measure for the whole project. Not switching between tape measures… Not all tape measures have the same measurement accuracy… As seen in the picture, each tape has a different length inch. Use a mix of tape measures with different size inches… And you’ll have problems with fit. #grownostr #woodworking #diy

Old-school shop notes… This week is a field update on finishing cedar siding with a traditional oil mix. Read the latest newsletter here:

Depth Over Gloss

Why old-school finishes beat modern coatings every time

How old were you when you learned a 2 x 4 did not measure 2 inches x 4 inches? #asknostr #grownostr