Of all the woodworkers on CZcams, I believe you are the best teacher. When you do a tutorial, you not only tell me which variables matter, but why they matter. You then show the affects of those variables being to big/small/long/short, with simple methods for making adjustments. I can watch any box joint video, and can make a successful jig, but all that does is teach me how to make a jig for box joints Your videos teach me fundamental knowledge, the quality of my resulting box jig, just tells me Wether or not I'm proficient in the techniques you're teaching I'm a total amateur, and I've spent the last 3 days getting every step perfect I've learnt SO much of this one video!
Hi William, I am a retired metals trade teacher and am setting up to do some woodworking as a hobby in my retirement. I love your clear, simple and well explained methods. I have watched many videos on how to make box joint jigs of which many seem more complicated than they need to be. I just love the simplicity and accuracy of your jig. Cheers from Australia Garry
"I'm more nervous than Mike Tyson in a spelling bee..." That line alone was worth the entire 20 minutes of this video. Thank you very much for posting this! I like your teaching style a lot. You not only show how to do it right, you show how to correct small problems as they happen - and they WILL happen. I really appreciate this approach, and I know some others do as well. Glad to see that you're back making videos!
I found your channel a few years ago and watched every video. I've always wanted to do woodworking but never took the plunge. Over the last year, I've built and helped with a few things; all out of necessity rather than an artistic creation. I'm about to take to dive-in, building out my workshop as tools are being shipped. And so here I am again, rewatching your videos. There is a lot of good content for woodworkers on CZcams. Much of it is more inspirational. As far as I'm concerned, what you have put out is essential to having a strong foundational knowledge, enabling an aspiring woodworker for growth. Thank you for putting it out and keeping your channel up. I hope to one day see you putting out more content. Even if it's a patreon type of thing, I'd immediately join up. Haven't done anything like that before, but I would, again, immediately jump aboard if you were to.
Excellent description. I like the what & why of the presentation. And I really appreciate the lack of the lengthy musical introduction so many others use.
Dear Mr Ng, as a SilverSurfer (>60) I've startet WoodWorking for a hobby . Drinking a mug of Coffee while watching Your videos makes me calm, relaxed, smiling and, of course, smarter. It's better than any therapy :) Thanks from Hamburg Stay healthy
Hi William, I have watched many woodworking videos and been impressed but your skill and accuracy is something else, I do loose you a little when you talk in thousands of an inch as here in the UK we mostly use millimeters but I think your work is awesome and I will be watching all that you do. Thanks Again for sharing your knowledge and experience., Phil Andrews , Hereford England.
+P Andrews Hi Mr. Andrews, I like and do use the metric system. I think it's much easier but here in the US, I don't think we're going to switch anytime soon. I will try to reference metric in my future videos. Thanks for your comment.
Hi John Beckman. There's no reply button following your comment, not sure why so I hope my reply finds you. The opening measures .365 times that by 5 = 1.83 plus the fingers measures .360 times that by 6 = 2.16 add those together = 3.99 inch. OK so I'm .01" off. :-) Thanks for watching .... but not too close please.
Thanks William, I was wondering how the math worked on this. By the way, If you are looking for suggestions for an upcoming video, how about doing one on the 45 degree miter sled you mentioned you were going to do in your 5 cut method video.
There are many components to building a table saw. One plan I found which succeeds in merging these is the Wilfs Wood Blueprint (check it out on google) it's the most helpful resource i've seen. look at the amazing info .
It just doesn't get any better than this! That, my friends, is a true professional and an expert teacher! - - - Simple but Amazing! - - - Thank you Mr. Ng
I followed the instructions of another box joint video. It was a lesson in futility and frustration to put it mildly. I watched and studied this video and followed Mr Ng’s simple instructions. I now have a great looking and superbly functional box joint jig. His instruction and explanation is exceptional. I made the jig, did a cut, made one small adjustment, cut again, and now I have perfect box joints.
So I bought a router box joint jig - it works just fine, but I could never get things to line up. This video makes it very simple. After watching it, I went out to the shop and made my first box joint box that actually goes together like it should! Thanks so much!
First time watching a video from this youtuber and I'm extremely impressed. He is incredibly efficient and everything he does is calculated and precise. I was a bit skeptic at first when he started talking about thousandths of an inch and thought it was overkill. Then he went into great detail to explain why he does that and the benefit of it. Truly impressed and I honestly can't wait to watch more of his videos...and purchase a caliper.
Hi William, I just found your channel by accident two days ago and I immediately subscribed. Your relaxed style of 'teaching' is very good to watch and I specifically like when you show us how we could stuff-up if we are not concentrating. I'm looking forward to exploring all your past utubes and also all futute ones. Thank you so much for taking the time to explain to us less experienced woodworker how it is 'done'. Kind regards, kmdc from Oz.
I've been Building Giant Scale Radio Control models for the past 40 years, and watching your concise and easy to follow videos, I am excited to start doing actual WOOD Work in my shop at my new retirement home, Thank You.
Joe Curia here. Thank you for your videos. I have to watch them several times to get it all. I even take notes. I am newly retired and found wood working challenge fun. I need to learn to keep me happy. Thank you again.
To the guy who is talking .001 " in woodworking say's " this cut is not critical " my palms still sweat. This is absolutely fantastic the way you show how to easily to make very, very small necessary adjustments. Thank you
I have literally watched dozens of box joint videos. Yours is the first to explain and use the reference line. Nobody else follows through with all four sides of the box. All they show you is just the joint. No your not anual...as a metal shop owner and fabricater I appreciate the extra 1 to 5 minutes to save hours and material down the road... Great job
Beautifully made video - and so relaxing to watch you explain this concept with ease. You have convinced me to start using my calipers instead of going through a frustrating trial-and-error session with my joints. Much appreciated sir!
My first box joint will happen this weekend. I’ve wanted to do one but always 🐓 out. I’ve watched this twice, probably once again before and during the box joint. Thanks your explanation was perfect!😊
I don't care what you detractors have said in the past in the now or in the future. As in enthusiast woodworking Individual I just find you to be an incredible resource and inspire thank you much.
What a great video and a wonderful teacher. Thanks for taking the time to provide this and all of your instructional videos. I wish I could take some of your classes. Thanks again!
William. This is my first time watching one of your videos and I affiliate with your calm demeanor. You work studio is immaculate and you look wise. I had to stop the video and tell you this. I am pleasantly impressed. Thank you for taking more time to share your wealth of knowledge. Subscribed.
I am brand new to woodworking and have watched several videos on box joints. Every other video shows how to connect two boards together, but never shows the entire box. I'm sure for more experienced people that is not a big deal, but I need to see the entire process. I have now watched several of Mr. Ng's videos and subscribed. These are some of the best and most detailed videos on CZcams! I really appreciate all of the detailed directions, and the great sense of humor. Great teacher!!!
William, I started learning and doing these box joint jig in the last two years. There are ton people in CZcams to teach us how to do "box joints", but no one had taught us how to calculate and be more symmetric on all sides like yours. I don't think no one can touch your skills. Honestly, I've never listened your 20 minutes since I saw your video. I've thought there were too much talking. I would just follow people's 5 minute video. Lol. Now that I really understand about making "Box Joints," I went back to your video. I can't believe, I didn't paid attention on your vid. I wished I should had listen to you earlier. Next time, I'll look yours stuff. Thanks again. Oh yeah....I just got your comment, "....Mike Tyson in a spelling be..." Lol. I'm just laughing to myself all day.
I like your preciseness with the caliper I've been using it for almost everywhere in the shop. I did learn adjusting the fence with a caliper from you as very handy. Love all your videos.
Mr. Ng, Thanks for the video! I worked in a machine shop/tool room of a large manufacturing concern and appreciate the fact that you are very exacting in measurements (in the thousandths of an inch)! I have never owned a table saw in my life and because this is my first experience with such, I desire to be just as accurate when creating my first jigs. Your videos are what I was looking for to create my first crosscut sled and box joint jig. Many thanks for this video and I am looking forward to other videos from you, R. Baumann
I like your simplicity and honesty. I still remember poop and water both roll down hill so if you fight it you'll either stink or get all wet. Nice video sir and thank you 😊
as a commercial cabinet maker i always enjoy william's videos as there is the opportunity to learn a new trick. my comment is to all the incra jig enthusiasts... if i filled my workshop with all the gadgets and bits and pieces available i would never fit in the shop myself lol. the cost of having all this stuff lying around and having to store it becomes a negative investment. so often the cheap little stuff you can make in a few seconds is just as good. i can cut dovetails on a table saw or bandsaw faster than it takes me to set up a jig and run them with a router. even as a hobbyist it pays to learn how to do things simply without all the gadgets. remember the old craftsmen used a few handsaws, chisels and planes to quickly and effectively build what ever they wanted and often quicker than using the modern machine equivalents we have today.
Good point. Wish I had seen this video before buying my Incra jig. Could have saved myself some money. I could just never get my homemade jig very accurate. This video was the best I have seen yet for building a jig. Many thanks.
Richard Thaxton i am not saying do not use modern conveniences.. i use power tools as well as hand tools. what i am saying is this... sometimes it is quicker to use hand tools than to set up a power tool to do the same job. it pays to keep an open mind when deciding how you want to achieve a solution. if i am making one drawer i will do it by hand. if i have a large number to do then i will take the time to set up a machine to do the job for me. dependent on whether the customer wants an entirely handmade joint or machine cut.
Richard Thaxton A good craftsman knows when to use power tools and when to use hand tools. It's about making a living, finding the fastest and easiest way to get the job done. Unfortunately woodworkers don't get pay by the hour. I think that's what Tayler is trying to say. Thanks for watching, much appreciate it.
Thanks. I liked your video despite having seen the same approach from others before. I think it's those little differences that you have added that make your method is a good as it gets for production runs. Looking forward to your next video.
I plan to watch this video over a number of times. So funny [ 4:55 ] when you said " if you this is the only table saw you have , ....I don't know what to tell ya, kind of sucks han ". Love your humor. At this point you had me hooked. You are a great instructor, so easy to follow. You've given me the incentive to finally give box joinery a try. I always thought it required a real fancy jig.
Therte are plenty of place that teach the same joint. However- the HUGE value here is your technique for fine tuning measurements. These are the lessons of a master tradesman, not an "artisan". Bravo.
William, I have been watching your videos for a long time now. I am 71 years old and presently finishing up my professional life as a civilian contractor on an air base in the Persian Gulf, I am going to retire 31 December and I will be starting my wood working in a much more serious fashion. I have been in residential construction for 45 years and I have done a lot of wood working in the past. My retirement is going to include a complete wood working shop and my present tool budget is set at $15,000.00 so it going to be complete and I will be having fun. Until then I keep my dreams alive until then. Thanks for all the good advise!!!!!
That's awesome Dave! I'm on the other side myself, I've just begun my professional life as a computer programmer, but I'm also starting my woodworking shop as a hobbyist. My budget is way smaller than yours off course, since I only started earning my own money recently! Should be a fun ride for me as well!
Thanks for your comment Felipe. Wood working is a great hobby. It allows you to be very creative and to be able to see your handy work around the house is great also. I often have friends ask what tool in my shop I feel is the most important and I always answer your imagination!!! When you use your imagination you can accomplish so much more. Where are you located?
Thanks Lane. In a way I envy you. I came back from Vietnam 31 December 1968 and my intentions were to stay in the military as an Army pilot but I ended up getting married. My wife didn't want a military life so I started going to National Aviation Academy in St. Pete Florida. I got my commercial, multiengine, instrument rating and CFI with the hopes of being able to get into commercial flying but soon learned that the road to a living in that profession is filled with poverty. I started working in residential construction. Even though I have often thought of what I gave up but I have been very blessed in my life and I have no regrets. If you wish to send me an email my email is harringtondave10@gmail.com
I love how accurate you are, and the practical tone in your instructions. Thanks a million, as I will be stopping off to get some materials to build one of those bad boys myself ;)
It's been a while since I took a class with you and I forget how good a teacher you are. Thanks for being a champion of accuracy and rational thinking. SteveMetsch
Someday if I learn half of the skill's you have,I can grow old and die a very happy man. You teach without talking down to people who don't have the knowledge you have,and that is rare.Thank's for what you do.
followed directions from video for my first attempt ever at dove tails. Finished with pleasing results, Thanks William, more videos please. would like to see more on chair making, once again Thanks!
Outstanding video! Nobody can accuse William about being too wordy or over-explaining! Which is good, but it makes you listen hard (or re-run the video several times :) ). William puts the ng in imazing!
William, you have a ton of knowledge, and the kindness to share it, thank you for this. You also have the gift to be a good teacher, and that is rare. Also a gerat sense of humor that I really like ;-) your approach is very similar to mechanics machining, accurate, efficient, perfect ! waiting for your next videos !
Wow, thanks for going slowly and clearly. Ive never done finger joints ; The fog of confusion surrounded the steps to make accurate measurements. 13:55 is where my confusion got wiped away; there and the actual width of the slot; I never would dream that allowing 10 thousandths for glue is appropiate. I could tell by the sound of your dry assembly going together, that it was juuuust rrrright! Amzing use of the feeler guage; not trial&error, like I would do(mostly time GOBLING error). I would run out to the shop, but its bed time! This is why I always did half laps,or just glue&screws. Thanks again, Mr. Ng; so glad you've planned time for more videos!
The Wood Whisperer Thanks Marc for stopping by my channel, but shouldn't you be making video? HaHa You're my inspiration for making these videos so I better get cracking myself.
Repeating what Pac Memphis posted 4 years ago: This is beyond a doubt, the best box joint jig video I have ever seen. You are the benchmark for wood workers and teachers. Thanks!!
So clear and well thought out. I really appreciate you sharing what you learned in running a production shop with us. I’ve never made a mis-step in following your lessons
I'm a Mechanical Engineer gettng into woodworking. Your use of percision, the way you talk about dialing in your cuts and most importantly WHY you have set your clearances and sizes to what they are realy clicks with the way my mind works. I'm going to be checking out a bunch more of your videos.
One VERY small enhancement would be at 14:42 in the video. Instead of removing the drawer front/back reference piece (to get your reference spacing), keep it in place, and flip your side piece end-over-end (like you do at 14:55) and make its first cut, as well. That way you don't have to keep setting it in place and removing it. The same applies to any number of additional drawer sides - if you keep the reference piece there, you only add/remove it once (instead of at least twice, and up to four times per drawer). That said, this video is still awesome, watching it a year later. I love the elegance of your solutions!
It's very possible that this method is/was used in actual speed production, but he didn't want to go too fast in teaching the ideas here. It's also possible that he was a little distracted as many people are when an audience is involved, and didn't do every step the exact way or order he would have in normal production. Lots of us outright destroy work if we know somebody's watching, lol.
I liked your use of .006” clearance in your joints. I worked for a major US window manufacturer and this was the clearance they used in the mortise and tenon joints on their window sashes. This provided the proper clearance for the glue.
I have watched this several times but not had a project to use it. I just made a laundry rack for my wife today and used box joints using this method. I'm proud to say that I was successful and it turned out great. Thank you William, you are an 👍👍 excellent teacher and to all the skeptics out there, the thousands in accuracy are super important. Just .002-3 in the wrong direction or too much or too little clearance is the difference in a good fit or a joint that doesn't fit at all. I keep a caliper handy at all times.
Thanks for teaching such a great tutorial on box joints William. I used your method for a series of humidor drawers recently. I was kinda giddy with excitement when I got that oh-so-elegant fit, but made sure no one was watching when I did my happy dance 😊. Even though I only have one table saw in my small shop it wasn’t that bad to get this setup. I know it takes a tremendous effort to create these videos and I want you to know that this effort and your humor are HUGELY appreciated.
So nice video to start new year! You are clear and I love your way to speak. I am italian so I am happy when I can understand everything because you have no accent at all :-) I marry your concept of precision. I am starting a production of design furnitures in my country over internet and you are right saying the more time you spend in setting is money you get back! I am so sorry you are so far, I would like to learn in your school :-( Here is almost impossible to learn, you must do all by yourself. I am so happy for utube american woodworkers, I learned so much from you, summers woodworking,mr bigerock, wood whisperer, steve ramsey and all the other guys. I want to thank you for sharing again your deep knowledge with us. I wish you all the best and hope one day you make some dvd to buy for distance teaching....or online teaching....craftsy style.... Happy new year From Italy Christian
Simple. Effective. Cost efficient. Time efficient. Youre not the most exciting cat to watch, but I love your clear, concise no bullshit mannerisms that get the job done to the best of your abilities. Even a sample test bit came out perfect. Wish you were closer, I'd love to take your advanced joinery class someday!
Do you have any drawings or side photos of your push block/stick? It looks pretty straight forward, but I can't tell if the handle is angled slightly or not.
I have watched more than a dozen or so videos on how to make a box joint and this is the BEST and most logical one so far!!! You are an excellent instructor!
Hi William, thank you for the very informative and sometimes humorous videos. Good thing Mike Tyson doesn't know where you live. 😊 It would be great to get a tour of your shop, could you make a video of that? Please clean it up first, I saw a spec of dust in the corner. Take care SK
Steve this looks like a good idea, except for us Brits, who for some reason are not allowed to use a dado set. This means we are screwed and can only cut as wide as a single blade hence we need a jig that takes this into account.
@Keith Same here in Germany. Dados aren`t allowed in companies because of the safety. What you do in privat doesn`t matter. But you can`t buy them nowhere...Or when you find some they costs up to 300 Euro. I only know one Onlineshop who sells them in Germany.
William, your communication and teaching style is wonderfully clear: the best I have seen! And it’s a joy to see how you handle wood and tools - a perfect balance of precision and artistry. Thank you!
Awesome video. No music...yeah. Not sped-up....yeah, so I can actually see and understand what you're doing. Great teacher. Going to your school must be an awesome experience. Thanks for sharing.
William, I love this video. Watched it so many times but I'm a bit confused by one thing. You state you like a 4" drawer height because it gives you perfect symmetry. I'm trying to figure out how that is. 4" is 32/8. You use a 3/8" dado. 10 fingers and spaces is 30/8 and 11 is 33/8. How does that work out perfectly? What am I missing? This is important as I'm trying to figure out for my own set of drawers I'm building. Thanks! Update: I actually did the math. You're short as I expected but only by 0.015". Who could spot that? Look forward to seeing more of your videos!
The gap is .01 less than 3/8 and the finger is .015 less. 5 fingers and gaps = .125 exactly. Minus one more finger or gap is .01 to .015 less as txlonghorn calculated.
The opening measures .365 times that by 5 = 1.83 plus the fingers measures .360 times that by 6 = 2.16 add those together = 3.99 inch. OK so I'm .01" off. :-)
I noticed this same thing as well. Thanks for asking this question. WilliamNG's explanation below cleared it up for me...need to make the dado .365 instead of .375 (as he says when first referencing his dado stack width).
Thank you for our videos, William. You're an excellent teacher and the video quality is fantastic along with your ability to concisely describe the reasoning behind the choices that you make for your joinery techniques. Aloha
I think this guy is The Godfather of CZcams woodworking. He is referenced by just about everyone. Thanks for starting the movement!
"I don't know what to tell ya. Kind of sucks huh?" Love his dry humor along with his great instructions!
Of all the woodworkers on CZcams, I believe you are the best teacher. When you do a tutorial, you not only tell me which variables matter, but why they matter. You then show the affects of those variables being to big/small/long/short, with simple methods for making adjustments.
I can watch any box joint video, and can make a successful jig, but all that does is teach me how to make a jig for box joints Your videos teach me fundamental knowledge, the quality of my resulting box jig, just tells me Wether or not I'm proficient in the techniques you're teaching
I'm a total amateur, and I've spent the last 3 days getting every step perfect
I've learnt SO much of this one video!
Hi William,
I am a retired metals trade teacher and am setting up to do some woodworking as a hobby in my retirement. I love your clear, simple and well explained methods. I have watched many videos on how to make box joint jigs of which many seem more complicated than they need to be. I just love the simplicity and accuracy of your jig.
Cheers from Australia
Garry
That must be the most beautifully organized shop I've ever seen.
"I'm more nervous than Mike Tyson in a spelling bee..." That line alone was worth the entire 20 minutes of this video.
Thank you very much for posting this! I like your teaching style a lot. You not only show how to do it right, you show how to correct small problems as they happen - and they WILL happen. I really appreciate this approach, and I know some others do as well. Glad to see that you're back making videos!
Mark, Thanks for your comment. It's nice to be back on you tube. Thanks for watching.
He wouldn't be suggesting that MT is a bit thick is he? Lol.
@@11111972cjb not at all. William was never nervous. Nor would Mike Tyson be. He's smarter than may give him credit for
I'm more nervous than D Trump passing a lie detector test.
Mark Lindsay CNC nemmemost
I found your channel a few years ago and watched every video. I've always wanted to do woodworking but never took the plunge. Over the last year, I've built and helped with a few things; all out of necessity rather than an artistic creation. I'm about to take to dive-in, building out my workshop as tools are being shipped. And so here I am again, rewatching your videos. There is a lot of good content for woodworkers on CZcams. Much of it is more inspirational. As far as I'm concerned, what you have put out is essential to having a strong foundational knowledge, enabling an aspiring woodworker for growth. Thank you for putting it out and keeping your channel up. I hope to one day see you putting out more content. Even if it's a patreon type of thing, I'd immediately join up. Haven't done anything like that before, but I would, again, immediately jump aboard if you were to.
Excellent description. I like the what & why of the presentation. And I really appreciate the lack of the lengthy musical introduction so many others use.
I found these tutorials much, much more informative than any others I have seen on woodworking on youtube.
As far as I’m concerned, William NG is a wood-shop wizard and he has to be a mathematical genius, which is where I lack. Wonderful video’s!!!
Dear Mr Ng,
as a SilverSurfer (>60) I've startet WoodWorking for a hobby .
Drinking a mug of Coffee while watching Your videos makes me calm, relaxed, smiling and, of course, smarter.
It's better than any therapy :)
Thanks from Hamburg
Stay healthy
Hi William, I have watched many woodworking videos and been impressed but your skill and accuracy is something else, I do loose you a little when you talk in thousands of an inch as here in the UK we mostly use millimeters but I think your work is awesome and I will be watching all that you do. Thanks Again for sharing your knowledge and experience., Phil Andrews , Hereford England.
+P Andrews Hi Mr. Andrews, I like and do use the metric system. I think it's much easier but here in the US, I don't think we're going to switch anytime soon. I will try to reference metric in my future videos. Thanks for your comment.
Hi John Beckman. There's no reply button following your comment, not sure why so I hope my reply finds you. The opening measures .365 times that by 5 = 1.83 plus the fingers measures .360 times that by 6 = 2.16 add those together = 3.99 inch. OK so I'm .01" off. :-) Thanks for watching .... but not too close please.
Thanks William, I was wondering how the math worked on this. By the way, If you are looking for suggestions for an upcoming video, how about doing one on the 45 degree miter sled you mentioned you were going to do in your 5 cut method video.
Cool
William Ng di
There are many components to building a table saw. One plan I found which succeeds in merging these is the Wilfs Wood Blueprint (check it out on google) it's the most helpful resource i've seen. look at the amazing info .
👍👍👍👍
It just doesn't get any better than this! That, my friends, is a true professional and an expert teacher! - - - Simple but Amazing! - - - Thank you Mr. Ng
Thanks for all the effort you put into making these teaching videos. I enjoy the them very much. Also, your sense of humor. Thanks again.
Makes you wonder who the ass-hats are that downvote his content.
I followed the instructions of another box joint video. It was a lesson in futility and frustration to put it mildly. I watched and studied this video and followed Mr Ng’s simple instructions. I now have a great looking and superbly functional box joint jig. His instruction and explanation is exceptional. I made the jig, did a cut, made one small adjustment, cut again, and now I have perfect box joints.
I really wish this guy would make more video's. I love his presentation style and the fact that he actually had a commercial shop. No wasted time.
Outstandingly clear.
The ability to teach is a gift. Thanks.
I love the degree of precision that you go into. This was a great explanation and definitely helped me try my hand at box joints.
So I bought a router box joint jig - it works just fine, but I could never get things to line up. This video makes it very simple. After watching it, I went out to the shop and made my first box joint box that actually goes together like it should! Thanks so much!
Dear William, Thank you for sharing all the knowledges you have. Do not listen to the people mentioning 'rocket science'.
First time watching a video from this youtuber and I'm extremely impressed. He is incredibly efficient and everything he does is calculated and precise. I was a bit skeptic at first when he started talking about thousandths of an inch and thought it was overkill. Then he went into great detail to explain why he does that and the benefit of it. Truly impressed and I honestly can't wait to watch more of his videos...and purchase a caliper.
Well yeah, unlike some CZcams channels, this guy has a real background
Hi William, I just found your channel by accident two days ago and I immediately subscribed. Your relaxed style of 'teaching' is very good to watch and I specifically like when you show us how we could stuff-up if we are not concentrating. I'm looking forward to exploring all your past utubes and also all futute ones. Thank you so much for taking the time to explain to us less experienced woodworker how it is 'done'. Kind regards, kmdc from Oz.
I've been Building Giant Scale Radio Control models for the past 40 years, and watching your concise and easy to follow videos, I am excited to start doing actual WOOD Work in my shop at my new retirement home, Thank You.
Joe Curia here. Thank you for your videos. I have to watch them several times to get it all. I even take notes. I am newly retired and found wood working challenge fun. I need to learn to keep me happy. Thank you again.
not only a master craftsman, but also a master educator. well done.
Man, you are such a good teacher. I wish I could come out west and take a few classes.
z
_@🐈🦄
No need!
He's right here offering it for free!!!😄
To the guy who is talking .001 " in woodworking say's " this cut is not critical " my palms still sweat. This is absolutely fantastic the way you show how to easily to make very, very small necessary adjustments. Thank you
I have literally watched dozens of box joint videos. Yours is the first to explain and use the reference line. Nobody else follows through with all four sides of the box. All they show you is just the joint. No your not anual...as a metal shop owner and fabricater I appreciate the extra 1 to 5 minutes to save hours and material down the road... Great job
The best box joint tutorial I have seen
Beautifully made video - and so relaxing to watch you explain this concept with ease. You have convinced me to start using my calipers instead of going through a frustrating trial-and-error session with my joints. Much appreciated sir!
My first box joint will happen this weekend. I’ve wanted to do one but always 🐓 out. I’ve watched this twice, probably once again before and during the box joint. Thanks your explanation was perfect!😊
I don't care what you detractors have said in the past in the now or in the future. As in enthusiast woodworking Individual I just find you to be an incredible resource and inspire thank you much.
What a great video and a wonderful teacher. Thanks for taking the time to provide this and all of your instructional videos. I wish I could take some of your classes. Thanks again!
William. This is my first time watching one of your videos and I affiliate with your calm demeanor. You work studio is immaculate and you look wise. I had to stop the video and tell you this. I am pleasantly impressed. Thank you for taking more time to share your wealth of knowledge. Subscribed.
I am brand new to woodworking and have watched several videos on box joints. Every other video shows how to connect two boards together, but never shows the entire box. I'm sure for more experienced people that is not a big deal, but I need to see the entire process. I have now watched several of Mr. Ng's videos and subscribed. These are some of the best and most detailed videos on CZcams! I really appreciate all of the detailed directions, and the great sense of humor. Great teacher!!!
William, I started learning and doing these box joint jig in the last two years. There are ton people in CZcams to teach us how to do "box joints", but no one had taught us how to calculate and be more symmetric on all sides like yours. I don't think no one can touch your skills. Honestly, I've never listened your 20 minutes since I saw your video. I've thought there were too much talking. I would just follow people's 5 minute video. Lol. Now that I really understand about making "Box Joints," I went back to your video. I can't believe, I didn't paid attention on your vid. I wished I should had listen to you earlier. Next time, I'll look yours stuff. Thanks again.
Oh yeah....I just got your comment, "....Mike Tyson in a spelling be..." Lol. I'm just laughing to myself all day.
I like your preciseness with the caliper I've been using it for almost everywhere in the shop. I did learn adjusting the fence with a caliper from you as very handy. Love all your videos.
Mr. Ng,
Thanks for the video! I worked in a machine shop/tool room of a large manufacturing concern and appreciate the fact that you are very exacting in measurements (in the thousandths of an inch)! I have never owned a table saw in my life and because this is my first experience with such, I desire to be just as accurate when creating my first jigs. Your videos are what I was looking for to create my first crosscut sled and box joint jig. Many thanks for this video and I am looking forward to other videos from you,
R. Baumann
Not only a great instructional video, but it imparts a bit of unintended humour. "It kind of sucks." Priceless.
I like your simplicity and honesty. I still remember poop and water both roll down hill so if you fight it you'll either stink or get all wet. Nice video sir and thank you 😊
as a commercial cabinet maker i always enjoy william's videos as there is the opportunity to learn a new trick. my comment is to all the incra jig enthusiasts... if i filled my workshop with all the gadgets and bits and pieces available i would never fit in the shop myself lol. the cost of having all this stuff lying around and having to store it becomes a negative investment. so often the cheap little stuff you can make in a few seconds is just as good. i can cut dovetails on a table saw or bandsaw faster than it takes me to set up a jig and run them with a router. even as a hobbyist it pays to learn how to do things simply without all the gadgets. remember the old craftsmen used a few handsaws, chisels and planes to quickly and effectively build what ever they wanted and often quicker than using the modern machine equivalents we have today.
Good point. Wish I had seen this video before buying my Incra jig. Could have saved myself some money. I could just never get my homemade jig very accurate. This video was the best I have seen yet for building a jig. Many thanks.
So lets go back to using horse and buggy, covered wagons, flintlocks, walrus tooth fishhooks. Jeez....
Richard Thaxton
i am not saying do not use modern conveniences.. i use power tools as well as hand tools. what i am saying is this... sometimes it is quicker to use hand tools than to set up a power tool to do the same job. it pays to keep an open mind when deciding how you want to achieve a solution. if i am making one drawer i will do it by hand. if i have a large number to do then i will take the time to set up a machine to do the job for me. dependent on whether the customer wants an entirely handmade joint or machine cut.
Thanks Taylor, really appreciate your support and comment.
Richard Thaxton A good craftsman knows when to use power tools and when to use hand tools. It's about making a living, finding the fastest and easiest way to get the job done. Unfortunately woodworkers don't get pay by the hour. I think that's what Tayler is trying to say. Thanks for watching, much appreciate it.
Thanks. I liked your video despite having seen the same approach from others before. I think it's those little differences that you have added that make your method is a good as it gets for production runs. Looking forward to your next video.
I plan to watch this video over a number of times. So funny [ 4:55 ] when you said " if you this is the only table saw you have , ....I don't know what to tell ya, kind of sucks han ". Love your humor. At this point you had me hooked. You are a great instructor, so easy to follow. You've given me the incentive to finally give box joinery a try. I always thought it required a real fancy jig.
Therte are plenty of place that teach the same joint. However- the HUGE value here is your technique for fine tuning measurements. These are the lessons of a master tradesman, not an "artisan". Bravo.
Love to see more. Thanks for sharing. All the best. Mike from Germany
William, I have been watching your videos for a long time now. I am 71 years old and presently finishing up my professional life as a civilian contractor on an air base in the Persian Gulf, I am going to retire 31 December and I will be starting my wood working in a much more serious fashion. I have been in residential construction for 45 years and I have done a lot of wood working in the past. My retirement is going to include a complete wood working shop and my present tool budget is set at $15,000.00 so it going to be complete and I will be having fun. Until then I keep my dreams alive until then. Thanks for all the good advise!!!!!
That's awesome Dave! I'm on the other side myself, I've just begun my professional life as a computer programmer, but I'm also starting my woodworking shop as a hobbyist. My budget is way smaller than yours off course, since I only started earning my own money recently! Should be a fun ride for me as well!
Thanks for your comment Felipe. Wood working is a great hobby. It allows you to be very creative and to be able to see your handy work around the house is great also. I often have friends ask what tool in my shop I feel is the most important and I always answer your imagination!!! When you use your imagination you can accomplish so much more. Where are you located?
Absolutely. Making usefull stuff that I will use myself is something amazing. I am from Brazil!
Congratulations Mr. Harrington 2 more days! I envy you 7 more years for me @ age 67 enjoy.
Lane
Thanks Lane. In a way I envy you. I came back from Vietnam 31 December 1968 and my intentions were to stay in the military as an Army pilot but I ended up getting married. My wife didn't want a military life so I started going to National Aviation Academy in St. Pete Florida. I got my commercial, multiengine, instrument rating and CFI with the hopes of being able to get into commercial flying but soon learned that the road to a living in that profession is filled with poverty. I started working in residential construction. Even though I have often thought of what I gave up but I have been very blessed in my life and I have no regrets. If you wish to send me an email my email is harringtondave10@gmail.com
even five years later the quality of this video transcends others on CZcams! Thank you Sir!
This kind of content is priceless!
Such a shame you are no longer around to post more excellent videos. Thanks William.
I love how accurate you are, and the practical tone in your instructions. Thanks a million, as I will be stopping off to get some materials to build one of those bad boys myself ;)
Thank you. Appreciate your comment.
Thank you, this was very helpful.
It's been a while since I took a class with you and I forget how good a teacher you are. Thanks for being a champion of accuracy and rational thinking.
SteveMetsch
+Stephen Metsch Thanks Stephen. Hope we can meet again.
Thank you for this. This was the clearest box joint video I've seen. None of the others seem to mention the reference mark, which seems critical.
Someday if I learn half of the skill's you have,I can grow old and die a very happy man.
You teach without talking down to people who don't have the knowledge you have,and that is rare.Thank's for what you do.
ldg332004 :) I'm still learning, no need to talk down on anyone. Appreciate you taking the time to watch and comment.
followed directions from video for my first attempt ever at dove tails. Finished with pleasing results, Thanks William, more videos please. would like to see more on chair making, once again Thanks!
Excellent teaching skills !!! - effective and complete . . . a pleasure to watch :-)
I am a retired Tool & Die Maker and I used calipers all the time. I am glad some else saw the need for more close fits and to do it right, Thank you.
William your humor never gets old! Great skill lesson! Thank you
Outstanding video! Nobody can accuse William about being too wordy or over-explaining! Which is good, but it makes you listen hard (or re-run the video several times :) ). William puts the ng in imazing!
William, you have a ton of knowledge, and the kindness to share it, thank you for this. You also have the gift to be a good teacher, and that is rare. Also a gerat sense of humor that I really like ;-) your approach is very similar to mechanics machining, accurate, efficient, perfect ! waiting for your next videos !
You're deadpan/humor is perfect!
Wow, thanks for going slowly and clearly. Ive never done finger joints ; The fog of confusion surrounded the steps to make accurate measurements. 13:55 is where my confusion got wiped away; there and the actual width of the slot; I never would dream that allowing 10 thousandths for glue is appropiate. I could tell by the sound of your dry assembly going together, that it was juuuust rrrright! Amzing use of the feeler guage; not trial&error, like I would do(mostly time GOBLING error). I would run out to the shop, but its bed time! This is why I always did half laps,or just glue&screws. Thanks again, Mr. Ng; so glad you've planned time for more videos!
This truly was the best woodworking instructional video I have watched. Thanks so much for producing it!
Great video William. Thanks for sharing your insights!
William Ng is awesome! I hope to visit his school eventually.
The Wood Whisperer Thanks Marc for stopping by my channel, but shouldn't you be making video? HaHa You're my inspiration for making these videos so I better get cracking myself.
Ricky Mcgrath Thanks Ricky, I look forward to meeting you someday.
Hi William, Thanks for the simple and effective teaching moment. I'll be using your technique from now on. CHEERS!!
Love the video makes box joints a ease. Thanks
Repeating what Pac Memphis posted 4 years ago: This is beyond a doubt, the best box joint jig video I have ever seen. You are the benchmark for wood workers and teachers. Thanks!!
So clear and well thought out. I really appreciate you sharing what you learned in running a production shop with us. I’ve never made a mis-step in following your lessons
excellent teaching here. nice tip on the feeler gauge as well.
Exceptional video, William. I have always enjoyed your videos. As a fellow engineer and woodworker, I'm inspired by your teaching style.
Your instructions are so thorough and detailed. Thank you for the time you put into your videos! They are very appreciated
I just want you to know it is an honour to have you sharing your knowledge to us. Thank you very much
Jim Cooney Thank you for the kind words. Much appreciate it.
Love the fact that he speaks in terms of .001 of an inch. I was a former machinist and love the fact that he advocates this close tolerance .
Once a Machinist always a machinist!
JIM
"I dont know what to tell ya....kinda sucks huh?" PRICELESS!!!
REALLY
That was the comment that made me subscribe!!
@@jadmcgregor Me too!
"More nervous then Mike Tyson in a spelling bee." I am now subscribed.
I wouldn't know. I have two table saws.
I'm a Mechanical Engineer gettng into woodworking. Your use of percision, the way you talk about dialing in your cuts and most importantly WHY you have set your clearances and sizes to what they are realy clicks with the way my mind works. I'm going to be checking out a bunch more of your videos.
I don't know why I'm such a slow learner but, I think it finally clicked for me! Thank you for the great video...BE SAFE,GOD BLESS!🇺🇸🙏❤
One VERY small enhancement would be at 14:42 in the video. Instead of removing the drawer front/back reference piece (to get your reference spacing), keep it in place, and flip your side piece end-over-end (like you do at 14:55) and make its first cut, as well. That way you don't have to keep setting it in place and removing it. The same applies to any number of additional drawer sides - if you keep the reference piece there, you only add/remove it once (instead of at least twice, and up to four times per drawer).
That said, this video is still awesome, watching it a year later. I love the elegance of your solutions!
It's very possible that this method is/was used in actual speed production, but he didn't want to go too fast in teaching the ideas here. It's also possible that he was a little distracted as many people are when an audience is involved, and didn't do every step the exact way or order he would have in normal production. Lots of us outright destroy work if we know somebody's watching, lol.
I liked your use of .006” clearance in your joints. I worked for a major US window manufacturer and this was the clearance they used in the mortise and tenon joints on their window sashes. This provided the proper clearance for the glue.
I agree. This is great information that I will use going forward.
I have watched this several times but not had a project to use it. I just made a laundry rack for my wife today and used box joints using this method. I'm proud to say that I was successful and it turned out great. Thank you William, you are an 👍👍 excellent teacher and to all the skeptics out there, the thousands in accuracy are super important. Just .002-3 in the wrong direction or too much or too little clearance is the difference in a good fit or a joint that doesn't fit at all. I keep a caliper handy at all times.
Every so often you come across a instructional video that hits the mark. Yours did. Excellent and thoroughly explained. Thanks
"Mike Tyson at a spelling bee" LOL haven't heard that one in years!
p.s. William also demonstrates economy of motion! No wasted movement, no fumbling - I should be half as co-ordinated!
Thanks for teaching such a great tutorial on box joints William. I used your method for a series of humidor drawers recently. I was kinda giddy with excitement when I got that oh-so-elegant fit, but made sure no one was watching when I did my happy dance 😊. Even though I only have one table saw in my small shop it wasn’t that bad to get this setup. I know it takes a tremendous effort to create these videos and I want you to know that this effort and your humor are HUGELY appreciated.
Thank you sir for your straight forward no nonsense tutorial. I am glad you did not bring any gear/s into your design. Thank you.
There is always a part in his videos where he gets all Christoper Walken! LOL
So nice video to start new year!
You are clear and I love your way to speak. I am italian so I am happy when I can understand everything because you have no accent at all :-)
I marry your concept of precision. I am starting a production of design furnitures in my country over internet and you are right saying the more time you spend in setting is money you get back!
I am so sorry you are so far, I would like to learn in your school :-(
Here is almost impossible to learn, you must do all by yourself.
I am so happy for utube american woodworkers, I learned so much from you, summers woodworking,mr bigerock, wood whisperer, steve ramsey and all the other guys.
I want to thank you for sharing again your deep knowledge with us.
I wish you all the best and hope one day you make some dvd to buy for distance teaching....or online teaching....craftsy style....
Happy new year
From Italy
Christian
Hi Christian, Thanks for your comments. We're working on some online classes. Thanks for watching.
Such a gracious comment.
Hands down, this is the best video for box joints. Accurate and explains why tolerances matter. Thank you and I shall use this method.
You are the best teacher ,after seeing you I have the confidence to try this ,thank you. Bernie
Simple. Effective. Cost efficient. Time efficient.
Youre not the most exciting cat to watch, but I love your clear, concise no bullshit mannerisms that get the job done to the best of your abilities. Even a sample test bit came out perfect.
Wish you were closer, I'd love to take your advanced joinery class someday!
That was a great video and yes it does suck to have only one tablesaw. Looking forward to trying this after I make a dado sled.
HaHaHa, I couldn't pass up on a little shop gloat. Thanks for watching.
Do you have any drawings or side photos of your push block/stick? It looks pretty straight forward, but I can't tell if the handle is angled slightly or not.
jocmarti The handle is straight, not fancy but practical.
William, I love your videos and the clarity of your explanations, but I equally love your sense of humor!
I have watched more than a dozen or so videos on how to make a box joint and this is the BEST and most logical one so far!!! You are an excellent instructor!
Hi William, thank you for the very informative and sometimes humorous videos. Good thing Mike Tyson doesn't know where you live. 😊 It would be great to get a tour of your shop, could you make a video of that? Please clean it up first, I saw a spec of dust in the corner. Take care SK
Steve this looks like a good idea, except for us Brits, who for some reason are not allowed to use a dado set. This means we are screwed and can only cut as wide as a single blade hence we need a jig that takes this into account.
@Keith Same here in Germany. Dados aren`t allowed in companies because of the safety. What you do in privat doesn`t matter. But you can`t buy them nowhere...Or when you find some they costs up to 300 Euro. I only know one Onlineshop who sells them in Germany.
...only one tablesaw. "Kinda sucks, huh?" HAHAHAHAHA man that cracked me up big time. Perfect! GREAT video. Thanks!
William, your communication and teaching style is wonderfully clear: the best I have seen! And it’s a joy to see how you handle wood and tools - a perfect balance of precision and artistry. Thank you!
Awesome video. No music...yeah. Not sped-up....yeah, so I can actually see and understand what you're doing.
Great teacher. Going to your school must be an awesome experience. Thanks for sharing.
William,
I love this video. Watched it so many times but I'm a bit confused by one thing. You state you like a 4" drawer height because it gives you perfect symmetry. I'm trying to figure out how that is. 4" is 32/8. You use a 3/8" dado. 10 fingers and spaces is 30/8 and 11 is 33/8. How does that work out perfectly? What am I missing? This is important as I'm trying to figure out for my own set of drawers I'm building. Thanks!
Update: I actually did the math. You're short as I expected but only by 0.015". Who could spot that? Look forward to seeing more of your videos!
I dont understand your update. You can see in the video that he has 11 fingers. At 3/8" thats 4.125"!
I get the same thing.....it's 4 1/8"
remember, his dado blade width is .0010 less than 3/8 at least that's the way i see it
The gap is .01 less than 3/8 and the finger is .015 less. 5 fingers and gaps = .125 exactly. Minus one more finger or gap is .01 to .015 less as txlonghorn calculated.
The symmetry includes drawer inside depth,top clearance and the type of drawer slides used.
Six fingers and 5 sockets, each with a width of 3/8", adds up to 4 1/8". In your sample, you used 4" wide stock. What happened to the extra 1/8"?
The opening measures .365 times that by 5 = 1.83 plus the fingers measures .360 times that by 6 = 2.16 add those together = 3.99 inch. OK so I'm .01" off. :-)
a good reason to use mm and not fractions of the kings inch as unit of measure.
You just got schooled
I noticed this same thing as well. Thanks for asking this question. WilliamNG's explanation below cleared it up for me...need to make the dado .365 instead of .375 (as he says when first referencing his dado stack width).
@@xl000 yes. It will be more easy to understand how to measuring the wood 👍👍👍
I can’t get over how cool that shop looks!!!! His voice as a teacher... I could listen all day! I’m a fan already
Thank you for this video. I've watched several others, but yours explained SO much more. Outstanding!
YOU'RE SHOP IS SO CLEAN. I think maybe I'do do better fishing.
"I don't know what to tell ya, kinda suck hu?" LMAO!
this one video will make my work so much more accurate. Not just box joints but everything. Thank you.
Thank you for our videos, William. You're an excellent teacher and the video quality is fantastic along with your ability to concisely describe the reasoning behind the choices that you make for your joinery techniques. Aloha