Favourites From 2019

It’s good to look back on all that we achieved last year and entering 2020. Following on from the previous decade of teaching and training, I feel we forge ahead with a 2020 vision for our future based on what these statistics have shown about our platforms for presenting real woodworking for a new generation of woodworkers.

Perhaps you’ll let us know how you feel about the future of woodworking in light of what’s shown to be popular here. For certain hand tool woodworking is not dead. Far from it!


  • This year I’ve gained over 10,000 followers on my Instagram page
  • On Youtube my channel gained over 57,000 subscribers and we had over 8.3 million views in 2019

Most watched video on Woodworking Masterclasses:

The Plywood Workbench


Most Watched Video on Youtube:


Most liked post on Instagram:


Most liked post on Facebook:


Most viewed blog post:


18 Comments

  1. “how you feel about the future of woodworking in light of what’s shown to be popular here.”

    Not sure that popularity is the right yardstick to determine the direction you will take. Personally, I’d rather see what you find is important for us to learn and understand. But since you ask, I very much would like to see more housecarpentry (building doors, hinged windowframes, doors and doorframes using traditional hand methods and joinery). Have asked this before and understand that that is not the direction you want to go with your site and work. Fair enough. But since you asked, I’ll say what I would personally be very much interested in, at the moment. A lot of woodwork needs to be done to my (brick) house and I intend to do it myself, though it’ll be a steep learning curve.

    Question: intending to build a workbench this year, but wondering about the size. I will need to build several new doors, doorframes and windowframes for the house. Should my bench be large enough to be able to hold a complete door/doorframe on its top? Or can I get away with a smaller bench?

    1. I would be more than happy to use something as short as say 1.2 metres no problem. The reason is that most work in door making is in the vise or around it. To extend the length use a plywood panel for assembly.

      1. I do similar. My workbench is 2’ by 5’. And when I make something bigger I throw a sheet of 3/4 MDF. As a wise man once said, “thats about all MDF is good for”. This way I have a 4’ x 8’ assembly bench that is perfectly flat and smooth. Tucks away nicely behind a shelving unit in otherwise unusable space in the garage. And if it ever gets beat up beyond use its $30 to replace.

      2. Thanks for the replies. That’s a relief that I can get by with a smaller bench. I was worried I needed the large flat surface to assemble the doors and frames without any twist.

        Steve P, I recall that remark about MDF from the very first bench-building series (out in the garden, under the tree. Wonderfully charming and down-to-earth video). But I’m less harsh than mr. Sellers as I have another use for MDF, as an underlayment when drilling on the drill press….

  2. Hi Paul,

    So encouraging to see people enjoying your projects and wisdom, as I do. I’d personally love to see more tool restoration and tool making videos. My favourite was the “How To MakePoor Man’s Rebate Plane” video you did a while ago.

    Is this something you have any future plans for?

    Happy New Year!

    1. Rebate plane?? I made one following Paul’s advice and it it is a superb tool…..plus I added a depth and fillister stop……it works perfectly…..go for it.
      I used scrap beech from our timber yard …..the pieces used for stock spacers.
      Enjoy ..John2v

      1. Fantastic tool indeed, and so simple to do. One of those videos that really did “break the illusion”, as it were, of how it is possible to make your own tools and projects with not much material and just a bit of effort and dedication.

      2. “Scrap beech” – You must be living in heaven. In South Africa, where I live, if you ask for beech wood, you just get a dumb stare in reply!

  3. Happy New Year Paul & Team!

    The only challenge for the new year is to find enough time to build these projects and continue to learn. Amazing content! Thank you!

    Otto

  4. Hi
    I agree with nemo as I’ve just extended the house and fitted new doors i.e. setting hinges, hanging the door, fitting furniture etc. I used my veritas router plane and chisel but don’t know if I used the right technique.
    Lawrence

  5. Hi Paul ,
    I also have six windows to replace approx 4ft X 2ft which have wooden frames with critall metal frames with eight small glass panes. I intend to make new frames and fit wooden glazing bars to replicate the critall look.
    I have some moulding planes but not for glazing bars. I have inherited a multi plane with about ten blades of various shapes which three look possible to create the glazing bars.
    Any articles or advice on making glazing bars using hand tools would of great interest to me and I’m sure there are many other wood workers who would welcome the chance to not use a noisy electric router.
    Regards Frank McInroy

  6. Tricks and tips from the trade to keep vintage tools in top working condition would be very welcome.

  7. I too would like to see something more on window and door frames. I’ve DIY’d every other aspect of carpentry and mechanical in my house but have shied away from these for some reason (a subconscious paranoia of twist I believe) ;).

    Happy New Year and Birthday.

  8. I made a 900mm wide by 2.1m high external storm proof door and side window and the frames for both and installed them myself, with help from my son.
    I’m a retired guy, using hand and basic power tools and a 1.2m by 1m workbench.
    I get lots of favourable comments and admiration for these items, which will probably outlast me.
    My advice to people who want to build doors and windows is to get on and design and build them using the information that is already here and elsewhere. Paul has already given the knowledge and techniques in his door and window plans and drawings and videos and there are lots more videos etc available.
    The absolute best thing is to get on with it – you’ll learn what you need to know as you do the work and just learn from and be patient with the odd mistakes.

  9. Hello everyone. Regarding upcycling: I have found an old piece of furniture (a plan chest, probably from a solicitors office) it had already been partly dismantled. The wood is wonderful, but I am afraid I can’t accurately identify it. Is there a possibility I could send photos so that some wise woodworker could help let me know what the wood is please. Thanks.

  10. Speaking of Beech and upcycling, we recently recycled an 1860 barn from Indiana. It was disassembled in Indiana and cataloged by an Amish crew, shipped to Minnesota where the timber framer cleaned it and made a few alterations. He erected the frame and installed the S.I.P. panels and we took it from there. It was fun working with hand hewn beams. It was amazing to see how straight and square they were being hewn with axes and adzes.
    We used reclaimed flooring, old reclaimed beams for the railing newel posts, old pole rafters were used for wall treatments etc. A lot of handsaw work and hand planing. It’s neat to know that a beech and white oak barn frame will live on for perhaps another 400 years!!

    1. It all depends on how you keep up with the roof and cladding afterwards, Don.Inside the SIPS, the barn will be fine, but you gotta stay on top of the outside with regular checking that’s all.

  11. Hadn’t been on your site before, but found it from a roundup post of woodworking blogs. Love the highlights. That small chest with the drawers is gorgeous. Really like the leather pull straps. Looking forward to improving my hand tool skills this year!

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