Early Access Video: Get Better in 10 Minutes
Added 2023-11-18 12:00:05 +0000 UTCFriends:
I often make videos about woodworking on a budget, but there’s another scarce resource: time. Many of us don’t have the time we need to practice key skills, finish projects, and keep our workspace tidy. You might think I have tons of time to make stuff, but I don't. Running this business keep me very busy and I’m often squeezing my woodworking into stolen moments between meetings.
It’s stressful.
But my experience with limited time has been valuable and I’ve discovered many strategies for doing productive work in 10 or 15 minutes. Today, we present this collection of super-quick exercises and mini-projects you can use in those spare moments. We hope it’s valuable.
Also, James, Nic and I met yesterday to start selecting our Patron Scholarship Recipients. It was a productive discussion and I plan to announce the winners after the Thanksgiving break. Also, my team will be with their families next week, so no regular video.
We wish you all a happy holiday!
--Rex
Comments
Nice Video. The details in safety is certainly more than mentioned in previous videos.
Bradley Barth
2023-12-07 19:39:07 +0000 UTCWonderful video! I really like the vloggish style in the beginning, too. But I don´t think I´ve seen this concept/topic covered elsewhere. Best woodworking channel, hands down! Happy Thanksgiving to you, your family, and your team and their families.
Helge
2023-11-25 20:46:50 +0000 UTCThis is a really refreshing video alongside the projects - Rex is one of the best people for these fun, quick skills tuition - and inspiring because he (pretends?) not be too perfect making everything more achievable for wobbly weekend woodworkers like myself. And having been watching for free for a year now - time to commit to some cash as a patreon. Thanks Rex
Matthew Grant
2023-11-25 10:36:44 +0000 UTCI’m also working on that saw vice - those dovetails are really quite challenging - but also very satisfying as I come to the end and tidy it all up - I couldn’t resist planing them down though so everything is flush. Just got to add some glue and sawdust to fill the gaps. Then the fun starts of actually using it on some old saws I bought
Matthew Grant
2023-11-25 10:33:30 +0000 UTCI had to retire to get that much time. Shop time is much better than driving a desk office time.
Skully Wood and Metal
2023-11-21 18:45:25 +0000 UTCYeah. I realized that after I posted it. It was nighttime, I was sleepy. and told myself to fix it in the morning. and then totally forgot. Thanx for correcting me.
Michael Bennett
2023-11-21 17:29:31 +0000 UTCThe grain direction and wood selection would be critical...cut across the grain and the teeth will just break off, choose a wood without interlocking grain or too low a tensile strength and it would break across its length;)
John Griswold
2023-11-21 15:19:57 +0000 UTCIf you have 4 hours a day, you have a WEALTH of time. I'm honestly jealous.
Rex Krueger
2023-11-21 13:45:58 +0000 UTCFunny that you mention that. I made my daughter a comb out of clear lexan when she was little. I used the techniques you mention. We used it for years.
Rex Krueger
2023-11-21 13:45:30 +0000 UTCThis is not a bad idea!
Rex Krueger
2023-11-21 13:44:14 +0000 UTCAnd you as well!
Rex Krueger
2023-11-21 13:43:52 +0000 UTCFor the same reason a 60 minute football game lasts 3 hours. There's often more to say on a topic than just showing it. (I could also point out that I showed about 6 short topics, so the video could easily have been an hour.)
Rex Krueger
2023-11-21 13:43:43 +0000 UTCThat's so nice to hear! I specifically made that project as a skill-builder.
Rex Krueger
2023-11-21 13:41:12 +0000 UTCI've had to force myself to totally clean up and put away tools at the end of each day. It doesn't come naturally and it's not easy, but I'm getting there.
Rex Krueger
2023-11-21 13:40:41 +0000 UTCI'm delighted that you found it useful!
Rex Krueger
2023-11-21 13:39:36 +0000 UTCThere's a few hacks for that problem. Get set up at the end of the weekend's work-time. Leave out the tools for your weekly practice. Get a big trash-can and put it next to your vise. As you make shavings during practice, they go straight into the trash. No floor. No sweeping. In and out fast.
Rex Krueger
2023-11-21 13:39:14 +0000 UTCAnother thing is small goals. Pick the smallest skill you can and hone that. Glad the video was helpful!
Rex Krueger
2023-11-21 13:37:40 +0000 UTCMan, that quote hits home. "Past time" is truly the graveyard of many good solos.
Rex Krueger
2023-11-21 13:36:53 +0000 UTCWow, 3 years and you're not sick of me yet?
Rex Krueger
2023-11-21 13:36:01 +0000 UTCSeems like a fine project. I wouldn't overthink it. A construction lumber stand will work just as well as a fancy hardwood one.
Rex Krueger
2023-11-21 13:35:40 +0000 UTCWell, you have an unusually healthy attitude!
Rex Krueger
2023-11-21 13:34:51 +0000 UTCI'm really glad it was helpful!
Rex Krueger
2023-11-21 13:34:26 +0000 UTCHaving more time in the shop isn't always the best. I average about 4 hours a day. I feel the pressure to create projects instead of improving my skills. I really need to step back and slow down. Practice is something I need to do more.
Skully Wood and Metal
2023-11-21 13:22:40 +0000 UTCIf they can carve it would make a nice decorative comb. I thought you were giving instructions for making tendon wedges. Some of the stake furniture seem to start with "make 4 times as many wedges as you will have stakes".
Madeleine Yeh
2023-11-20 18:10:45 +0000 UTCI've got an idea for a video on practicing your backsaw skills. Tell the viewers there is a surprise near the end of the video. Using a thin piece of scrap, put a cut line about 1/2-3/4" from the end. Then make a series of parallel cut lines ~1/8" apart. Make them all about 3/4" deep. You can probably see where this is going. Once the cuts are made, they can cut that piece off about 1/2-3/4" from the last cut. Then they can shape and sand it, including inside the cuts, and make a hair comb. A piece of "practice scrap" that can turn into a useful gift. At least for those with hair.
Michael Bennett
2023-11-20 05:44:17 +0000 UTCI could see this working as 1-minute shorts. Name the daily task, list things to watch out for or common mistakes, and how to correct them. Then end with "OK. Now let's get practicing".
Michael Bennett
2023-11-20 04:48:20 +0000 UTCMaybe a micro skill play list even? 😁
Duncan Haigh
2023-11-19 19:54:10 +0000 UTCProbably my favourite video I've seen on the channel for ages. Love the micro skill improvement thing, and I'm always wishing I had more time and energy to commit to my woodwork. More like this please!
Duncan Haigh
2023-11-19 19:52:37 +0000 UTCGreat video Rex and crew. Very timely, especially for the holiday season ahead. Thank you and best wishes to you, the crew and all of your families for a wonderful holiday season.
Matt Evans-Koch
2023-11-18 22:02:26 +0000 UTCHow come a video about using ten minutes effectively is seventeen minutes long?
Richard C von Brecht
2023-11-18 16:27:21 +0000 UTCSo many workshop made tools and jigs are little more than practice projects. I’m working on Rex’s saw vice. It really doesn’t need dove tails. You could use any of a number of other joints but it is dovetail practice. I have a couple of wooden clamps I built that taught me how to create facets on the handles. I have a couple of the squares. Neither are square but I learned. The second was closer than the first. I do have a store bought the square but, practice. Thanks Rex
Chris St. Cyr
2023-11-18 16:11:17 +0000 UTCAnother great video. The first thing I try to do with that scrap of time is cleanup and putaway...both are weak areas for me. While doing that I try to come up with better ways to organize my tools. Nothing disturbs my "Wa" more than not being able to lay my hand on the tool I need. There's always a chisel that needs a touch up of course, but when you dive into the scrap pile for practice remember to fix some of your less than perfect cuts. When you tackle the big project you are still going to make less than perfect cuts on pieces you need to keep. Better to have confidence that you have a practiced fix in your quiver;)
John Griswold
2023-11-18 15:31:57 +0000 UTCFantastic video. I always love how down-to-earth your videos are, fighting against the Insta-tide and reminding us of the value of practice and that the result doesn't have to be perfect to give us pleasure as woodworkers. Great stuff!
Graham Dumas
2023-11-18 15:30:25 +0000 UTCAnother problem is that 10 minutes is not enough to setup and get started. Practice might have to be divided into 1) clean up. 2) Decide on next practice effort. 3). check on tools needed for practice effort -- sharpen if needed. 4). Practice. 5) clean up. This would be 10 minute segments but it would take 5 of them.
Madeleine Yeh
2023-11-18 14:51:14 +0000 UTCAs I start my journey into woodworking I’m not happy with my results. A former tool and die guy I made metal work to the 0001 in some projects. But I guess I forgot it took 20-30 years to get there every time. What you said is true patience and practice are the key. Thanks for the pep talk Rex
Larry Grigsby
2023-11-18 14:41:44 +0000 UTCI also heard that "perfection is the enemy of progress" as well as my favorite, "Don't try to be perfect. Be really good and keep getting better. It's much more useful."
Sean McGown
2023-11-18 13:48:25 +0000 UTCFrom a passage from a book by the esteemed trumpet teacher, James Thompson. It is germain to your observations about sometimes getting worse while practicing something: "When a player makes a mistake, he often slips into Past Time even as he continues to play. His attention focuses on the mistake he made, and he neglects the note he's presently playing. This can result in a cascade of blunders whereby one mistake leads to another and ultimately, to disaster. Ironically, playing a passage well can trigger a similar chain of events. The player slips into Past Time, reflecting upon how well he did something, and neglects the note he's presently playing. I rarely hear a player miss the highest (most important?) note in a passage. If there's a mis take, it is usually occurs shortly afterwards."
Sean McGown
2023-11-18 13:37:51 +0000 UTCSuch great advice! I have been listening to you for 3 years and I learned a lot today! Thanks!
Gerald Eddy
2023-11-18 13:01:50 +0000 UTCHave a great project idea because I am having a hard time deciding what to go with. A stand for a 18 inch wood lathe.
Karl Weuste
2023-11-18 12:52:38 +0000 UTCI personally am totally un-obsessed with projects. I rather love wood for it's beauty and tools for their form and efficiency.
Raul Kääp
2023-11-18 12:30:30 +0000 UTCThis was exactly what I needed to hear, thanks for another great video!
Bas Vermeyden
2023-11-18 12:20:02 +0000 UTC
