Craftsmanship is rarely fast… This is something that I am alway having to relearn.

I finished the first prototype of my beginner woodworking learning module, a project that teaches measuring, sawing, fitting, sanding, and assembly by building a small cedar box. Now I’m back at the bench with the completed project beside me, working through the manual one operation at a time. It’s amazing how many little improvements you find once you can compare the written instructions to an actual build. The prototype teaches you how to build the project. Going back through the manual teaches me how to teach it.

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

Happy Friday!!! I have just received the first part of the linseed oil/pine tar treatment for the shop cedar siding… I will hopefully apply it to one or two sides this weekend. It is 1:1:1 parts boiled linseed oil, pine tar, and mineral spirits. I will end up applying two coats. Should last longer and look better than paint. What do you have planned this weekend? #asknostr #grownostr #diy

I’ve been working on a hands-on shop class… Focused on building real skills with tools, measurement, and fabrication. It’s still coming together, but if you want to follow along or get in early, here’s the waitlist.

Fabricator's Field Guide -

Guided Fabrication Program Waitlist - Fabricator's Field Guide

Guided Fabrication Program I am developing a cohort-based format for those who want structured progression through the Fabricator’s Field Guide c...

Had a conversation with a CNC repair technician working on one of our very specialized machines. I mentioned I’ve been building a class around basic shop skills… tools, measurement, and problem solving. He said the older experienced guys are leaving his company, and there’s no one there to teach this kind of work anymore. It made me realize there is a real shortage of places where you can learn the practical skills this kind of work depends on. Curious how many people have run into that in their field? #asknostr #grownostr

So, if capital gains tax is a tax on your fiat currency gains on your investment… And inflation causes all prices to rise… including your investment… Then, our government is taxing us on their devaluation of the currency… Sounds about right…

I am working on an essential tools list for beginners… One of the tools I suggest is a pair of groove joint pliers. However, I really think the Knipex Cobra Plier looks to be superior. Does anyone have experience with this brand? I may have to test one! #asknostr #grownostr #tools

A tape measure works well for rough measurements, but it’s limited by the divisions printed on the tape. Most tapes only go down to a thirty second of an inch, which means anything smaller requires estimating between the lines. Calipers remove that guesswork by giving you a direct reading of the measurement.

A simple shop tool that’s easy to overlook… but once you start using it, it changes how you measure things. This week’s video is a beginner’s introduction to calipers and the different ways they can measure parts in the shop. How to Use Calipers (Beginner’s Guide)

Been heads-down the past few weeks building something… I’ve been teaching maker skills on YouTube for 2 years now… 80+ videos, 1200+ subscribers, but it’s all been scattered. So I’m creating a structured curriculum. Hand tools → woodworking → metalworking → CAD → designing for manufacturing. The full path from zero to making real things... More soon. Cheers!

TOOL TIP TUESDAY: The combination disc/belt sander is one of those tools you don’t think about much until you really need it. Then it becomes the hero of the shop! It handles quick miter touch-ups, rough sharpening on knives or chisels, and freehand shaping on wood handles. Not flashy, rarely talked about, but incredibly handy when the moment hits. #Woodworking #DIY #ToolTipTuesday #FabricatorsFieldGuide #grownostr

I’ve been slowly building an e-book since the summer, and I made some great progress on it this weekend. It’s now sitting at about 40 pages. It’s a beginner-friendly guide to the main woodworking machines I use in my own shop, written from my real experience. Every tool in the book is one I actually own and use, and the photos are all from my shop. The goal is to help new woodworkers figure out which machines really matter and how to build a capable home shop without wasting money. Getting close to wrapping up the draft. More updates soon… #woodworking #diy #grownostr