how to make (almost) perfect joints for beginners

Last updated on Sep 29, 2021

Read the previous post in this series here:

how to (sort of) use a chop saw

After my last post, my hope of using the table saw to make my desk flew out the window. I guess since even the best laid plans can fail, I shouldn't be surprised that not planning at all will also lead to failure.

But fear not! My dad has another tool!

This chop saw is much better suited for what I need to do anyway! However, it needs a few modifications before I can do what I need to do.

I need the saw to cut through exactly half the width of my boards, like so:

Unfortunately, the bolt that controls the cutting depth of the saw wasn't long enough for that. Two trips to the hardware store later, I got it to work!

In the first picture, the stop bolt is too short. In the second picture, I've replaced it with a longer one!

Today I learned that metric hardware is much more expensive than customary.

Now, my goal is to make an internal support skeleton for my desk. I need the lumber to be attached together like this:

Except, I want the boards attached together, not just sitting on top of each other.

To accomplish this, I need to make some cuts, but I've never done anything like this before, so you'll get to watch me learn in this spectacularly made video!