A Simple Solution for Repetitive Work

The One Tool That Saves My Sanity

Here’s an interesting thing about me and woodworking: I hate making the same project twice. Once I’ve solved the problem, figured out the joinery, wrestled the piece into submission, I’m done. My brain checks out. The challenge is gone, and frankly, so is my interest.

But there’s one exception to my rule, and it happens in my beginner dovetail classes.

For years now, I’ve been teaching students to make the same box. It’s a simple design, sized to hold quarter sheets of 8 1/2 x 11 paper, with one or two dovetails at each corner and a thin 1mm Finnish birch bottom held in place with small brass pins. Nothing fancy, but it’s the perfect vehicle for learning dovetails without the overwhelm. And as a bonus? It’s a perfect storage solution for reusing paper. Simply rip full sheets into quarters and now you’ve got note paper at your disposal whenever you need it.

Since I prep all the material myself, that means cutting the same dimensions over and over and over again.

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Now, I could pull out a tape measure. I could write down the numbers. I could (and here’s where it all goes sideways) do math. But I’ve got a saying about that: numbers lead to math, math leads to mistakes, and mistakes lead to drinking. And while I enjoy a whiskey once and awhile, I’d rather not need it at 10 a.m. on a Tuesday.

So years ago, I made myself a story stick.

If you’ve never used one, a story stick is basically a cheat code for your shop. It’s a piece of wood with all the measurements you need marked directly on it. No numbers, no math, no margin for error. Mine has the length of the long sides, the short sides, and the thickness of the material all laid out in simple, visual marks.

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Because dovetails are through joinery, those same measurements also tell me exactly how big to size the bottom panel. Everything I need to know lives on this one stick. I can grab it, reference it, and cut with confidence. No hunting for old notes. No measuring an existing box and hoping I’m remembering it right. Just the stick.

I’ll be honest: I don’t have a collection of story sticks. Like I said, I don’t usually make the same thing twice. But for this box, in this class, it’s been amazing. It speeds up my prep work, keeps everything consistent, and lets me focus on what actually matters: helping my students learn to cut clean pins and tails.

If you find yourself building multiples of anything (whether it’s boxes, cutting boards, or shelves for your buddy who keeps asking), a story stick is absolutely your friend.

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Want to learn dovetails without the stress?
I teach private woodworking classes, both in person and online, where you can make this exact box and walk away with skills that’ll last a lifetime. Whether you’re brand new to hand tools or just want to sharpen your joinery game, I’ll meet you where you’re at. Interested? Reach out and let’s talk about setting up a session that works for you.