Making It · 3 Jan 2020 · 1h 11m
Jimmy Diresta, Bob Clagett, and David Picciuto discuss their holiday breaks, new tool acquisitions, and plans for 2020. Jimmy Diresta details his acquisition of a Bridgeport mill and South Bend lathe, while Bob Clagett talks about maintaining his shop and experimenting with gunsmithing. David Picciuto shares his struggle with creative burnout from weekly woodworking videos and his goal to pivot to broader content, aiming for 2 million subscribers.
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Asa Christiana and Matt Kenney of Fine Woodworking magazine discuss their career paths, the challenges of balancing safety with realistic shop photography, and practical advice on buying lumber and selecting routers. They also address listener questions about lacquer finishes and explain why they discontinued the video podcast format due to low viewership and production effort.
Erik Curtis, a furniture maker and YouTuber based in Philadelphia, joins Shop Talk Live to discuss the realities of running a woodworking business, teaching, and creating content. Curtis and hosts Amanda and Vic explore the myth of the solitary furniture maker, arguing that modern makers must diversify through teaching, writing, and media to sustain their craft. They debate the role of YouTube in woodworking, distinguishing between entertainment-focused channels and those that provide substantive technical education, while addressing the accessibility of high-end tools versus the necessity of skill. The conversation also covers design philosophy, emphasizing the importance of grain selection, proportion, and stripping away excessive ornamentation to achieve clear, functional aesthetics.
Owen Madden, the new assistant editor at Fine Woodworking, discusses his transition from professional cabinet shops to his role as a 'citizen woodworker,' sharing advice on gaining experience in production environments. Logan Whittmer of Popular Woodworking joins to promote the upcoming Woodworking in America event and Mark Harrell’s saw sharpening course. The hosts also address listener questions regarding bandsaw resawing techniques and the challenges of maintaining sharp tools in a busy shop.
Dan Provost of Studio Neat discusses his completed custom Stratocaster-style guitar build, detailing the woodworking, finishing, and hybrid design choices. He and co-host Tom Gerhardt review the ongoing production status of the Keen pen, noting supply chain delays but positive early user feedback. The conversation shifts to Studio Neat's strategic pivot toward a 'new lean' operational model, leveraging AI to maintain product opinion and quality without excessive headcount. Finally, the hosts debate the future of all-in-one computers versus modular setups in an era of ambient computing.
Bridgid Gruber of Dinkle's Woodshop joins hosts Ben and Amanda to discuss what she would tell her younger self after starting woodworking eight years ago. Gruber, a former engineer turned video editor, shares advice on avoiding niche jigs like router dovetail jigs, understanding power tool physics, and the value of taking classes or joining maker spaces. The conversation highlights her work editing workshops for Fine Woodworking and Lost Art Press, emphasizing that making woodworking accessible and overcoming the fear of mistakes are key to growth.
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