Episode 297: I’m not sick, just 53

Making It · 26 Feb 2021 · 1h 03m

What this episode covers

Jimmy Diresta, Bob Clagett, and David Picciuto discuss their distinct approaches to sketching, prototyping, and using physical tools. Jimmy details his kitchen renovation, including the decision to use rough-cut planks instead of plywood for his barn, while Bob describes building a custom barbecue smoker and leather-bound Field Notes. David explains his workflow using McMaster-Carr and his strategy for building an emotional connection to his tools, specifically a pocket pencil, to enhance creativity.

Mentioned

Products
Field Notes, Bic
Also
McMaster-Carr, Peter Beard, Blondie Hacks, Andrew Wong, YC Imaging, Ticonderoga, Moleskine

Other shows on the same ground, closest first.

  • Shop Talk Live · 57m

    STL 105: Why We Build What We Build

    Host Tom McKenna and editors Mike Pekovich and Matthew Kenny discuss their current home shop projects, including Pekovich's drop-front desk and Kenny's sugar bowl, while answering listener questions on tool selection, scraper usage on black acacia, and joinery for tapered legs. The hosts share their all-time favorite tools of the week—Kenny's jam chuck, Pekovich's routing jigs for half-mortise locks, and McKenna's Record block plane—and address wood color changes in cherry and juniper.

  • Shop Talk Live · 1h 07m

    STL362: Hold the Saw like a Baby Bird

    Jeff Miller, a prolific furniture maker and author, discusses his transition into building classical guitars and skin-on-frame canoes, treating them as new creative challenges. He explains his design philosophy, which applies musical concepts like melody and harmony to furniture curves, and details his rigorous prototyping process involving comfort and aesthetic iterations. Miller also emphasizes the critical importance of body mechanics and proper tool handling, using the 'baby bird' analogy for saw grip to minimize tension and maximize efficiency.

  • Shop Talk Live · 48m

    STL 69: Mike's Goldrush Doppelganger

    Fine Woodworking editors Mike Pekovich, Asa Christiana, and Ed Kernick discuss restoring vintage Miller's Falls hand planes, milling painted reclaimed lumber, and laminating Western Red Cedar for carriage doors. They also share personal anecdotes about finding bargain tools at estate sales and demonstrate a broken screw remover tool from Lee Nielsen. The episode concludes with listener questions on extending drill press handles and comments on the podcast's content.

  • Shop Talk Live · 1h 03m

    STL247: Drop the baseline

    Mike Pekovich, Associate Art Director at Fine Woodworking, explains why he maintains a day job rather than becoming a full-time furniture maker, citing the financial realities of commission work and the value of documenting other woodworkers' craft. He details his custom Texas Heritage apron setup, which holds specific tools like Infinity setup gauges and a KUM pencil sharpener, and discusses his preference for Blackwing and Ticonderoga pencils. The hosts also cover blade maintenance strategies for bandsaws and table saws, emphasizing frequent changes for resawing and cleaning pitch to extend carbide life. Finally, Ben discusses a recent prototype build for a large toolbox, detailing a rabbit joint error he corrected with a hand plane, and the guests explore techniques for avoiding visible marking gauge lines in joinery.

  • Shop Talk Live · 59m

    STL 111: Get to know Garrett Hack better

    Hosts Tom McKenna, Matt Kenny, and Ben Strano answer listener questions on bench vice placement, straightening bowed white oak storm door styles, and chisel sharpening techniques. Special guest Garrett Hack, a furniture designer and contributing editor, discusses his design evolution from Shaker to asymmetrical forms, his life on a New Hampshire farm, and his preference for the low-angle jack plane. The hosts also review their favorite tools, including a Lee Valley Veritas plane and a Freud Diablo saw blade.

The summary, chapters and topics are generated from the episode’s audio by this directory, not written by Making It. The episode itself belongs to its publisher.