# Shop Talk Live 14: Who Needs Half-Blind Dovetails?

- Show: [Shop Talk Live](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/shop-talk-live)
- Published: 2012-08-31
- Length: 1h 08m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/shop-talk-live/2012-08-31-shop-talk-live-14-who-needs-half-blind-dovetails
- Listen: https://shoptalklive.libsyn.com/shop-talk-live-14-who-needs-half-blind-dovetails-0

## Summary

Fine Woodworking editors Mike Pekovich, Matt Kenney, and Ed Pirnik discuss woodworking techniques, including the debate over half-blind dovetails, wood selection, and finishing. They answer listener questions on choosing wood species and cuts, applying shellac and wiping varnishes, and sanding grits. The hosts also compare workbench vices, discuss the value of formal versus informal woodworking education, and review tools like the Grizzly 19-inch bandsaw and Lee Nielsen twin-screw vice.

## Chapters

- [0:06](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/shop-talk-live/2012-08-31-shop-talk-live-14-who-needs-half-blind-dovetails#t=6) Introduction and Teaching Announcements
- [1:01](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/shop-talk-live/2012-08-31-shop-talk-live-14-who-needs-half-blind-dovetails#t=61) Grooving Planes and Card Scrapers
- [6:04](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/shop-talk-live/2012-08-31-shop-talk-live-14-who-needs-half-blind-dovetails#t=364) Wood Selection and Grain Orientation
- [11:59](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/shop-talk-live/2012-08-31-shop-talk-live-14-who-needs-half-blind-dovetails#t=719) Furniture Finishing: Shellac and Wiping Varnish
- [16:49](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/shop-talk-live/2012-08-31-shop-talk-live-14-who-needs-half-blind-dovetails#t=1009) Sanding Grits and Surface Preparation
- [19:48](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/shop-talk-live/2012-08-31-shop-talk-live-14-who-needs-half-blind-dovetails#t=1188) Joinery: Pocket Screws and Dovetails
- [24:32](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/shop-talk-live/2012-08-31-shop-talk-live-14-who-needs-half-blind-dovetails#t=1472) Debate: Half-Blind vs. Through Dovetails
- [32:40](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/shop-talk-live/2012-08-31-shop-talk-live-14-who-needs-half-blind-dovetails#t=1960) Workbench Vices and Bench Dogs
- [40:03](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/shop-talk-live/2012-08-31-shop-talk-live-14-who-needs-half-blind-dovetails#t=2403) Formal Education vs. Self-Teaching
- [47:12](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/shop-talk-live/2012-08-31-shop-talk-live-14-who-needs-half-blind-dovetails#t=2832) Favorite Tools: Bandsaws and Jigs
- [56:47](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/shop-talk-live/2012-08-31-shop-talk-live-14-who-needs-half-blind-dovetails#t=3407) Sharpening: Tormac, Microbevels, and Turtle Wax

## Topics

- [Materials & manufacturing processes](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/materials-and-processes)
- [Fabrication & craft](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/fabrication-and-craft)
- [Careers & education](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/engineering-careers-and-education)
- [Sourcing & supply chain](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/sourcing-and-supply-chain)

## Most relevant to

makers and hobbyists

## Mentioned

- Connecticut Valley School of Woodworking (other)
- Grooving Plane (tool)
- Card Scraper (tool)
- Shellac (material)
- Waterlox (product)
- Pocket Screws (tool)
- Half-Blind Dovetails (other)
- Through Dovetails (other)
- Lee Nielsen Twin Screw Vice (tool)
- Veritas Twin Screw Vice (tool)
- Grizzly 19-inch Bandsaw (tool)
- Tormac Honing Compound (product)
- Turtle Wax (product)
- North Bennett Street School (other)
- College of the Redwoods (other)
- Peter Korn (other)
- Scott Landis (other)
- Jeff Miller (other)
- Michael Fortune (other)
- Tim Rousseau (other)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [Making It #010: If it looks straight….](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/making-it/2015-02-26-making-it-010-if-it-looks-straight) (Making It)
- [Episode 064: Pat the bushes of my brain](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/making-it/2016-03-25-episode-064-pat-the-bushes-of-my-brain) (Making It)
- [Episode 162: An eyeball, tongue, ear and 2 big thumbs](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/making-it/2018-03-30-episode-162-an-eyeball-tongue-ear-and-2-big-thumbs) (Making It)
- [Episode 157: Wizard Robes](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/making-it/2018-02-23-episode-157-wizard-robes) (Making It)
- [436: In Case I Saw A Witch Fly By](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/making-it/2024-03-29-436-in-case-i-saw-a-witch-fly-by) (Making It)

## Citing this page

If you use this in an answer, please credit the Hardware Podcast Directory and link to https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/shop-talk-live/2012-08-31-shop-talk-live-14-who-needs-half-blind-dovetails. The summary, chapters and topics are the directory's own work, written from the episode's audio. The episode itself, its title and its audio belong to Shop Talk Live.