Hardware Podcasts

Shop Talk Live 19: All Time Favorite Techniques of All Time

Shop Talk Live · 9 Nov 2012 · 51m

What this episode covers

Fine Woodworking editor Asa Christiana, art director Michael Pekovich, and senior web producer Ed Pirnik discuss the balance between automation and craftsmanship in woodworking, specifically regarding the Domino XL joiner. They answer listener questions about sourcing storm-damaged lumber, selecting scroll saw blades for intarsia, and choosing between combination and double squares. The episode also features a new segment where the hosts share their all-time favorite techniques, including Mike's use of a Brian Boggs scraper sharpening block and Asa's emphasis on physical mockups during design.

Most relevant to

makers and hobbyists

Topics

Mentioned

Companies
Woodmeister, Harbor Freight, DeWalt, Olsen Saw, Freud
Products
Domino XL
Also
Brian Boggs, Stephen Hammer, Steve Ladd, Young Chan

Related episodes from other shows

Other shows on the same ground, closest first.

  • Making It · 57m

    Episode 064: Pat the bushes of my brain

    Hosts Jimmy Diresta, Bob Clagett, and David Picciuto brainstorm upcoming woodworking and electronics projects, including a Sam Maloof-style chair, a Death Star-inspired bentwood chair, and a custom guitar case. They discuss specific materials like door skin plywood and West System epoxy, and techniques such as laminating, CNC tiling, and using Domino joinery. The conversation also covers the hosts' experiences with YouTube engagement, managing email notifications, and finding inspiration through antique shopping and online communities.

    Industrial & consumer product designMaterials & manufacturing processes
    8 chapters

  • Making It · 1h 08m

    Episode 332: Plywood is good

    Jimmy Diresta, Bob Clagett, and David Picciuto discuss recent projects, including Jimmy's construction of a two-stage blacksmith bellows using plywood and his design of a car rotisserie utilizing farm jacks and steel tubing. The hosts debate the value of modern tools like CNC machines versus traditional hand skills, using a Looney Tunes analogy to illustrate how technology prioritizes speed over quality. They also share personal updates, such as David's popcorn bowl experiment and Jimmy's installation of a treehouse zip line, before reflecting on their gratitude for their audience and community.

    Materials & manufacturing processesFabrication & craft
    8 chapters

  • Making It · 47m

    Making It #010: If it looks straight….

    Hosts Jimmy Diresta, Bob Clagett, and David Picciuto discuss listener questions, starting with Diresta's potential action figure campaign through Toy Backer and Clagett's silicone mold making using Smooth-On materials. The trio debates the value of cheap versus expensive tools like those from Harbor Freight and DeWalt, and compares sharpening systems such as the Veritas MK2 and Workshop 3000. They also offer advice on managing workshop space, comparing radial arm saws to table saws, and navigating client relationships in custom woodworking.

    Mechanical engineeringSourcing & supply chain
    6 chapters

  • Making It · 1h 02m

    Episode 179: It’s a napkin holder… WITH A LASER.

    Jimmy Diresta, Bob Clagett, and David Picciuto discuss their recent projects, including Diresta’s acquisition of an antique print shop and Clagett’s aluminum roof rack for his Land Cruiser. The hosts compare their creative processes, with Diresta favoring spontaneous discovery of materials and Clagett using structured digital lists in Airtable. They also touch on the challenges of maintaining a consistent video schedule and the importance of full-scale modeling in woodworking.

    Creator businessFabrication & craft
    8 chapters

  • Making It · 1h 09m

    357: If you had a huge piece of gum and you put it in a sock…

    Jimmy Diresta, Bob Clagett, and David Picciuto discuss their current projects: Jimmy is building a strip-planked rowboat from old deck boards and fabricating custom barbecue smokers; Bob is overcoming his intimidation of the Bridgeport mill and South Bend lathe to create a metal miter saw stop; and David is experimenting with vacuum-pressing complex curves in veneer. The hosts also address a listener's question about maintaining consistency in work and life, offering advice on time management and prioritization.

    Prototyping & iterationMaterials & manufacturing processes
    8 chapters

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