Hardware Podcasts

Shop Talk Live 23: Cuba's Forgotten Furniture Masterpieces

Shop Talk Live · 11 Jan 2013 · 56m

What this episode covers

Ed Pirnik shares his findings from a trip to Cuba, describing the decimation of Cuban mahogany forests through the construction of homes and furniture, and the history of the wood's use in shipbuilding. Matt Kenney and Mike Pekovich then address listener questions, comparing shapers to router tables, recommending specific shoulder planes like those from Veritas and Lee Nielsen, and discussing the utility of radio arm saws and calipers. The hosts also debate the philosophy of using power tools to build hand-tool storage and advise on purchasing used jointers.

Most relevant to

makers and hobbyists

Topics

Mentioned

Companies
Veritas, Lee Nielsen, DeWalt, Harbor Freight, Grizzly, Delta, Oliver
Tools
Radio arm saw, Shaper, Router table, Sliding caliper, Jointer
Materials
Cuban mahogany, Spanish cedar, Butternut

Related episodes from other shows

Other shows on the same ground, closest first.

  • Making It · 1h 07m

    420: People Who Cut Wood

    Jimmy Diresta, Bob Clagett, and David Picciuto discuss their current projects, including Diresta's Graveyard House series and leather bag production, Clagett's rental property renovations, and Clagett's shop cleaning. They share personal reflections on solitude, family dynamics, and the value of vintage machinery, specifically highlighting Keith Rucker's restoration of a massive wheel bandsaw. The conversation also touches on the emotional weight of letting go of family heirlooms, like a non-tunable player piano, and the importance of supportive communities in maker culture.

    Materials & manufacturing processesScaling production
    8 chapters

  • Making It · 59m

    Episode 163: Live Edge Bowling Ball

    Jimmy Diresta, Bob Clagett, and David Picciuto discuss the longevity of design styles, contrasting timeless clean lines with ephemeral trends like river tables and burnt wood. David Picciuto details a significant failure involving warped plywood in a large cabinet project, while Jimmy Diresta shares his experience at the Carolina Shoe Factory and his work on a live-edge puzzle. The hosts also debate the material properties of epoxy versus glass in river tables and the future of furniture design, including 3D printing.

    Industrial & consumer product designMaterials & manufacturing processes
    6 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 · 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 19m

    362: If there’s nobody else on that throne….

    Jimmy Diresta, Bob Clagett, and David Picciuto discuss their current projects, including Diresta’s 9-foot CNC-ringed cup for a Miami nightclub, Clagett’s restoration of a Case 590 backhoe, and Picciuto’s walnut-sided electric piano. The hosts share various life hacks, ranging from shop safety tips like using metal trash can lids to snuff fires, to practical woodworking advice involving CA glue and spacers. They also touch on the challenges of client management, the technical intricacies of restoring vintage machinery, and the complexities of managing digital identities with Apple's email services.

    Prototyping & iterationMaterials & manufacturing processes
    10 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.