# Shop Talk Live 27: Million Dollar Woodworker

- Show: [Shop Talk Live](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/shop-talk-live)
- Published: 2013-03-08
- Length: 1h 16m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/shop-talk-live/2013-03-08-shop-talk-live-27-million-dollar-woodworker
- Listen: https://shoptalklive.libsyn.com/shop-talk-live-27-million-dollar-woodworker

## Summary

Fine Woodworking editors Ed Pernick, Asa Christiana, and Matt Kenny interview master furniture maker Phil Lowe, who discusses his career building high-value period reproductions and conservation pieces for clients like Sotheby's and the Peabody Museum. Lowe explains his preference for efficient hand tool use over flashy aesthetics, details the construction of complex pieces using materials like East Indian rosewood and Gabon ebony, and shares technical advice on layout techniques and finishing. The hosts then answer listener questions regarding wood drying, mortise and tenon joinery, and shop organization, while also discussing rust prevention methods for tools in humid environments.

## Chapters

- [0:07](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/shop-talk-live/2013-03-08-shop-talk-live-27-million-dollar-woodworker#t=7) Introduction: Shop Talk Live Editors and Phil Lowe
- [1:35](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/shop-talk-live/2013-03-08-shop-talk-live-27-million-dollar-woodworker#t=95) Phil Lowe's Workshop and Philosophy on Productivity
- [4:56](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/shop-talk-live/2013-03-08-shop-talk-live-27-million-dollar-woodworker#t=296) Phil Lowe's Navy Background and Education at North Bennett Street
- [13:37](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/shop-talk-live/2013-03-08-shop-talk-live-27-million-dollar-woodworker#t=817) Building Period Reproductions: McIntyre Chairs and Upholstery
- [19:01](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/shop-talk-live/2013-03-08-shop-talk-live-27-million-dollar-woodworker#t=1141) Conservation vs. Restoration and High-Value Commissions
- [25:13](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/shop-talk-live/2013-03-08-shop-talk-live-27-million-dollar-woodworker#t=1513) Sourcing Exotic Materials: Rosewood and Ebony Projects
- [30:31](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/shop-talk-live/2013-03-08-shop-talk-live-27-million-dollar-woodworker#t=1831) Common Layout Mistakes and Hand Tool Efficiency
- [39:57](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/shop-talk-live/2013-03-08-shop-talk-live-27-million-dollar-woodworker#t=2397) Listener Q&A: Finishes, Bench Oils, and Rust Prevention
- [58:22](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/shop-talk-live/2013-03-08-shop-talk-live-27-million-dollar-woodworker#t=3502) Pins vs. Tails: Shop Aprons and Nick Offerman's Wood Drying

## Topics

- [Mechanical engineering](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/mechanical-engineering)
- [Materials & manufacturing processes](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/materials-and-processes)
- [Fabrication & craft](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/fabrication-and-craft)
- [Industrial & consumer product design](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/industrial-design)
- [Sourcing & supply chain](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/sourcing-and-supply-chain)

## Most relevant to

established companies

## Mentioned

- Phil Lowe (other)
- North Bennett Street School (other)
- Furniture Institute of Massachusetts (other)
- Sotheby's (other)
- Peabody Museum (other)
- Oliver woodworking machinery (tool)
- American Eagle woodworking machines (company)
- John Boyd (company)
- Rick Hearn (other)
- Nick Offerman (other)
- Offermanwoodshop.com (other)
- Waterlox (product)
- Goldenrod dehumidifiers (tool)
- Lee Valley (company)
- Duluth Trading Company (company)

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- [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)
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- [Episode 297: I’m not sick, just 53](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/making-it/2021-02-26-episode-297-im-not-sick-just-53) (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/2013-03-08-shop-talk-live-27-million-dollar-woodworker. 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.