Shop Talk Live 36: Definitely a Dovetail Disaster

Shop Talk Live · 12 Jul 2013 · 45m

What this episode covers

Ed Pirnik and Mike Pakovich of Fine Woodworking magazine discuss preventing wood movement issues in furniture, citing Pakovich's experience with a swollen entertainment center and a broken dovetail cabinet due to humidity changes. They provide specific guidelines for fitting doors and drawers, such as leaving 1/16th to 1/8th inch gaps depending on component height, and recommend using tools like the Veritas Wood Movement Calculator. The episode also covers practical workshop tips, including using steel wool and vinegar to achieve a black finish on oak, and using CA glue with accelerator for jig construction.

Other shows on the same ground, closest first.

  • Making It · 40m

    Making It #007 : Failure

    Jimmy Diresta, Bob Clagett, and David Picciuto discuss their recent project failures and the mindset required to overcome them. Bob details a hidden door installation that failed due to a design oversight regarding shelf depth, while Jimmy recounts a butcher block table that delaminated in his humid shop and a brass key that required a complete redesign. David shares stories about a failed Christmas tree lathe project and a maple cabinet that broke during assembly, emphasizing that learning from mistakes is more valuable than avoiding them.

  • Making It · 1h 12m

    486: If I Had $300, I Could Do That Too

    Jimmy Diresta, Bob Clagett, and David Picciuto discuss their recent projects, including Jimmy's giant boot go-kart, Bob's synchronized sliding doors, and David's Yellowstone photography trip. They also address a manufacturing error where one-inch dowels failed to fit into pre-drilled holes, debating solutions like using a lathe or CNC. The episode concludes with recommendations for Tom Sachs, Overland Projects, and a school donation by Printed Solid.

  • 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.

  • Making It · 1h 05m

    Episode 033: More listener questions

    Hosts Jimmy Diresta, Bob Clagett, and David Picciuto answer listener questions about woodworking materials like walnut and teak, safety protocols after Jimmy's table saw injury, and the business of making. They discuss the drivers of the maker movement, including TV shows and YouTube, and offer advice on sourcing reclaimed wood, managing shop fatigue, and starting electronics projects with resources like Adafruit and SparkFun. The conversation also covers dealing with difficult customers, the saturation of YouTube channels, and the importance of community among makers.

  • Making It · 1h 09m

    Episode 259: Pretty alright woodworking

    Jimmy Diresta, Bob Clagett, and David Picciuto discuss their current woodworking projects, including Diresta's giant mallet, Picciuto's detailed birdhouse, and Clagett's ongoing R2-D2 build. The conversation shifts to technical challenges, such as fitting hinges on curved surfaces and the long-term durability of wood versus resin in outdoor furniture. They also share upcoming summer projects, like garden beds and bridges, and recommend tools and media from Fireball Tools and Andrew Klein.

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.