# Shop Talk Live 36: Definitely a Dovetail Disaster

- Show: [Shop Talk Live](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/shop-talk-live)
- Published: 2013-07-12
- Length: 45m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/shop-talk-live/2013-07-12-shop-talk-live-36-definitely-a-dovetail-disaster
- Listen: https://shoptalklive.libsyn.com/shop-talk-live-36-definitely-a-dovetail-disaster

## Summary

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.

## Chapters

- [0:06](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/shop-talk-live/2013-07-12-shop-talk-live-36-definitely-a-dovetail-disaster#t=6) Introduction and Podcast Housekeeping
- [3:13](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/shop-talk-live/2013-07-12-shop-talk-live-36-definitely-a-dovetail-disaster#t=193) Preventing Swirl Marks with Random Orbit Sanders
- [7:59](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/shop-talk-live/2013-07-12-shop-talk-live-36-definitely-a-dovetail-disaster#t=479) Quarter Sawn Oak vs. Vertical Grain Douglas Fir
- [10:43](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/shop-talk-live/2013-07-12-shop-talk-live-36-definitely-a-dovetail-disaster#t=643) Wood Movement Disasters: Swollen Doors and Broken Dovetails
- [19:09](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/shop-talk-live/2013-07-12-shop-talk-live-36-definitely-a-dovetail-disaster#t=1149) Guidelines for Fitting Doors and Drawers
- [22:40](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/shop-talk-live/2013-07-12-shop-talk-live-36-definitely-a-dovetail-disaster#t=1360) Accurate Measurement Techniques and Transfer Methods
- [25:59](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/shop-talk-live/2013-07-12-shop-talk-live-36-definitely-a-dovetail-disaster#t=1559) Achieving Black Finish on Oak with Steel Wool and Vinegar
- [28:54](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/shop-talk-live/2013-07-12-shop-talk-live-36-definitely-a-dovetail-disaster#t=1734) Favorite Techniques: Shavings as Tinder and CA Glue Accelerator
- [34:59](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/shop-talk-live/2013-07-12-shop-talk-live-36-definitely-a-dovetail-disaster#t=2099) Mixing Shellac: Volume vs. Weight Measurements
- [39:54](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/shop-talk-live/2013-07-12-shop-talk-live-36-definitely-a-dovetail-disaster#t=2394) Using Reclaimed Lumber and Listener Comments

## 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)
- [Sourcing & supply chain](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/sourcing-and-supply-chain)
- [Validation & product-market fit](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/validation-and-product-market-fit)

## Most relevant to

makers and hobbyists

## Mentioned

- Fine Woodworking magazine (other)
- Veritas (other)
- Taunton Press (company)
- iPad (other)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [Making It #007 : Failure](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/making-it/2015-01-15-making-it-007-failure) (Making It)
- [486: If I Had $300, I Could Do That Too](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/making-it/2025-06-16-486-if-i-had-300-i-could-do-that-too) (Making It)
- [Episode 163: Live Edge Bowling  Ball](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/making-it/2018-04-06-episode-163-live-edge-bowling-ball) (Making It)
- [Episode 033: More listener questions](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/making-it/2015-08-21-episode-033-more-listener-questions) (Making It)
- [Episode 259: Pretty alright woodworking](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/making-it/2020-05-01-episode-259-pretty-alright-woodworking) (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/2013-07-12-shop-talk-live-36-definitely-a-dovetail-disaster. 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.