Shop Talk Live · 27 Dec 2013 · 42m
Mike Pekovich, Fine Woodworking's executive art director and former indie rock musician, joins editors Ed Burnick and Asa Christiana to discuss woodworking for profit and technical tool selection. Pekovich explains the distinction between hobbyist and professional tools, emphasizing that while pros prioritize speed and durability, serious hobbyists can achieve equal quality with more time. The conversation covers specific technical decisions, such as grinding table saw blades to 7.5 degrees for dovetails and managing slurry on 8000-grit waterstones. Pekovich also details his strategy for securing commission work through word-of-mouth and a curated Squarespace portfolio, noting the high cost of lumber and the importance of personal connection in sales.
early-stage companies
Other shows on the same ground, closest first.
Jimmy Diresta, Bob Clagett, and David Picciuto discuss major life and business updates, including Diresta buying a commercial building to house his office and production, Clagett completing a large post-and-beam barn, and Picciuto planning a costly garage expansion. They also cover Clagett's acquisition of a massive 4-foot throat railway bandsaw, the success of Workbench Con, and the technical details of finishing wood and metal projects.
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.
Jimmy Diresta, Bob Clagett, and David Picciuto discuss the tension between perfection and profit in their maker businesses. Jimmy Diresta details a commission for a Brompton Cafe sign where he chose to cut 14-gauge steel with a bandsaw instead of a water jet to meet a tight deadline, learning new welding and filing techniques in the process. Bob Clagett shares his strategy of pricing by the day rather than the hour and explains why he avoids commission work to maintain creative control, while David Picciuto discusses the realities of selling handmade goods at flea markets and the importance of setting client expectations regarding durability.
Jimmy Diresta, Bob Clagett, and David Picciuto discuss the challenge of having more hobbies than time, with David detailing his development of a new shellac-based wood finish and Jimmy building a utility cart and acquiring a massive 1880s Fay & Egan band saw. The conversation explores the psychological pressure of serial learning, the impact of social media algorithms on creators, and the importance of prioritizing deep work over broad consumption. They also share recommendations for other creators and artistic content.
Jimmy Diresta, Bob Clagett, and David Picciuto discuss their current projects, including Diresta's new X-Tool laser welder and plasma table, Clagett's edge banding dispenser, and Picciuto's broken Trotec laser tube. They share a detailed lesson on commission work, emphasizing the importance of sticking to a job even when losing money, managing client expectations, and separating learning from earning. The hosts also review content from Hank's Channel, the Pete and Sebastian podcast, and Little King Goods, while discussing the upcoming Neutron movie trailer.
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.