# STL 49: Power Tool Power

- Show: [Shop Talk Live](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/shop-talk-live)
- Published: 2014-01-10
- Length: 59m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/shop-talk-live/2014-01-10-stl-49-power-tool-power
- Listen: https://shoptalklive.libsyn.com/stl-49-power-tool-power

## Summary

Fine Woodworking editors Mike Pekovich, Matt Kenney, and Ed Kernick discuss the reality of power tool horsepower ratings, explaining that amperage is a more reliable indicator of sustainable power than marketing claims. They advise on selecting wood species for workbenches, comparing oak, maple, and ash, and debate the merits of frame-and-panel versus solid drawer fronts for kitchen cabinets. The episode also covers technical details of bent laminations for a Morris chair, the business of selling commissioned furniture, and specific tool recommendations including Sigma Power sharpening stones and Vacu Clamp Pro Glue.

## Chapters

- [0:06](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/shop-talk-live/2014-01-10-stl-49-power-tool-power#t=6) Introduction and Listener Story
- [5:19](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/shop-talk-live/2014-01-10-stl-49-power-tool-power#t=319) Power Tool Horsepower and Amperage
- [12:32](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/shop-talk-live/2014-01-10-stl-49-power-tool-power#t=752) Workbench Wood Selection
- [16:33](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/shop-talk-live/2014-01-10-stl-49-power-tool-power#t=993) Favorite Tools: Sharpening Stones and Storage
- [31:30](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/shop-talk-live/2014-01-10-stl-49-power-tool-power#t=1890) Kitchen Cabinet Drawer Design
- [34:32](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/shop-talk-live/2014-01-10-stl-49-power-tool-power#t=2072) Bent Laminations and Glue Selection
- [39:47](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/shop-talk-live/2014-01-10-stl-49-power-tool-power#t=2387) Business of Commissioned Furniture
- [49:07](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/shop-talk-live/2014-01-10-stl-49-power-tool-power#t=2947) Miter Saw Advice and Shellac Tips

## Topics

- [Materials & manufacturing processes](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/materials-and-processes)
- [Pricing, margins & unit economics](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/pricing-and-unit-economics)
- [Marketing & brand](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/marketing-and-brand)
- [Industrial & consumer product design](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/industrial-design)
- [Validation & product-market fit](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/validation-and-product-market-fit)

## Most relevant to

makers and hobbyists

## Mentioned

- Sigma Power (product)
- Norton (product)
- Vacu Clamp (company)
- Pro Glue (product)
- Baltic birch (material)
- Gorilla Glue (product)
- Shop Fox (product)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [Making It #010: If it looks straight….](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/making-it/2015-02-26-making-it-010-if-it-looks-straight) (Making It)
- [Episode 162: An eyeball, tongue, ear and 2 big thumbs](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/making-it/2018-03-30-episode-162-an-eyeball-tongue-ear-and-2-big-thumbs) (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 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)
- [Episode 157: Wizard Robes](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/making-it/2018-02-23-episode-157-wizard-robes) (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/2014-01-10-stl-49-power-tool-power. 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.