# STL 58: Woodworking's an Art—No it's Not

- Show: [Shop Talk Live](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/shop-talk-live)
- Published: 2014-05-02
- Length: 1h 05m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/shop-talk-live/2014-05-02-stl-58-woodworkings-an-art-no-its-not
- Listen: https://shoptalklive.libsyn.com/stl-58-woodworkings-an-artno-its-not

## Summary

Fine Woodworking editors Ed Pernick, Mike Pekovich, and Matt Kenney discuss woodworking techniques and philosophy. They debate whether furniture making is art or craft, advise on tablesaw splitter safety and blanket chest proportions, and explain the nuances of Japanese chisels, including the break-in period for high-hardness steel.

## Chapters

- [0:05](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/shop-talk-live/2014-05-02-stl-58-woodworkings-an-art-no-its-not#t=5) Shaper vs. Router Table Debate
- [5:34](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/shop-talk-live/2014-05-02-stl-58-woodworkings-an-art-no-its-not#t=334) Blanket Chest Design and Joinery
- [10:56](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/shop-talk-live/2014-05-02-stl-58-woodworkings-an-art-no-its-not#t=656) Tablesaw Blade Height and Splitter Safety
- [15:56](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/shop-talk-live/2014-05-02-stl-58-woodworkings-an-art-no-its-not#t=956) Is Furniture Making Art or Craft?
- [26:23](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/shop-talk-live/2014-05-02-stl-58-woodworkings-an-art-no-its-not#t=1583) Lumber Moisture Content and Acclimation
- [30:40](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/shop-talk-live/2014-05-02-stl-58-woodworkings-an-art-no-its-not#t=1840) Handplane Tearout and Blade Angles
- [37:56](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/shop-talk-live/2014-05-02-stl-58-woodworkings-an-art-no-its-not#t=2276) Favorite Tools: Turning and Planing
- [53:29](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/shop-talk-live/2014-05-02-stl-58-woodworkings-an-art-no-its-not#t=3209) Spray Booth Safety and Japanese Chisels

## Topics

- [Mechanical engineering](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/mechanical-engineering)
- [Materials & manufacturing processes](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/materials-and-processes)
- [Industrial & consumer product design](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/industrial-design)
- [Sourcing & supply chain](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/sourcing-and-supply-chain)
- [Sustainability & circular products](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/sustainability-and-circularity)

## Most relevant to

makers and hobbyists

## Mentioned

- Delta (other)
- Lee Nielsen (other)
- Apollo Evo 4 (other)
- Rigid (other)
- Bosch (other)
- Grizzly (other)
- Japan Woodworker (other)
- Brass City Records and Tools (other)
- Forge All (other)

## 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 332: Plywood is good](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/making-it/2021-11-27-episode-332-plywood-is-good) (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)
- [503: It’s Made Me a More Fearless Maker](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/making-it/2025-10-31-503-its-made-me-a-more-fearless-maker) (Making It)
- [438: It Feels Like a Big Boy Saw](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/making-it/2024-04-19-438-it-feels-like-a-big-boy-saw) (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/2014-05-02-stl-58-woodworkings-an-art-no-its-not. 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.