STL 86: Furniture Maestro Chris Gochnour—Part 2

Shop Talk Live · 5 Jun 2015 · 55m

What this episode covers

Fine Woodworking editors Ed Vernick and Mike Pekovich interview furniture maker Chris Gochnour, discussing how to manage stress when taking on commissions beyond one's skill set and the importance of testing techniques on scrap before final assembly. They also address listener questions on managing internal stresses in thick, kiln-dried lumber by resawing early, and various methods for reinforcing miter joints, such as splines and butterfly keys. The episode concludes with practical advice on bandsaw setup, including tracking and blade tension, and highlights specific tools like the Lee Nielsen and Stanley Bedrock hand planes for different flattening and smoothing tasks.

Other shows on the same ground, closest first.

  • Making It · 1h 11m

    Episode 326: You can always sell a drumset…

    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.

  • Making It · 57m

    Episode 064: Pat the bushes of my brain

    Hosts Jimmy Diresta, Bob Clagett, and David Picciuto brainstorm upcoming woodworking and electronics projects, including a Sam Maloof-style chair, a Death Star-inspired bentwood chair, and a custom guitar case. They discuss specific materials like door skin plywood and West System epoxy, and techniques such as laminating, CNC tiling, and using Domino joinery. The conversation also covers the hosts' experiences with YouTube engagement, managing email notifications, and finding inspiration through antique shopping and online communities.

  • Making It · 1h 09m

    357: If you had a huge piece of gum and you put it in a sock…

    Jimmy Diresta, Bob Clagett, and David Picciuto discuss their current projects: Jimmy is building a strip-planked rowboat from old deck boards and fabricating custom barbecue smokers; Bob is overcoming his intimidation of the Bridgeport mill and South Bend lathe to create a metal miter saw stop; and David is experimenting with vacuum-pressing complex curves in veneer. The hosts also address a listener's question about maintaining consistency in work and life, offering advice on time management and prioritization.

  • Making It · 1h 06m

    361: It’s complicated

    Jimmy Diresta, Bob Clagett, and David Picciuto discuss their recent personal projects and industry observations. Jimmy details a failed attempt to cool his attic using ridge vents and the resulting HVAC issues, while Bob recounts the success of his 'Jimmy Speedway' go-kart event and the sudden death of his Festool miter saw. David shares his vacation experiences and the high cost of materials like Baltic birch plywood, while the group discusses Japanese tools like Otoro clamps and Toyo Steel toolboxes.

  • Making It · 47m

    Making It #010: If it looks straight….

    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.

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.