# STL 125: Don't eat the shellac

- Show: [Shop Talk Live](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/shop-talk-live)
- Published: 2016-11-25
- Length: 56m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/shop-talk-live/2016-11-25-stl-125-dont-eat-the-shellac
- Listen: https://shoptalklive.podcast.static.taunton.com/-stl-125-dont-eat-the-shellac

## Summary

Host Tom McKenna and editors Mike Pekovic, Matt Kinney, and Ben Strano discuss non-toxic wood finishes, debating the safety of milk paint, shellac, and linseed oil. They share their all-time favorite Fine Woodworking articles, including pieces on Shaker furniture history, Michael Fortune’s steam bending techniques, and the Haramu knockdown workbench. The team also answers listener questions about building a Shaker workbench with a Festool Domino, choosing between standard and thin-kerf blades, and constructing a massive 11-foot oak dining table.

## Chapters

- [0:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/shop-talk-live/2016-11-25-stl-125-dont-eat-the-shellac#t=0) Introduction and Highland Woodworker TV
- [5:08](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/shop-talk-live/2016-11-25-stl-125-dont-eat-the-shellac#t=308) Non-Toxic Finishes: Milk Paint and Shellac
- [13:19](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/shop-talk-live/2016-11-25-stl-125-dont-eat-the-shellac#t=799) Favorite Article: Shaker Furniture History
- [22:39](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/shop-talk-live/2016-11-25-stl-125-dont-eat-the-shellac#t=1359) Favorite Article: Michael Fortune on Steam Bending
- [26:51](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/shop-talk-live/2016-11-25-stl-125-dont-eat-the-shellac#t=1611) Favorite Article: The Haramu Knockdown Workbench
- [30:14](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/shop-talk-live/2016-11-25-stl-125-dont-eat-the-shellac#t=1814) Listener Q&A: Shaker Workbench and Festool Domino
- [34:32](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/shop-talk-live/2016-11-25-stl-125-dont-eat-the-shellac#t=2072) Listener Q&A: Standard vs. Thin-Kerf Blades
- [38:21](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/shop-talk-live/2016-11-25-stl-125-dont-eat-the-shellac#t=2301) Favorite Technique: Measuring Furniture and Jam Chucks
- [51:10](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/shop-talk-live/2016-11-25-stl-125-dont-eat-the-shellac#t=3070) Listener Q&A: Building an 11-Foot Oak Dining Table

## Topics

- [Materials & manufacturing processes](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/materials-and-processes)
- [Fabrication & craft](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/fabrication-and-craft)
- [Validation & product-market fit](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/validation-and-product-market-fit)
- [Creator business](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/creator-business)
- [Careers & education](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/engineering-careers-and-education)

## Most relevant to

makers and hobbyists

## Mentioned

- Find Woodworking Magazine (company)
- Highland Woodworker (company)
- Festool Domino (tool)
- Haramu Workbench (product)
- Michael Fortune (other)
- Kelly Dunton (other)
- Chris Bexford (other)
- Andrew Hunter (other)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [436: In Case I Saw A Witch Fly By](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/making-it/2024-03-29-436-in-case-i-saw-a-witch-fly-by) (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)
- [430: I Want This Finish To Be Drinkable](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/making-it/2024-02-16-430-i-want-this-finish-to-be-drinkable) (Making It)
- [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 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/2016-11-25-stl-125-dont-eat-the-shellac. 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.