Hardware Podcasts

STL 169.5: Bonus Episode - Maplewoodshop

Shop Talk Live · 10 Aug 2018 · 33m

What this episode covers

Michael Schlaff, founder of The Maplewoodshop, explains his portable woodworking program designed to bring hands-on shop skills to schools that have eliminated dedicated shop classes. He details the 'crawl, walk, run' curriculum, which trains non-woodworking teachers to lead students using a standardized toolbox containing pull saws, coping saws, and block planes. The program emphasizes safety, simple joinery with 1x6 pine, and iterative design, allowing students to learn engineering and geometry through tangible projects like string art and LED menorahs. Schlaff highlights the program's scalability, noting its ability to fit through standard doorways and support up to 22 students, while providing ongoing support through blade sharpening and online training resources.

Most relevant to

early-stage companies

Topics

Mentioned

Companies
Taunton Press, Asphalt Green, Codfish Park Design, Bank Street school
Products
The Maplewoodshop, Find Homebuilding, By Hand and Eye
Tools
Tormek T8, Pulsaw
Also
Keep Craft Alive, Tyler Merson, George Walker, Jim Tolpin, Joe Yucha

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