# STL 169.5: Bonus Episode - Maplewoodshop

- Show: [Shop Talk Live](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/shop-talk-live)
- Published: 2018-08-10
- Length: 33m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/shop-talk-live/2018-08-10-stl-169-5-bonus-episode-maplewoodshop
- Listen: https://shoptalklive.podcast.static.taunton.com/stl-1695-bonus-episode-maplewood-shop

## Summary

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.

## Chapters

- [0:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/shop-talk-live/2018-08-10-stl-169-5-bonus-episode-maplewoodshop#t=0) Introduction: The decline of shop class and Michael Schlaff's background
- [1:09](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/shop-talk-live/2018-08-10-stl-169-5-bonus-episode-maplewoodshop#t=69) The Maplewoodshop origin: From maker show to portable program
- [2:01](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/shop-talk-live/2018-08-10-stl-169-5-bonus-episode-maplewoodshop#t=121) Training teachers: The 'crawl, walk, run' curriculum and safety rules
- [7:12](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/shop-talk-live/2018-08-10-stl-169-5-bonus-episode-maplewoodshop#t=432) Standardized materials: 1x6 pine, simple joinery, and tool selection
- [11:26](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/shop-talk-live/2018-08-10-stl-169-5-bonus-episode-maplewoodshop#t=686) STEM integration: LED projects, geometry, and physics lessons
- [17:02](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/shop-talk-live/2018-08-10-stl-169-5-bonus-episode-maplewoodshop#t=1022) The portable toolbox: Dimensions, capacity, and classroom logistics
- [20:54](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/shop-talk-live/2018-08-10-stl-169-5-bonus-episode-maplewoodshop#t=1254) Iterative design: Feedback loops, community feedback, and tool maintenance
- [25:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/shop-talk-live/2018-08-10-stl-169-5-bonus-episode-maplewoodshop#t=1500) Scalability: Remote training, camps, and the grassroots model

## Topics

- [Industrial & consumer product design](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/industrial-design)
- [Careers & education](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/engineering-careers-and-education)
- [Materials & manufacturing processes](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/materials-and-processes)
- [Starting a product company](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/starting-a-company)
- [Validation & product-market fit](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/validation-and-product-market-fit)

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies

## Mentioned

- The Maplewoodshop (product)
- Taunton Press (company)
- Find Homebuilding (product)
- Keep Craft Alive (other)
- Asphalt Green (company)
- Codfish Park Design (company)
- Tyler Merson (other)
- George Walker (other)
- Jim Tolpin (other)
- By Hand and Eye (product)
- Joe Yucha (other)
- Bank Street school (company)
- Tormek T8 (tool)
- Pulsaw (tool)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [Filling the Skills Gap One Student at a Time w/ Matt Guse](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-manufacturing-executive/2021-05-25-filling-the-skills-gap-one-student-at-a-time-w-matt-guse) (The Manufacturing Executive)
- [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)
- [Making It #019: Learning to teach](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/making-it/2015-04-29-making-it-019-learning-to-teach) (Making It)
- [Episode 141: Jimmy Two-Shows](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/making-it/2017-10-27-episode-141-jimmy-two-shows) (Making It)
- [84: You Can't Make Money Taking Tests](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2015-01-14-84-you-cant-make-money-taking-tests) (Embedded.fm)

## 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/2018-08-10-stl-169-5-bonus-episode-maplewoodshop. 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.