# STL 172: You're using your chisels wrong

- Show: [Shop Talk Live](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/shop-talk-live)
- Published: 2018-09-14
- Length: 1h 04m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/shop-talk-live/2018-09-14-stl-172-youre-using-your-chisels-wrong
- Listen: https://shoptalklive.podcast.static.taunton.com/stl-172-youre-using-your-chisels-wrong

## Summary

Host Ben Strano, along with Fine Woodworking editors John Tetro and Mike Pekovich, discuss chisel maintenance, shop climate management, and spoon carving sourcing. They address a listener's question about softening chisel edges, recommending technique adaptation over grinding, and discuss storing wood in freezers or plastic bags to prevent moisture loss. The hosts also share techniques for safe small-piece cutting on table saws and router tables, and debate the impact of blade deflection on fit accuracy.

## Chapters

- [0:06](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/shop-talk-live/2018-09-14-stl-172-youre-using-your-chisels-wrong#t=6) Introduction: Shop Talk Live and Router Table Giveaway
- [5:25](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/shop-talk-live/2018-09-14-stl-172-youre-using-your-chisels-wrong#t=325) Chisel Maintenance: Softening Edges and Handling Sharp Tools
- [13:03](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/shop-talk-live/2018-09-14-stl-172-youre-using-your-chisels-wrong#t=783) Shop Climate: Managing Humidity and Temperature Changes
- [21:07](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/shop-talk-live/2018-09-14-stl-172-youre-using-your-chisels-wrong#t=1267) Woodworking Techniques: Drum Sanding and Micro Rasps
- [26:02](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/shop-talk-live/2018-09-14-stl-172-youre-using-your-chisels-wrong#t=1562) Safety on Table Saws: Paddle Switches and Small Pieces
- [29:59](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/shop-talk-live/2018-09-14-stl-172-youre-using-your-chisels-wrong#t=1799) Bed Design: Using Existing Plans as a Springboard
- [39:41](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/shop-talk-live/2018-09-14-stl-172-youre-using-your-chisels-wrong#t=2381) Spoon Carving: Sourcing and Storing Wood
- [51:51](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/shop-talk-live/2018-09-14-stl-172-youre-using-your-chisels-wrong#t=3111) Technical Discussion: Blade Deflection and Fitting

## 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

- JessEm Tool Company (company)
- Veritas (other)
- Stanley (other)
- Lee Nielsen (other)
- Toshio Dante (other)
- Emmet Van Driesche (other)
- Dave Fisher (other)
- Freud (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 032: Listener Questions](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/making-it/2015-08-13-episode-032-listener-questions) (Making It)
- [Episode 235: Dreams of Modified Tools](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/making-it/2019-11-01-episode-235-dreams-of-modified-tools) (Making It)
- [349: We’ve had a series of ducks…](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/making-it/2022-04-01-349-weve-had-a-series-of-ducks) (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/2018-09-14-stl-172-youre-using-your-chisels-wrong. 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.