STL182.5 - Veneer Master Craig Thibodeau

Shop Talk Live · 8 Feb 2019 · 49m

What this episode covers

Furniture maker and author Craig Thibodeau discusses his transition from mechanical engineering to professional woodworking, his expertise in veneering and marquetry, and his recent book, The Craft of Veneering. He explains how he developed a niche in mechanical furniture with hidden compartments and moving parts, emphasizing the tight tolerances and engineering required. Thibodeau offers advice on the financial realities of becoming a full-time woodworker, the role of trade shows versus social media in marketing, and strategies for incorporating veneer and inlay into solid wood projects.

Mentioned

Products
The Craft of Veneering
Materials
Amilite, Ziplex
Also
ctfinefurniture.com, Fine Woodworking, Paul Schirsch

Other shows on the same ground, closest first.

  • Making It · 1h 14m

    466: This is My Workshop Trumpet

    Jimmy Diresta, Bob Clagett, and David Picciuto discuss their recent projects, including Jimmy's ultra-thin CNC sign, Bob's sound diffuser, and David's foam-and-veneer plant stand, while reflecting on workflow issues with iMovie and Final Cut. The hosts share personal updates on managing physical limitations, shifting focus to less labor-intensive work like leather crafting, and planning future artistic and large-scale woodworking projects. They also exchange recommendations for other maker channels, highlighting techniques in CNC, 3D printing, and cinematic video production.

  • Making It · 1h 18m

    436: In Case I Saw A Witch Fly By

    Jimmy Diresta, Bob Clagett, and David Picciuto discuss the challenge of having more hobbies than time, with David detailing his development of a new shellac-based wood finish and Jimmy building a utility cart and acquiring a massive 1880s Fay & Egan band saw. The conversation explores the psychological pressure of serial learning, the impact of social media algorithms on creators, and the importance of prioritizing deep work over broad consumption. They also share recommendations for other creators and artistic content.

  • 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 · 1h 19m

    503: It’s Made Me a More Fearless Maker

    Jimmy Diresta, Bob Clagett, and David Picciuto celebrate the 11th anniversary of the Making It podcast, reflecting on how the maker community and technology have evolved. Jimmy discusses hosting a new Test Equity series at Henkel's Loctite labs, while David shares his experience at a Klingspor woodworking event and his progress on a hand-carved marble table and a leather-and-steel chair. Bob details his shop setup, a rental property renovation, and his shift toward artistic projects like blacksmithing and laser cutting.

  • Being an Engineer · 34m

    Jared Geddes | Sell Your Woodworking CAD/Drawings Designs Online

    Jared Geddes, a Boeing design engineering lead and creator of The Evening Woodworker, explains how he monetizes his woodworking hobby by selling digital CAD models and drawings. He details his automated e-commerce setup using Wix and PayPal, which delivers SketchUp files and 2D engineering drawings directly to customers. Geddes also discusses his approach to learning woodworking through project-based skill acquisition and his experiences with humanitarian engineering through Engineers Without Borders.

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.