# STL182.5 - Veneer Master Craig Thibodeau

- Show: [Shop Talk Live](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/shop-talk-live)
- Published: 2019-02-08
- Length: 49m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/shop-talk-live/2019-02-08-stl182-5-veneer-master-craig-thibodeau
- Listen: https://shoptalklive.podcast.static.taunton.com/stl1825-veneer-master-craig-thibodeau

## Summary

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.

## Chapters

- [0:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/shop-talk-live/2019-02-08-stl182-5-veneer-master-craig-thibodeau#t=0) Introduction and Craig's Background
- [2:46](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/shop-talk-live/2019-02-08-stl182-5-veneer-master-craig-thibodeau#t=166) Transition from Engineering to Woodworking
- [8:57](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/shop-talk-live/2019-02-08-stl182-5-veneer-master-craig-thibodeau#t=537) Financial Advice for Aspiring Woodworkers
- [13:03](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/shop-talk-live/2019-02-08-stl182-5-veneer-master-craig-thibodeau#t=783) Mechanical Furniture and Commission Work
- [20:15](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/shop-talk-live/2019-02-08-stl182-5-veneer-master-craig-thibodeau#t=1215) Writing The Craft of Veneering
- [24:23](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/shop-talk-live/2019-02-08-stl182-5-veneer-master-craig-thibodeau#t=1463) Techniques for Veneer and Marquetry
- [30:59](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/shop-talk-live/2019-02-08-stl182-5-veneer-master-craig-thibodeau#t=1859) Design Philosophy and Materials
- [37:28](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/shop-talk-live/2019-02-08-stl182-5-veneer-master-craig-thibodeau#t=2248) Marketing, Shows, and Social Media

## Topics

- [Careers & education](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/engineering-careers-and-education)
- [Materials & manufacturing processes](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/materials-and-processes)
- [Marketing & brand](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/marketing-and-brand)
- [Pricing, margins & unit economics](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/pricing-and-unit-economics)
- [Industrial & consumer product design](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/industrial-design)

## Most relevant to

companies scaling up

## Mentioned

- The Craft of Veneering (product)
- ctfinefurniture.com (other)
- Fine Woodworking (other)
- Paul Schirsch (other)
- Amilite (material)
- Ziplex (material)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [466: This is My Workshop Trumpet](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/making-it/2024-12-19-466-this-is-my-workshop-trumpet) (Making It)
- [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 326: You can always sell a drumset…](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/making-it/2021-10-22-episode-326-you-can-always-sell-a-drumset) (Making It)
- [503: It’s Made Me a More Fearless Maker](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/making-it/2025-10-31-503-its-made-me-a-more-fearless-maker) (Making It)
- [Jared Geddes | Sell Your Woodworking CAD/Drawings Designs Online](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2022-04-15-jared-geddes-sell-your-woodworking-cad-drawings-designs-online) (Being an Engineer)

## 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/2019-02-08-stl182-5-veneer-master-craig-thibodeau. 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.