# STL189: Nancy Hiller, Chris Becksvoort and Vic Tesolin

- Show: [Shop Talk Live](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/shop-talk-live)
- Published: 2019-05-10
- Length: 1h 04m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/shop-talk-live/2019-05-10-stl189-nancy-hiller-chris-becksvoort-and-vic-tesolin
- Listen: https://shoptalklive.podcast.static.taunton.com/stl189-nancy-hiller-chris-becksvoort-and-vic-tesolin

## Summary

Joe Taylor, Director of Sales for Rikon, presents the Model 10-326DVR 14-inch Bandsaw with Smart Motor DVR Control and the Model 70-800 4-Piece Woodturning System, explaining their variable speed and tool-changing features. Nancy Hiller discusses the aesthetic value of fine furniture versus cabinetry, arguing that built-ins can have equal aesthetic merit through function and touch, and emphasizes her preference for the tactile satisfaction of making things. Christian Becksvoort shares his finishing philosophy, advocating for spot-repairable oil and varnish mixes over hard finishes like conversion varnish, citing a failure with a client's cherry table as a cautionary tale. Vic Tesolin advises new woodworkers to prioritize practice and muscle memory over expensive jigs and extreme accuracy, while detailing Lee Valley Tools' rigorous prototyping process for products like the combination plane.

## Chapters

- [0:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/shop-talk-live/2019-05-10-stl189-nancy-hiller-chris-becksvoort-and-vic-tesolin#t=0) Introduction and Sponsor Read
- [2:42](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/shop-talk-live/2019-05-10-stl189-nancy-hiller-chris-becksvoort-and-vic-tesolin#t=162) Joe Taylor and Rikon Products: DVR Bandsaw and Woodturning System
- [13:49](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/shop-talk-live/2019-05-10-stl189-nancy-hiller-chris-becksvoort-and-vic-tesolin#t=829) Nancy Hiller on Fine Furniture vs. Cabinetry and Career
- [26:23](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/shop-talk-live/2019-05-10-stl189-nancy-hiller-chris-becksvoort-and-vic-tesolin#t=1583) Christian Becksvoort on Shaker Proportion and Finishing
- [37:18](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/shop-talk-live/2019-05-10-stl189-nancy-hiller-chris-becksvoort-and-vic-tesolin#t=2238) Vic Tesolin on Shop Organization and New Student Advice
- [54:35](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/shop-talk-live/2019-05-10-stl189-nancy-hiller-chris-becksvoort-and-vic-tesolin#t=3275) Vic Tesolin on Lee Valley Tools Design Process

## Topics

- [Mechanical engineering](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/mechanical-engineering)
- [Industrial & consumer product design](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/industrial-design)
- [Materials & manufacturing processes](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/materials-and-processes)
- [Starting a product company](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/starting-a-company)
- [Careers & education](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/engineering-careers-and-education)
- [Pricing, margins & unit economics](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/pricing-and-unit-economics)

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies

## Mentioned

- Rikon (company)
- Model 10-326DVR (product)
- Model 70-800 (product)
- Nancy Hiller (other)
- Christian Becksvoort (other)
- Vic Tesolin (other)
- Lee Valley Tools (company)
- Veritas (company)
- combination plane (product)
- Tucker Vice (product)
- Circular Plane (product)

## 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)
- [479: The One](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/making-it/2025-04-18-479-the-one) (Making It)
- [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)

## 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/2019-05-10-stl189-nancy-hiller-chris-becksvoort-and-vic-tesolin. 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.