STL201: Friends Don't Let Friends Go Metric

Shop Talk Live · 25 Oct 2019 · 1h 00m

What this episode covers

Hosts Mike and Ben discuss woodworking advice, starting with Ben’s discovery that a piece of cherry wood from an old crosscut sled was repurposed into a ukulele neck. They answer a listener's question on choosing a first hand plane, recommending a high-quality number five or number four smoother from brands like Lee Nielsen or Veritas, while debating the merits of tuning old Stanleys versus buying new. The conversation shifts to building a wall-hung tool cabinet with frame-and-panel construction, suggesting plywood and biscuits for budget builds, and sourcing rift-sawn white oak from Tallercio Hardwoods. Finally, they debate the safety and utility of English-style table saw fences versus continuous fences, and discuss the hosts' favorite tools, including digital calipers and a custom travel tool chest.

Mentioned

Companies
Maverick Abrasives, Tallercio Hardwoods
Also
Lee Nielsen, Veritas, Stanley, Chris Gockner, Andrew Hunter, Tim Rousseau, Crane Feed

Other shows on the same ground, closest first.

  • Making It · 47m

    Making It #010: If it looks straight….

    Hosts Jimmy Diresta, Bob Clagett, and David Picciuto discuss listener questions, starting with Diresta's potential action figure campaign through Toy Backer and Clagett's silicone mold making using Smooth-On materials. The trio debates the value of cheap versus expensive tools like those from Harbor Freight and DeWalt, and compares sharpening systems such as the Veritas MK2 and Workshop 3000. They also offer advice on managing workshop space, comparing radial arm saws to table saws, and navigating client relationships in custom woodworking.

  • Making It · 1h 08m

    Episode 332: Plywood is good

    Jimmy Diresta, Bob Clagett, and David Picciuto discuss recent projects, including Jimmy's construction of a two-stage blacksmith bellows using plywood and his design of a car rotisserie utilizing farm jacks and steel tubing. The hosts debate the value of modern tools like CNC machines versus traditional hand skills, using a Looney Tunes analogy to illustrate how technology prioritizes speed over quality. They also share personal updates, such as David's popcorn bowl experiment and Jimmy's installation of a treehouse zip line, before reflecting on their gratitude for their audience and community.

  • Making It · 57m

    Episode 064: Pat the bushes of my brain

    Hosts Jimmy Diresta, Bob Clagett, and David Picciuto brainstorm upcoming woodworking and electronics projects, including a Sam Maloof-style chair, a Death Star-inspired bentwood chair, and a custom guitar case. They discuss specific materials like door skin plywood and West System epoxy, and techniques such as laminating, CNC tiling, and using Domino joinery. The conversation also covers the hosts' experiences with YouTube engagement, managing email notifications, and finding inspiration through antique shopping and online communities.

  • Making It · 1h 01m

    Episode 141: Jimmy Two-Shows

    Jimmy Diresta, Bob Clagett, and David Picciuto discuss the details of NBC's new show 'Making It,' including Diresta's role as a shop teacher and the negotiation to license the show's name. The hosts also provide advice for beginners in woodworking, recommending specific tools like bandsaws, track saws, and hand planes, while emphasizing project-based learning over buying a full set of tools upfront. They share personal anecdotes about shop renovations, building guitar stands, and recommend other maker channels like Brett's Skull and Spades and The Oddlings.

  • Making It · 1h 05m

    Episode 033: More listener questions

    Hosts Jimmy Diresta, Bob Clagett, and David Picciuto answer listener questions about woodworking materials like walnut and teak, safety protocols after Jimmy's table saw injury, and the business of making. They discuss the drivers of the maker movement, including TV shows and YouTube, and offer advice on sourcing reclaimed wood, managing shop fatigue, and starting electronics projects with resources like Adafruit and SparkFun. The conversation also covers dealing with difficult customers, the saturation of YouTube channels, and the importance of community among makers.

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.