# STL206: The best plywood for jigs

- Show: [Shop Talk Live](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/shop-talk-live)
- Published: 2020-01-03
- Length: 1h 06m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/shop-talk-live/2020-01-03-stl206-the-best-plywood-for-jigs
- Listen: https://shoptalklive.podcast.static.taunton.com/stl206-the-best-plywood-for-jigs

## Summary

Hosts Tom, Mike, and Ben discuss woodworking techniques, focusing on the best materials for shop jigs, specifically comparing MDF and Baltic birch plywood, and debating the use of random orbit sanders versus hand sanding. They provide a detailed process for ammonia fuming white oak to mimic English brown oak, explaining how to manage color consistency and finish application. The conversation also covers practical shop organization, tool selection like joiners and track saws, and troubleshooting finishing issues with walnut sapwood.

## Chapters

- [0:04](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/shop-talk-live/2020-01-03-stl206-the-best-plywood-for-jigs#t=4) Introduction and New Year's Resolutions
- [9:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/shop-talk-live/2020-01-03-stl206-the-best-plywood-for-jigs#t=540) Sanding Techniques: Random Orbit vs. Hand Sanding
- [15:13](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/shop-talk-live/2020-01-03-stl206-the-best-plywood-for-jigs#t=913) Wood Species with Visible Rays and Fleck
- [20:56](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/shop-talk-live/2020-01-03-stl206-the-best-plywood-for-jigs#t=1256) Ammonia Fuming White Oak Process
- [27:09](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/shop-talk-live/2020-01-03-stl206-the-best-plywood-for-jigs#t=1629) Best Materials for Shop Jigs: MDF vs. Baltic Birch
- [32:57](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/shop-talk-live/2020-01-03-stl206-the-best-plywood-for-jigs#t=1977) Shop Organization and Storage Resolutions
- [42:15](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/shop-talk-live/2020-01-03-stl206-the-best-plywood-for-jigs#t=2535) Sharpening Water Stones Without Running Water
- [47:05](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/shop-talk-live/2020-01-03-stl206-the-best-plywood-for-jigs#t=2825) Bandsaw Operation and Joiner Selection
- [54:05](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/shop-talk-live/2020-01-03-stl206-the-best-plywood-for-jigs#t=3245) Track Saw Miters and Finishing Walnut Sapwood

## Topics

- [Materials & manufacturing processes](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/materials-and-processes)
- [Fabrication & craft](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/fabrication-and-craft)
- [Factory operations & automation](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/factory-operations)
- [Sourcing & supply chain](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/sourcing-and-supply-chain)
- [Careers & education](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/engineering-careers-and-education)

## Most relevant to

makers and hobbyists

## Mentioned

- Maverick Abrasives (company)
- Fine Woodworking (other)
- Festool (product)
- Makita (product)
- Briwax (product)
- Delta (product)
- Grizzly (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)
- [Episode 162: An eyeball, tongue, ear and 2 big thumbs](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/making-it/2018-03-30-episode-162-an-eyeball-tongue-ear-and-2-big-thumbs) (Making It)
- [Episode 332: Plywood is good](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/making-it/2021-11-27-episode-332-plywood-is-good) (Making It)
- [Episode 064: Pat the bushes of my brain](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/making-it/2016-03-25-episode-064-pat-the-bushes-of-my-brain) (Making It)
- [Episode 163: Live Edge Bowling  Ball](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/making-it/2018-04-06-episode-163-live-edge-bowling-ball) (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/2020-01-03-stl206-the-best-plywood-for-jigs. 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.