# STL235: Are saw guides really cheating?

- Show: [Shop Talk Live](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/shop-talk-live)
- Published: 2021-02-26
- Length: 1h 09m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/shop-talk-live/2021-02-26-stl235-are-saw-guides-really-cheating
- Listen: https://shoptalklive.podcast.static.taunton.com/stl235-are-saw-guides-really-cheating

## Summary

Vic Tesolin, Mike Pekovich, and Ben Strand discuss the utility of jigs and guides in woodworking, arguing that using a saw guide for dovetails or a bearing-guided router bit for waste removal is not 'cheating' but a valid way to achieve precision and save time. They detail their specific hand plane setups, contrasting the use of jack planes for stock removal with smoothing planes for finish work, and share anecdotes about making custom pull planes. The conversation also covers practical shop advice, including optimizing lighting for winter woodworking by matching color temperatures and using task lights, and the importance of enjoying the process without adhering to rigid 'authenticity' dogmas.

## Chapters

- [0:06](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/shop-talk-live/2021-02-26-stl235-are-saw-guides-really-cheating#t=6) Introduction and Router Safety
- [3:54](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/shop-talk-live/2021-02-26-stl235-are-saw-guides-really-cheating#t=234) Router Bits and Dovetail Waste Removal
- [13:37](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/shop-talk-live/2021-02-26-stl235-are-saw-guides-really-cheating#t=817) Hand Plane Types: Jack vs. Smoothing
- [18:46](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/shop-talk-live/2021-02-26-stl235-are-saw-guides-really-cheating#t=1126) Making Custom Pull Planes
- [34:07](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/shop-talk-live/2021-02-26-stl235-are-saw-guides-really-cheating#t=2047) Shop Lighting and Task Lights
- [48:53](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/shop-talk-live/2021-02-26-stl235-are-saw-guides-really-cheating#t=2933) Saw Guides and Dovetail Jigs
- [1:01:55](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/shop-talk-live/2021-02-26-stl235-are-saw-guides-really-cheating#t=3715) Woodworking Philosophy and Community

## Topics

- [Mechanical engineering](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/mechanical-engineering)
- [Fabrication & craft](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/fabrication-and-craft)
- [Validation & product-market fit](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/validation-and-product-market-fit)
- [Sustainability & circular products](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/sustainability-and-circularity)
- [Maker community & events](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/maker-community)

## Most relevant to

makers and hobbyists

## Mentioned

- I to RCNC (company)
- Karen McBride (other)
- Trend (product)
- Rosewood (company)
- Garrett Hack (other)
- Bob Van Dyke (other)
- Will Neptune (other)
- Lee Nielsen (company)
- Bedrock (product)
- Stanley (company)
- Fine Woodworking (company)
- Lenielsen Honing Guide (product)
- Wood Truce (other)
- Woodyak (other)

## 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 332: Plywood is good](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/making-it/2021-11-27-episode-332-plywood-is-good) (Making It)
- [Episode 141: Jimmy Two-Shows](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/making-it/2017-10-27-episode-141-jimmy-two-shows) (Making It)
- [Episode 160: The Cadillac of trailers](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/making-it/2018-03-16-episode-160-the-cadillac-of-trailers) (Making It)
- [Episode 032: Listener Questions](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/making-it/2015-08-13-episode-032-listener-questions) (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/2021-02-26-stl235-are-saw-guides-really-cheating. 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.