# STL247: Drop the baseline

- Show: [Shop Talk Live](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/shop-talk-live)
- Published: 2021-08-13
- Length: 1h 03m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/shop-talk-live/2021-08-13-stl247-drop-the-baseline
- Listen: https://shoptalklive.podcast.static.taunton.com/stl247-drop-the-baseline

## Summary

Mike Pekovich, Associate Art Director at Fine Woodworking, explains why he maintains a day job rather than becoming a full-time furniture maker, citing the financial realities of commission work and the value of documenting other woodworkers' craft. He details his custom Texas Heritage apron setup, which holds specific tools like Infinity setup gauges and a KUM pencil sharpener, and discusses his preference for Blackwing and Ticonderoga pencils. The hosts also cover blade maintenance strategies for bandsaws and table saws, emphasizing frequent changes for resawing and cleaning pitch to extend carbide life. Finally, Ben discusses a recent prototype build for a large toolbox, detailing a rabbit joint error he corrected with a hand plane, and the guests explore techniques for avoiding visible marking gauge lines in joinery.

## Chapters

- [0:06](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/shop-talk-live/2021-08-13-stl247-drop-the-baseline#t=6) Why Mike Pekovich has a day job at Fine Woodworking
- [19:07](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/shop-talk-live/2021-08-13-stl247-drop-the-baseline#t=1147) Mike's custom Texas Heritage apron and tool organization
- [27:16](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/shop-talk-live/2021-08-13-stl247-drop-the-baseline#t=1636) The KUM/Blackwing pencil sharpener and pencil preferences
- [33:06](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/shop-talk-live/2021-08-13-stl247-drop-the-baseline#t=1986) Bandsaw and table saw blade lifespan and maintenance
- [41:16](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/shop-talk-live/2021-08-13-stl247-drop-the-baseline#t=2476) Ben's toolbox prototype rabbit joint error and fix
- [52:45](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/shop-talk-live/2021-08-13-stl247-drop-the-baseline#t=3165) Techniques for avoiding visible marking gauge lines

## Topics

- [Careers & education](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/engineering-careers-and-education)
- [Fabrication & craft](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/fabrication-and-craft)
- [Mechanical engineering](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/mechanical-engineering)
- [Sourcing & supply chain](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/sourcing-and-supply-chain)
- [Industrial & consumer product design](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/industrial-design)

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies

## Mentioned

- Fine Woodworking (company)
- Texas Heritage (company)
- KUM (product)
- Blackwing (product)
- Infinity (product)
- Pony Jorgensen (company)

## 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 297: I’m not sick, just 53](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/making-it/2021-02-26-episode-297-im-not-sick-just-53) (Making It)
- [242: Sometimes you make art…](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/making-it/2020-01-03-242-sometimes-you-make-art) (Making It)
- [Episode 032: Listener Questions](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/making-it/2015-08-13-episode-032-listener-questions) (Making It)
- [Episode 229: Jimmy made a laser bandsaw.](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/making-it/2019-09-20-episode-229-jimmy-made-a-laser-bandsaw) (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/2021-08-13-stl247-drop-the-baseline. 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.