STL248: Best of Shop Talk Live #1

Shop Talk Live · 27 Aug 2021 · 58m

What this episode covers

Fine Woodworking editors Barry York, Mike Pekovich, and Bob Van Dyke discuss vintage hand planes, specifically Miller's Falls and Stanley models, and the nuances of selecting and using off-brand tools. They detail the mechanics of drawbore joinery, explaining how offset pins create self-clamping joints in various woods like cherry and oak, and share anecdotes about tool preferences, including the Stanley No. 4 plane and Lee Nielsen planes. The episode also covers finishing chemistry, distinguishing between Danish oil, wiping varnish, and true varnishes, and offers advice on lumber selection, emphasizing grain orientation and acclimation to prevent movement in species like white oak and poplar.

Mentioned

Companies
Stanley, Lee Nielsen, Veritas, Pony Jorgensen
Products
Miller's Falls, Watco
Also
Time Tested Tools

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 · 59m

    Episode 163: Live Edge Bowling Ball

    Jimmy Diresta, Bob Clagett, and David Picciuto discuss the longevity of design styles, contrasting timeless clean lines with ephemeral trends like river tables and burnt wood. David Picciuto details a significant failure involving warped plywood in a large cabinet project, while Jimmy Diresta shares his experience at the Carolina Shoe Factory and his work on a live-edge puzzle. The hosts also debate the material properties of epoxy versus glass in river tables and the future of furniture design, including 3D printing.

  • Making It · 1h 11m

    Episode 162: An eyeball, tongue, ear and 2 big thumbs

    Jimmy Diresta, Bob Clagett, and David Picciuto discuss a variety of maker topics, starting with Jimmy's home renovation struggles involving asbestos and lead. The conversation shifts to David's blacksmithing workshop in Montana, where he learned to use power hammers and forged tools under the guidance of Brent Bailey. The hosts then dive into a detailed technical discussion on wood finishing, comparing sanding grits, polyurethane, shellac, and spray paints like Montana and Rust-Oleum.

  • 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 · 1h 03m

    Episode 094: Being a hoarder is a big job…

    Jimmy Diresta, Bob Clagett, and David Picciuto discuss the joy of acquiring and restoring old tools and machinery, with Jimmy announcing a new deal with Tormak for a CNC machine and his learning of Autodesk Fusion 360. They debate the merits of vintage cast iron tools versus modern equivalents, citing durability and 'soul,' and share stories of finding rare items like a 12-foot lathe and an antique check-canceling machine. The hosts also touch on their upcoming Boston meetup, book recommendations, and the business side of buying antiques for content creation.

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.