# STL269: How we absorb woodworking information

- Show: [Shop Talk Live](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/shop-talk-live)
- Published: 2022-07-01
- Length: 1h 09m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/shop-talk-live/2022-07-01-stl269-how-we-absorb-woodworking-information
- Listen: https://shoptalklive.podcast.static.taunton.com/stl269-how-we-absorb-woodworking-information

## Summary

Mike Pekovich, Ben Stepanek, and Vic Scholten of Fine Woodworking discuss their strategies for absorbing woodworking information, contrasting technical 'how-to' research with inspirational learning from sources like YouTube, Instagram, and Ernest Joyce's encyclopedias. They highlight the importance of understanding fundamental joinery concepts rather than specific tool setups, using examples like angled mortise and tenons and sharpening. The hosts also share stories about impulse buying, such as Ben's failed search for a non-existent router bit and Vic's purchase of a Cocobolo marking gauge, emphasizing the value of giving oneself permission to fail and learn.

## Chapters

- [0:06](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/shop-talk-live/2022-07-01-stl269-how-we-absorb-woodworking-information#t=6) Introduction: Shop Talk Live and Unlimited Membership Confusion
- [5:16](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/shop-talk-live/2022-07-01-stl269-how-we-absorb-woodworking-information#t=316) Navigating Fine Woodworking Digital Archives and Layouts
- [16:21](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/shop-talk-live/2022-07-01-stl269-how-we-absorb-woodworking-information#t=981) Research Strategies: YouTube, Books, and Ernest Joyce
- [23:56](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/shop-talk-live/2022-07-01-stl269-how-we-absorb-woodworking-information#t=1436) Understanding Fundamentals: Joinery and Sharpening
- [37:16](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/shop-talk-live/2022-07-01-stl269-how-we-absorb-woodworking-information#t=2236) Inspiration vs. Technique: Learning from Others' Methods
- [41:07](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/shop-talk-live/2022-07-01-stl269-how-we-absorb-woodworking-information#t=2467) Segment Potpourri: Permission to Fail and Social Media Pressure
- [52:49](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/shop-talk-live/2022-07-01-stl269-how-we-absorb-woodworking-information#t=3169) Ben's Router Bit Mishap and Impulse Buying Stories

## Topics

- [Industrial & consumer product design](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/industrial-design)
- [Careers & education](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/engineering-careers-and-education)
- [Founder wellbeing](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/founder-wellbeing)
- [Sourcing & supply chain](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/sourcing-and-supply-chain)
- [Maker community & events](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/maker-community)

## Most relevant to

established companies

## Mentioned

- Fine Woodworking (company)
- Ernest Joyce's encyclopedia (other)
- YouTube (other)
- Instagram (other)
- Woodcraft (company)
- Whiteside (company)
- Lee Valley (company)
- McFeely's (company)
- Kling Spore (company)
- Stumac Tape Deck (product)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [Episode 033: More listener questions](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/making-it/2015-08-21-episode-033-more-listener-questions) (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)
- [436: In Case I Saw A Witch Fly By](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/making-it/2024-03-29-436-in-case-i-saw-a-witch-fly-by) (Making It)
- [528: Grippy Bits](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/making-it/2026-06-05-528-grippy-bits) (Making It)
- [Episode 141: Jimmy Two-Shows](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/making-it/2017-10-27-episode-141-jimmy-two-shows) (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/2022-07-01-stl269-how-we-absorb-woodworking-information. 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.