# STL276: Too flawless to cut

- Show: [Shop Talk Live](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/shop-talk-live)
- Published: 2022-10-07
- Length: 1h 22m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/shop-talk-live/2022-10-07-stl276-too-flawless-to-cut
- Listen: https://shoptalklive.podcast.static.taunton.com/stl276-too-flawless-to-cut

## Summary

Gary Rogowski of the Northwest Woodworking Studio joins the Shop Talk Live hosts to discuss the challenges and benefits of teaching woodworking online post-COVID, noting his enrollment increased sixfold despite the loss of immediate feedback. The group debates mortise and tenon joint design, with Rogowski advising against drawboring and square mortise corners in favor of maximizing glue surface area and using rounded corners to prevent splitting. They also evaluate alternative clamping methods like Japanese twine and paracord, concluding that while useful for repairs, standard clamps remain superior for most joinery. Finally, the hosts share their all-time favorite tools, including jigs, bench modifications, and chisels, before addressing a listener's dilemma about storing and using expensive, large-format lumber like sapelle and teak.

## Chapters

- [0:07](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/shop-talk-live/2022-10-07-stl276-too-flawless-to-cut#t=7) Introduction: Online Teaching and the New Normal
- [13:19](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/shop-talk-live/2022-10-07-stl276-too-flawless-to-cut#t=799) Mortise and Tenon Design: Length, Width, and Drawboring
- [31:09](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/shop-talk-live/2022-10-07-stl276-too-flawless-to-cut#t=1869) Using String, Twine, and Paracord as Clamps
- [46:42](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/shop-talk-live/2022-10-07-stl276-too-flawless-to-cut#t=2802) All-Time Favorite Tools: Jigs, Benches, and Chisels
- [1:02:16](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/shop-talk-live/2022-10-07-stl276-too-flawless-to-cut#t=3736) The Piece of Wood You Don't Want to Cut: Lumber Hoarding

## Topics

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

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies

## Mentioned

- PantoRouter (product)
- Fine Woodworking (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 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 160: The Cadillac of trailers](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/making-it/2018-03-16-episode-160-the-cadillac-of-trailers) (Making It)
- [Episode 332: Plywood is good](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/making-it/2021-11-27-episode-332-plywood-is-good) (Making It)
- [Episode 157: Wizard Robes](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/making-it/2018-02-23-episode-157-wizard-robes) (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/2022-10-07-stl276-too-flawless-to-cut. 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.